New indoor children’s playhouse to open in Beaufort soon. Here’s when & where
Lowcountry families will soon have a new indoor play destination designed specifically for young children and their caregivers.
Palmetto Playhouse, an indoor children’s play space focused on creating a safe, comfortable and engaging environment for little ones, will officially open Jan. 11 at 9 a.m.
The playhouse is located at 2127 Boundary Street, Suite 13, next door to Rollin’ in Stitches and near the new Bye Bye Birdie restaurant in Beaufort Town Center.
A space created to fill a local gap
With few accessible indoor environments for young children – especially during hot summers, rainy days and colder winter months – owner Jessica Lawson says the business was created to meet a clear need in the Beaufort area.
“Palmetto Playhouse fills the space between outdoor playgrounds and traditional childcare by offering a place where kids can play safely, and parents can relax and connect,” she said.
Rather than operating as a drop-off childcare center, Palmetto Playhouse provides a clean, welcoming space where caregivers remain on-site while children explore, socialize and play. The goal is to offer families a flexible, low-stress option that supports early development while fostering connection among parents.
“As a mother, opportunities to connect with other moms were limited,” Lawson said. “I often found myself wishing for a place where I could meet other parents.”
When can families visit?
Palmetto Playhouse will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Structured open-play sessions begin at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., each lasting two hours. A special one-hour post-nap play session at 3 p.m. is also offered and is designed for younger children easing back into the afternoon.
Sessions are scheduled in timed blocks to maintain a comfortable capacity, and families may book multiple sessions per day as availability allows. This flexible model allows caregivers to drop in for a single visit or extend their time without committing to a full-day program.
Pricing starts at $15 per child for two hours of play, with a discounted $12 rate for military families. Crawling children and adults are admitted free. Booking can be done online through the Palmetto Playhouse website.
In addition to open play, Lawson says Palmetto Playhouse will offer specialty classes such as music sessions, family memberships, along with options for birthday parties and private event rentals.
About the owner
Lawson, a mother, career nanny and certified postpartum doula, brings years of hands-on childcare experience to the project. She says the idea for Palmetto Playhouse grew directly from both her professional background and experience as a parent.
“I noticed a real lack of indoor spaces designed specifically for young children and their caregivers,” she said.
That need became even more apparent as Lawson navigated early parenthood in the Lowcountry as a drill instructor’s wife, often feeling isolated and wishing for a nearby place to connect with other families without traveling long distances.
“Through conversations with other parents, it became clear this wasn’t just my experience,” she said. “Many families were looking for the same sense of connection and convenience.”
Lawson said that shared need helped move Palmetto Playhouse from concept to reality in the fall of 2025.
To learn more, visit Palmetto Playhouse’s website or Facebook page.
