What Is The Duckling Village? A Parent’s Guide to Your First Visit

If you’re looking for a fun indoor place to take your kids in Tyler, Texas, welcome to The Duckling Village!

The Duckling Village is an indoor children’s play village designed for imaginative, hands-on play. Our space is made up of child-sized storefronts where kids can pretend, create, explore and play together.

Kids can serve up a meal at Mama Duck’s Diner, care for animals at Pondside Pet Clinic, deliver mail from the Nesting Box Postal Co., work on cars at Papa Austin’s Auto and explore the rest of our little village at their own pace.

If you’re planning your first visit, here’s what you’ll want to know.

What Ages Is The Duckling Village For?

This is one of the questions we get most often, and the answer really depends on your child and how they like to play.

The Duckling Village is designed primarily with children from walking age through approximately 10–11 years old in mind, but that isn’t a strict age range. Every child plays differently!

Toddlers and preschoolers tend to fall naturally into the world of pretend play, while older children often create more detailed games, characters and storylines throughout the village. One child might be perfectly happy pushing a shopping cart around the General Store, while another turns several storefronts into one big adventure.

You know your child best. If they enjoy imaginative play, role-playing, playing house, shopping, caring for stuffed animals, cooking pretend meals or creating their own games, there’s a good chance they’ll find plenty to do at Duckling.

Babies who are not yet walking are free with a paid child, making it easier for families with siblings of different ages to visit together.

What Is There to Do?

The heart of Duckling is imaginative play.

Our indoor village includes nine different storefronts and play spaces, each giving children a new environment to explore.

The Cottage gives kids a familiar home environment for everyday pretend play. At Bloom Boutique Florist, they can arrange flowers and play shop. Cozy Crumb Bakery and Mama Duck’s Diner turn little visitors into bakers, cooks and customers. The Duckling General Store is ready for shopping trips, while the Nesting Box Postal Co. lets children sort and deliver mail.

Animal lovers can head to Pondside Pet Clinic, little mechanics can get to work at Papa Austin’s Auto, and Aetri’s Workshop offers another place for busy hands and big imaginations.

There’s no correct way to play here. Children are free to move throughout the village and create their own adventures.

How Does Open Play Work?

Open Play visits are 90 minutes long.

We offer reservation windows throughout the day at:

9:00 AM
10:30 AM
12:00 PM
1:30 PM
3:00 PM

Reservations help us manage the number of families in the village so the space remains enjoyable for everyone. Because sessions have set start and end times, arriving late does not extend your play session.

Walk-ins may be possible when capacity allows, but making a reservation ahead of time is the best way to make sure there is room for your family.

How Much Does It Cost?

Open Play admission is:

First child: $14
Each additional child: $10
One adult included with each paid child
Additional adults: $5
Babies who are not yet walking: Free with a paid child

We are a cashless facility, so be sure to bring a card or another accepted electronic payment method.

Families who visit frequently may also want to look into a Duckling membership, which includes unlimited visits subject to capacity and closures, along with additional member perks.

Do Adults Have to Stay?

Yes. The Duckling Village is not a drop-off play facility.

Children must remain supervised by their accompanying adult during their visit. Our seating areas make it easy for grown-ups to settle in while still keeping an eye on their little ducklings as they explore.

What Should We Wear?

Keep it simple: comfortable play clothes and shoes!

Shoes stay on while playing throughout The Duckling Village, with the exception of our Crawlers Corner.

Since kids may be cooking imaginary meals one minute and working on a car the next, clothes they can comfortably move and play in are always a good choice.

Can We Bring Food and Drinks?

Yes! Outside food and drinks are welcome.

We also have a selection of snacks and drinks available for purchase in our concessions area. One thing we like to make clear before your first visit: we do not have a barista or a full café. While Mama Duck’s Diner may be serving plenty of pretend coffee, the grown-up kind is something you’ll want to bring with you!

So feel free to grab your favorite coffee on the way over, pack snacks or lunch for the kids, and make yourself comfortable while they play.

Do We Need a Waiver?

Yes. Waivers are required for adults and children visiting The Duckling Village.

Completing your waiver before arriving can make check-in much quicker, especially when you’re trying to get several excited kids through the door.

What If My Child Is Sick?

We love sharing at Duckling. Germs are the exception.

Please wait to visit until your child has been free from fever, vomiting and diarrhea for at least 24 hours. If your child isn’t feeling well, another day will be much more enjoyable for them and for the other families playing alongside them.

What Makes The Duckling Village Different?

We wanted Duckling to feel less like a traditional indoor playground and more like stepping into a tiny world built just for children.

The play here is child-led. Instead of following one specific activity from beginning to end, children get to decide what happens next.

They can be a veterinarian, mechanic, baker, florist, shopkeeper, mail carrier, parent, customer or something completely different five minutes later. They can play independently, make a new friend or create an entire storyline that travels from one end of the village to the other.

That kind of open-ended pretend play looks simple from the outside, but children are constantly practicing communication, problem solving, creativity, cooperation and independence while they play.

And the best part is that, to them, they’re just having fun.

More Than Open Play

Open Play is only one way to visit The Duckling Village.

We also offer birthday parties, private play sessions, field trips, memberships and special events throughout the year.

Our Discovery Nest changes throughout the year as well, giving families something new to explore through seasonal and educational themes.

Ready for Your First Visit?

The Duckling Village is located in Tyler, Texas and welcomes families from Tyler and communities throughout East Texas.

Whether you’re searching for something to do with your toddler, an indoor activity for a hot or rainy East Texas day, a place where siblings can play together or simply somewhere different to spend the morning, we’d love to welcome your family to Duckling.

Reserve your Open Play session before you arrive, complete your waivers and come ready to play.

We’ll have the village ready for you.