By Darlene Brace
There’s something new and exciting happening at Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood. It’s called Everybody Plays, featuring a new indoor play space designed for young children, with a variety of engaging activities. It opened its doors on October 1, 2026, and it is a wonderful addition to the mall, providing a valuable and fun service for families of young children in the community.
The owner of this much needed activity space is Tress William. Tress lives in the Jamestown area, is a mother of three young children, and is the Director of the Prendergast Library. Tress stated that she decided to open Everybody Plays as felt this kind of play space for young children is something the Jamestown area was greatly lacking. She feels that it would be of great service to families in the community and give kids a venue where they can get some of their energy out no matter what the time of year or what the weather is outside.
Located where the Aeropostale clothing store was years ago, Tress developed a small low key play area designed for children under 10 years old. It features an active play areas as well imaginative play area. The active play areas include a structured obstacle course, age-appropriate climbing structures, slides, a climbing dome, and a ball pit. Some of the former dressing rooms are used for the creative imaginative play that include a kitchen area and a work bench area. There is also a camping area with a tent that is designed to look like an outdoor campground.
Additionally, Everybody Plays features a dedicated baby play zone, a secure area specifically designed for infants and young toddlers. This gated zone is filled with age-appropriate toys and activities that cater to their developmental needs, allowing babies to play freely. Parents can easily keep an eye on their older children playing in other areas while their little ones are safely engaged in the baby play zone.
When the little ones get hungry, there is a small snack area with tables and chairs. Families can purchase kid friendly, prepackaged snacks and drinks that are available for purchase. If you want, you are also permitted to bring in small food items and beverages from home or walk to the area that was formally Auntie Anne’s. There you will find a new café called Luna Pies. Luna Pies serves handmade scratch pies in the shape of a half-moon. They are stuffed with delicious fillings including chicken pot pie, pizza, and beef and cheese to name a few, as well as ones for sweet treats. You can order them and bring them into the Everybody Plays area to enjoy during your play session.
Everybody Plays opens for play sessions at 11am on Wednesdays – Sundays. The cost is $8 per child for a two-hour session. Adult supervision is required, but adults and babies under one year old are admitted for free. Additionally, they offer rentals of the play space for two-hour parties in the late afternoon or early evening, making it an ideal venue for your child’s birthday or other special occasions.
As a mother of three small children, Tress understands the importance of providing a safe and healthy play space. Her staff is committed to maintaining rigorous cleaning protocols, which include sanitizing play equipment, cleaning the floors, and disinfecting small toys. In the snack area, tables are cleaned between each use, and a more thorough cleaning occurs when they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
When asked how she came up with the name for the indoor play space, she stated that all children love to play, and that she wanted to create a space where all children are comfortable to come in and enjoy themselves. She reemphasized that “Everybody Plays” aims to create an inclusive environment where children of all abilities can participate in play.
Everybody Plays is a fun, affordable, and relaxed indoor play space that encourages both large motor active play and imaginative play for young children. The space will be open year-round, providing a consistent opportunity for young children to run around, play, and have a great time.