Little's Loft - Tigerplay

A Contemporary Play Café

Littles Loft Play Café, located in the heart of Kirkwood, Missouri, is a refined example of a contemporary play café that balances thoughtful design with a strong sense of place. Tigerplay was commissioned by founder Hannah Campbell to create a bespoke play environment that would foster community, reflect the surrounding landscape, and feel intrinsically connected to its historic setting.

The Brief

The vision was to design a calm, nature-inspired play space that respected the character of the 100-year-old building while resonating with the local community. The brief called for a serene yet engaging environment; one that encouraged child-led play while offering adults a relaxed, sociable café experience.

Design Inspiration

At the heart of the space sits a striking central tree, inspired by Kirkwood’s Green Tree Festival, where families gather beneath the trees of Kirkwood Park. Rather than recreating nature literally, we developed an abstract interpretation of a tree using layered timber fins and a mirrored canopy. This approach introduces light, reflection, and a subtle connection to nature, creating a sense of openness and calm within the play space.

Directly opposite Littles Loft stands Kirkwood’s historic train station, built in 1893. This local landmark became a key reference for the design of the play tower, which echoes the station’s turret-like architecture and distinctive conical roof, grounding the play elements firmly within the town’s heritage.

Materials and Palette

Crafted from a blend of natural and stained timbers, the play environment exudes warmth and tactility. A muted green colour palette, paired with soft, neutral tones, enhances the calming atmosphere and allows the play structures to integrate seamlessly with the café interior, thoughtfully designed by Aleksandr Malinich Design, which draws inspiration from European café culture.

Spanning 1,600 square feet, the play area feels cohesive, elegant, and carefully considered. A space designed to complement, rather than compete with, its surroundings.

Play Features

The bespoke indoor playground has the following fun features:

Twin-lane slide

Open spiral slide

V-net rope bridge

Traversing wall encouraging varied movement and challenge

Sensory lighting elements

Handcrafted wooden train track with forest backdrop, referencing Kirkwood’s rail heritage

A custom-built stage with curved forms and slatted timber detailing for imaginative play and performance

Experience and Flow

Open sightlines between the café and play area allow adults to relax and socialise while maintaining visual connection with their children. This thoughtful layout supports independent exploration while reinforcing a sense of safety and togetherness.

The completed space is more than a play café — it is a tranquil yet stimulating landscape where children are invited to climb, explore, perform, and imagine, while adults enjoy a beautifully considered, community-focused café environment.

Thinking of setting up a play café in your local area? Contact us today to get your project started.