The Little Village
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
The Little Village offers a unique, Montessori-style indoor play experience designed with a low-key, sensory-friendly atmosphere. It excels in providing diverse, rotating activities and classes (like yogurt painting or daily themed crafts) that cater primarily to young children. Parents appreciate the exceptional cleanliness, responsive owners, and amenities such as a nursing room, specific child-friendly bathrooms, and a well-regarded coffee and snack menu. The venue is also available for private event rentals.
Key Highlights
- ✓Offers unique, engaging classes such as 'painting with yogurt'.
- ✓Maintains a low-key, not usually too busy vibe, ideal for a calmer experience.
- ✓Features numerous 'little nooks and cranny's' perfect for various types of play and interaction.
- ✓The space is notably clean, with toys regularly cleaned and rotated.
- ✓Provides rotating crafts and play stations, ensuring new experiences with each visit.
- ✓Includes scheduled activities like 'story time at 10am' on specific days (e.g., Friday).
- ✓Cultivates a cool, clean, and sensory-friendly atmosphere with a Montessori unique vibe.
- ✓The owner is professional, ensures a great experience, and actively addresses customer feedback.
- ✓Offers private building rental for events like baby showers, with owner assistance (e.g., Ryan helped with setup).
- ✓Welcoming and not overstimulating atmosphere.
Standout Features
- ⭐Awesome coffee and an 'amazing' snack board available for purchase.
- ⭐Dedicated nursing room for parents.
- ⭐Two bathrooms, one including a small toilet, which is a significant convenience for young children and those with sensory issues.
- ⭐A dedicated arts and crafts room with a new theme daily.
- ⭐Well-thought-out play areas with a Montessori style environment.
- ⭐Professional and accommodating staff/owners.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Check for specific class and activity schedules (e.g., story time on Friday at 10am) to plan your visit around desired experiences.
- →Consider visiting during typical off-peak hours for an even 'low key' and less busy experience.
- →If renting the venue for a private event, discuss setup time expectations in advance.
- →Parents of children aged 5+ should manage expectations, as the venue caters primarily to younger children (1-5 years old).
Things to Consider
- ⚠Children aged 5 years old and potentially older 2-year-olds might find the activities less engaging; one reviewer felt their 5-year-old was 'the teenagers to the playground'.
- ⚠Private event renters wished for more than 15 minutes of setup time to avoid feeling rushed.
Price & Value
No specific entry pricing is mentioned in the reviews. The perceived value comes from the clean, Montessori-style environment, rotating activities, specialized classes, and amenities like coffee/snacks, a nursing room, and sensory-friendly features. Private venue rental is available, with professional service and setup assistance, indicating a premium experience.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Sensory-friendly atmosphere, making it suitable for children with sensory issues.
- •Includes a nursing room.
- •Two bathrooms with a small toilet, which is a significant benefit for young children and those with sensory needs.
- •Welcoming and not overstimulating atmosphere.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Offers 'awesome coffee' and an 'amazing snack board' for purchase.
- •No explicit mention of an outside food policy.
🚗Parking Info
- •No information about parking was provided in the reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Generally 'not usually too busy', maintaining a 'low key type of vibe'.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Toys are regularly cleaned and rotated to maintain hygiene.
- •Clean space overall.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If you have children aged 5 or older who require more complex or physically challenging play structures, as they might quickly lose interest.
- • If you are expecting an overtly energetic or loud playground environment; this venue offers a more subdued 'low key' vibe.
Pricing/Package/Events
What People Say
What's Great
- Clean and well-maintained facilities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 5 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Miranda Carlson
2 months agoThe little village is a wonderful place for kids of all ages and their parents/caregivers. We went to a really great class that involved painting with yogurt and then we got to play after while enjoying coffee and snacks. It’s not usually too busy when we have gone it’s more of low key type of vibe and it’s great in my opinion. There are lots of little nooks and cranny’s that are perfect for all types of play and interaction. We hope this place is always around!!
Elaine Stiltjes
a month agoWhat an incredible place this is. We had the BEST morning there today. My daughter is 2 and seems to be a perfect age for this space, although we saw younger kids having fun too and absolutely plan to bring her as she gets older as well. The space was clean and they have awesome coffee and snacks to order. We had been here about 9 months ago as well, and it was great then too. I don't know how they have done it but it seems even better than last time! They have rotating crafts and play stations. There was even a story time at 10am with it being Friday, and my daughter and her friend really loved it. Really disappointed to see a few low star reviews because I'd give them six stars if I could! Reading the low reviews, you can really tell the owners took it in stride and addressed whatever "issues" people had. The ONLY thing I'd suggest is maybe a super light background music playing. :) We cannot wait to come back! Thanks for the fun right here in our neighborhood. We are so happy to support a local business!
Marissa Rodriguez
a year agoProfessional Private Nanny Here!! My little & I always enjoy coming here. The atmosphere is cool, clean, & Sensory friendly. & a Montessori unique Vibe. The Owner always makes sure our experience is always a great one. I love that they clean the toys and rotate them regularly. Not to mention their snack board is amazing! & they have coffee too! Another favorite is they have a nursing room and two bathrooms with a small toliet so my little and I can use the potty at the same time! She does have Sensory issues so this was a huge hit for us!! And if you need a break from playing they have a arts and crafts room with a new theme every single day ! I highly recommend age suitable for 1-5 y/o in my experience. We definitely will make this our go to place!
Jackie McGillivray
11 months agoWe had a FANTASTIC experience renting The Little Village building for the afternoon. We celebrated a baby shower there and the owners were easy-going and professional. They allowed us to set up a floating flower display and even helped us set it up (Thank you Ryan!). I really love how the space is perfect for families of small children and the atmosphere was very welcoming and not over stimulating. I did however wished we were given more than 15 min to set up so we weren't so rushed, but other than that the whole day was a success and not too stressful at all!
Laura Blaine
a month agoA super cute space, well thought out play areas, very Montessori style environment. I went with an older 2 year old and a 5 year old and it felt like it was most appropriate for 1-3 year olds. My kids were by far the oldest ones there and I felt like I brought the teenagers to the playground. 😬
Contact Information
7750 Harkness Ave S #101, Cottage Grove, MN 55016, USA
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