This Ankeny mom is opening a giant play cafe for kids, and coffee for adults
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A rendering of the children's play area for Whimsy & Wonder Cafe. Rendering: Courtesy of TigerPlay UK
An Ankeny mom is opening an inclusive, kid-friendly cafe where their parents can connect (or disconnect) without helicoptering their kids.
Why it matters: Megan Holtz was inspired to create a fun space for her 8-year-old son, Vinny, who has sensory processing disorder. Now she's opening Whimsy & Wonder Play Cafe this fall, along with her husband, Mitch.
How it started: Before Vinny's diagnosis, Holtz says, she and her husband didn't understand why he struggled after going to high-energy places like trampoline parks. He had a hard time socializing and could "bounce off the walls" or be very emotional, she tells Axios.
- After going to occupational therapy, they learned techniques to help him and what environments he thrived in.
- During a trip to Omaha, they went to a play cafe that he enjoyed, though it was designed for kids under 5. Then they stopped by a sensory room, which he loved, and that's when Holtz and her husband decided they needed something similar back home.
- Holtz explored spaces and ideas on weekends and nights, and she decided to go all in after being laid off from her full-time job in business technology in May 2025.
State of play: Holtz, who also has a 6- and 2-year-old, found a 12,000-square-foot former office space in Ankeny. They researched how to make the future play space inclusive, including a gentle teal color scheme and quiet-flush toilets.
- There are three zones, including a soft play area for infants and a giant play town with a garden, trikes, a balance bridge, a horizontal climbing wall, slides and a play cafe.
- Sensory-friendly amenities include special swings, a cozy canoe with comforting compression and tactile boards to keep kids busy.
- Beyond the play area, there are also party rooms, a small sports court, a sensory room and a dance room.
Plus: The cafe will serve coffee roasted by Curious Joe Coffee and include allergy-sensitive foods.
- People can make reservations, purchase passes and memberships or drop in.
What they're saying: "Their kids are safe. They can have a moment. Maybe they want to scroll Instagram. Maybe they want to take pictures of their kids. Whatever they want to do, they can grab a coffee and just chill," Holtz says.
What's next: Holtz plans to open in late October at 2325 SW State Street, Suite A, Ankeny.
