You’ve done your research, scrolled through reviews, and settled on a play spot that looks amazing — but somewhere in the back of your mind, a question lingers: how clean is it, really? If you’re a parent who takes their child’s safety seriously, you’re not alone. At Hey Kiddos Playtime in Marlborough, MA, we built our entire 26,000 sq ft facility with exactly that question in mind.
Safety isn’t a checkbox for us — it’s personal. Here’s an inside look at the cleaning protocols, safety measures, and thoughtful design choices that make Hey Kiddos one of the most trusted indoor playgrounds in MetroWest Massachusetts.
Why We’re Nut-Free — And Why It Matters
Hey Kiddos was founded by Claudio and Graziella, a Brazilian-American family from Marlborough. Their daughter Zoe — the same little girl who named the brand — has a severe nut allergy. That experience shaped every decision made about this facility.
From day one, Hey Kiddos has been a completely nut-free venue. No peanut-butter snacks, no trail mix, no “may contain nuts” foods anywhere on the premises. For families managing nut allergies, this isn’t a small perk — it’s the difference between a fun afternoon and a terrifying one. We know, because we’ve lived it.
If your child has a food allergy and you’ve been hesitant to visit indoor play spaces, we want you to know: Hey Kiddos was literally built for your family. We’re proud to be a safe haven for nut-allergy families across Massachusetts who deserve a place to play without worry.
Daily Cleaning Protocols That Go Beyond the Surface
At 26,000 square feet, keeping Hey Kiddos genuinely clean is no small task — but it’s one we take seriously every single day.
- High-touch surfaces — door handles, railings, climbing structures, and play equipment — are sanitized multiple times throughout each open session.
- Restrooms are checked and cleaned on a regular rotation during operating hours, not just at open and close.
- Soft play areas in Toddler’s Wonderland (designed for ages 0–3) receive extra attention, since the littlest explorers are often putting their hands — and everything else — in their mouths.
- Ball pits and foam features are regularly cleaned and inspected to ensure there are no hidden hazards.
- Our team performs a full deep-clean at the end of every operating day so every session starts fresh.
We train our staff to treat the venue as they would their own home — because we genuinely do. Claudio and Graziella bring their own daughters here, and that changes everything about how seriously we take cleanliness and safety at our safe indoor playground in Massachusetts.
Grip Socks: A Simple Rule With a Big Safety Impact
Every child playing at Hey Kiddos is required to wear grip socks. This isn’t just a policy — it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent slips and falls on our play surfaces.
Grip socks provide traction on smooth climbing structures and slides, keep little feet clean and protected, and help reduce the spread of germs that bare feet can transfer between surfaces. We sell Hey Kiddos-branded grip socks at the front desk if you forget a pair at home, so there’s no reason to skip this step.
Age-Zoned Play Areas: Right-Sized Safety for Every Stage
One of the most important safety decisions we made when designing Hey Kiddos was creating three separate play zones, each scaled and equipped for a specific age group. A 10-year-old at full sprint simply doesn’t belong in the same space as a 14-month-old learning to walk — so we made sure they never have to share it.
- Toddler’s Wonderland (Ages 0–3) — soft, low-impact structures designed for babies and toddlers who are still building their balance and coordination. No big kids crashing through.
- Explorer’s Cove (Ages 3–6) — a bridge zone with activities perfectly matched to the energy and capabilities of preschoolers and early elementary kids.
- Adventure Zone (Ages 6–12) — the big-kid space with more physically demanding equipment, safely separated from younger children.
Age zoning isn’t just about matching fun to developmental stages — it’s a core safety feature that gives every child the right-sized environment to thrive and explore without risk of collision or overwhelm.
Trained Staff on the Floor — Not Just at the Desk
Our team members don’t just check wristbands and hand out socks. They’re present on the play floor, paying attention, and ready to step in when needed. We believe attentive staffing is just as important as physical safety infrastructure.
From helping a nervous toddler work up the courage to try a new slide, to keeping an eye on the energy levels in the Adventure Zone, our staff are trained to be proactive — not reactive. Parents at Hey Kiddos often tell us one of their favorite things is actually being able to sit down for a few minutes, because they trust that their kids are being watched.
A Safe Space for Families Who’ve Felt Left Out
For allergy families, for parents of sensory-sensitive children, and for caregivers who simply want to know their child is in good hands — Hey Kiddos was designed with you in mind. We’ve welcomed hundreds of children with various needs, and we’re proud to be a venue where families who sometimes feel unwelcome elsewhere can finally relax and enjoy themselves.
Safety and joy aren’t opposites. In our experience, the safest environments are also the most fun — because when parents aren’t anxious, everyone has a better time.
Come See It for Yourself
We know that reading about cleaning protocols is one thing — walking through the door and experiencing Hey Kiddos for yourself is another. We’re located at 601 Donald Lynch Blvd in Marlborough, MA, open Tuesday through Sunday, and we welcome families from all across Worcester County and MetroWest Massachusetts.
Ready to plan your visit? Grab your day passes online and come explore our clean, safe indoor playground. Thinking you’ll be a regular? Take a look at our membership options — most families find they pay for themselves after just a few visits.