Finding Kid-Friendly Activities in the Coachella Valley
Why We Built Tinkerhause
If you live in the Coachella Valley with kids, you’ve probably had this moment:
You open your phone, type “things to do with kids near me”, scroll through golf courses, pools, and attractions that cost a fortune… and still think:
“Okay, but what do we actually do with our kids on a random Tuesday?”
We felt that too. That’s a big part of why Tinker Hause exists.
The Coachella Valley: amazing for tourists, tricky for parents
The Coachella Valley and Greater Palm Springs are packed with things to do—hiking, festivals, resorts, art, nightlife. There are also some lovely family-friendly attractions, like nature parks, museums, and an indoor playground or two.
But if you’re raising kids here year-round, you quickly notice:
Many activities are geared toward tourists, not everyday family life
Outdoor fun is awesome… until it’s 110°F in the middle of the day
A lot of options are expensive, crowded, or not built with sensory needs in mind
And if you’re visiting with kids who are very young, easily overwhelmed, or neurodivergent, the classic “desert vacation” doesn’t always line up with what they actually need to stay regulated.
The gap: everyday, indoor, kid-first spaces
When we talked with local parents, caregivers, and teachers, we kept hearing the same themes:
“We need indoor places to go that aren’t just restaurants or the mall.”
“Everything is either a giant attraction or nothing.”
“We have to drive far, or just stay home.”
“My kid can’t handle super loud, crowded places, so a lot of options are off the table.”
Yes, there are some indoor play options in and around the Valley, but they tend to lean toward high-energy, big-kid environments—trampolines, arcades, and big climbing structures. Those can be great, but not every kid wants or can handle that kind of stimulation.
What was missing was:
A sensory-focused, hands-on, exploratory space
A place that feels safe for neurodivergent kids and kids with sensory needs
Somewhere you can go for everyday play, not just a once-a-year outing
So we decided to make it.
Why we created Tinker Hause
Tinker Hause was born from a simple idea:
What if the Coachella Valley had spaces where kids could tinker, pour, build, splash, and explore without parents worrying about heat, noise, or mess?
We wanted to create:
A sensory-rich environment with messy play, tactile bins, building materials, and open-ended invitations to explore
An inclusive space where kids of all abilities are welcome and supported (not just tolerated)
Instead of being one more overstimulating, over-scheduled activity, Tinker Hause is built as a kind of sensory studio for kids - part playroom, part lab, part art studio.
What makes Tinker Hause different from other kid activities in the Coachella Valley?
Lots of places are fun. We aim for fun + regulation + development at the same time.
Here’s how that shows up:
Sensory-first design
We think about lighting, sound, textures, and flow so kids aren’t instantly overwhelmed.
There are both high-energy areas and quieter nooks for kids who need breaks.Open-ended play, not “do this perfectly” activities
Kids can experiment, dump, pour, build, and take apart.
No one is getting graded. No one is behind.
Support for neurodivergent kids
Our environment and staff are intentionally friendly to kids with autism, ADHD, sensory processing challenges, and other developmental differences
A place that’s for locals and visitors
If you live here, Tinker Hause can become part of your regular rhythm.
If you’re traveling, it’s a much-needed break from sun, screens, and “sit still at the restaurant.”
A typical visit to Tinker Hause
Every child is different, but here’s what a visit might look like:
Arrive & settle in
You’re welcomed, oriented, and given a quick rundown of the space.
Kids can warm up slowly - no pressure to jump right into everything at once.
Explore sensory stations
Maybe they start with a rice bin, water table, or kinetic sand.
Or they head straight to building, tinkering, or art.
Move between zones
Some kids gravitate toward big movement and loud play.
Others prefer quieter activities and cozy corners. Both are valid and supported.
Take breaks as needed
If your child is done, that’s okay. If they need to reset, that’s okay too.
Our space is designed so leaving early doesn’t feel like failure—it just means their tank is full.
Throughout, you’re not “that parent with the kid who can’t handle it.” You’re just… a parent. With a kid. Playing.
For locals: building a kid-friendly Coachella Valley together
We don’t see Tinkerhause as the only answer—we see it as part of a bigger shift toward a Valley that’s more livable for families.
If you’re a local:
Treat spaces like Tinker Hause as community resources, not just rainy-day backups.
Share your experiences with other caregivers, schools, and providers.
Ask other venues to consider sensory-friendly hours, quiet spaces, or visual supports - small changes that many organizations are already adopting in other cities.
The more we show there’s demand for kid-centered, inclusive design, the more the Valley will grow in that direction.
For visitors: your kids deserve a break too
If you’re visiting the Coachella Valley, your kids are experiencing:
A new climate
A new house or hotel
New routines, foods, and schedules
That’s a lot to process, especially for younger or sensitive kids. A sensory-rich, child-centered space like Tinkerhause gives them a chance to:
Burn off energy in a way that’s not just “run around the pool”
Regulate their nervous system
Feel in control of something in a trip where almost everything is new
It’s good for kids - and honestly, it’s good for the grownups too.