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Several years ago, Claudine Safar of Williston was vacationing with her husband, Jeff Teplitz, and two young children in Mont-Tremblant, Québec. The family was enjoying an action-packed itinerary of hiking, rock climbing and kayaking when it started to rain. Safar googled indoor kids' activities in the area and came across a local play space in a former ski lodge. The kids "just ran around in circles for two hours and had a blast," Safar remembered. "We thought to ourselves, Why don't we have one of these? Fast forward a few years, and Safar, Teplitz and Safar's law firm colleague, Brian Monaghan, are bringing the concept home. Late this month, Monkey Do, a 12,000-square-foot play space for ages 1 to 11, plans to open in Williston, in the space formerly occupied by Harvest Equipment. The sprawling center will have a toddler area, a preschool play structure with a 40-foot slide and three playhouses (pictured above), a craft area, an inflatable obstacle course, and two birthday party rooms, said manager Jade Menard. There will also be a café with a creemee machine, kids' snacks and — key for parents — coffee. With no electronic devices, flashing lights or dinging bells in sight or earshot, Monkey Do will give kids a place to be both physical and creative, Safar said, "and [it's] not taking quarters out of my purse to try to get a stuffed animal they'll never win."
Monkey Do is located at 64 Harvest Lane in Williston. Entry will be $15 per child. Find the latest information on Facebook at Monkey Do VT.
This article was originally published in Seven Days' monthly parenting magazine, Kids VT.
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About The Author
Alison Novak
Bio:
Alison is the former managing editor at Kids VT, Seven Days' parenting publication and writes about education for Seven Days.
Alison is the former managing editor at Kids VT, Seven Days' parenting publication and writes about education for Seven Days.
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