RAINBOW PLAY SYSTEMS SHOWROOM

BLOOMINGTON, MN
VISIT WEBSITE

The time has come yet again – winter. It’s here. It’s Minnesota, so it’s kind of hard to get around it, but it is always nice to have some indoor adventures in your back pocket to maintain your sanity until the snow melts (in, like, late May).  I’m so grateful for the Rainbow Systems Showroom in Bloomington now that my preschooler is a little older and my fear of him banging his head incessantly on the playground wood has been minimized. While this space IS actually a showroom for the Rainbow Play equipment, it is also used as a daily pay-to-play indoor play space for kiddos to burn some winter energy – and us parents are extremely appreciative.

Although I would love one of these play systems for my dream home someday, it simply isn’t in my budget right now (maybe for the grandkids). For the time being, we will go spend our $7 for two active hours of running, jumping, climbing, sliding, swinging and playing pretend like it’s Spring already. 

What is it?

Rainbow Systems Showroom is an indoor equipment showroom located off Hwy 494 and Lyndale Avenue in Bloomington. This showroom is open for pay-to-play time during the weekdays only, and there are also showrooms available for play in Sioux Falls and St. Cloud. Reservations aren’t needed – you just show up, pay the worker, and treat it like the neighborhood park (with heat and a ton more options). The play space has about a dozen functioning playground sets, all with varying add-ons (such as monkey bars, play houses, rock walls, rope climbs, twisty slides, net, boat and seesaw swings, and my son’s favorite – a punching bag). The floor is nicely carpeted so your kid can wipe out and be relatively ok (mine tested this numerous times). There are also 5 trampolines your kids can use and 2 have basketball hoops and balls in them. There’s also a few buggy carts kids can ride around in both small and large sizes. The best is the pirate ship in the back where we spent a solid 30 minutes playing “capture Shredder” (who was no longer a TMNT super-villain, but rather was a heroic pirate warrior who was trying to save Neverland). I enjoyed myself and I know my kid did too. 

Fit for what ages?

My 4-year old felt like the ideal age for this place, but I know my older kids would love it too. Everything is well furnished to be kid-friendly, from tiny chairs in the snack room to stools in the bathrooms, and food and drink are not allowed on the showroom floor so crawlers should have no problem getting around in a clean, carpeted space. Of course, the wood is hard and fantastic quality, but that also means coordination is required so they aren’t banging their noggins every 5 minutes. The layout is nice and open though, so they’d have to work pretty hard to get hurt. Some of the climbing equipment and taller monkey bars are definitely meant for kids a bit older, but younger ones will be able to handle the steps and swings and smaller slides.

How much are we talkin?

The Pay-to-Play option is only available Monday-Friday from 10am-5pm and the cost is $7/kid over 16 months. No reservations are required – just show up and play! Do note that during school holidays and vacation days the price per kid goes up to $9. They don’t sell snacks or have vending machines or sell anything other than the playground equipment. 

If you’re in the area and love this place, it might be worth it to get a frequent players special. For $99, you get a one year play pass valid any day pay-to-play is offered. For each additional kid (must be a family member), it’s an additional $25. Other play passes (one includes a birthday party option) are available on their website. 

Birthday parties are available and I think it would be a fun option for the right age group. These start at $175 for a 2-hour weekday party and the price increases for weekends or exclusive party space. 

Want some tips?

There are bathrooms in the back hallway with stools for short legs and a diaper changer. Be sure to wear socks because you are supposed to leave your shoes in the cubbies up front. Reservations are not required to play (you just show up), but you will need to fill out a waiver before you can play. For $7, you get access to the playground equipment, the trampolines, the snack room (if there isn’t a birthday party) and the buggies you can ride around. We definitely packed snacks and drinks and enjoyed them off the showroom in one of the their two party rooms (whichever is open). 

My son and I went at 10:30am on a Monday and it was DEAD. Like, wonderfully dead. Probably a total of 10 other kids showed up the whole time we were there and we stayed until noon. Of course, around noon, everyone was leaving for nap time, so that might be an even more ideal time to go. It’s a bummer that they aren’t open to play on the weekends, but I suppose that’s because they need to actually sell their equipment…make financial sense. 🙂 

You won’t lose your kids here. It’s a lovely space in that it’s one long hallway with a jut towards the desk and entrance door but it’s enclosed in a very parent-friendly way. There are some chairs and tables for you to sit and watch them run and play or visit with a friend, but I honestly loved getting out there and playing pretend with my lil guy. He loved it too! We split up and went on missions, we played hide and seek, we sold pretend pizza from our pizza store, and just had a great time! 

The trampolines are awesome, but there is a rule that only one kid at at time can go on them. Thankfully there are 5 of them available, so that’s usually not an issue. There’s a coat rack and cubbies for your personal items and shoes. The parking lot is big and free and right off the highway.

No one was standing around with a counter telling us our 2 hours was up, but he was super tired after 90 minutes so it probably isn’t enforced. When you’re done playing, there’s a lot to do right in that area. For food, you can run to Davannis, Culvers, Chipotle, Lucky’s 13, Chick-Fil-A, El Loro, Red Robin or Red Lobster, just to name of few of the epic Bloomington chains. If you go early, maybe stop at Denny’s 5th Avenue Bakery for a delicious donut or baked good (not a chain – and unbelievably delicious). If you want to keep the fun going, Rainbow Play Systems sits in the center of some other kid-friendly locations, such as the Mall of America, Edinborough Playground, Southdale Mall, and The Works Museum.

Hours and Location

Rainbow Systems Showroom is located in Bloomington right off of Lyndale and Hwy 494. Pay-to-Play is available Monday-Friday from 10am until 5pm. There are often extended holiday and school vacation hours (adding an hour to the open or close) but be sure to check their website or follow them on Facebook to get up-to-date hours and see sales, closings, etc.