When Jufar Lai took his then two-year-old daughter to a large indoor playground a few years ago, he watched her get overwhelmed and nearly knocked over by older kids racing through the space.
It was the moment the idea for Elefun Play Center was born.
“There was just nowhere for younger kids to go,” Lai says.
“I started thinking about what it would mean to have a bigger, more open space just for them, where they could do their own thing without the big kids getting in the way.”
Today, Elefun Play Center in Coquitlam offers a fresh take on indoor play.
Designed specifically for children six and under, the space is rooted in child development and inspired by both Lai’s background in psychology and coaching, and his wife Katie’s experience as a kindergarten teacher and early childhood education.
The centre’s play structures are centered on gross motor development, with soft and wooden equipment that encourages children to climb, walk, push, pull and build strength and coordination, which are all essential skills in early childhood.
But the space goes beyond just physical activity.
“We don’t have permanent structures, so kids get to use their imagination,” Lai says.
“They create their own adventures. Having open ended equipment allows children to help build their cognitive and emotional growth. They are learning to create, understanding risk and building their confidence when succeeding. And because our equipment is reconfigurable, there’s always something new. Every few months we completely change the layout, so it feels like a new experience each time.”
Parents and caregivers are also top of mind in the centre’s design. The wide-open layout means adults can relax while still keeping an eye on their children from a distance. There’s no need to trail behind or hover. Elefun serves locally roasted coffee from Agro Roasters and specialty hand-whisked teas using Japanese powdered blends from Paragon Tea Room.
“Our matcha latte is a hit,” Lai says.
“We also have a powdered chai that enhances the flavour, It’s bold but not overpowering. We make the tea by hand, using a Japanese whisk and bowl. People are always surprised by the care we take, but we wanted to create something really special.”
Cleanliness is another core priority. The centre is cleaned daily, with a deeper scrub each week. Staff are also ready to step in and tidy during play sessions when needed.
“We know how quickly things can get messy with kids,” Lai says. “So we’re always prepared.”
The atmosphere at Elefun is warm, bright, and deliberately calm, more like a cozy community hub than a typical indoor playground. That was intentional, Katie says.
“We wanted a place where both kids and parents could feel comfortable, away from home,” she says.
“Living in the city, especially in the Tri-City area, there isn’t always space for little kids to play safely. Our daughter used to get run over by big kids at the park. It’s hard to find somewhere clean, fun, and age-appropriate for toddlers and preschoolers.”
In addition to drop-in play, Elefun currently offers toddler sensory classes designed to encourage exploration and social connection. Pre-K classes are also in development.
For families juggling apartment life or seeking new ways to support their children’s growth, Elefun aims to be a place where kids can move freely and parents can breathe easy.
To learn more, visit www.elefunplaycenter.ca.
