On the CAMP website for Bluey’s House, one short note matters more than anything else: entry times "differ from general store hours," and live availability is only visible once you start booking. Most of the new kid-friendly additions at Tysons Corner Center work the same way this fall. Each attraction runs on timed sessions, sets its own age guidelines, and enforces unique ticket policies. While the mall opens at 10 a.m., your afternoon truly begins whenever your booked time slot starts.
This shift completely changes how you map out a rainy Saturday. Here is a practical planning guide for families heading to Tysons this fall, organized around the reservation clock. It covers confirmed openings, attractions with conflicting official details, and two great free options you can enjoy anytime without a reservation.
The Mall Is Betting on Experiences
This transition is deliberate. Tysons Corner Center General Manager Roxanne Ribakoff told FFXnow that the center is "always looking for ways to create experiences that go beyond traditional shopping," adding that interactive attractions give families "another reason to spend the day together."
CAMP has been pioneering this experiential model at Tysons for a while. Its first themed attraction here – focused on "Encanto" – opened in December 2023, followed by a popular Peppa Pig experience in summer 2025. What makes this fall unique is the sheer concentration of options. A slime attraction, a Bluey experience, and an interactive play cafe all debuted in the same season, with each selling admission by scheduled session.
Sloomoo Institute: Confirmed Open, With Prices That Move
Sloomoo Institute offers the clearest details. As TysonsToday reported on Sept. 17, this permanent venue is officially open. Spanning 17,000 square feet across two levels near Nordstrom, its main draw is Lake Sloomoo – where visitors walk directly across slime. According to Sloomoo’s official site, the lake contains 300 gallons of slime, with over 500 gallons total across the venue (though early media reports listed slightly different figures).
The ticket rules are the part to plan around:
- Pricing: General admission on the live ticket calendar ranges from $30.99 to $37.99 depending on the date (including taxes and fees). Sloomoo’s FAQ notes that prices fluctuate based on demand, meaning busy weekend slots cost more than quiet weekdays.
- Who needs a ticket: Everyone age 2 and up, even though the experience is designed for ages 4 and up.
- Supervision: Kids under 14 need a guardian who is at least 16.
- Time: A typical visit takes 60 to 90 minutes.
- Walk-ups: Tickets at the door depend on capacity, so Sloomoo recommends buying online in advance.
Operating hours are Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Keep in mind that schedules are subject to change, and the early 6 p.m. weekday closing time is worth noting when planning an after-school trip.
Bluey's House: The Official Pages Disagree
Bluey x CAMP: Bluey's House highlights why checking ticket availability in advance is critical. FFXnow initially reported an opening date of Friday, Sept. 4, for kids ages 2 to 10. The 5,000-square-foot space recreates the Heeler family home, featuring interactive games from the show, a "dance mode," and character meet-and-greets with Bluey and Bingo. Mommy Poppins later confirmed it was open as of Sept. 6.
However, CAMP’s own website presents conflicting details. The main activity page features a "Get Tickets" button for a 50-minute timed experience for ages 2 and up, whereas the dedicated Bluey's House landing page lists the experience as "coming soon" with tickets unavailable. To avoid disappointing young fans, confirm that time slots are active on the ticketing calendar before heading out.
If you do book, these are CAMP's rules:
- Timed entry is capped at 30 people per group, so advance online reservations are strongly encouraged.
- All visitors age 2 and older require a paid ticket. An accompanying adult is mandatory, and CAMP asks families to arrive 15 minutes prior to their time slot.
- Northern Virginia Magazine reported in August that tickets started at $42.
CAMP is located on the first floor between Coastal Flats and H&M, near AMC Theatres. For easy access, park in Garage E and enter right beside Coastal Flats. Since Sloomoo Institute is located near Nordstrom on the opposite side of the mall, be sure to budget extra time to walk between locations if you book both on the same day.
