Now that the school year is officially underway, parents and caregivers with younger children may want to find new ways to entertain their kids.
This August, a new children’s museum opened at the Kentlands shopping center in Gaithersburg. It is called Play Street Museum. It is part of a franchise of Children’s museums around the globe with 30 locations in the United States.
“We saw this concept on social media, and personally we wanted to bring something that was more creative, more STEM-focused, and something where parents and everyone can watch their child without having to run around them,” said Sandeep Pulugurtha, the museum’s owner.
Unique Offerings for Young Children
The museum is interactive. It is designed for children between 1 and 8 years old. MCM spoke with Kyle McDaniel, the general manager at the Gaithersburg location.
He said the Kentlands museum is unique. It resembles a town square. Children and their parents or caregivers can explore a doctor’s office, a grocery store, and other pretend centers. The museum also has a toy recycling truck and a giant electronic train table.
“We feature a variety of different play structures resembling a city block and each building is filled to the brim with high quality and developmentally sound toys and activities,” McDaniel said.
Long-time residents of Montgomery County may remember a similar children’s play place that was popular in the mid-1990s called Imagine That. It was located in the Congressional Plaza Shopping Center in Rockville. It closed in 2001.
Imaginative Play
McDaniel said places like Play Street Museum offer children a chance to use their imagination in creative ways.
“Pretend play is one of the most important ways young children learn about themselves and the world around them. When children step into a pretend doctor’s office, care for a baby doll, or imagine driving a recycling truck, they’re not just playing, they’re building lifelong skills,” McDaniel said.
He cited other benefits that children can get from this form of interactive play:
- Develop social and emotional skills: taking on roles like a doctor or caregiver encourages empathy, cooperation, and communication.
- Build problem-solving and creativity: pretend scenarios let children experiment, make choices, and think flexibly.
- Strengthen language and thinking skills: acting out real world roles introduces new vocabulary and concepts in a meaningful, memorable way.
- Connect with their community: exploring familiar places and jobs through play helps children understand how their world works and gives them a sense of belonging.
“At Play Street Museum, we believe interactive pretend play is more than fun. It’s foundational. It lays the groundwork for confidence, resilience, and curiosity that children will carry into school and beyond,” McDaniel explained.
Other Activities Offered
Besides pretend centers, the Museum also offers arts and crafts for interested children. Some of the crafts include making bracelets, canvas painting, and pottery painting. McDaniel said one popular feature is the museum’s Slime Lab. It also has space to host birthday parties or other special events for larger groups.
Reservations Recommended
McDaniel said parents and caregivers interested in bringing their children should make a reservation. The museum has five play sessions throughout the day. The first session starts at 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m, 10:30 a.m. until noon, 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Each session is limited to 25 children. The museum takes walk-ins as long as there is room. There is an admission price of $17.00 per child. The museum does not charge adults, caregivers or children older than 8 years old if they attend with a paying sibling.
Focus on Cleanliness
“Play Street Museum’s vision is to inspire the world through play. We are a completely shoeless facility and require all staff and visitors to navigate the museum in socks. Throughout the day our staff is checking the integrity of the toys and play structures. We also sanitize all surfaces. We closely monitor our space and remove anything with damage or needing disinfection,” McDaniel said.
More Information
Pulugurtha tells MCM he hopes people in the area will visit and see what it has to offer. More information about the Play Street Museum is available online.
Photo Courtesy Play Street Museum
