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Kid Concepts U.S.A.
Categories: Active Life Playgrounds Event Planning & Services Party & Event Planning Playgrounds, Party & Event Planning [Edit]
22844 Hawthorne BlvdTorrance, CA 90505
Neighborhood: Torrance
(310) 465-0075
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
35 reviews for Kid Concepts U.S.A.
35 reviews in English
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Review from Taisha S.
Harbor City, CA
2/6/2012
We've been taking our lil' one here for 4 years. We did the yearly membership every year, which was totally worth it especially for playdates, aba therapy sessions, and on bad weather days.
Pros: has a cute lil gift shop that the staff lets the kiddos roam ard/ play with the merchandise, 4 slides/indoor playgrd setup, pretend play area, art/coloring room, gymnastics room, decent food/coffee, and events/shows every friday night
Cons: took out the ball pit and the "light-up" dance floor is no more, and the place is not as clean as I remember when we first signed up to the place. -
Review from Stephanie M.
Torrance, CA
1/12/2012
First off let me start by saying I loved this place, my 6 year old and 17 month old had a BLAST!! Actually so did I :)
Ok so maybe its a little dusty in there but that shouldn't be the only thing you rate, the staff was great while I was there. i was a bit scared by reading the reviews but I gace it a shot.
Now there were some little ghetto children with potty mouths, i politely told the kids to not talk in such manner as my children were playing near them and didn't need to hear that type of language, beside I BLAME the parents for that type of behavior!!
I saw a lot of lazy fathers just jib jabbering while their bad kids were throwing balls and taking all the p;ay food from the play house, we just moved on to a different area.
Some of the clothes could be updated, but other than that we had so much fun I think I stood there for almost three hours running around with my baby she had so much fun, we will be going back soon :) -
Review from spooky s.
Beverly Hills, CA
12/29/2011
Dirty, crowded and gross. my daughter played here for about 25 minutes and then had a massive asthma attack triggered by dust and had to go to the emergency room.
The employees were uninterested in helping and we had to rush out of there and find a hospital. -
Review from Jamie B.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
1/17/2012 4 photos
My kids loved this place , they played their hearts our for 5 1/2 hours . Cost $10 to get in. My 3 year old and 1 year old even played together most the time. I originally thought my daughter would enjoy this more but their was a lot for my 1 year old to do here as well. They close the baby room at 3 , we got their at 2 so we were able to enjoy that first and bring some $$ they have great pizza and French fries! Bring comfy socks and you can't bring food in but you can bring water and baby food in. Also they have tons of magazines for the parents to read , the staff is helpful & friendly. And we went on a rainy day & it was a holiday ( schools out ) and it wasn't that crowded! The kids fell asleep on the way home and slept through the night :)) Great time for me and the kids we will defintly go back!
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Review from GeeG J.
Placentia, CA
8/15/2011
Ok what ever happened to this place? I used to go here before and it was nothing like this. We went here for a kid's party and things has changed.
Here are the pros:
-Yes having your kids run around is great thing while the parents can just sit down and watch.
-Food is okay.
...Yes that's it!
Cons:
-The place is dirty.
-The staff are a bit rude and clueless.
-Our hostess for the party was mean to the kids and talks to them as they are adults. (The kids ages are 3.)
-The gymnasium is old school and it had wet spots on the floor pads from the previous party.
-The toddler area is disgusting. It does not look like they clean it or sanitize it.
-It was hot as if the AC was not working.
-The toys are not up to date. Some are broken and has sharp edges on it. -
Review from Alexis J.
Sherman Oaks, CA
8/1/2011
I drove all the way to Torrance from Sherman Oaks to check it out because LA Parent magazine ranked this place one of the top best indoor playgrounds for the year of 2011! Where I live, there aren't ANY large indoor playgrounds with play structures up to 5 levels.
I've been to so many indoor playgrounds from smallest to largest. It's really hard to find the right niche. I have a background in merchandising, product placement, store management, etc. This place needs improvement badly.
