When you walk into Twinkle, you'll notice immediately that it doesn't look like your average indoor play space. There are lots of unique design touches, like a cloud-shaped light box filled with holiday lights and giant papier-mâché dragon heads. Even the shoe, stroller and coat storage is offbeat: Strollers, bikes and scooters go on a carousel while shoes and jackets hang from suspended hooks and platforms in the entryway.

Of course the main attraction is the play space, which is super fun, interactive and encourages all kinds of imaginative play. When I visited, I saw a bunch of toddlers cruising the room with their adult caregivers in tow (drop-off is not allowed). There are nine separate but interconnected activity areas. The centerpiece is a large "tree" that holds up a fort. Tots climb to the top inside the structure, and a rope bridge leads across the way to a "burning house." Below, a fire truck, outfitted with lots of bells, whistles and buttons, has two fire hoses for small firefighters to point and shoot when "fighting" the flames. (While the fire is fake, the hoses spray real water into a small trough.) On the other side of the space, there's an elevated loft-like disco room with low ceilings that can only be accessed by ladder or climbing up a tube. Inside, kids find fun sensory experiences like pool noodle walls and mesh grates.

Other stations include a play store with an ice cream counter, shelves of packaged foods, crates of fruits and veggies, and even small shopping carts; a pretend salon with chairs, mirrors and wigs; a dedicated water play area, a construction-themed sandbox; and a fenced off farm-themed space for babies. For parents, there's a lounge area with a microwave, bottle warmer, outlets for charging electronics and free Wi-Fi.

Drop-in play costs $25 for your first visit or you can buy a six-session pass for $135. Various membership packages are also available. Birthday parties are offered (there's a private 600-square-foot event room) and classes like kung fu, mad science, sports and silk screening will begin in June.

Twinkle is located at 144 Frost Street between Graham and Manhattan Avenues in Williamsburg.

Find out about other great indoor places to play in NYC.