https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 04:14:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2264992 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:05:09 +0000 turkeylurkey 2264992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>looks like there is one in Dallas and Kingwood Texas. You can google for ideas </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2264991 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:01:18 +0000 turkeylurkey 2264991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ms. pug: not sure. They call it playcare </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2264927 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 09:56:06 +0000 ms. pug 2264927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@turkeylurkey: the drop-in concept is pretty cool! Hmm, I wonder what insurance/ licensing you'd need for that.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2262387 Thu, 13 Aug 2015 09:59:13 +0000 turkeylurkey 2262387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a few around here now. Two are just a free-play, but have a side area for food/drinks. They also are open weekends for bday parties only. which we've been to and they were nice. One of them brought in Frozen costume characters one day. The third place I haven't been to yet is a drop-in daycare playroom. Meant for a SAHmom that needs to do a doctors appt and cant take the kids but yet doesnt need M-Fri daycare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2262371 Thu, 13 Aug 2015 09:44:33 +0000 charlotte 2262371@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ms. pug: I wish it was by me!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2262354 Thu, 13 Aug 2015 09:32:03 +0000 ms. pug 2262354@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: wait... I just saw you are in upstate NY. So am I! definitely get in touch :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2262348 Thu, 13 Aug 2015 09:28:57 +0000 ms. pug 2262348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: We have a friend that's an architect but I am thinking of looking elsewhere because he is a bachelor and has no experience with this type of project. I have an elaborate vision and lots of space to work with- if you PM me your contact info I will totally get in touch! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2262337 Thu, 13 Aug 2015 09:24:28 +0000 regberadaisy 2262337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ms. pug: omgosh I want to design this. What a fun project. Are you working with a architect or just contractors? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2262331 Thu, 13 Aug 2015 09:20:08 +0000 ms. pug 2262331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all your advice everyone- great ideas! I'm opening one in my area later this year. </p> <p>@charlotte: for this exact reason the play are will be for kids 0-6, with age appropriate sections. I'll also have experienced child caregivers in the play area to keep everything under control!</p> <p>@Mrs. Tiger: great idea with the board books!</p> <p>@SugarplumsMom: so cool- love the little mushroom stools!</p> <p>@chopsuey: i love this!</p> <p>Thanks again everyone- including those I didn't "@" :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2262191 Thu, 13 Aug 2015 05:50:00 +0000 lamariniere 2262191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a place like this close to us and it's awesome. The only thing missing is the wine bar. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2262018 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 19:32:51 +0000 charlotte 2262018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All 3 places like this near me have closed or are closing soon and the impression I got from the owners is that it is too much trouble / liability to be worth it or they are always dealing with parents complaining about unsupervised kids causing mayhem OR being asked to calm their own kid down. With that said, from our experience it would be nice to have a place that had very clearly divided age appropriate areas so you don't have ten year olds jumping on two year olds and maybe a person to watch everything going on and help with kids who aren't following rules while their parents are zoned out on their laptops drinking coffee. </p> <p>Haha! I sound like such a party pooper. I think winter here brings out the crazies in everyone and then the places get full and too wild. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2262015 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 19:18:45 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 2262015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Very sturdy toys that I would not be afraid my kids could break! Including board books instead of paper books, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2261926 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 15:18:22 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2261926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here's a link with better pictures :happy:<br /> <a href="http://www.linusforsberg.com/post/124681670796/a-day-at-naturum-t%C3%A5kern-pt-1-an-amazing-place" rel="nofollow">http://www.linusforsberg.com/post/124681670796/a-day-at-naturum-t%C3%A5kern-pt-1-an-amazing-place</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2261919 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 15:07:16 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2261919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>These are crappy pictures, but the first opens up to a panoramic view with telescopes near the window, which is right next to the kid's corner. The kid's nook leads to a den with a table and stuffed animals and a secret passage (hole in the wall) which leads to another area. I really like the fact that it's kid-friendly, but not a playground. Parents aren't bombarded with so much noise and can sip a cup of coffee in peace while the kids play.</p> <p>That little frog on the corner is built into the low kid's sized bench. It's so cute!</p> <p>[attach=1448/15/nszjw4.360x600.naturum1.jpg]</p> <p>[attach=1448/15/nszjw5.600x450.DSCN1032.JPG] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2261918 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 15:04:33 +0000 regberadaisy 2261918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SugarplumsMom: yessss unisex family bathrooms with adult and kid sized fixtures are a must!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2261911 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 14:52:04 +0000 runnerd 2261911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never heard of such a place but neeeed one! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2261910 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 14:51:33 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2261910@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One of my favorite kid-friendly places is a bird observatory. It's like a mini kid's museum with models meant for small hands to touch. Part of it looks like a living room (and they do serve coffee), but kid area is built-into the design. This is where I got the drawing area from. I'll find some pics. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2261906 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 14:47:53 +0000 catlady 2261906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh wow, this is a great idea. Some of the things I would love to see would be:<br /> - Parent/child classes offered on both weekdays and weekends (music, dance, craft projects)<br /> - Drop-in times for supervised play and the adults could either leave completely or sit in a separate area to relax or work<br /> - Drop-in times for child play accompanied by an adult<br /> - Scheduled mom/child groups by age (infant mom group, toddler mom group, etc)<br /> - Parent/child fitness classes (like yoga) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2261905 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 14:47:16 +0000 chopsuey 2261905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There's a fun spot like what you're describing in LA. Parents could eat and chill in the cafe while kids played close by. They had a face painter and employees who watched the kids too.</p> <p><a href="http://m.yelp.com/biz/lemon-tree-kids-cafe-los-angeles-2" rel="nofollow">http://m.yelp.com/biz/lemon-tree-kids-cafe-los-angeles-2</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2261904 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 14:46:28 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2261904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Unisex/family baby and child friendly bathrooms. It can just be a simple fold-down baby changing table with an attached mobile and cushion and separate diaper trashcan (the important part is it's accessible to both mom and dad). A plastic potty attachment for toddlers would be available. A sink inside that bathroom would be a plus - a mini toddler sink would really be a nice touch. Basically, an Ikea store bathroom. </p> <p>A drawing nook, and a silent, imaginative play area would also be nice. Our local Ikea just built a circular bar you can sit around while kids play inside of it - electronic and wooden puzzles are attached to the inside of the walls, so you can watch your kid while you have a coffee break. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2261903 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 14:44:09 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2261903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Weekend hours like @regberadaisy: said. All the places around here only have private parties on the weekends and no free play. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2261892 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 14:29:57 +0000 regberadaisy 2261892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Weekend hours !!!!! Classes offered on the weekends too. Kid and adult area separate. Adult area with easy access to video feed of the kids area. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2261865 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 14:10:57 +0000 Mae 2261865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really like some of the play cafes here. Most of them are mostly "free play" time and then have specific classes you can sign your kid up for (and drop them) and also sometimes do "parents nights out" if you're a member. I haven't tried the latter two options but I think I would in the future when LO is older. </p> <p>As for the cafes themselves, having coffee and whatnot is good but think about where people put it. Low tables make no sense. Have couches, sure, but also bar-height tables you can perch at or even shelves along the walls (last thing I want is to worry about some kid spilling my coffee on herself while I'm chasing my kid who is trying to spill someone else's coffee). My favorite place has a bounce house in the corner and then a play structure on the other side. There is also a reading area and a play kitchen area and a climbing area in the center (although it is made of concrete and I'd personally prefer if it was rubber.. but my kid is 1). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-ideal-child-friendly-place-be-like#post-2261856 Wed, 12 Aug 2015 13:55:51 +0000 ms. pug 2261856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi Bees! I am just looking for some different ideas and opinions. If a place were to open by you that was a "stay and play" cafe type establishment (parents lounge with coffee, smoothies, healthy snacks for both adults + kids coupled with a supervised soft play and learning area for younger kids), what would you love to see included? </p> <p>Examples could be lactation consultant drop-in hours, music classes, finger painting (no clean up for mom- yay!), outlets for parents who want to get some work done, fitness classes, sensory room, crafts etc.</p> <p>Any and all feedback would be appreciated :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/school-ditches-rules-and-loses-bullies-article-from-new-zealand#post-1377555 Sun, 26 Jan 2014 21:09:19 +0000 swedishfish 1377555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: there is also a program called Peaceful Playgrounds. We were going to implement it in my building but our administration changed over...again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/school-ditches-rules-and-loses-bullies-article-from-new-zealand#post-1377549 Sun, 26 Jan 2014 21:04:24 +0000 mrbee 1377549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Playworks has had a lot of success with having "coaches" out at the playgrounds to help mediate disputes and keep things going:</p> <p><a href="http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/04/hard-times-for-recess/" rel="nofollow">http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/04/hard-times-for-recess/</a></p> <p>I've noticed when there are more rules, you get more people who quibble over whether or not something is an actual rules violation. I like the idea of having fewer (but more big picture) rules... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/school-ditches-rules-and-loses-bullies-article-from-new-zealand#post-1377545 Sun, 26 Jan 2014 20:59:12 +0000 Boopers 1377545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The school I work out definitely can't do without playground rules. The population of kids I work with needs rules and structure to be successful at school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/school-ditches-rules-and-loses-bullies-article-from-new-zealand#post-1377507 Sun, 26 Jan 2014 20:39:18 +0000 Kemma 1377507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My theory is that kids need to let off steam and be allowed to express their autonomy so going a little bit nuts at lunchtime each day is good for everybody! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/school-ditches-rules-and-loses-bullies-article-from-new-zealand#post-1377504 Sun, 26 Jan 2014 20:37:21 +0000 swedishfish 1377504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just thought about my school's population and ditching the playground rules...that's a no go. If you tried in the district I live in instead? Sure. Some groups could handle a rule free playground and others cannot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/school-ditches-rules-and-loses-bullies-article-from-new-zealand#post-1377502 Sun, 26 Jan 2014 20:37:13 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 1377502@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree! Everyone is so scared of getting in trouble/being sued, what have you that we create a tiny box for children to play in. For children, play releases tension, if we limit that release they will focus their energies elsewhere, such as bullying &amp; vandalism. It makes sense to me! </p>