The reason I gave three stars is because some kids are so rude and lack of common sense. I'm so appalled how some parents/people who work there don't do anything. I've gone to another place similar to this in Washington State and they even have a swimming pool and gymnasium. The WA playground's kids are much more respectful, friendly, more parents are engaging with their kids in a play structure. Also, the WA playground's staff are much more friendly and passionate with their jobs that the place is literally spotless and BRIGHT. Their admission price is $3.25 per child!!
If anyone says "Don't believe those complainers", they're wrong. Believe those complainers :-) I don't recommend it for anyone who are germaholics. It doesn't bother me as much. If anyone who has dust/dust mites allergies; don't bother to go. $7 dollars admission fee is pretty pricey.
Although, my 20 months old daughter had BLAST! That's all I care :-) -
Review from Joy D.
Torrance, CA
8/17/2011
I was really surprised that the employees were very grumpy and displayed visible attitude. You think that a "kids" place would have encouraging and happy employees. The manager Jacky was the worse, she was extremely rude.
I would not even consider throwing a birthday party here. Oh well, there are plenty of other fun places to take my kids. -
Review from Elaine K.
7/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
The concept is good.
Letting kids run around and play while adults can sit down and "rest".
it'd be better if the noise level was not so high and if there was some natural sky light. It does get pretty...stuffy...dark...gives an unpleasant feeling when you sit around for too long. -
Review from ed h.
San Pedro, CA
8/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here
PRos...This is a great place to bring your kids on a cold or rainy day. Don't expect the staff to keep an eye on your kids as every parent is responsible for monitoring their own children. The cafeteria food is tasty although a bit overpriced.
Cons... I guess it is kinda dark, could use some windows and some of the attractions don't work (dance room) other than that great place to let kids tire themselves out. -
Review from Nancy Y.
Torrance, CA
3/28/2011
I don't take my 3-yr old to indoor playgrounds regularly. She is very spirited and it seems wrong to contain her indoors. However, I had a day off work and decided to give Kid Concept a try.
I'm glad I didn't read the Yelp reviews first. I think I would have been scared away from here. My daughter had a great time and getting her to leave was a chore for me. She ended up hiding from me so I couldn't find her.
She went into the play structure where I lost sight of her in the maze. Then when I went in after her, she came out and hid. My fault, I should have waited for her to come out.
Despite being told by an older child that my daughter was too young to be in the play structure, I think I'll take her back there sometime.
The prices here are fare and bonus is that the food is pretty good. -
Review from Chantel C.
Carson, CA
10/25/2011
I always have an enjoyable experience when I take my Godchildren here. They range in age from 2-13 years and there is something for all of them to do. I really enjoy that I can participate in the activites with them also. I just wish that others would do the same. I love the food as well and appreciate that there is variety. I'm not sure what others have experienced but the staff has always been respectful and helpful (though sometimes understaffed). Other than lack of parent supervion and short staffing I wouldn't change a thing.
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Review from tricia a.
El Segundo, CA
8/17/2011
The staff was so rude that I will not return. The play area is not monitored and every room was so dirty that I bathed my kids right when we got home.
In the toddler room, a kid went flying out of the swing and hit his head. Another kid crashed into the dividing wall and broke it. No one from the place would know any of this because no one was even around.
When we went t leave there was no staff to be found. We had to climb over the dividing wall to leave and then the staff member came over to us when we were putting on our shoes and had the nerve to get upset that we didn't wait for her to return!!
There is obviously not a high standard in selecting their employees. Stay away from this place. It was disgusting! -
Review from Lyla B.
San Pedro, CA
12/14/2010
It's really gross inside. It's dark and it feels old and dingy. I felt the need to give my son a bath immediately after we left.
If that doesn't deter you from going, don't say you weren't warned. -
Review from Keri L.
