Natural play, natural food, naturally fun
Filed Under Going Green, Places | June 6, 2008
Imagine if there was a place you could take your child where the food was tasty and healthy, focusing on local and organic produce with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options? Imagine if that same place had a 1000 sq ft+ play area chock-a-block with great toys that maximize creativity in children, tax the earth as little as possible and were from companies that demonstrate ethical business practices?
Well, that place now exists in the Lynn Valley Village in North Van and it’s called Babyeats. The creation of parents Rachel and Ross Dempster, Babyeats is not a child-friendly cafe, instead it’s like the ultimate play gym, one with all the toys you’d buy (many from Natural Pod) if you had the budget and the space, and all the food you’d make if you had the time and energy. Which is why it’s run a little differently than you might expect. By charging drop in rates of $3.99 for kids from one to five, and $1.99 for kids over six and adults (you can buy memberships as well) Babyeats ensures that their space is never overcrowded and there’s always room to play, sip lattes and enjoy delicious food.
We’ve checked it out and it’s the most amazing play space we (and our kids) have seen. The kids were fully engaged in play just as soon as they could get their shoes off and we sampled holistic chef Birgitta Hellman’s yummy food and took a good look around. Here are just a few of the bases they’ve covered at Babyeats – easy stroller access, free parking, internet access, a safety gate so you can’t lose your tot, flooring in the play area made from bump and bruise resistant eco-friendly rubber, kid-sized toilets and sinks as well as changing tables in the spacious bathrooms, a comfy nursing area, and furniture with no sharp edges.
What else do they have up their sleeve? A Play Shop where you can check out Natural Pod’s toys and other select products in person, upcoming events like stroller fitness from Fit 4 Two and workshops on nutrition and diapering and lots, lots more. Plus the patio outside Babyeats is great for roaring around and it’s right across from the new main branch of the North Van library.
We have a sneaking suspicion that this is the just the first of many Babyeats to come.
Babyeats: www.babyeats.ca
5 Responses to “Natural play, natural food, naturally fun”
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This sounds absolutely fabulous. For future locations, may I suggest Vancouver, specifically at the Main and 16th area? Lots of childen, easy access, Fit4Two already has classes at Riley Park nearby, there’s a farmer’s market on Wednesdays, local designer clothing shops. Oh, and within walking distance of my house so I can come for a latte daily.
I’d bring my baby too.
[...] Baby Eats [...]
Wow, That sounds fabulous. I’ve been waiting to hear about a place like this!!Bring it out to the Valley. There are lots of new families out in Langley – I think a place like this would do great! A place to go where u feel safe with the toys your Kids/babies are in contact with and a great opportunity to interac with other moms while sipping on a Latte. I would love it!!
[...] Babyeats launched last summer we were intrigued by the new concept combining a large play area with a small [...]
I would like to suggest Yaletown Vancouver. I am very disappointed that I have to leave that area because there sre no schools and enough places for children!!!
So, if there is a place like this in our area the life would be easier.