Korean-Inspired Kids Cafè Offers Fun For Both Parents And Kids

Indoor playgrounds are a godsend for both kids and parents. Children can run, climb, and play to their heart’s content, while parents can either join the fun (a novelty for those of us who grew up without such spaces) or enjoy socializing with friends.

When my eldest child was young, indoor playgrounds were just starting to gain popularity. As a one-child parent with plenty of energy, I enthusiastically joined her in these play areas–sliding, diving into ball pits, and bouncing around. Back then, with limited seating options, parents had no choice but to be part of the action. Now, as a mom of two, I’m delighted to see that these play spaces have also evolved into places where kids can play safely while parents relax with a cup of coffee.

Cafè for Parents and Kids

Leading this innovative combination of play and cafe dates among parents and their children is the Kids Wood Play Cafè, a space where children can run, climb, and explore to their heart's content while parents can enjoy a well-deserved break or connect with friends, or enjoy quality time together.

The cafè doesn't just stop at being a play area, it actively promotes kids independence and creativity. The cafè features a low-level counter and a dedicated kids’ menu, making it easy for kids to order and thereby practice their decision-making and communication skills.

The cafè is thoughtfully curated with wooden toys and Montessori materials that are not only Instagrammable but also educational and eco-friendly. Featured brands include Grimm’s, Erzi, and Fagus from Germany; Grapat and Miniland Dolls from Spain; Bumbu Toys from Romania; Wooden Story from Poland; Plan Toys from Thailand; Lettering and Life from Indonesia; and Retinospora Cubes from South Korea. They also support local wooden toy makers like Woodmark, Seed Studio, Happy Shelf and Angkop. These toys, aligned with Montessori and Waldorf principles, are open-ended, natural, and earth-friendly, allowing children the freedom to play with it in any way they want, with no limit to their imagination. Moreover, the available Montessori materials allow young children to develop their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, focus, concentration, and their ability to follow instructions.

Kids Wood Play Cafè also remains true to its sustainable value by using compostable coffee cups and straws for the drinks they serve.

The Inspiration Behind Kids Wood Play Cafè

Speaking to Smart Parenting, founder Steffie Joi Frias shared her inspiration for the Cafè, saying “I got inspired by Korean kids cafès I saw from the reality show, The Return of Superman back in 2019. I was remotely working at that time at a cafè in Bataan because our internet was down. I had my baby with me because she was exclusively breastfed at the time, so we were inseparable. She had nothing to do there and I thought, if we only had kids’ cafès here, then she can also play while I’m working.”

And that’s exactly what Steffie offered when she established Kids Wood Play Cafè a few years later, a place where parents can either work or chill peacefully while their kids learn and play. Admittedly, the Cafè doesn’t feature ball pits or trampolines like other play places, but as Zedher Ann Hernandez, one of the owners explained, “You wouldn’t want to be worrying over your kids getting hurt or sprained in a trampoline. Our goal is to offer parents an opportunity to have a relaxing me-time sipping their cup of coffee, or for parents with no house-help to have some quality date-time as their child plays.”

A Space for Social Connection

Beyond providing a safe play area, parents can also have some much-needed chika time with both their parent and non-parent tribes. “Parent friends and even non-parent friends, can also have their get-togethers with their kids, without having them on their gadgets all the time. I think this is a problem every time adult friends get together and they have their kids with them,” Steffie explained. “We usually hang out at a cafè or restaurant, and kids usually get bored while the adults are making chika, so they then tend to whine and ask to go home. At least with kids cafès, kids can busy themselves safely playing while the adults bond and talk. I’m actually glad that more kids cafès are opening after us, because this means less kids are getting bored when adults meet-up.”

Kid-Friendly Menu and Amenities

The cafè also offers a well-thought of kids menu, including favorites like Milo Dinosaur, Babyccino, Strawberry Milk, and Hot/Cold Cocoa. For snacks, they offer hotdogs and bacon sandwiches from Berry’s Deli, a mom-owned business known for healthy, child-friendly options.

Located at the Ayala Malls Solenad in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Kids Wood Play Cafè offers the following rates:

• P350 for one hour of play
• P600 for two hours
• P900 for unlimited play

And true to the Korean kids cafè model, adults can access the play area after ordering from the cafè menu. Kids Wood also provides child minding services, allowing parents or guardians to work at the cafe or run errands at the mall. All child handlers and staff are Philippine Red Cross First Aid-certified and trained in babysitting.

How to Visit

Parents are encouraged to book online at www.kidswoodplaycafe.com for a smoother check-in process, as online bookings are prioritized.

With its thoughtful design, sustainable practices, and commitment to both fun and relaxation, Kids Wood Play Cafè is redefining family leisure time. It’s a space where kids can thrive and parents can unwind.

Read here to learn the power of play in your child’s first three years.