Chino Hills, CA
9/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was looking for a place to take the kids while my husband had a job to do in the area. I found this place and was pleasantly surprised. While it is a tad pricey...you definitely appreciate how clean the facility is. It lacks the smell of sweaty children that you often find at places like chuck e cheeses or other kids play houses...and I really appreciated that. On top of the enormous indoor playground, they have dress up, building blocks, puppet show and karaoke. There is even a smaller area for kids under 3.
The employees are teenagers...so don't expect for them to be attentive...but if you are a parent who needs a great place to take you kids and is clean...this is the place. -
Review from Curtis S.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
1/2/2011
Go have fun, but please watch your kids.
Huge range of kids there and very little parental or employee supervision. In my opinion, a bit on the dirty side. I've been there a couple of times and both times kids have BARFED in the ball pit. Am I unrealistic to think that they don't clean that ball pit out every day? Perhaps I'm a germaphobe, but there are just too many germs that go through that place and no way of cleaning even remotely. Try on clothes with wigs is probably not the best thing for kids to try either... -
Review from Zahabia E.
Torrance, CA
7/29/2010 3 Check-ins Here
My friends often take their kids to KC...i have somehow been uncomfortable taking my son there....(after reading some reviews)..
Today I didn't have an option and decided to take my son (3 yr. old) there..i have to say i was pleasantly surprised. We got there close to noon and stayed for about 2 hours. The space is big (especially compared to the Adventureplex play are), everything seemed clean...and there were several attendants. The play structure is large, with enough to keep the preschoolers (and older) kids engaged and challenged.
I also noticed a separate toddler area, art area, pretend play area.
Another plus is the cafe - the espresso was decent, and they had a fairly varied menu (salads, sides- zucchini sticks, sandwiches, pizza, burgers).
I will definitely be returning (on a weekday).
Note: The South Bay monthly and the Daily Breeze deals - always have coupons for KC. -
Review from David L.
3/27/2010
My two younger kids and I stopped in at 3 PM for a two hour visit on a Saturday. I paid $20 for the two kids, put our shoes in the cubby holes, and went in. There were about 200 people in attendance - parents and children.
What I love about Kid Concepts is that:
1.) They offer an abundance of food choices that aren't half bad;
2.) There is always things to read while you watch your kids - magazines, etc.
3.) The patrons are more ethnically diverse than AdventurePlex in Manhattan Beach.
I found a place to sit where I could watch my kids play. I couldn't help but notice that me and one other mom were the only parents watching our kids. My kids went up to the top and were having fun.
What went wrong?
1.) To read, I had my choice of Fitness Magazine, Ebony, Sports Illustrated, and even a Maxim.
2.) Teenagers making out in the play structure.
3.) Kids spitting from the top level down.
4.) Observed a group of 16-18 year old boys shoplifting from the gift shop.
5.) The parents at the table behind me smelled of alcohol, were very loud, and were using language so offensive, I thought I was at a union meeting of longshoremen.
6.) We tried to use the family bathroom, but it was occupied by a teenager who didn't know how to lock the door or lift up the toilet seat.
7.) The last straw: In the rubber ball area, a brawl broke out between about a dozen kids aged 9-14. It took a few minutes before any of the parents took notice of their kids stumbling out of the tube with black eyes.
I grabbed my kids from the play structure, and demanded a refund. I simply did not feel safe there. The manager said that she understood my frustration, and apologized. She was probably 20 years old, and her coworkers were all probably minimum wage 18 year olds at the most.
Needless to say, I got the heck out of their, and will never return to Kid Concepts. Period. -
Review from mary f.
Long Beach, CA
8/28/2009 4 photos
Okay, seriously, people, I can understand good food at a place like this increasing the stars but taking stars away? Come on, now. If you are looking for good food, I don't think giant playgrounds are going to be your first choice.
This place is fun for kids, and that's what counts. I love that they have the holes in the ball pits where you can aim the balls and they get suctioned in and then shot back out. I'd never seen that before. A kid can be entertained for hours in the maze of climbing and jumping.
