Hidden Gems: Meet Maggie Ochoa of Coastal Kids Playspace

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maggie Ochoa.

Hi Maggie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey to Coastal Kids Playspace really started with motherhood. Like so many parents, I was constantly looking for places where my 3 young boys could play, explore, move their bodies, and simply be kids—without everything revolving around screens or structured activities. I noticed there was a real need for a space designed specifically with babies and toddlers in mind, where both kids and parents could feel comfortable and welcome.

That idea eventually became Coastal Kids Playspace in Long Beach. What started as a vision for a small, thoughtfully designed playspace has grown into a community where families come to play, celebrate birthdays, meet other parents and caregivers, and participate in simple, developmentally meaningful activities.

One of the things I’ve loved most about building CKP is how much I’ve learned simply by watching children play. I’ve had the opportunity to watch hundreds of toddlers interact with different environments, toys, materials, and types of play—and I’ve learned that children often need far less than we think they do. Give them the opportunity to move, explore, pretend, repeat, and figure things out for themselves, and they can turn almost anything into meaningful play.

Being a mom myself has also shaped the way I approach the business. I understand how overwhelming parenting young children can feel, and I never wanted CKP to be another place where parents feel like they have to do more, buy more, or create elaborate activities. I want it to feel simple, welcoming, and joyful.

It’s been a very hands-on journey, and certainly not one I could have fully mapped out from the beginning. But seeing families make Coastal Kids Playspace part of their lives has been incredibly rewarding. I’m excited about continuing to grow the business while staying true to why I started it in the first place: giving young children a place to play and giving parents a place where they feel like they belong, too.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not! Building a small business has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done, but it has also pushed me far outside of my comfort zone.

One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to balance being a business owner, a mom, and a person with a life outside of the business. When you own a small brick-and-mortar business, there isn’t always a clear line between work and home. There have been plenty of nights spent working on content or calendars after my kids go to bed, working through unexpected problems, or wondering whether I’m making the right decision.

There have also been the inevitable ups and downs of running a seasonal, community-based business. Some months are incredibly busy and exciting, while others can be much quieter and financially stressful. Learning not to let a slow month—or even a slow week—make me question the entire vision has been a big part of my growth as an entrepreneur.

I’ve also had to learn that I can’t do everything myself. At the beginning when we opened our doors, I was extremely hands-on and had my hands in much of what we did for all sides of the business – operations, marketing and content, future planning, etc. I am fortunate to have a wonderful team of staff who help me with operations, event planning, and engaging with our families so we continue to serve our community. This allows me to take a step back from many smaller day-to-day tasks and pour energy into not only building relationships with our families and community partners, but planning all the great next steps for CKP.

Probably the biggest lesson has been that building something meaningful takes time. There are always going to be things I wish were further along, but I’ve learned to look at the bigger picture. CKP has grown into a real community, and I’m proud of that! The challenges have forced me to become a more resilient business owner and, honestly, a more confident person.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Coastal Kids Playspace?
Coastal Kids Playspace is a small, locally owned indoor playroom in Long Beach designed specifically for babies and toddlers (ages 0-6). At its heart, we’re a cozy place where young children can move, explore, pretend, create, and play at their own pace—and where parents and caregivers can relax, connect, and feel part of a community.

We offer open play visits and memberships, along with birthday parties, special events, and enrichment activities throughout each month. We’ve intentionally created an environment that feels different from a traditional large indoor playground. It’s not about having the biggest slides or the most stimulation. We focus on thoughtful, age-appropriate play experiences that give toddlers the opportunity to use their imaginations, practice new skills, and interact with other children.

One of the things that sets us apart is that everything we do is informed by what I’ve seen children actually engage with. After watching hundreds of toddlers play in our space—including my own 3 young children—I’ve become fascinated by the way kids naturally learn through play. A simple basket of pretend food, a roll of masking tape, a few blocks, or an opportunity to carry, build, sort, or pretend can keep a toddler engaged in ways that don’t require a lot of bells and whistles.

That philosophy also carries into our birthday parties. We want families to be able to celebrate without feeling like they have to create an elaborate event from scratch. We offer different levels of party packages and handle much of the setup so parents can actually enjoy the celebration with their child.

But I think what I’m most proud of brand-wise is the community we’ve created. CKP isn’t just a place to take your toddler when you need to get out of the house. We want it to feel like a place where families recognize familiar faces, children become comfortable, and adults know they’re welcome with all the thoughtful touches we provide to make it feel like a “home away from home.”

How do you define success?
I think my definition of success has changed a lot since I started Coastal Kids Playspace.

Of course, financial sustainability matters. I want to build a business that is profitable, supports my family, creates good jobs, and continues to grow. But I don’t think success is simply about how many customers we have or how much revenue we generate.

For me, success is knowing that we’ve created something that genuinely makes families’ lives a little better. If a mom tells me that CKP has become part of her weekly routine, that their little one asks to come back, or that she met one of her closest mom friends here, that feels like success.

I also think success is staying connected to the reason I started the business in the first place. It would be easy to chase growth or constantly add more, but I want CKP to remain thoughtful, welcoming, and rooted in what young children actually need.

And on a personal level, success means building something I’m proud of while still being present for my own family. I don’t want to build a business at the expense of the life I’m building it for.

Ultimately, I think success is creating something that has value beyond yourself—something that supports your family, serves your community, and makes people’s everyday lives a little more joyful. If I can do that, I consider it a success!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.coastalkidsplayspace.com
• Instagram: @coastalkidsplayspace