“to help children thrive through their natural desire to play, while providing a community space for caregivers to connect and feel supported.”
We sincerely apologize for late notice but we are closed today September 11th for open play. I am unable to supervise the playroom due to illness and need to rest up for our trivia night Friday evening! Thank you for your patience and we will see you Friday from 9-12 pm
DeSoto
21
September
9- 4 pm
see us out front of the playroom! activities, food trucks, bounce houses and more!
About Us
At Back to Play, we strive to provide children with a safe environment to explore, learn, and engage in child-led play. We are a non-profit organization that believes in the power of play and aim to provide a nurturing environment for kids to enjoy. We promote the physical, mental, and emotional development of youth while providing parents with an opportunity to connect with other families. We want our families to have access to the resources they need to provide their children with meaningful, interactive experiences that will last a lifetime.
FAQ and Pricing
Open Play
Ages 6 months and under are free
Under 2 years $5 per child
Age 2 and older $10 for the first child, $8 for additional children
All adults are free
All foster/adoptive youth 50% discount with placement letter or most recent court order
20% discount for caregivers in the following professions: nurses, teachers, EMS/Fire, police, military, and social work
Children must be supervised during their play by an adult (18+)
What families are saying
What families are saying
Kat G.
"Been here many times! It is a much needed place to the littles in our community. I appreciate how much the activities and the toys change to keep my child interested. It's always fun to come back and see all the changes! The sensory room is always fun, especially for my child who isn't about getting dirty, it gives her a safe space to explore. The town is better off having a space like this for our children!"
Sarah C.
"Great place for kids. Awesome environment. Tons of options for kids to play with and the owners were wonderful."
Lindsey H.
"A friend and I took our 2 years olds here. This place is perfect for toddlers! Made a rainy day playdate so much more fun. She offers 2 large spaces. The main area has a wide variety of toys, things to climb on and little set ups. The back area had sensory tables, water play and art supplies. And offers complementary coffee and water. For this tired mama was a huge bonus! Can’t wait to go back!"
Kevin A.
"This place rocks. I can get my work done on the wifi, have a cup of coffee and my kid is having a blast!"
Nonprofit Family Support Center
Our mission is to help children thrive through their natural desire to play. We recognize that this only serves part of our community, as caregivers need support too! We're here to make sure that families in Jefferson County have a place to come together, play, learn, and get the help they need. Our commitment is to serve Jefferson County families for the long haul, with these goals in mind:
- We're here to stay, providing support for different generations.
- We want to strengthen our ties with the community and local organizations.
- We aim to expand our educational programs to benefit even more children and parents.
- We plan to partner with counseling services to help families with a variety of professionals.
Join us on our journey to create a thriving community where families can grow and learn together. Your support, whether through donations, volunteering, or participating in our programs, makes all the difference. Together, we're building a brighter future for Jefferson County families. Thank you for being part of our mission!
Your generous donations play a pivotal role in transforming our nonprofit playroom into a space of boundless joy and comfort for children and families. Here's a glimpse of what your support achieves:
- Your contributions enable us to maintain a pristine playroom, ensuring that every child's experience is in a clean and hygienic space.
2. Donations help us regularly update our toy collection, keeping children engaged and excited during their visits. It means new learning opportunities and endless imaginative play.
3. By providing coffee, water, and snacks for both children and caregivers, you create a welcoming atmosphere for families to relax, refresh, and connect with one another. It's the little comforts that make a big difference.
4. Diapers and Wipes for those who may forget these essential items at home. This simple act of kindness ensures that every visit is free from stress and full of enjoyment.
5. Messy play is a gateway to learning and exploration. Your donations cover the costs of sensory materials, making messy play fun and educational. It's a tactile, creative journey for children to discover the world.
Every dollar donated brings us closer to our vision of a community hub where children and their families can play, learn, and bond in a safe and nurturing environment. Thank you for your generosity, which directly enhances the experiences of those who walk through our doors.
What we’re doing
Home School Support
We aim to support families that are homeschooling and looking for extra friends and learning adventures. We host a workshop and a play date once per month on Fridays. Click HERE to learn more.
