Open-ended play allows children to express themselves in play freely and creatively. It is a concept that’s largely being forgotten in the digital era. 

 

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Clinical Report on The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds lists many benefits of free play for children including healthy cognitive development and social skills. 

 

In Jean Piaget’s book Play, Dreams and Imitation in Childhood the author writes extensively about the links between open-ended play and intellectual development.

 

At Children’s Exploration Oasis, a unique play experience in Alexandria, there is no shortage of opportunities for such open-ended play. 

 

The building houses several rooms for explorative play. You can put on a chef’s hat or apron to work in the diner or grab the headset or ride in the car through the neighboring drive-thru. Don a lab coat and stethoscope and care for one of the many animals in the veterinarian’s office. Slide down the fireman’s pole when the alarm sounds. 

 

There’s a wood shop with tools, hair salon, trains, campfire, gym, farmer’s market, rock wall, spaceship, dining room, and grocery store conveyor belt for all of your shopping needs! 

 

The best part is they even let the grown-ups play too. No one even tried to remind me of my age while trying on my hard hat or enjoying my s’mores session with my new friend Elina!

 

Elina Aymond, 5, has visited Children’s Exploration Oasis frequently since it opened last November. Her mother Annie loves the creativity it provides. Foregoing screens is important to the family as they encourage Elina to use her imagination. 

 

It doesn’t take much. Elina was a play pro as she led me from room to room, even pretending to speak for the babies as they  told us what they wanted to eat in the restaurant. 

 

Neither of us were ready to leave when it was time to go!

 

Children’s Exploration Oasis is open Saturday 10-4 and Sunday 1-5 with special holiday and summer hours. The space can also be rented for birthday or private parties. 

 

They will host the following summer camps for ages 3-7:

 

Barbie June 17-21 

Frozen July 8-12

Farm Camp July 15-19

Bluey July 22-26

 

All camps are from 9 AM-Noon. 

 

For more information or to register for a summer camp call 318-704-2148 or visit childrensexplorationoasis.com.