Enter a whimsical wonderland at Franklin’s Kidcadia Play Café

Photos by Cherrie Hanson

The royal treatment for a birthday girl, her family and friends at Kidcadia Play Cafe!

Imaginations run wild and free at Kidcadia Play Cafe, a sprawling new play facility located at 6544 S. Lovers Lane Road in Franklin. Here, all in one place, kids may explore a sprawling jungle gym, get creative in a designated art section, experience a magical, lit-up sensory room, celebrate their birthday parties and more. Kidcadia is effectively a one-stop shop for family fun escapism.

The Kidcadia motto goes, “Child-like curiosity. Relentless passion. Community Service.” Social media manager Aliana Cervera says, “The minute you come in, it’s very whimsical and enchanting.”

The welcome desk at the helm of the adventure cafe features a three-level play structure of tunnels, slides, trampoline, climbing ropes, a sensory room, cafe, and two private party rooms.

Further into the company’s philosophy, Kidcadia prides itself on providing an environment fueled by creativity and not batteries. Everyone is able to get off of their electronic devices and into an immersive experience together as a family. In addition to day passes, field trip packages for schools, teams, and organizations are available as well.

Opened in December, Kidcadia in Franklin is the company’s second location, with the original being in Dearborn, Michigan. Everything started when founders Dr. Moneer Abdo and Nasser Mozep wanted a new place for not only kids to play and escape into but for parents to escape into as well. Abdo and Tarek Amin are the co-owners of Kidcadia’s Wisconsin branch.

Grandparents Linda and Stevens from Juneau, WI, spending a few hours at Kidcadia with their grandson, Crosby.

Before a family even checks in at the front desk they are immediately hit by the sheer amount of fun, exciting activities that Kidcadia has to offer. The facility is themed like a fairytale, featuring magical decorations such as cartoonishly large mushrooms and towering fake trees.

Throughout the different areas of Kidcadia are tables and chairs for families to set down their belongings and relax. The comfortable, custom-designed chairs are imported from the Middle East, and the walls of Kidcadia’s perimeter are carefully hand-painted with dainty, swirling patterns.

Children’s play facilities often receive criticism that they are a hotbed for germs, but Kidcadia prioritizes cleanliness with their day-to-day disinfectant routine. “You can hear it and you can smell it,” Cervera affirms. “We’re nonstop cleaning and vacuuming. You will not find this place dirty, and that’s what separates us.”

In the center of Kidcadia is a toddler section for children three and under, with a friendly owl character at its entrance who greets the excited youngsters into the playground. Then to the left side of this area is the coloring quarter where tables are supplied with big bowls of crayons, where kids may color any one of 13 original Kidcadia art illustrations or draw pictures of their own.

“We even have a customized playlist for Kidcadia, which is pretty cool,” Cervera laughs. “Even when I do social media, I tie in the music with what we play here.”

Beyond the toddler area is a massive three-level play structure fitted with colorful tunnels, slides, and climbing apparatuses for the big kids to run around in and explore.

Various mini-games and activities such as a rope bridge, an obstacle course, and a trampoline lie within. According to the Kidcadia website, this area is specifically designed to help nurture the children’s social, cognitive, and physical growth.

Parents are welcome to enter the play structure with their kids – so long as everyone takes off their shoes. “You can see and hear your kid everywhere they are, which is really nice,” Cervera notes.

To the right of the structure is the facility’s cafe, featuring light snacks, ice cream, baked goods, coffee, and cold beverages for sale. Kidcadia Wisconsin is opening its cafe’s kitchen soon, which will expand the menu with more food options like gourmet sandwiches and salads.

Violet Cervera (on left), is a ‘mini ambassador’ and daughter of Kidcadia’s social media manager, Aliana Cervera.

“During the work day we get tons of work-from-home parents,” Cervera mentions. “They’ll have a latte while their kids play for two or three hours.”

The back corner of the facility houses the sensory room, which features floor tiles that light up when stepped on and panels of giant, glowing pegs for kids to play with. Per Kidcadia’s policy of cleanliness, every single one of the pegs is hand-cleaned daily.

Next to the sensory room are the two private party rooms, which are elegantly furnished with twinkling chandeliers and intricate wall designs. Custom themes can be accommodated and brought to life, as can event food menus. The smaller of the two rooms fits 40 while the larger fits 50, equipped to make any kid’s dream celebration come true.

The baroque, whimsical furniture and themed decor at Kidcadia includes luxurious kid-sized and party room.

“If you have a girl’s birthday party, she’ll truly feel like a princess,” Cervera assures. “If you have a boy, he’ll feel like a king.”

That said, adults are more than welcome to also rent the party rooms for occasions such as bridal showers, baby showers, and corporate functions.

Party rooms can accommodate 40-50 children for custom-themed dream celebrations.

Kidcadia Wisconsin’s first two months being open have been great as the word has been getting out. The staff plans to expand Kidcadia’s social media presence over the next couple of months. “We’ve been getting close to capacity on the weekends,” Cervera adds. “We’re really happy with the response from Franklin and Milwaukee in general.”