Little Humans Big Fun brings STEAM powered play to Frisco

UPDATE September 2020: This business is closed permanently.

Just ten days ago, Frisco’s newest indoor play space celebrated their official grand opening! And our local “little humans” are ready to unleash their boundless imaginations!

Because childhood is too short to be bored…

Little Humans Big Fun is a unique, indoor play area which features rotating exhibits and hands-on activities designed for kids ages 18 months to 8 years. I attended their recent grand opening event with two of my favorite little humans, ages six and two.

I had already enjoyed a sneak peek of the bright and engaging space (and loved it!) but I wanted to get the opinions of my two much more discerning reviewers as well. These little guys are tough critics – curious, super active, and old pros in the Frisco play space scene.

I was also interested in observing the reactions of both an elementary aged child and a young preschooler to see the appeal for different age groups. After exploring everything this new space has to offer, the reviewers were unanimous – four (tiny) thumbs up for Little Humans Big Fun!

The atmosphere is bright and stimulating, with science-themed decorations such as a planet mural, and believe it or not…dozens of Rubix cubes hanging from the ceiling! The exhibits are strategically arranged throughout the large room, along with comfortable couches, giving parents plenty of seating in close proximity to the kids.

Upon arrival, my boys immediately climbed up the “tree house” structure to take in all the options and decide where to start.

The Exhibits

Little Humans Big Fun has a winning combination of one-of-a-kind, interactive exhibits and other spaces designed for quieter play. Their STEAM focus is unique and immediately grabbed my little reviewers’ interest. STEAM interactives (science, technology, engineering, art, math) engage the brain while providing hours of entertainment and new discoveries at every turn and during every visit.

The six-year-old loved the huge toy car with realistic, working parts, perfectly scaled for little mechanics. He liked exploring all the features and playing pretend in a new way. As a parent, I loved observing all of the kids interacting with the exhibit – and with each other. Kids were helping one another, collaborating, and learning to take turns as they put the car together. They were asking questions, sharing ideas, and problem-solving.

Other exhibits include a life-sized “light bright” set, a magnet tile table, and a rocket ship playset. There’s also a large area containing the popular “big blue blocks” where kids can build, explore, and play. My guys really enjoyed the art table, which includes fun tools like stencils and dot markers.

Another thoughtful feature at Little Humans Big Fun is a small play zone designed for babies, with a crawling tunnel and age-appropriate toys. This area includes seating for parents as well as books, a magnet wall, and a special reading chair designed for older kids. Scattered throughout the room were other fun additions like little swivel chairs and colored “pavestones” for jumping. My little reviewers liked these small touches as much as the big exhibits! The playspace is very creative in its design and clearly in tune with the minds of kids.

As a parent, I was impressed by the “staying power” of the exhibits. They can be explored and enjoyed in different ways from visit to visit, and as kids grow and develop. There’s no chance of “been there, done that” boredom here.

I was intrigued watching my two year old explore the light bright alongside an eight-year-old who was doing the same but in her own way. The two year old wanted to touch it and learn how it worked, while the eight year old created a detailed picture.

The exhibits are great on their own but become really special in the hands of creative kids.

For the Big Humans

Let’s not forget the good stuff for the “big humans”. The parent/caregiver seating is arranged to encourage conversation and easy viewing of the entire play space. This thoughtful arrangement gives adults a chance to relax, and the kids sufficient independence to explore.

And did I mention the specialty coffee? Little Humans Big Fun offers complimentary coffee beverages served in real coffee cups. It’s like sitting in your own comfortable living room enjoying a latte while your kids play. (That is if your own living room had specialty coffee, STEAM exhibits, and no piles of laundry).

Additionally, they provide complimentary WiFi and a lot of comfy seating… Playdates just got a whole lot more enjoyable!

About the Owners

Little Humans Big Fun is the brainchild of owners Jenn and Jason Cooley. The Cooleys have lived in Frisco since 2011 and have two young children. As Frisco residents, working professionals, and dedicated parents, the Cooleys understand the unique needs of busy families.

The idea for Little Humans Big Fun came to them after the birth of their second child. During this season of their lives, Jason stayed at home with their children for several months after Jenn went back to work. He and his friends would schedule meetups throughout the week as a way to interact with adults and take the kids to fun, new places. The dads would grab coffee at Starbucks on their way.

The Cooleys soon realized how high the demand is in Frisco for places where kids can play and adults can connect. They brainstormed their favorite elements in a meetup spot. Jenn says they wanted “something fun, new, and different that would be good for both boys and girls” in an environment that would be “enjoyable for parents with lots of places to sit and chat with friends” (and free lattes would be a nice bonus).

Jenn and Jason researched children’s museums throughout the country looking for unique exhibit ideas which emphasized STEAM activities, all the while dreaming of opening their space somewhere in NW Frisco. The Cooley’s big idea has finally become a reality at the NW corner of Eldorado and Teel in West Frisco.

Admission

The cost of admission is $13 for the first little human, and $11 for each additional child (with discounted packages also available). Big humans are always free.

In addition to weekdays, open play is offered on weekend mornings (whereas many Frisco play spaces are closed on the weekend for private events). The availability of weekend open play was important to the Cooleys and is sure to be appreciated by working parents looking for some weekend family fun.

Jenn says,

One of my favorite things as a parent is to watch my kids having fun, learning something new, and trying new things.”

Jenn and Jason have created a great new way for Frisco’s littlest residents to do each of these important things…and their big humans can watch with a delicious cappuccino in their hands!