After Detroit mom Danielle North promised her son a trip to an indoor playground, she was shocked to find her closest option was in Livonia. So, almost a year ago, she created the city’s first, dubbing it Kidz Kingdom.
There’s a wide realm of fun inside. Rainbow squares decorate the soft floor and kiddies climb over brightly painted tires, race up the rock climber and exit the massive orange treehouse via a curvy yellow slide.
A resident of North Rosedale Park, North opened Kidz Kingdom right in her neighborhood. Her family, especially sons Eugene and Preston, shaped the venture. “The activities, colors and truly the whole vibe is a manifestation of my relationship with my husband and children,” she says.
North, who worked with Detroit Public Schools before founding K-12 consulting firm EdReform Partners, has also created a community resource. Geared at ages 12 and under, it offers after-school enrichment, summer day camps and a library under the treehouse with free book giveaways.
In addition, Kidz Kingdom is a licensed child care, which operates 6:30 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Monday-Friday, giving kids a safe and nurturing environment for development.
On the weekends, the indoor playground hosts open play and parties for kids.
“We want people to be inspired by our vision and drawn to return again and again to laugh, play and enjoy a fun, safe and exciting place.”
Fun facts about Kidz Kingdom
North’s son, Eugene Jr., is the co-founder. He was 6 when he started helping mom with the business. The name was his idea.
Building the Kidz Kingdom treehouse took over 100 hours of teamwork, with North’s uncles, cousins and best friends chipping in.
Kidz Kingdom
- Address: 18602 Fenkell St., Detroit
- Phone: 313-296-1741
- Hours: Open play: noon-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
- Costs: $8/ages 2-plus, $4/under 2
This post is updated regularly.