Post Partum Groups
We host postpartum support groups to provide connection and resources for parents. We recognize the lack of services for this common parent challenge nationwide, and also in our county. We collaborate with other agencies and professionals to provide education and support.
Community Support
We host events and educational resources as often as our schedule allows us to bring more to our families for free! Check our events calendar for visitors such as the Children's Advocacy Center, Jeffco Health Department, Compass Health, JFCAC, The Salvation Army, and more.
Community Outreach
We connect with other organizations, agencies, and individuals as often as we can. Come see us throughout Jefferson County's family events and the city of Desoto's parades! We attend as many events we can to share our mission and the importance of play!
Watch them enjoy our interactive activities and engage in open play. Sensory bins depend on the current theme and supplies, but please reach out and we'll try to accommodate your preferences.
Please note your deposit is a separate invoice from the party reservation fee as we refund that 2-3 days post party!
Booking Your Birthday Party:
1. Check the calendar for available dates. You can book online or call us at 636-789-8354 to reserve on the phone.
2. If you have a specific party plan in mind, let us know and we will try to coordinate what we can for your party! Need tables arranged a certain way? Trying to set up games? Reach out and we can help plan accordingly.
3. Party Time: Arrive on your selected date and enjoy a memorable celebration with your child and their friends. Caregivers only may arrive at 2:30 to begin setting up and 15 minutes after your party for cleanup (Trash and food only!)
Home school Support and Workshops
At Back to Play, we understand that homeschooling is a rewarding yet sometimes challenging journey. We are offer a dedicated space and time for homeschooling families to connect, share experiences, and access valuable resources. Our group aims to enrich your homeschooling adventure through workshops, play dates, and expert-led sessions.
Monthly Workshops and Play dates
We invite you to join us on the first Friday of every month for our workshops and play dates:
- Workshops: These workshops cover a wide range of topics and electives beyond the typical curriculum. Our aim is to broaden horizons and introduce new skills and knowledge to both parents and children. Past workshops have included subjects like first aid, CPR, handwriting improvement, shoe tying, creative arts, foreign language exploration, outdoor skills, and many more! We are open to new ideas if you have a topic you would like to teach in a workshop.
- Play dates: During and after our workshop, we host a play date where children can interact and engage in open-ended play while parents exchange ideas and plan for the upcoming workshops.
Supporting Our Program
Our homeschooling support program is open to all families, and participation in our workshops and play dates are free. However, we greatly appreciate a contribution of $10 per family for supplies and activities to help us continue offering valuable resources.
Get Involved
To be part of our homeschooling support program or to stay updated on upcoming workshops and play dates, please check out our Facebook events, email info@backtoplaymo.org, or stop by the playroom and check us out!
If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to contact us!
September
workshop
Join the conductor to learn about how locomotives work, the history of Desoto’ railroads, and more about the Big Boy Train stopping in town next week!
Building Toward our Goals
Youth and Family Services
Our office for sublease will be completed by end of 2024 to support clinicians serving families in Jefferson County.
CPR and BLS Courses
EMS provided quarterly courses for the general public, parents, fosters parents, caregivers, and more with grant-funded heart-health cards.
Parent Education and Mentors
Free or low cost courses, support, and mentorship for biological parents seeking reunification, as well as co-parenting and attachment solution based education for families.
Bark to Play
Incorporating a resident therapy dog in the playroom during operational hours and events. We’re working hard behind the scenes to secure grant funding to bring animal support to our families.
More Community Support Groups
We plan to expand support groups for the community with therapist led meetings for neurodivergent families, single parent households, and bereaving caregivers.
Foster Care and Domestic Visit Location
We aim to host case workers, volunteers, and court approved supervisors for family visitation in a more engaging and supportive play space
Contact Us
Phone
636-789-8354
Email
info@backtoplaymo.org
hours of Operation for Open PLay
Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays 9- 3 pm
Saturdays 9-2 pm
Please check our calendar and Facebook page for special events and evening open play
Address
200 S Main Street, Desoto MO 63020
Free street parking on Main Street, ADA accessible
Back to Play will/does not discriminate on the account of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status either in its employment practices or in its policies and procedures concerning access to services.
