Village News

Winter break vibes, cozy new drinks, refreshed memberships, and lots of village magic.

With our doors freshly reopened and our brand-new memberships officially live, Little Village feels extra sparkly right now. Here’s your monthly insider scoop on all the perks, updates, and magic brewing behind the scenes. Grab your coffee, find a cozy spot, and settle in.

The new era of memberships

While our space was closed, we used the quiet as a rare chance to step back and reflect on what membership at Little Village should truly feel like. We listened to your feedback, studied what was working (and what wasn’t), and rebuilt our membership program with a fresh new strategy… one that’s simpler, more affordable, and more welcoming for every family.

• We slashed prices to make membership more accessible.
• We rolled out family-based plans (no more paying per kid).
• We created a new welcome kit to make memberships feel giftable and help new members settle into all their perks.

These updates were designed with you – our members – at the heart of every decision. We’re so excited for you to experience this new chapter of membership at Little Village.

P.S. If you signed up for a new membership (woo hoo! 🥳) we are working on completing all of our new member welcome kits. We should have them done by the end of the week. When you check in next time, ask the staff member for your kit and we’ll grab yours for you!

New at Little Village

Have you tried our holiday drinks yet?

Our holiday drink menu is off to the races! Cue the whipped cream, the peppermint swirls, the ginger kisses, and all the cozy sips that make this season feel extra magical.

Drum roll plz for the fan favorite… the Frosted Peppermint Latte. She’s sweet, she’s festive, she’s basically the holidays in a cup, and she’s made with our homemade vanilla and peppermint simple syrups!

From Tiramisu Cold Brew to Santa Water (aka hot cocoa) for the littles, every drink was crafted to bring a little sparkle to your day. Come sip something merry with us.

Order online or browse the menu →

Soup’s on!

Cozy season is officially here. We’re bringing back our daily soups, each served with your choice of warm bread and butter or soft pretzel bites.

Perfect for post-play lunches, mid-day pick-me-ups, or anytime you need a little bowl of comfort.

Order online or browse the menu →

Meet our new Candy Counter

Something sweet just arrived… our brand-new Candy Counter is officially open!

Kids (and grown-ups) can mix, scoop, and choose their favorites — candy is sold by weight, starting at just ¼ pound for $3. Feel free to ask for a sample if your little one is curious about something new.

Next week >> Holiday Lights Class
Last Little Learners of the season

Next week is our final Little Learners class of the 2025 semester! Join Miss Kristin on Mon 12/17 at 10:30am for Holiday Lights, a magical morning made for toddlers ages 1–3.

We’ll play with light through bright art and sensory activities — shadows, colors, glow-in-the-dark fun, and all the sparkle that makes the season feel warm and wonder-filled.

Sign up for “Holiday Lights” →

A glowing end to our first Early Readers season

Hip hip hooray – our first semester of Early Readers wraps next week! This founding group of kiddos has grown in confidence, curiosity, friendship, and early reading skills all season long.

Last week we made gingerbread houses and had phonemic fun with /i/ blend practice (sip, mix, lid, pig). We couldn’t be prouder.

Thinking about Early Readers for next semester? We still have openings! Learn more here or email jenni@thelittlevillageplaycafe.com.

Keep reading →

The Little Marketplace got a glow-up

Our Little Marketplace is looking extra cute these days. We’ve refreshed the shelves, added new makers, and doubled down on that cozy, curated shop-local magic you love.

We’re thrilled to welcome a handful of beautiful new brands to the Village:

• Wonderhue — playful, color-forward goods that spark joy
• Vardeaux — modern, minimal pieces with a touch of whimsy
• Gilded & Grace — elegant accessories and keepsakes that make gifting easy
• Cozy Hearted — soft, comforting items made for snuggly days
• Lily Kay — sweet, handcrafted treasures for littles and their grown-ups

And to celebrate the glow-up, get a free Mystery Grab Bag with any Marketplace purchase of $100 or more! Every bag is valued at $40+ and we’ve hidden surprise gift cards inside — including a few big ones (yes, even a $100 gift card!).

Swing by, shop local, and treat yourself to a little surprise. The Marketplace magic is real.

Save the date: Mon, 12/29 @ 7pm
Potty Training Workshop

Brought to you by Tosa Peds x Little Village

Potty training is a milestone, but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. This Potty Training Workshop on Mon, 12/29 gives parents practical, brain-informed tools to make the process calmer, more connected, and even fun.

We’ll cover:

• Body awareness: helping kids understand their signals
• Positive reinforcement: praise, confidence, and strengths-based strategies
• Connection-first approaches: building trust without pressure
• Playful techniques: games, songs, and creative tools to keep things light

You’ll leave with real-world strategies, expert insight, and a deeper understanding of your child’s brain and behavior. Join us and transform the daunting potty training milestone into a moment of connection.

Winter 2026 classes are live!

Bundle up, friends… our coziest season of classes is officially open for registration!

Extended Winter Break Hours

School’s out soon and we’re gearing up with extended winter break hours so you have a cozy place to play, sip, and escape the cabin fever.

• Mon, Dec 22 – Open 8am–3pm
• Tues, Dec 23 – Open 8am–8pm
• Wed, Dec 24 – Open 8am–1pm (closing early for Christmas Eve)
• Thurs, Dec 25 – Closed for Christmas
• Mon, Dec 29 – Open 8am–5pm
• Tues, Dec 30 – Open 8am–8pm
• Wed, Dec 31 – Open 8am–1pm

Consider this your reminder to pencil Little Village into your holiday break plans.

Staff Spotlight

Get to know Gabby

Gabby is a Shift Lead at Little Village and is completing her Occupational Therapy Doctorate at Mount Mary University. If you’ve visited lately, you’ve likely seen her warm smile, calm presence, and the way she makes every family feel cared for.

She’s jumped into every corner of village life – supporting play, creating beautiful charcuterie boards, helping at parties, and now leading our Messy Magic hour each week.

Gabby brings heart, creativity, and so much intention to our space. We’re endlessly grateful for her. Next time you’re in, be sure to say hi!