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New play space provides safe space to play and community for parents
April 2, 2026Updated April 3, 2026, 2:39 p.m. ET
Busy Bee Playhouse, opened Wednesday at 822 S. Second St. in Abilene, offers an exciting and enriching space for toddlers to play and explore in a family-friendly atmosphere that fosters connection.
“It’s an indoor play space curated for ages 1 to 6, but really, anybody can play in our sandbox,” said Emaan Stokes, owner of Busy Bee Playhouse. “It’s just a safe space where you can work, mingle and find a community while you’re watching your child play.”
After moving to Abilene three years ago, Stokes said she noticed a huge lack of childcare options, which inspired her to open her first business, Busy Bee Day Care, located at 2533 N 12th St, last year.
Stokes is opening Busy Bee Playhouse as an additional space for Abilene children and families to visit to enjoy enriching activities, while parents can sit back and relax or work while their children play.
“I wanted a coworking space, so that moms who do work from home can get kind of a break and bring their kids here,” said Stokes. “I wanted to have a space where you could see your child from any place. If you’re sitting here or you’re working here, you are able to see your child. And I also wanted a community for moms.”
As a mom herself, Stokes said it can be a real struggle meeting and connecting with other parents, so she wanted to provide a place that fosters just that.
The space includes a cozy lounge set up for the parents with large plush couches and chairs, and a TV with Netflix. There is also a workstation with bar-style seating.
“There’s a lot of transient families that are here with the AI facility or with the base, and they just don’t have their village,” said Stokes. “So I wanted to create a space where you can come hang out with other moms.”
The play space, however, is the main attraction, featuring a giant 21-foot by 24-foot sandbox with a mini jungle gym, sand tools and even tiny excavators.
“Sand is like one of those sensory things. Kids love it, and people are really excited,” said Stokes.
“At our soft opening, we had a lot of people tell us that there’s a big sandbox at the zoo, but they’re like, ‘Well, now we don’t have to be in the hot sun while our kid is playing in the sandbox,’ so that’s kind of a nice little feature,” she said.
The play space also includes a tiny town with a doctor’s office, hardware store and cafe, all filled with corresponding toys ranging from a mini play coffee machine and register to tiny kids’ tools. There is also a magnet wall and mini stage with costumes for kids to play dress up or put on their own theatrical production for parents.
“A lot of parents who have three and four-year-olds also have babies,” said Stokes. “So we did include a soft play area for ages one to two. And then we do have a bounce house that’s available for birthday parties.”
According to Stokes, Busy Bee Playhouse will also be available to book for private events, and Stokes plans on hosting workshop-style events as well.
“Starting in May, we’ll have workshops where you would pay to come do something,” said Stokes. Whether it’s building a flower bouquet or making a spring wreath at your front door, whatever it is, you’re doing something with other moms, and your kids are safe, and they’re playing.”
The Busy Bee playhouse will also offer a Mothers day out drop-off program for families looking for part-time child care.
“It’s two days a week where you can drop off your child,” said Stokes. “There’s going to be a teacher here, so they are getting programming. It’s perfect for two, three, and four-year-old’s that are not in pre-K just yet.”
The Busy Bee Playhouse will be open for stay and play Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the playhouse are open only to those enrolled in the MDO drop-off program from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Events can be booked Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. For more information, visit the Busy Bee Playhouse website.
