Private Event Days at Off The Wall Kids — Are You Open for Drop-In Play? (London)
Are you closed today?" "You have camp — can we still drop in?" "How many parties do you have — is there room?"
Those three calls show up constantly. Short answers: check the **Today's Hours bar**, camp does not mean closed to drop-in, and parties do not take the whole building.
Here is how **private event days** work for drop-in families at Off The Wall Kids (**539 First St, East London**, Argyle near Fanshawe College).
"What a private event day actually is"
Most private events are a **two-hour exclusive window** (guests can book a bit longer — usually only **1–2 hours longer**). Around that window we generally keep about **30 minutes of padding** on either side so we can clear the floor and reset.
This is **not** a full-day closure by default. Drop-in is often available **before** and/or **after** the private window — depending on the schedule that day.
"How you know"
- **Today's Hours bar** on the website - **Pop-up message** on the site when relevant - **Social media** updates - The **booking system** will stop you from booking a drop-in slot that conflicts
When in doubt, check the hours bar before you drive.
Holiday hours guide: offthewallkids.ca/kids-activities-blog/holiday-hours-closures-off-the-wall-kids-london-how-to-know-open
"Camp days vs private events"
**Day camp** and **drop-in play** are different products in the same building. Camp running does **not** automatically mean drop-in is closed. Private events are the schedule item that can pause public drop-in for a set window.
"Fundraising / Community Partner nights"
Those are **sometimes** private events. If a partner sells **more than about 50 tickets**, we typically turn that night into a private event. With fewer tickets, we are **generally open to the public**. Details: offthewallkids.ca/fundraising-community-partner-london-ontario
"Parties vs capacity"
Even on busy party days, drop-in usually still has room — capacity is **well over 300**, and parties do not take every spot. Capacity deep-dive: offthewallkids.ca/kids-activities-blog/birthday-parties-and-drop-in-play-capacity-off-the-wall-kids-london
"Always book online"
We encourage **online booking for every visit** — private-event days included. You can still walk up to the gate, but booking online **holds your spot** and is **cheaper**.
Book: tavarios.ca/customer-portal/cb982fca-cf7a-4f59-b9c7-55ca0364eddc/portal
Socks for everyone past admission — any socks work; **grip socks recommended**. Waivers too: offthewallkids.ca/waiver
Private-event rapid-fire
Full-day closed? **Usually no — two-hour window + padding.** How to check? **Today's Hours bar, site pop-up, booking system.** Camp = no drop-in? **No — different product.** Book online? **Always encouraged — cheaper + holds your spot.**
More **things to do in London**: offthewallkids.ca/things-to-do-with-kids-london-ontario