And they are total sock Nazi's so make sure you bring socks with you if you insist on wearing silly things like sandals like my sisters. (I always have trusty white gyms socks on at all times!)
What better way to exhaust your kids so you can get a good night's sleep? -
Review from Sally S.
Lomita, CA
6/10/2011
I took my 2 year old son there and the toddler area was just a little corner of the room. To make matters worse, much older kids went into the toddler area and started throwing big foam blocks down the slide and one kid even threw a hard toy. Not one staff member noticed or cared. The place is dark and dingy and just overall blech. I think older kids would have fun there regardless of the atmosphere but definitely not for the younger ones in my opinion.
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Review from LadyBug B.
Norwalk, CA
6/23/2009
You would have to come here after you have had lunch.
The food there is awful...
Place to eat? NO!
Great Fun? Hell's Yes!
I would have to say that my daughter (3 years old now, was 2 at the time)
really enjoyed this place.
Fun things to play with-
1) Humongo buliding blocks for toddlers.
2) Huge climbing play area
3) Bouncer. (you have to climb the playarea first to get there)
4) Ball pit for the little one's along with a slide and activites on the wall.
5) Dress up, make believe area
6) Lighted floor room (i think it's a game)
7) Small rock climbing
They also do birthday parties.
The place is not in great condition, seems a little run down but your kids would have a blast.
All great fun for kids to run around. Children 3 and up 10.00 Parent in free with paid child.
Make sure your feet dont smell, and if they do spray them. Shoes are not allowed. SOCKS ONLY! -
Review from Aimee A.
Torrance, CA
12/7/2008
This place is okay, for what it is. We went for a soccer party recently, and maybe it was because it was at night, but it was freakin dark inside!!!! I felt like they really didn't have enough lights throughout the place. I also did not like the fact that you can't see all the way back into the back area of the jungle gym, which is huge. While most of the kids there was on the younger side (maybe 8 and younger), I could see the lack of visibility as an issue for when there are older kids there. My son is five, and he was fine. But I was concerned about not being able to see my 3 year old, who is too big for the toddler area, but not quite big enough, in my opinion, for the big area.
A lot of people mentioned the food and how healthy and great it was, but I didn't really see anything unusual from the typical pizzas and fried food you can get most anywhere. Maybe I wasn't looking at the menu hard enough? The fresh fruit plate DID look good.
We were in a party room at one point, and that was fine, I suppose, but maybe it was because I was tired that I felt overall that the place was unlit, slightly unclean, and fairly unsupervised. I would not rate it above a typical Chuck E. Cheese, and probably would not go on my own again soon. -
Review from Kenneth B.
Torrance, CA
8/13/2007
I'm not sure how many of you have small children, but if you do, this is the place to take them. If you're tired of looking at giant stuffed mice singing the same song over and over until judgment day cometh, then you should give this a whirl. Don't give up trying to find the place, since it's actually set back about a building from Hawthorne Boulevard. The sign out front isn't really that big.
There is a huge jungle gym inside with a ball pit and a slide that I have to admit I'm slightly hesitant to go down. Yup...it's that fast. Anyway, if you're a parent you get a cool excuse to run around inside too under the guise of "parenting." Kids can wear themselves out inside of this thing and it's almost completely covered in mats so that it cuts down on the bruises, cuts and scrapes inherent in little one's play.
Hmmm, the food, I guess I should mention it here and make this review somewhat complete. They have a lot of different kinds of pizza, sodas, and other kind of fare that you might get at a kid-oriented type hangout. The food is good and the price is reasonable. Oh, and it's 10 bucks a head per child. Parents get in free with their little bundle of joy.
Don't worry about ordering too much to eat for your kids. They will probably only be at the table long enough to suck down a sip of whatever delicious beverage you've carefully chosen for them before rushing back into the cavernous play area. It's almost as much for me as it is for the gals. -
Review from Stephanie G.
