Linda Cordell has a message for anyone with kids: the first indoor playground in Bradford West Gwillimbury is open for business.
Cordell opened Kidergy Indoor Playground in 2013, and, while it has become a popular spot to host birthday parties, the large space with multi-level play equipment, toddler and infant areas, and four party rooms can often be found empty some days.
“The biggest thing is to get the word out, ‘We are here,’” she said. “This place is massive but virtually empty in the summer.”
Some people driving by the business at 389 Dissette St. often think it is a daycare, she said, but it is not.
Inside, the entrance has a gift shop packed with stuffed animals. The play areas, all secured with gates, include a multi-level playground with slides and padded obstacles, the upper levels of which are enclosed with a mesh-like material for safety. Adults are allowed to go inside the playground equipment with their kids.
There is a projector on one side of the room that shines different interactive games on the floor, such as soccer and popping digital balloons and bubbles.
Near the playground is a toddler area with a plastic castle and tunnel in the shape of a caterpillar to explore, and an infant area with a crib, toys and ExerSaucers, as well as couches and chairs nearby.
There is also an area with kid-sized tables and chairs, and a breastfeeding chair near the washrooms.
There are four party rooms. Three of them have themes: birthday, superhero birthday and princess.
The fourth room has no theme so people can decorate as they wish, or other groups can rent the room for meetings, baby showers or family gatherings.
The rooms come with tables and chairs, and some wall paintings to go with the themed rooms, but people are welcome to bring additional decorations.
“Eight and under is probably the best age for in here,” Cordell said, adding Kidergy has had birthday parties for 10 year olds.
Cordell said she is hoping to rent the rooms to different kinds of groups, such as for mom-and-baby yoga classes, paint nights, or karaoke for tweens — the latter she held at Kidergy during the recent Carrot Fest weekend.
She also plans to host some camps, including one this winter to be run by her daughter, who is a teacher.
Before starting Kidergy, Cordell, a mom of five, ran a home daycare for 17 years in Bond Head and one in Aurora before then.
Kidergy helps bring her passion alive for providing a service for local families.
“I love it because of children. Obviously it’s my passion. I can go home and my house is toy free,” she said, with a laugh.
“I come in every day and think, ‘Gosh, I love it.’”
Kidergy is closed Mondays and Tuesdays during August. It is open until 8 p.m. during the winter when it gets busier.
For more information, visit kidergy.ca.
Backpack giveaway this weekend:
Aug. 25
2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Kidergy Indoor Playground, 389 Dissette St., Bradford
Families with kids under 12 who cannot afford school supplies can play and get a free backpack filled with school supplies
No registration required
Event organized with Greater Life Community Church
Midweek Mugging is a weekly series profiling local businesses or interesting people in Bradford West Gwillimbury. Want to be featured? Email [email protected]
