Moore County is getting a new hangout for kids and their grown-ups. This Wednesday, June 3, Blue Bird Play Cafe will be open for business at 101 N. Poplar Street in Aberdeen. Owners Christine and Greg Kasper have been working day and night to get the doors open.
The Kaspers are a military family who moved here seven years ago and quickly fell in love with the area. The couple has a 14-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter. Shortly after their daughter was born, she was diagnosed with Autism.
Christine is a nurse practitioner in Moore County, when her daughter’s diagnosis came to light she knew something was going to have to change; she wanted to be able to go to the therapy appointments, rather than hear about her daughter’s progress from the babysitter.
It was around this time that she got the idea to open a play space. Previously, she had been driving to Raleigh and Cary for play cafes. Christine said that “Moore County needed this bad” and that she wanted to find a way to give back to the community, like she already does in healthcare, but in a different way that could also help her be more flexible with her life and daughter.
She never thought she’d be opening a play cafe with her background, but her husband told her that she had to do it, so they started planning and saving up. They looked for a place for six months before they found their location in downtown Aberdeen. It’s the perfect spot because Christine loves the area. This new venture allows her to give back to the community while also caring for her daughter’s needs.
As a military spouse and the mom of a special needs child, Christine knows how tiring and isolating it can be. When asked what she’s most excited about, Christine said, “seeing kids in here playing and giving Blue Bird life, giving the parents somewhere local to come and let their kids get their energy out on a rough day… to help out in some capacity.”
The space offers a variety of play stations to keep kids entertained while caregivers fuel up.
The play space includes a soft play area for crawlers, a climbing structure, a little play village, a reading space for kids, and a few other small structures and play stations. The goal was to create something that most kids aged 6 months to 8 years would enjoy. A special touch; the businesses throughout the play village are named after the Kaspers’ children and beloved pets.
The cafe will have a full coffee menu and seating for grown-ups to fuel their energy tanks while they let their littles expend theirs. Karlie Kocopi from Crust & Crumble Carolina will be supplying the coffee pairings – keeping the case stocked with healthy, clean goodies.
Blue Bird Play Cafe will also host birthday parties and other fun events. Reach out to the cafe’s Instagram or website if you have any questions or would like to book for your event.
Christine wants the public to know that every Wednesday from 9-10 a.m. will be reserved for toddlers, and every Friday from 9-10 a.m. will be reserved for a sensory hour. Blue Bird’s regular hours are Monday – Friday from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., closed Tuesdays, and on Saturdays and Sundays, they are open from 8 a.m. to noon. Socks are required for play and can be purchased in-house. Reservations are preferred; two-hour time slots with a cap of 25 kids. You can reserve your spot here.
Megan Hall | Reporter
Article and photos by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Megan Hall.
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