by: Cynthia Sommer
The one year anniversary of Kith and Kin, a family focused play café on the corner of E. Park and N. Murray (1932 E. Park Place), is coming and they are ready to celebrate with the neighborhood! This unique place lets parents and caretakers enjoy coffee, tea and a bite to eat while nurturing their children to imagine and explore in a safe, creative and bright space. It is a great setting for parents to connect and kids to make new friends.
The owners, Baily Prochnow and Emily Sunderland, have a shared friendship for over ten years as well as a common vision of creating a welcoming parenting community on the Eastside. The bright space allows children (0-6 years) to create new worlds in imaginary play areas. Creativity can soar with available costumes, musical instruments, a kid-size stage, reading center, art corner, imaginarium tables, home-play area, hanging swing pods, an indoor slide and more. The lower level has a large carpeted area with a mirrored wall for classes and other activities.
A variety of classes are available for kids (8-10/group) including mom and baby yoga, kids yoga, twinkle toes ballet, music for Aardvarks, Sing-along-Spanish or story-telling. Families can choose workshops such as slime fun, face painting, gingerbread house making and more. Parents can add to their kids memory album with photoshoot events with real bunnies or indoor hot air balloon props. Birthday or dressup tea parties can be scheduled on Saturday afternoons and Sundays with a maximum of 20 children. Story telling keeps the kids entertained between open play. Parents can bring cake and food to add to provided beverages and color-themed balloons, tablecloths and streamers.
An event on the 4th Friday of every month from 6-9 pm is a “Parents Night Out.” Parents can enjoy some free time or get out for a nice dinner and know that their children are also having fun with crafts, story time and an optional healthy dinner. This scheduled event can take a maximum of 10 children, ages 1.5 to 7 years of age. Adults can also schedule 30, 60 or 90 minute massages by owner Baily Prochnow, a trained therapist in Swedish, Deep Tissue and Pre-natal massage. Last year, Kith and Kin also sponsored a Mini-Market with local artisans offering their wares for purchase in time for the winter holidays.
Kith and Kin is open on Tuesday through Friday, 9 am to 3 pm and Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm. They are closed for private events on Sunday and Monday. Check their web site at www.kithandkinmke.com or call 414-210-5805 for pricing and more \ information. Their Facebook page contains many pictures and comments.
In celebration of their anniversary, Kith and Kin are sponsoring a Block Party (E. Park and N. Murray) with local food and music on Saturday, September 9th from noon to 5 pm. If you can’t make this gathering, stop by another time at Kith and Kin to find out what they have to offer. Murray Hill Neighborhood Association wishes you many more successful years and appreciates your contributions to the neighborhood.