Drop-Off Play Space in Southern Pines, NC

The basics

We're a drop-off play space in Southern Pines, NC. You drop your child off in a safe, screen-free environment with vetted caregivers, and you go do whatever you need to do — work, errands, an appointment, a quiet hour to yourself. We're built for parents in Moore County who need real, hourly childcare without the babysitter group text.
Every drop-off shift is staffed by trusted, vetted childcare providers from our partners at Sandhills Nanny Co. They're background-checked, trained, and chosen the same way you'd choose a sitter yourself.
Drop-off is for ages 2.5 to 10. Stay-and-play sessions (where parents stay) are open to all ages.
11 Camelia Way, Southern Pines, NC 28387. Right in town, close to Broad Street.
Our schedule varies day to day based on staffing and demand. Check the Happenings page for this week's available times.

Head to our Happenings page and pick the time that works. Booking happens through Acuity, our scheduling system.
Yes — every family needs to sign one before the first drop-off. Sign it online here. Takes two minutes and saves you from filling out paperwork at the door.
We work in flexible time blocks. Most parents book 1–4 hours, but we accommodate longer sessions when staffing allows. The longest single drop-off we recommend is 4 hours.
- A labeled water bottle
- A change of clothes (especially for accident-prone kids or anyone potty-training)
- A signed waiver, if it's the first visit
That's it. We're a food-free space, so please feed your kiddo before drop-off and skip the snacks in their bag.
Two reasons: it keeps the space clean and lets play stay the focus, and it keeps things safe for kids with allergies. Cake and snacks live in the corridor during parties, but the play room itself is always food-free.
Yes. Just send the supplies you'd want us to use (diapers, wipes, a change of clothes), and let us know where they are in the bag.

A few things help:
- Keep your energy calm and matter-of-fact at goodbye — your vibe is contagious
- Don't oversell it ("you're going to have SO MUCH FUN!" sometimes backfires)
- Always say goodbye, even if it's hard. Never sneak out.
- Start short. An hour is plenty for a first visit.
We wrote a whole post on what to expect at your first drop-off — worth a read if you're nervous.
The best way is to come to a stay-and-play session. You stay with your child, get a feel for the space, meet the team, and your kiddo gets to be familiar with the room before doing a real drop-off. Check the Happenings page for upcoming stay-and-plays.
Often, yes — but it might take a couple visits. Some kids walk in and dive into play. Others need 2–3 short drop-offs to warm up. We'll work with you on what makes sense, and we'll always tell you the truth if we don't think it's a fit.

Yes. It's designed for kids — secure entry, age-appropriate everything, eyes on every child. Every caregiver is vetted through Sandhills Nanny Co. and trained for our space.
We try the usual first — comfort, distraction, a quiet activity, a book. If they're inconsolable after about 15 minutes, we'll text you. We don't believe in letting kids cry it out at drop-off.
Anything beyond a minor bump gets a text. Anything serious gets a phone call. We always have your contact info and you can always reach us at (910) 639-2338 during open hours.
Completely. No tablets, no TV, no screens used as a calm-down tool. Kids play, create, move, and connect with other kids the entire time.
Tell us when you book. Our food-free policy already removes the biggest allergy risk, and we can adapt for most situations. For specific medical or developmental needs, email us in advance at info@virtokids.com so we can plan together.

A session where parents stay in the space with their kids. Donation-based, all ages welcome. It's a great way to meet other Moore County families, let younger siblings come along, or just spend an unhurried afternoon somewhere that isn't your house.
No. You can sit, chat with other parents, work, or just have a quiet minute while your kiddo plays nearby. You're "on duty" but you're not running activities.

Yes! Two hours of private play, plus a full corridor for grown-ups to gather. We handle setup and cleanup. More details on the Parties page.
We recommend parties of 15 kids or fewer for the best experience. Our space is intentionally cozy.
Parties start at $200. Final pricing depends on add-ons like balloons, custom cookies, or character visits. Full details here.
Item description

Payment happens through Acuity when you book.
All sales are final. Hourly play sessions may be rescheduled up to 24 hours before your booking begins. After that time, the session is considered paid and is non-refundable.
Not at this time.
First-time families can join our email list to get a $10 off code for their first drop-off. Beyond that, we keep things simple and affordable rather than running a lot of sales.

Our partners at Sandhills Nanny Co. handle in-home care. Same trusted people, different setting. Visit them here.
Yes — baby showers, small kids' classes, mom group meetups, corporate and military events, nonprofit gatherings and more. Email info@virtokids.com and we'll figure it out together.
Email us at info@virtokids.com or call (910) 639-2338.
First-time families can join our email list to get a $10 off code for their first drop-off. Beyond that, we keep things simple and affordable rather than running a lot of sales.