Outdoor fenced play area at Dulles 28 Centre

Dulles 28 Centre
22000 Dulles Retail Plz
Dulles, VA 20166 (map it)
(703) 904-0001

One glimpse of this play area and I came to the conclusion that the chain stores of America have realized that some of the best ways to reach folks with small children is to provide a place where our kids can safely play while we sip a beverage and take a minute to regain our sanity, and have clean bathrooms with changing tables nearby.

I made an unplanned stop because the play area looked like a fun place to kill some time, and then made an unplanned purchase at Starbucks when we needed a potty stop. (Their master plan is working.)

This play area is the perfect place for pint-size mulch-eaters to lower their fiber intake — no mulch! This outdoor playground is surrounded first by a fence, then benches, then snack spots (Starbucks, PotBelly, Cold Stone… and Pei Wei if you’re willing to walk another 50 yards), and after that the parking lot. It offers fresh air without any actual contact with nature. My two year-old had fun, there were other kids to play with — even in the afternoon when most kids are home napping — and the place seemed well maintained. I especially appreciated the latching gate which reduces the likelihood of kids straying into the parking lot.