Fairfax City Welcomes Sensory Play Business For Young Children

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — A new small business focused on sensory play and early childhood learning celebrated its ribbon cutting in Fairfax City on Friday, with owner Charry Lee saying the studio was designed to support both children and parents.

SensePlay Studio serves babies and toddlers through sensory play, cooking, art and other activities, according to Monika Blakely, program associate for Fairfax City Economic Development. At the event, Mayor Catherine Read said ribbon cuttings matter because business owners can choose to locate anywhere, but “you chose our city.”

Lee, the owner of SensePlay, said Fairfax City stood out because of its location and the families she hopes to reach.

“It was very central location that we really enjoyed meeting all of the clients that we serve,” Lee said. She also said she saw a need for indoor sensory play “where parents and families can feel connected with their little child and really bond with purposeful play.”

Lee said her background includes special education, early childhood education and years teaching in churches. She also recently worked as an international education development program manager, working with the Lego Foundation on how learning happens in classrooms in Africa. This experience helped shape the studio’s approach to learning through play.

Located at 10335-A Democracy Lane in Fairfax, SensePlay Studio is a small business, not a franchise, which allows flexibility in its programming, according to Lee.

“I actually designed all of our curriculum, and we're able to select the sensory bins that are matched to our weekly theme,” she said. The studio also tailors music and movement to the weekly theme and children’s ages, and uses feedback from parents and families.

Read said the business fills a need for younger children and their families. She described the program as “45 minutes of age appropriate fun instruction and 45 minutes of free play and no screens,” adding that early childhood experiences are important to development.

During the pre-ribbon-cutting ceremony, Lee thanked the city for helping the business through licensing and permits.

“We built SensePlay studio on two core beliefs,” Lee said, adding that “play is innate” and that early childhood learning “should be rooted in playful, innovative and creative experiences. While it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to support the parents.”

Lee said she hopes SensePlay Studio becomes a place “where parents feel seen, supported and connected.” The business is now open in Fairfax City, where Lee said she plans to keep building the studio's community with local families.

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