There is a new family play cafe in Bishopston!

Playful Cafe is situated at Fenton Court on Fenton Road, a quiet cul-de-sac situated just off Bishop Road in Bishopston.

Playful Cafe has recently been opened by Kate Ferrentino, a local mum and her husband Nico. Kate explains: “I’m a Bishopston mum myself of five children, with children at Bishop Road and Redland Green Schools; not to mention two preschoolers!”

Kate (left) with her team at playful Cafe

Kate aims for Playful Cafe to be a large family hub, that is affordable too.

“I hope to provide a truly community cafe space that families can access (and afford) on a daily basis, not just a child’s play centre. As such, we will not have a child admittance charge but will instead operate a cafe ‘cover fee’ of just £1 a head.”

Playful Cafe is spacious and perfect for the full-range of the 0 – 4 age bracket. There are interesting play areas for kids to enjoy, which include a ‘Role Play Lounge’, complete with fantastical costumes and a large train table for children who are train-tastically inclined.

There is a separate play area in the large, light and airy annexe which has a few more tables to sit at as well as some giant Lego building bricks which my little boy absolutely loves.

Kate’s aim to make playful Cafe truly child-friendly extends throughout Playful Cafe. 

There is a ‘Parents’ Kitchen’ designed especially for parents’ convenience, complete with a microwave, fridge and bottle warmers so that parents can prepare their own baby food and milk.

There is a ‘Baby Lounge’ with comfy sofas where mums can sit and breastfeed in comfort.

What’s more, there is a room entirely for pushchair! As Kate explains:

“We are very buggy-friendly with a room devoted to the machines, we know how they take up space!”

Kate plans for Playful Cafe to provide a useful meeting place for regular classes and groups that provide support to local parents and the local community:

“We have an annexe where we will run classes in the week and parties at the weekend. We only charge a nominal amount for hire to support local educational providers and, in some cases, no charge at all, for community based groups, eg breast-feeding support groups.” 

Nico, Kate’s husband, is in charge of the Playful Cafe kitchen and food is a top priority:

“Food quality is of the utmost importance to us and we provide healthy, home-cooked food with a Mediterranean influence. Our Italian Platters and Toddler Tapas  are our best sellers.”

On one of my visits to Playful Cafe with my children, we ordered the Toddler Tapas which was both affordable and tasty. I also personally recommend trying one of Kate’s Peanut Butter Brownies: they are absolutely delicious!

Playful Cafe also offers free story time and singing sessions most mornings so that children can be entertained while still in sight of their parents, who can at the same time enjoy their cup of tea or coffee and finish it too; always a bonus!

At weekends Playful Cafe can be hired to host children’s birthday parties:

“The baby lounge can magically transform into a disco area plus there is plenty of room for all the inevitable adults that accompany, making it a really social occasion for all.”

I also like Playful Cafe as it is suitable for slightly older children as well as babies and toddlers. On a recent inset day at my son’s primary school, Kate arranged some activities and educational toys to meet the needs of all the other primary school aged children visiting Playful Cafe that day.

There is a Playful Cafe Facebook Page, if you would like to keep up to date with Playful Cafe’s family friendly events & activities.

I am certain that Playful Cafe will prove to be a popular resource for parents and children in and around Bishopston.

*Disclosure: This was a sponsored post, however, my views & opinions are my own.