Image from The Commons Facebook page
I often get asked: Where can I go for indoor play in Livingston County?
I have plenty of ideas on this list, but I want to go into more detail with one of the spots we absolutely love. Best of all? It’s FREE. If you are like me and have 3 kids to pay admission for, words like FREE are a big deal.
The place is The Commons, located within the 2|42 Community Church campus in Brighton, Michigan.
The Commons is located on Grand River, a few miles west of I-96 in Brighton.
When I tell people to meet me at a church, they pause. “Are they going to ask me to join?” Nope! Truth be told, I’m Catholic, but we visit often. I promise you it’s not weird, and the people who work there aren’t going to ask you to join. They are incredibly kind and welcoming.
Think of their logic: Let’s build a place where people want to gather. And maybe if they don’t know God, they will come check out a service sometime. {I don’t know if that’s their exact logic, but I’m sure it’s close}. Personally, I think it’s genius, and I love meeting friends of all faiths and backgrounds there to play, and really love that they are so involved in our community.
First of all, the facility is GORGEOUS. They took an old athletic building and turned it into something truly wonderful, and no detail was spared.
My kids adore the indoor soccer field the most, and I love that they can run in a vast empty space, and practice for soccer season. We race each other and run laps to wear them out. We bring our own balls, but there are usually a few floating around as well. If running isn’t your thing, there are plenty of tables and chairs to plop down and watch the kids play, too.
There’s also an amazing playscape both on the lower and upper levels, a giant slide, a mini slide for wee ones, an enclosed mini trampoline, and a climbing wall. Plenty of places for kids of all ages to explore and get in some much-needed exercise.
At times, I pack a lunch for us to enjoy there. If you don’t want to pack a lunch, they have a fantastic cafe on the premises as well with all kinds of soups, sandwiches, salads, and more. The kids menu includes allergy-friendly options, as well as mac n’ cheese, chicken tenders, and other kid classics.
To show them support, I generally nab a coffee and a treat for the kids here {they have all kinds of delicious baked goods}. I love that they donate 10% of proceeds to local charities, and everything is homemade, fresh and organic.
I often see business folks meeting here, too. It really is a great gathering space with plenty of chairs and high chairs.
Always check their Facebook page for hours, and be cautious of service times — you may want to skip visiting during peak weekend hours for that reason. Otherwise, it’s open Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Thanks for being such a rockin’ community member, 2|42. Have fun, all, if you visit!
Brighton is home to tons of shopping and restaurants. If you are making the trek out, I also recommend visiting the Mill Pond and checking out the Imagination Station playground in downtown. Other local kid favorites include Jack’s Custard for ice cream and Oh My Lolli for sweet treats.
[…] The Commons at 2|42 – Free play structures and indoor soccer field (Brighton) […]