By Jessica Dillon
Grandma’s Place held its ribbon cutting Dec. 22, opening a new indoor play space in Collinsville designed to encourage interaction between children and their parents.
The business, located near the Dollar General Market, held its soft opening Dec. 6. Owner Olivia Ziegler said the idea grew from a personal desire to create a welcoming space for families.
“It was placed in my spirit to go ahead and open up a facility like this,” Ziegler said.
A former federal employee who was born and raised in Henry County, Ziegler said she noticed a lack of places where she could take her grandchildren to play.
“I wanted to take them somewhere to play, and sadly there was nowhere to take them,” she said.
Grandma’s Place features themed play areas, including playhouses and a large castle. “I like to say that we bring the outside in,” Ziegler said.
One area includes a firehouse built in honor of her grandson, who is a fire sergeant in Washington, D.C. “As an ode to him, I had to have a firehouse,” she said. “The schoolhouse was my oldest granddaughter’s idea.”
The facility primarily serves children ages 9 months to 11 years old, though older children have also attended. A sensory area includes textured walls, spinners, climbing features and tents designed to give children a place to explore and feel comfortable.
“I learned a lot from my nonverbal nephew,” Ziegler said. “He’s into touch, so we have a wall where you can touch and feel and play.”
Ziegler encourages parents to play alongside their children.
“We encourage children and parents to play together,” she said. “Children love playing with adults.”
If parents need a break, staff members are available to interact with children. “We’ve got adults here that will play with their kids if kids aren’t playing with other kids,” she said.
Ziegler said her goal is to create a space where children can connect with others and step away from screens. “They get to unplug and just be kids again,” she said.
While she does not currently have plans to expand the toy selection, she hopes to one day add an area geared toward older children. “My dream is to expand and offer something to children over 11,” she said.
Grandma’s Place is open Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. A winter special is available through the end of December for $10 per child; the regular price is $15 per child, with one adult admitted free.
The business is located at Dutch Inn Plaza, 2432 Virginia Ave. in Collinsville. Reservations can be made by texting 276-403-2764. Play sessions last two hours.
