Business Spotlight: Kidnetic Play Cafe Brings Play, Learning and Community Together on Tedrow Road

A conversation with Dustin Brooks, co-owner of Kidnetic Play Cafe

"When we invest in small businesses like Kidnetic Play Cafe, we're investing in the places that bring people together. Dustin Brooks has transformed a former community gathering place into a space where a new generation of Toledo families can play, learn and create memories." - April Welch, Deputy Director of Economic Development

Tell me the story of Kidnetic Play Cafe. How and why did the business get started?
Kidnetic Play Cafe was born from a simple observation: Families need more places where children can play, learn and explore while parents can relax, connect and build community.

As both a parent and an engineer, I've always been passionate about learning through hands-on experiences. Throughout my career, I've seen how curiosity, creativity, problem-solving and STEM skills can open doors and build confidence.

At the same time, I recognized that many families in our community were looking for safe, clean and welcoming spaces where young children could be active and engaged, especially during Northwest Ohio's long winters and unpredictable weather.

When we discovered our location on Tedrow Road, we learned that the building had once served as a post office and an important hub for the surrounding community. That history resonated deeply with us. While the building's purpose would be changing, the spirit would remain the same.

We saw an opportunity to revitalize a familiar community landmark and create a place where families could once again gather, connect and make memories. What started as an idea quickly became a mission.

We wanted to create more than an indoor playground. We wanted a place where children could use their imagination, develop social skills and discover how exciting learning can be.

That's why we combined open-ended play with enrichment opportunities, interactive experiences and a family-friendly cafe. Since opening, we've continued investing in the facility and our programs, including Kidnetic PlayLab, where children participate in hands-on activities that encourage creativity, critical thinking and discovery.

At its core, Kidnetic Play Cafe exists to inspire curiosity, strengthen families and create meaningful connections. Seeing families return week after week and watching children build confidence through play has reinforced exactly why we started this journey.

What makes Kidnetic Play Cafe special to Toledo?
What makes Kidnetic Play Cafe special is that we're more than a place to play. We're a place where families can connect, children can grow and people can spend meaningful time together.

Everything we do is designed around creating experiences for both children and their caregivers. While children explore and play, parents and grandparents have an opportunity to relax, connect with other families or simply enjoy quality time with their children.

We also take pride in blending fun and education in a way that feels natural. Through our play areas, special events and Kidnetic PlayLab programs, children are encouraged to ask questions, experiment, solve problems and build confidence through hands-on learning.

We believe some of the most powerful learning happens when children don't even realize they're learning.

For Toledo families, we've worked hard to create a clean, safe and welcoming environment where everyone feels included. Whether it's a child's first visit, a birthday celebration, a class or simply an afternoon of play, our goal is for every family to leave with positive memories and a desire to return.

What has been most rewarding is seeing Kidnetic Play Cafe become a gathering place for the community. Families have met lifelong friends here, children have grown up together through our programs and parents have found a supportive network of other families. In many ways, we've become what we hoped to be: a place where play, learning and connection come together.

What traditions or influences shaped Kidnetic Play Cafe?
Kidnetic Play Cafe has been shaped by a combination of family values, my engineering background and a deep belief in the importance of community.

Growing up, I learned the value of hard work, continuous improvement and treating people the way you would want to be treated. Those principles guide many of the decisions we make today, from how we interact with families to how we invest in our facility and programs.

My professional career as an engineer has also had a significant influence on Kidnetic Play Cafe. Engineering is fundamentally about solving problems, improving systems and finding creative solutions, and I've brought that same mindset into the business.

We're constantly looking for ways to improve the customer experience, enhance safety, introduce new opportunities and create a better environment for families. Rather than settling for "good enough," we're always asking how we can make Kidnetic Play Cafe even better.

Another major influence has been the growing understanding of how important play is to childhood development. Children learn best when they are actively engaged, exploring, asking questions and discovering things on their own. That philosophy has influenced everything from our play spaces to our programs.

Perhaps the greatest influence, however, comes from the families we serve. Listening to parents, grandparents and caregivers has helped shape our business from the beginning. Their feedback about programming, events, amenities and facility improvements continues to influence the direction of Kidnetic Play Cafe.

We've also been inspired by the tradition of community gathering places. We believe successful businesses can do more than provide a service. They can create connections, strengthen neighborhoods and bring people together.

What are some of the most meaningful moments you've seen inside Kidnetic Play Cafe?
One of the most meaningful parts of owning Kidnetic Play Cafe has been seeing the impact it has had on families and the community.

Some of our most rewarding moments come from watching children who may have been shy or hesitant on their first visit gradually build confidence, make new friends and become comfortable trying new things.

Seeing a child accomplish something they didn't think they could do, whether it's climbing a new obstacle, completing a hands-on activity or simply engaging with other children, is incredibly fulfilling.

We've also had the privilege of watching families create lasting memories together. Parents often share stories about their children's excitement leading up to a visit, the friendships they've developed or the milestones they've celebrated at Kidnetic Play Cafe.

