New Play Space Opens in South Burlington 

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• ALISON NOVAK
• Blais and Spisiak sit on a clawfoot tub in the studio's sensory area

A new "multisensory creative play space" in South Burlington aims to cultivate kids' imaginations. At Wildflowers Studio, which opens on September 14, little hands can practice flipping a light switch, buckling a seat belt, turning a knob and ringing an old-fashioned doorbell. All those items are mounted on a wooden board that's part of the studio's sensory area, where kids can learn through exploring with their senses. The bright, 1,600-square-foot room also includes a sandbox fashioned from an antique clawfoot bathtub; a "telephone" made with funnels and a long tube; a Lego area; and an art corner.

The play space is the brainchild of Lyndsy Blais, a Colchester mom of four with a special-education background, and Sam Spisiak of Burlington, who's studied early-childhood education and worked as a nanny. Last November, they hatched the idea to create a whimsical environment for kids ages 18 months to 10 years. They'll offer two-hour open studios, themed classes, birthday parties and summer camps.

The pair has outfitted the space by scouring yard sales, craigslist, ReSOURCE and even an auto salvage yard for materials. The women hope that kids feel free to explore and play at Wildflowers. Says Spisiak, "We want this to be a place where we don't say, 'No.'"

Wildflowers Studio is located at 1 Executive Drive, Suite 103, in South Burlington. For more information and a schedule of drop-in open studios and classes, visit wildflowerstudiobtv.com or email [email protected]. Info, 318-8880. The studio will host open houses on Saturday, September 19, and Saturday, October 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.