A new drop-in indoor play area geared toward children ages 0 to 6 is filled with colorful foam blocks, dinosaur toys, a play kitchen and climbing equipment.

The new Kennewick business, Mimi’s Playhouse, aims to fill a gap for parents of young children looking for a fun outing with their kids.

Located off Columbia Center Boulevard near T.J. Maxx, the play center held its grand opening Jan. 4.

Martinique Haworth, the playhouse’s owner, said all children are welcome, but between 0 and 6 years old is an age range she hasn’t seen represented as much in family play centers around the region.

As both a parent and a foster parent, Haworth has had children of all different ages at her home. Often, there was nothing for them to do in that younger age range. That’s one reason she wanted to launch her own business.

Haworth always worked full time, even when she was a parent, and she found it difficult to balance the two worlds. Her work didn’t have the flexibility she needed, so “I wanted to come up with something … where I was kind of the boss of something that would give me the flexibility to take care of my kids,” she said.

In the future, Haworth hopes to add a few employees. “I really want to reach out to mothers because they’ll be able to bring their children in to play while they work,” she said.

So far, business has been going well, Haworth said, with 20 children on opening day. 

The play area takes up the majority of the 2,200-square-foot space. There’s also a party room in the back for up to 50 people.

The play area features foam play toys, a sensory area with spin chairs, wobble discs and a balance beam, and simple climbing structures. There’s also an area set aside for children 0-2 years old with age-appropriate toys, Haworth said.

Mimi’s Playhouse isn’t a daycare, and a parent or adult is required to stay with their children while there. A parent area with couches and tables is tucked into one corner of the playroom, complete with free coffee, tea and water.

“We have free Wi-Fi,” Haworth said, “so if they wanted to work while their kids played, they could do that too.”

Haworth had been thinking about starting the playhouse for about a year, then got serious in July 2024, when she started looking for property. 

She moved into the property in November, and since then, she’s put in the work to make the place shine: laying the floor in the party room, putting in light fixtures, mirrors and wallpaper in the bathroom, painting the whole building. 

“All the toys have been put together by my own hands,” she said. “So when they say blood, sweat and tears, it’s very true.”

Over the holidays, her family helped put together chairs and tables to get the business ready to launch.

Haworth’s represented her family in her business name and logo, too. Mimi is the name her children call her mother. “They always want to go to Mimi’s house,” she said.

“It is a tribute to my mom, because she has been the absolute most incredible mom, but then the most incredible grandmother as well … she’s welcomed everyone with open arms,” Haworth said.

Her logo, featuring a tire swing in a tree, is in honor of her grandparents, who had a tire swing at their home that she loved. 

Haworth has Tri-Cities roots and returned here after attending college at Central Washington University.

“I know the community well, and I know it’s going to be very supportive as well,” Haworth said. “I still have nerves opening a business, taking that big step, but I also feel confident in my idea and the community.”

Mimi’s Playhouse is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and costs $15 per child. 

Mimi’s Playhouse: 1220 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Suite B, Kennewick. Contact: 509-713-3265, playatmimis.com.