Dallas Indoor Playground Packed as Winter Storm Closures Leave Parents Scrambling

With schools closed for a third straight day, families seek refuge at Down to Play indoor play space.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 5:55pm

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As winter weather forced school closures across North Texas, parents flocked to the Down to Play indoor playground in Dallas, which saw a surge of around 250 visitors by noon on a typical weekday. The business, normally quiet during the school week, was packed with families juggling work, childcare, and cabin fever as the closures stretched into a third day.

Why it matters

The high turnout at Down to Play highlights the strain that extended school and daycare closures can place on working parents, who must find ways to balance professional responsibilities with caring for their children. The situation underscores the need for flexible childcare options during disruptive weather events.

The details

Down to Play, an indoor play space for children, was overwhelmed with families seeking relief from being stuck at home. The parking lot filled quickly, and the business was already nearing a waitlist by midmorning. Co-owner Kelsey Doolen said the decision to stay open was personal as well as practical, as she understood the needs of parents with young children. Inside, parents juggled supervising their kids and working remotely, with some rotating responsibilities to care for each other's children.

  • Schools in the North Texas region have been closed for three consecutive days due to the winter storm.
  • By noon on Wednesday, Down to Play had already seen around 250 visitors pass through its doors.

The players

Down to Play

An indoor play space for children in Dallas that saw a surge of visitors as schools remained closed due to winter weather.

Kelsey Doolen

The co-owner of Down to Play, who decided to keep the business open during the school closures to support families in need of childcare.

Tara Hanson

A working mother of two who was among the parents at Down to Play, juggling childcare and work responsibilities as the closures continued.

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What they’re saying

“As a mom with toddlers, I know how needed this is. That's why it was really important to us to stay open, if the roads are safe enough to get here.”

— Kelsey Doolen, Co-owner, Down to Play

“I'm really just taking care of the kids, and my work is on the back burner. I'm working during nap time — that's honestly what's happening.”

— Tara Hanson, Working mother of two

What’s next

As the winter storm continues, parents will likely continue to seek out childcare options like Down to Play to manage the disruption to their routines. School districts will monitor the weather and road conditions to determine when it is safe to reopen.

The takeaway

The high demand for indoor play spaces during the school closures underscores the challenges that working parents face when unexpected weather events disrupt their normal childcare arrangements. Businesses like Down to Play that can provide flexible, safe options for families during these situations play a vital role in supporting the community.