The launch of Kidnetic PlayLab has been particularly rewarding. Watching children become curious about science, engineering and problem-solving is exciting. Seeing a child proudly show off something they've created reinforces our belief that learning should be engaging, accessible and fun.

Perhaps the most meaningful moment of all has been seeing a once-vacant building come back to life. Decades ago, this was a place where neighbors connected. Today, it is once again filled with laughter, conversation and families making memories. That has been incredibly special to see.

What challenges have you faced as a small business owner?
One of the biggest challenges has simply been taking the leap into something completely new. Kidnetic Play Cafe is our first business, and when we started, there wasn't a roadmap to follow. We had to believe in ourselves, trust our vision and be willing to learn as we went.

There were plenty of moments when we didn't have all the answers, but we were committed to figuring things out one step at a time.

Opening a small business requires you to wear many hats. In any given week, I've been an engineer, contractor, project manager, marketer, accountant, maintenance technician and business owner. Every challenge became an opportunity to learn something new.

The renovation of our building is a great example. Bringing a former community landmark back to life required significant planning, problem-solving and hands-on work. From building renovations and facility improvements to navigating occupancy requirements and working through permitting processes with the City, we encountered challenges that were completely outside our previous experience.

Each obstacle taught us how to better approach complex projects and work collaboratively with partners, contractors and local officials.

Another challenge was building much of the business ourselves. Whether it was coordinating with equipment suppliers, designing spaces, assembling play equipment, developing operational processes or creating new programs, there were countless moments when we had to learn new skills and adapt quickly.

Like many small business owners, we've also had to make thoughtful decisions about investments and resources. Every dollar matters, especially in the early stages. We've learned how to prioritize improvements that have the greatest impact on our guests while continuing to invest in the long-term future of the business.

At the end of the day, the challenges have become one of the most rewarding parts of the journey. They've taught us resilience, patience and confidence.

What improvements are being made through the City's Façade Improvement Grant?
The City's Façade Improvement Grant has given us an incredible opportunity to invest in both the appearance and long-term sustainability of our building. As a small business, projects of this scale can be difficult to undertake all at once, so the City's partnership has helped us accelerate improvements that will benefit the entire community.

Through the grant, we're continuing to revitalize and modernize the property while preserving its character. Improvements include new exterior windows, masonry and façade enhancements, updated exterior finishes and other upgrades that improve both the appearance and functionality of the building.

We've also made significant investments in the building's overall efficiency and comfort. These upgrades will help create a more welcoming environment for families year-round while ensuring the facility remains a strong community asset for years to come.

For our customers, these improvements mean a more attractive, comfortable and enjoyable experience from the moment they arrive.

Beyond the physical changes, the grant represents something even more meaningful. It reflects a shared commitment between local businesses and the City of Toledo to invest in our community. We're grateful that the City recognized the value of our mission and chose to support our vision.

What does small business mean to you?
To me, small business is about having the courage to turn an idea into something that creates value for others and strengthens the community around you.

As first-time business owners, we've learned that small business is much more than opening your doors and serving customers. It's taking a vision that exists only in your mind and putting in the hard work, long hours and personal investment required to make it a reality. There are no guarantees, and many times you have to believe in yourself long before anyone else sees what you're trying to build.

Small business has taught us resilience, adaptability and the importance of continuous learning. Every challenge has pushed us outside our comfort zone and taught us something new.

What makes small business especially meaningful is the direct connection to the people you serve. Every family that walks through our doors matters. We have the opportunity to listen, adapt and create experiences that make a real difference in someone's day.

Small businesses are also an investment in the community. Local businesses create opportunities, revitalize neighborhoods and help shape the character of a city. We've been proud to create a place for a new generation of Toledo families.

At the end of the day, small business means building something bigger than yourself. It means taking risks, solving problems, serving others and creating a lasting impact.

What does the future look like for Kidnetic Play Cafe?
The future of Kidnetic Play Cafe is centered on continued growth, innovation and deepening our impact on the families we serve.

One of our biggest focuses is continuing to grow Kidnetic PlayLab and our enrichment offerings. As an engineer, I'm passionate about helping children develop curiosity, creativity and problem-solving skills at an early age.

We want to introduce more hands-on science, technology, engineering and math experiences that make learning exciting and accessible while helping children build confidence through discovery.

We're also committed to continually improving our facility and customer experience. Whether it's through building upgrades, new attractions, expanded programming or special events, our goal is to keep giving families reasons to return.

Beyond the walls of our building, we hope to strengthen partnerships throughout the community. We want to continue collaborating with local schools, organizations, community groups and city leaders to create opportunities that benefit children and families across Toledo.

Most importantly, we want to preserve what has made Kidnetic Play Cafe special from the beginning: a sense of connection. We don't know exactly where the journey will lead, but we're excited about what's ahead. Our vision is simple: continue building a place that inspires curiosity, strengthens families and serves the Toledo community for generations to come

Kidnetic Play Cafe
2164 Tedrow Rd.
Toledo, Ohio 43614
Ph: (567) 315-8073
Tuesday and Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday and Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Monday: Closed

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