Long Beach, CA
6/2/2011
I've been to Kids Concepts in Torrance dozens of times. I have a now 4 year old boy, and a 21 month old daughter. Although I began coming when my son was 2.
This place is not sterile free, it definitely can use a bit of scrubbing. But, please, it's a kids place, and taking them to the park playground has it's host of potential problems (ie. kitty poop, syringes in the sand, kids making out, etc., etc.). So, I think either place has it's issues, but we don't live in a sterile free environment. The air has plenty of circulation, in fact, if you get cold easily you might want to bring a sweater (your kids won't need it because they will be running around having a great time).
There is much to do at this Kids Concepts. My kids love to run in the play structure. But, they also spend a great deal of time in the wooden play kitchen, and the foam block section where they can create huge structures. I will even try out my puppet expertise and put on a puppet show for my kids, but then they love to get in the action and do it too.
This place is great! The food is very good for a fast food type of situation, in fact it's better than fast food, but it's still not especially healthy. Although there are healthier options like their salad which has a great deal of variety of veggies, and their soup is yummy too.
I find that my son gets more exercise really when he comes here. Mainly because he just loves running around in the main play structure. Whereas, at the park he may often stop to play in the sand for a long time.
I will say I primarily go during the week, and around the time it opens. So, i'm sure that the time of day is a huge factor in determining how your children (and yourself) will enjoy being there. But, when i'm there at that time it is usually fairly calm....although during the summer is probably a different story, but then i'm not there because we're going to the beach instead. Good luck everyone, and have fun! -
Review from Karina B.
Redondo Beach, CA
6/10/2009
I was really excited to take my son for his first birthday since I heard there was a toddler area! Word of mouth was this was great place to go but was truly disappointed! Everything other than the jungle gym felt out of place and out dated!
The pizza sauce was more like mystery sauce in color and taste and it was layered with a two inches of cheese that wasn't tasty! The chickens wings also tastes like they had the same pizza sauce! The staff at the entrance were friendly but that was it. Overall it was over rated and I would not be going back! -
Review from Diana B.
Long Beach, CA
3/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Why do these places have to be so loud? I have to agree with other reviewers, not the cleanest place I've ever been, but for the price, it was a good deal and it tired my little guy out nicely. It was a good stormy day activity, and it has free wifi.
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Review from Rob M.
Los Angeles, CA
5/13/2010
I have been to Kids Concepts many times.
To be continued. . . -
Review from patti f.
11/1/2009
We took my niece here during the summer, which was a nice change from the hot weather outside. She had a great time and she played nonstop for a good hour! Although I'm sure that other kids could easily play there for longer. Kid Concepts is pretty large, and they have lots of fun tunnels to crawl through, a large ball pit for children to play in, and plenty of slides.
$10/child and one free adult admission. They're pretty strict about only allowing one adult per child, which I never understand. Additional adults are supposed to pay $4. -
Review from kendall c.
Los Angeles, CA
5/23/2010
Clientele's decidedly more lowbrow than Manhattan Beach's Adventureplex, and playground's far less clean, but kids will vote for the Kids Concepts guaranteed. Its larger, crazier and they can run amuck w/little to no rules.
They also don't notice the traffic nightmare getting to this location, the lack of seating for parents, the skeevy cafeteria kitchen, the migraine inducing din, the dank, lack of natural-light factor which makes grownups insane after a few hours.
The only way to survive is split playing time w/a spouse/significant other/friend as it is too much craziness otherwise. -
Review from Yvette B.
Harbor City, CA
8/16/2010
This place is real fun for kids, but it can get way too crowded. If you go early enough, you tend to avoid the droves of tweens that descend on this place in the afternoon. I have to watch my preschooler closely for fear that he will get run by the tweens playing tag. Other than that, they have lots of different play areas for kids - a drawing area, a HUGE play structure with lots of slides, two ball pits (one for big kids and one for toddlers) and a jumper. There is also a area to play with blocks, but many of the foam blocks are broken and need to be replaced. There is a puppet theater that is cute and also a disgusting play kitchen where kids pretend to eat the play food and slobber all over everything - hopefully they disinfect those toys constantly (but I think not).
