Best Spots in Dallas for Moms to Work with Kids in Tow

I work part-time from home.  Each week, there are certain days dedicated to getting work done while the preschooler is away at school and the baby is home with the nanny.  

I don’t know about you, but client demands do not always perfectly align with my “magic” working hours.  Many days, I try to cram emails and conference calls in while the baby naps or Daniel Tiger entertains.

Then, the mommy-guilt sets in.  I feel bad about sticking my son in front of the TV for half an hour and I feel bad about not giving work the full attention it needs. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were some places in town where the kids could play safely and I could keep one eye on them and the other eye on my computer?

Luckily, you live in a big city and today I’m sharing such places:

1.  Monster Yogurt – Do you need thirty minutes to knock out an email response? Pack up the kids for an “afternoon treat”.  Monster Yogurt provides an indoor playground in addition to self-serve toppings on fro-yo.  Meanwhile, parents can take advantage of their free WiFi and free coffee while the kids play.  9540 Garland Rd, Suite 394 or 1360 W Campbell Rd, Suite 101, Richardson

2.  BounceU – Plano’s local jump house offers WiFi while your kids bounce off the walls!  Bring a laptop and set up in the little sitting area within the main room.  Open play is available weekdays from 11a-4p and costs $10/child.  2532 Summit Avenue, Plano

3. Kidville – If you are a member of Kidville, you can take advantage of their WiFi while the kids play in either the Play Village or Gym.  Open play hours vary depending on the day of the week, so make sure to check the schedule here.  My preschooler is usually well-entertained in the pretend kitchen, restaurant, and auto-mechanic store for at least an hour.  6025 Royal Lane, Dallas  

4.  The COOP – Hey, Frisco moms.  I’m sure you already know about this wonderful indoor play area.  What I like about it is the separate baby/toddler area for playtime so you can feel a little more comfortable with the littles’ safety from the big kids while you try to tackle a last-minute work emergency.  Comfy chairs, an espresso bar, and free WiFi make the visit even more enjoyable.  Kids are $10/each or you can buy monthly passes if you think this might be more of a habit than an occasional visit! 8802 Coleman Blvd, Frisco

5.  Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s – Such an obvious choice and yet I forgot both chains offer free WiFi until a friend reminded me.  Eat lunch, let the kids explore the playgrounds, and thank the corporate genius gods for thinking of adding wifi to these stops.  (By the way, Chick-fil-A is offering free iced coffee for the whole month of February!)

6.  Bake and Play – Within East Dallas is a little gem known as Bake and Play where you can let the kids play, order snacks or a full meal, and even drink a little wine.  But, since you are supposed to be working, maybe we’ll hold off on the wine this time…  The fully-stocked playroom and indoor playground is usually $8/kid, but Bake and Play offers a little-known deal where kids can get free entry if you purchase breakfast and a drink (think, kolache and coffee!) between the hours of 7-9am. 6434 E Mockingbird Lane, Suite 105, Dallas

7.  Adventure Kids Playcare – Do you need to devote undivided time or attention to a special project?  Did you know you can arrange drop-off daycare service for a few hours or all day? Adventure Kids Playcare accepts children ages 6 weeks to 12 years, pending availability.  Check out their location at Forest and Preston in Dallas or a variety of other DFW options here.  5915 Forest Ln, Suite 330, Dallas

Where is your go-to spot when you are in a pinch?  What advice do you have for working moms at home with kiddos?  

Leave your ideas in the comments.