If you have a toddler or preschooler in the South Bay, you already know the daily challenge: lots of energy, not many places where it is safe to let it out. The beach is wonderful until it is foggy, the park is great until the big kids take over the play structure, and the living room can only survive so many couch jumps.
That is exactly why we run Toddler Time at Scooter’s Jungle El Segundo. It is a 1.5-hour open play session reserved for kids ages 6 and under, held in a clean, climate-controlled indoor playground a few minutes from LAX. This post walks through what a session looks like, the rules every family needs to know, and how to make the most of your visit. Sessions are listed on our open play calendar, and space is limited, so it helps to check before you head over.
Ages 6 & Under
Toddlers and preschoolers only
1.5 Hours
Of open play per session
Village Arena
Slides and bounce areas sized for little ones
What Toddler Time Is
Toddler Time is an open play session built for the youngest visitors. Rather than sharing the floor with school-age kids who move fast and jump big, little ones get the space to themselves for a dedicated 1.5-hour block. Parents and caregivers stay with their children throughout, which makes it a relaxed way to play together, meet other local families and burn off a morning’s worth of energy before lunch and nap.
Families come from across the South Bay, including Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Hawthorne, Westchester and Playa del Rey, because it is one of the few indoor play options in the area that is set aside specifically for toddlers and preschoolers.
What Happens in a 1.5-Hour Session
Here is how a typical visit flows:
- ★Check-in. Arrive a few minutes early, confirm your waiver is signed and get socks on everyone who will be on the play floor. Sessions are first come, first served, so arriving early matters on busy days.
- ★Free play. The session is open play rather than a structured class. Kids choose what they want to do, whether that is climbing, sliding, bouncing or just watching for the first ten minutes until they feel ready.
- ★Parent participation. Grown-ups stay in the arena with their kids. You can sit nearby and supervise, or get right in there and go down the slide together. Many parents do both.
- ★Wind down. With about fifteen minutes left, it helps to give your child a heads-up so the end of play does not feel sudden. Shoes back on, a sip of water, and you are done.
An hour and a half is a sweet spot for this age group. It is long enough for a child to warm up, explore everything and get properly tired, but short enough to fit neatly before a nap.
Why the Village Arena Suits Little Ones
Scooter’s Jungle El Segundo has two arenas. The Ultimate Arena is designed for ages 6 and up and brings the bigger thrills. The Village Arena is designed for kids ages 8 and under, and it is the natural home for Toddler Time.
Everything about the Village Arena is sized with smaller bodies in mind. The slides are exciting without being overwhelming, the inflatable play areas are soft and bouncy, and there is room to wander between features without being in the path of older kids at full speed. For a two-year-old taking their first solo trip down a slide, or a four-year-old who wants to bounce until their legs give out, it hits the right balance of challenge and comfort.
You can see how the arenas and sessions fit together on our what we offer page.
The Two Rules Every Family Needs to Know
Socks Are Required
Every participant on the play floor needs to wear socks, kids and adults alike. It keeps the surfaces clean and gives little feet better grip on slides and inflatables. Pack a pair for everyone, and if you forget, ask our team at the front desk when you arrive.
A Signed Waiver for Every Guest
Each guest needs a signed waiver before they play. You can complete the El Segundo waiver online before you arrive, which saves time at check-in, especially if you are juggling a stroller and a toddler who has already spotted the slide.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Visit
A few tips from parents who make Toddler Time part of their weekly routine:
- ★Time it around sleep. A late-morning session that ends before lunch and nap tends to work best for most toddlers.
- ★Dress for movement. Comfortable clothes, no dangling accessories, and those socks. Leave the tutu for the car ride home.
- ★Arrive early. Space is limited and sessions fill on a first-come, first-served basis. Early arrival also gives shy kids a quieter start.
- ★Let them lead. Some toddlers sprint for the slide; others need to watch for a while. Both are fine. The session is long enough for a slow warm-up.
- ★Make it a playdate. Toddler Time is an easy standing date for a parent group. Everyone plays, nobody has to host.
- ★Plan food for after. Toddlers come out hungry. Main Street El Segundo is minutes away, and our FAQs cover what you can and cannot bring into the building.
Toddler Time, All-Ages Open Play and Family Fun Events
Toddler Time is one of three ways families can visit without booking a private party. Here is how they compare:
- ★Toddler Time: ages 6 and under, 1.5 hours, Village Arena play with caregivers alongside. Best for weekday routines and playdates.
- ★All-Ages Open Play: a 2-hour session for families, friends and groups of every age. Best when you have a toddler and a big kid to keep happy at the same time.
- ★Family Fun Events: play time in both arenas paired with freshly made pizza on site. Best for a full family outing where nobody has to cook.
All three appear on the same open play calendar, so you can pick whichever fits your week.
Thinking Ahead to a Birthday?
Many South Bay families discover the Village Arena at Toddler Time and come back for a first, second or third birthday. A private party gives your group exclusive arena time plus a private dining room, and our team handles the setup and cleanup. Take a look at the private party packages when you are ready to plan.
Before You Go: Quick Checklist
- ✓Check the next Toddler Time session on the calendar.
- ✓Sign the waiver online for every guest, including adults who plan to play.
- ✓Pack socks for everyone on the play floor.
- ✓Dress your child in comfortable clothes with no loose accessories.
- ✓Arrive early, especially on weekends and school holidays.
- ✓Plan a snack or lunch for afterward.
See You at Toddler Time
Check the open play calendar for the next Toddler Time session at Scooter’s Jungle El Segundo. Planning a toddler birthday instead? Book your party and we will take care of the rest.
Scooter’s Jungle El Segundo • 606 Hawaii St, El Segundo, CA 90245 • (310) 848-1380