Tiny's Corner: A Play Cafe for Younger Kids, Not Open Yet
Tiny’s Corner Play Cafe caters to a younger age demographic than the other two venues. Designed for ages 1 through 9 with 90-minute play sessions, it will occupy Unit D9U on the second floor near Macy's, Sephora, Apple, and SKIMS. According to FFXnow, the 3,000-square-foot space will focus on arts, crafts, and hands-on sensory play.
An exact opening date has not yet been announced, with the schedule page simply stating "Grand Opening Fall 2026." Parental supervision policies also remain somewhat fluid: while co-founder Stella Borou shared in August that they planned to offer supervised drop-off so parents could shop or dine freely, the cafe's current visitor FAQ states that guardians must remain on the premises. Plan to stay with your children until official policies are finalized upon opening.
Here are the three attractions side by side:
Attraction | Ages | Session | Status on Oct. 22 | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sloomoo Institute | Built for 4+, ticket required 2+ | 60–90 minutes | Open | Near Nordstrom |
Bluey's House at CAMP | 2–10 per FFXnow; 2+ per CAMP | 50 minutes, timed | CAMP's pages conflict | Level 1, between Coastal Flats and H&M |
Tiny's Corner Play Cafe | 1–9 | 90 minutes | "Grand Opening Fall 2026" | Level 2, Unit D9U near Macy's |
Two Things That Don't Need a Ticket
Two of the best options this season are free and run on regular mall hours.
The Fairfax County LEGO Exhibit celebrates the county's 250th anniversary. Created by the Northern Virginia LEGO Users Group (NOVA-LUG), it features custom models highlighting each of Fairfax County's nine districts, along with commemorative 250th anniversary logo mosaics depicting Tysons Corner Center, Great Falls, and Wolf Trap. Located on Level 1 near Wasabi and Oakley through Jan. 1, 2027, the display rotates monthly – concluding with seasonal neighborhood streetscapes across October, November, and December.
The upcoming Fall Festival takes place Saturday, Oct. 24, from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is completely free and features live music, face painting, family-friendly games, crafts, giveaways, a photo booth, and a curated retailer market. If you plan to attend a ticketed venue that day, schedule your session outside of this window so you can fully enjoy both activities.
Snacks Between Sessions
With attraction sessions lasting 50 to 90 minutes, you'll have plenty of downtime for snacks. Conveniently, the mall's quick-service dining roster has expanded recently: Blue Bottle Coffee opened a first-floor kiosk on Aug. 13, and Joe & the Juice debuted on Oct. 2.
Two additional spots are scheduled to open in November. Layered – a popular cafe originating in Fairfax City – is taking over a 1,540-square-foot space across from Zara on the first floor. Additionally, Southern comfort food chain Milk & Honey is targeting a November opening in the former location of Dhoom and Naan & Beyond. Keep an eye out for these new options ahead of holiday shopping trips.
Planning a Saturday Around the Bookings
For a family with kids of different ages, these steps cover most of the work:
- Book high-demand slots first: Start with popular experiences like Sloomoo Institute on weekends, where dynamic pricing increases costs and walk-up entry is constrained by capacity limits.
- Verify ticket availability: Confirm active times and dates on CAMP's ticketing calendar prior to promising a visit to Bluey's House.
- Account for transit & check-in time: Allow roughly 15 minutes to walk between CAMP (near AMC) and Sloomoo (near Nordstrom), keeping in mind CAMP’s request for guests to arrive 15 minutes early.
- Utilize free attractions between sessions: Visit the Level 1 LEGO exhibit during buffer time between booked slots, as it requires no reservation and follows standard mall hours.
- Track upcoming openings: If visiting with younger kids, monitor Tiny's Corner's schedule page and verify drop-off guidelines closer to its launch.
Navigating fall family outings in Tysons requires a bit more coordination than before, reflecting broader changes throughout the Tysons Corner Center area. If you're interested in how regional developments and local growth affect surrounding residential neighborhoods, the Fairfax County real estate experts at Corcoran McEnearney closely track these community updates. Reach out today for a Local Market Consultation to explore what's ahead for the local housing market.
