Oneonta World of Learning (OWL)

★★★Renny Hunter

I visited OWL after my mom had a great experience bringing my toddler there a couple of weeks earlier. She spoke very positively about it, so I was surprised by the experience I had when I invited a friend to meet me there. During our visit, the two volunteers on duty hovered around us for the ENTIRE time, following us closely from room to room. At one point, my friend and I, our two toddlers, another mom with her 15-month-old, and both employees were all crowded into the small back corner with the books and slide. While they were friendly, the constant presence felt uncomfortable—there was no sense of ease, privacy, or space to relax and connect. It became especially awkward when my friend needed to breastfeed and the volunteers did not pick up on the social cue to step away. One man and one woman remained standing nearby, which added to the discomfort. If the space had been pristine and fully organized, I might have better understood the close supervision, but there were plenty of other tasks they could have been attending to while still keeping an appropriate eye on things. Overall, the experience felt unusual and left me unsure whether I would return. We ended up leaving and taking a walk through Fortin Park in the snow, which was a much more pleasant way to spend the time.

★★★★Brittany Michelle

My daughter's girl scouts troop started holding their meetings at OWL this year, and it's a pleasant change from the church basement they were held in prior. We have been to many events and playdates here over the past 6 or so years, and while it is small, it very much feels like you are welcomed into someone's home to play. I've always found it to be clean and well cared for. Whether or not you should buy tickets in advance-there are lots of events that you must respond and reserve a space, but not necessarily to pay in advance.

★★★★★Tionna Quigley

Great Place for kids! Definitely recommend birthday parties, a lot of different spaces for the Littles to play!

★★★★★Mike Robinson

We had our birthday here, what a blast! It was the perfect space for our toddler and kindergarten age friends.

★★★★★Rita Greene

Very cute place. lots of fun things for kiddos Science and arts play area Nice people Had bathrooms