There's Always Something to Do at
Dayton's First Playground of Its Kind
About us
Meet the Wilson family – Kayla, Jake, and little Wyatt – the driving force behind Playground42.
Kayla, the founder, served in the US Air Force for 8 years as a mental health counselor and moved around the US providing care to service members with mental health disorders and substance/alcohol disorders. Wanting to make more of an impact, Kayla and Jake went on to become foster parents and realized what an incredible feeling it was to have a direct hand in helping make kids’ lives better. When Kayla and Jake had their son in 2022, Kayla and Jake made the tough decision to have Kayla leave the military so they could stay rooted in Dayton long-term.
After having their son and becoming work-from-home parents with the desire to bypass daycare (not to mention the shortage of availability in our area), Kayla and Jake conducted an extensive search for a local indoor play studio where parents could work, exercise, unwind, or otherwise be productive while maintaining safe, controlled, direct supervised play over kids. After an exhaustive search for a local indoor play area that checks all these boxes, Kayla and Jake realized there was a notable gap in the community.
So, recognizing a distinct need in our community, Kayla decided to move forward with founding Playground42 with the support of her family. Playground42 is woman-owned and veteran-owned and isn’t just a business venture – it’s a vital solution for so many caregivers. Playground42 is a passion project, designed thoughtfully with love, and the Wilsons are so thrilled to be able to share it with you and the rest of our community.
Playground42 is more than just an indoor playground - it's a thoughtfully designed environment where families thrive.
Built from the ground up by parents who understand the daily juggle, this space was created to meet the real-world needs of modern families. At Playground42, we believe that productivity and play don't have to be mutually exclusive, so we designed a space where parents and caregivers can work, workout, or simply breathe, all while staying connected to their kids in a safe, stimulating space.
The play spaces are heavily Montessori-inspired and divided for babies and older children to ensure age-appropriate exploration and movement. While your little ones develop fine and gross motor skills, you can enjoy access to co-working desks, computer monitors, light fitness equipment, free high-speed Wi-Fi, and free coffee- all included with your visit.
We keep things flexible and affordable with daily drop-ins or membership options, and love housing private events where you get the entire facility to yourselves. Whether you're celebrating a Birthday, planning a playdate, or simply looking for a change of scenery, we've got you covered.
You'll also find thoughtful touches throughout- like cozy seating, a private nursing/sensory room, snacks and earbuds, for sale, a socks-only policy for cleanliness, and 24/7 surveillance and door security for peace of mind. Inclusivity, safety, and community are at the core of everything we do, and we're always looking for your input to shape the space as we grow.
So Playground42 isn't just a business- it's a movement towards balance. A sanctuary for multitasking parents. A fun imaginative hub for children. And it's a place where the whole family belongs.