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Review from Jeff P.
Annapolis, MD
7/28/2010
Kids love it...parents love it. Food is pretty good and the brownies are to die for.
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Review from R W.
Torrance, CA
3/9/2010
I won't waste anyone's time by typing up a long narrative about this place . . .here's my breakdown of the good, the bad and the ugly. Good: Large facility, adaquate variety of activities, separate areas for children 3 and under, food court/dining area, changing tables available. Bad: Facility and equipment are old and run down . Ugly: Entire facility needs to be thoroughly sanitized, ZERO staff supervision of play areas, clientele is "sketchy," parents were NOT watching their children.
Bottom line: Enter at your own risk! -
Review from Roland A.
Los Angeles, CA
9/21/2008
Went here for a birthday party today. Although this place was pretty small, I think the kids still had a lot of fun. There is a separate place for toddlers (3 and younger) to play because of fear for the older kids running around, so my niece was able to play in the ball pit without getting hurt! The employees definitely get an "A" for getting the birthday girl to open up, since she is so shy to begin with. I think she had a blast!
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Review from Mari S.
West Los Angeles, CA
2/11/2010
My 2 year old son had an amazing time here and it was a great way to spend a rainy afternoon...but then the next day my son started scratching his head, and yes, he had lice. I won't say that he positively got them here, but he doesn't go to school or daycare, so...
If your kid has ever had lice, you know how hard and annoying and positively infuriating it is to try to de-lice your kid, your home, and your LIFE. We've been dealing with it for a week now so I can definitely say that I will NOT take the chance again by returning to kid concepts. -
Review from S O.
Torrance, CA
3/31/2011
I love this place. I've been going since my oldest was a baby 8 years ago and I now have 2 more. Its their favorite, and a favorite meet up for my mommy friends. Granted, we don't go on the weekends or evenings when I'm sure its much more crowded, but during the week days its not very crowded at all (unless theres a school group, you can call ahead and find out before you go). People who expect the staff to supervise...this isn't childcare. Parents are supposed to supervise their kids...just like you would at an outdoor playground...thats why a grown up has to accompany the kids. We have been there when other parents aren't doing much supervising, but thats not the staffs fault. Just watch your kids, and there's plenty of areas if you're not comfortable with them up in the tunnels or the ball pit; there is a smaller play area for 3 and under as well as a whole room devoted to only 3 and under with soft play equipment, a block area, a pretend kitchen, a puppet theater, a stage with pretend clothes, an art room and a train table...so there is always an option. The food there is so good...healthy and lots of variety. Try the awesome fruit bowl! If you don't think kids should be around a variety of other aged kids or germs, then you'll be so anxious you won't have any fun, but if you're a bit more reasonable and don't mind letting your kids be kids then you'll enjoy it.
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Review from Savanna F.
Redondo Beach, CA
9/22/2009
I really wanted to have high hopes for this place, when my friend and I took our 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 yr old. children there over the weekend. Yes, I knew it would be kind of crazy over the weekend, but I wanted to give it a shot because I had a coupon, and it would be cheap fun. Well, sadly, I had no fun at all, and neither did my son. Now, yes he is 2 1/2 yrs. old, so I knew he would be pushed around if I didn't go in the tunnels with him, but even I...YES I, got pushed and have you know I'm 5 months pregnant. The kids there were way too rowdy, the equipment seemed to have a foul odor, and even in the little toddler area where my little one was enjoying, there were 10 yr olds. romping, jumping, terrorizing the poor tots!! I am one to say something but I bit my tongue and just had my son get out of the balls. Over all it was a little too CRAZY there for me, loud, obnoxious, rude people...I prefer Adventure Plex over this place ANY given day...despite the difference in price!!
