Thunder Bear's Discovery Den — Local services in Port Richey

Editing my review from November 2024:

I learned about this place through the owner Meghan when Hurricane Helene hit. We lost our car, a lot of the twins toys, diapers, wipes, etc. but I still was trying to pay it forward by giving things away that were never used by my 2.5 year old twins. Including brand new books, bubble toys, crafts, new size 3 diapers, etc. etc. helping others helped fuel me and motivate me, it restored hope. Meghan the owner came by to pick it up and she brought us a ton of hot food and snacks for the kids. She also gave us vouchers and told us to come any time to let the twins play there! Then I saw a post a few weeks later about some toys, clothes, and a new car seat that needed to be given away and we desperately needed it. She went out of her way to bring that to us, and we met her son, he’s adorable! Meghan is a sweetheart and a blessing, she deserves the world! Thunder Bear’s Discovery Den is such a magical place for children. It is amazing to see how kids light up in this enriching environment. It’s such an intentional, and educational play space! I deeply appreciate how much thought went into Discovery Den to make it super interactive with the kids. All staff are incredibly friendly, and all have education backgrounds as well. There are a range of types of classes to bring your little one to, along with free play during most of the day when there isn’t classes going on! My twins loved it so much! They couldn’t get enough of all the different things to do! A huge kitchen, a vet office, dress up, a baby changing table, stroller, feeding station, shopping area, train set, climbing structures, sensory equipment, everything was so stimulating for them in the best way! I could see their minds at work with everything they touched and their imaginations were soaring! She let us stay a little longer after closing time and I couldn’t appreciate her more for that! We also bought a tie-dye Tshirt that the kids from a different class made themselves, which makes it so much more touching. Thank you a million times, we will definitely be back! Thunder Bear’s Discovery Den is just an amazing asset to the...

I took my granddaughter there for the first time today, and while she had a great time I'm not sure we will be returning. The reason I wanted to bring her was for socialization and even though there were many kids, she didn't get much of it. Most of the parents were helicoptering and seemed nervous to let their children play independently or interact with other kids. I'm not sure if the point of paying to play when you can stay home and do it for free. I really think the only reason people go and this place has such high reviews is the mom's are looking for a place to socialize.

Children need to be allowed to play without adults. Obviously keep an eye on them, but they need to learn to figure out how to do things on their own and occupy themselves. Doing too much and constantly being there will cause insecurities and self esteem issues. Even falling down and getting bumps and bruises will teach them to be more careful.

Another issue I have is that although my granddaughter really loved the owner, her need to baby talk really annoyed me and my husband. Just because they're young doesn't mean they're stupid, and baby talking can cause speech issues. If you want them to learn proper speech you have to speak to them properly. They're also aware enough to understand you don't talk to adults that way and it can cause self esteem issues as well.

Great idea, but stop the baby talk and encourage parents to let their kids be kids and play together and independently. I'd be back a lot if not for...

10/10⭐️⭐️ I recently brought my two daughters to Thunder Bear Discovery Den, and they had an absolute blast! The playroom is filled with all sorts of adorable toys, and my girls loved dressing up and playing with the other kids there. The environment is lively, engaging, and perfect for children to explore their imaginations.

As a busy parent, it was a relief to be able to sit back, catch up on work on my laptop and not have to worry about them for awhile! The owner is fantastic she's a former teacher, and it really shows. Her experience shines through in how she interacts with the kids, making them feel comfortable and excited to learn and play. It's clear she has the skills and passion for working with children, which gives parents like me great peace of mind.

The location is great, and it’s a perfect spot to bring the kids when you need a break. We'll definitely...