The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
Unique play space offers fun for kids, and their families
BERWYN » Village Play Space has been open for a month now, offering fun for both children and their parents.
“We are looking to provide a place where different members of the community can interact,” owner Sara Martino said during a recent interview.
Martino was a special education teacher for 10 years. After maternity leave with her son, she said she “wasn’t looking forward to going back and missing time with him.”
“I was ready for a change,” Martino said.
As the name implies, Martino said that it “takes a village” to implement an idea like Village Play Space.
Located at 4 Midland Ave. in Berwyn, Village Play Space offers in indoor space for youngsters to play, while adults are welcome to interact with them or relax in the seating area with free Wi-Fi and complimentary coffee.
“While there are a few great indoor play areas for children in the suburbs of Philadelphia, there aren’t any in this neighborhood,” according to the Village Play Space website. “In this unique place, children and their caregiv- ers can connect with their neigh- bors for play dates by day (Play by Day) and adults can meet for crafty classes by night (Play Soiree).”
Play by Day is designed for children ages six years and younger.
The “village theme” of the facility offers children the chance to play in three different shops, which can range from a school or bakery to a hardware store, firehouse, or an ice cream shop, according to Martino.
“Every two weeks we change what the shops are … so that when the kids come they can have different experience each time and be imaginative,” said Martino.
A ladder leads above the shops with a “tunnel throughway” and a slide back down.
The space also offers bins with toys that are filtered out as well. These can include toys, a puppet theater, and a train table, according to Martino. There is also a “crafty area” with a reading nook.
Martino’s son, who is nearly two-years-old, joins Martino there every day.
“He loves playing with the kids that come. Playing is what he does,” she said. “It’s kind of a second home for us. It’s great to be able to watch him grow.”
In addition to Play by Day, Play Soiree will be added to Village Play Space in the coming months, Martino said. Play Soiree events will be scheduled on weeknights to allow friends, family and neighbors to gather to participate in activities and craft classes. Play Soiree will offer BYO events.
Village Play Space currently offers BYO family-friendly happy hours.
“It gives an opportunity for adults who cannot come from 9 to 3 to come and interact with their kids,” Martino said.
The next happy hour event is on July 26 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Space is limited, so those who are interested are asked to register online on the website’s “events calendar” page.
Special events are posted on Village Play Space’s website at www.villageplaypa.com or at its Facebook page, www.facebook. com/VillagePlaySpace/. Updates are also shared on Instagram at www.instagram.com/villageplayspace/.
Village Play Space is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays are open for private parties, Martino said, adding that the operating hours may be expanded in the future.
“We are looking to eventually add on some classes,” Martino said, mentioning breast feeding classes as well as Mommy and Me Yoga.
Prices for Village Play Space are: $10 for one child, $5 for each sibling, $5 for children 6-12 months, children under 6-months are free. Adults are free, but must be accompanied by a child. Village Play Space also offers a 10-visit punch card for $80 and gift certificates are available on site. Email business story ideas to business editor/writer drovins@21st-centurymedia. com