Have you heard about the new indoor play place in Cottage Grove? It's called The Little Village, and I was lucky enough to get a tour of the facility and chat with one of the owners, Laura Fritts.
The Little Village is a gathering space. A modern indoor play area where our littlest residents, ages 0-6, are free to roam and dream. A place where parents can discuss parenting accomplishments and challenges, enjoy a delicious cup of Dogwood Coffee or Chai Tea (while hot!), host an epic birthday party, and find the perfect gift - all while watching your kiddos as they explore the world around them.
Right as you walk in, you are welcomed with a comforting sensory experience. The space is not overstimulating, allowing the children to use their imaginations. Everything from the clean and modern setup, the sizeable imaginary play area, UV lights that kill viruses such as the flu & Covid, to the toilets that flush quietly. The Little Village has thought of everything to create an inviting, open play environment for parents and children.
I've broken down the spaces below by each area in the facility. Get ready to enjoy many pictures of my kids in this space!
Main Play Space
The first thing my kids headed for was the slide! A playhouse will soon be added to the top of this area. They also had a blast pretending they were construction workers and that their "home" was in the space underneath the slide area.
This pretend play area was a huge hit. One side was set up as a Veterinarian Clinic with stuffed animals and many toys to give the animals a thorough check-up. The other side was set up as a kitchen, with a sink, oven, bins of pretend food and a favorite of my kids, the food mixer and coffee machine.
They loved taking turns serving "coffee" to each other and serving me my favorite "meals."
The magnetic wall is such a fun element. You can move the ramps and balls around to create your own contraption.
There was also a bin of magnetic tiles in the sensory table if you wanted to stick them onto the wall!
Sometimes all you need is some open grass and a mound! My kids had so much fun just sitting on top of this mound, pretending they were on top of a hill. They also got the parachute out and wiggled that around over the mound.
Imaginarium Area
This area will be changing every few months with different themes. There is currently an under-the-sea theme with pretend play items, including a fishing reel, fish stuffed animals, and mermaid toys. The next theme will be a farm theme.
My youngest son had fun playing peek-a-boo from inside that area. You can also draw on the wall with chalk!
Craft/Workshop Room
This room was set up for a fun "cupcake liner Spring flower craft" and will often rotate with new crafts and activities. This space will also be used for birthday parties, private rentals, and workshops for ages 0-10. Such as make-your-own playdough kits, sensory bin workshops, small world play, and an arts & crafts workshop for your littlest artists ages three months - two years old. Schedules for workshops will be posted soon on The Little Village Website.
Bathrooms/Sitting Area
There are two main bathrooms; one has a "little potty," and there is also a Mother's Room! There's plenty of seating, including couches, comfy chairs, and tables with chairs where you can see your children from, no matter where they are.
Café/Shoppe
The café has many healthy options for you and your kids including pre-packaged snacks, fruit cups, ice cream, bakery items, charcuterie/hummus boards and, of course, coffee and chai tea. A full menu will soon be available including sandwiches, smoothies and shakes! The shoppe has a curated collection of imaginative play items, unique gifts, craft kits and art supplies, apparel, and décor for you and your littles to enjoy. You can also shop online here.
If you are looking for something different to do with your kids while this long winter is winding down or on a rainy summer day, The Little Village is an amazing and whimsical place for you and your kids.
The Little Village Hours:
Mon - Thurs: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am – noon
Sunday: 9:00 am – noon
Drop-in Play Cost:
Single Child Visit: $15
Sibling Visit: $12
0-6 Months: $5 (free with another sibling)
There are also options for play passes and a monthly membership.
For more information on The Little Village, you can visit their website here.
Looking for more fun in Oakdale, Cottage Grove, Woodbury & Stillwater?
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