Kids’ birthday parties used to mean pizzas, hot dogs, and fountain drinks inside indoor playgrounds and family entertainment centres, but thanks to places like MiniDo Kids Cafe, it’s no longer the only option for parents.
Since their mid-pandemic opening in December 2020, MiniDo has had to close and reopen their space several times. The recent lifting of indoor restrictions, however, has finally allowed the team to start growing their concept, including a new food menu to ensure parents can have just as much fun as their children.
“Our goal was to create an interactive and clean environment for children under 8 that can also be great for the parents, as we didn't know of any other space currently offering this type of experience,” says Nick Ning, owner of MiniDo. “Since reopening, we’ve made it an even higher priority to maintain a clean and sanitized environment—we understand that our guests are comprised of families and their little ones.”
Keeping children’s spaces clean is a challenge on any given day, but for an indoor playground with over four themed spaces and one giant ball pit, it takes a bit of innovation. To keep things safe for every child, MiniDo uses a combination of disinfecting wipes, UV sanitation equipment, and a special suction-powered machine to sanitize every ball before they’re returned to the ball pit.
While the MiniDo team wanted to create immersive and stimulating environments for kids, they also made sure that parents could enjoy themselves, too. What better equalizer is there than tasty food for the whole family?
With a menu designed by registered dieticians, including NutriKidz founder Andrea Carpenter, every dish at MiniDo is made with fresh ingredients and without any artificial flavouring, preservatives, or additional MSG. That’s not to say, however, that your kids won’t find their happy snacks and meals.
Mac and Cheese, French Toast, and Nuggets and Fries are just some of the childhood favourites you’ll find on MiniDo’s Kids Menu. There are also some entrée dishes equally loved for children, like rice or spaghetti topped with Beef Curry, Veal Brisket and Tomato, or Minced Pork.
Parents don’t have to sacrifice taste for their kids, either. No matter what time of day you’re visiting, MiniDo has dedicated menus with carefully prepared dishes made just for grown-ups. At Brunch, you can “Build Your Own Benedict” or choose from their other items, like Chicken Croffles—crispy skin on chicken with maple syrup and a croissant waffle; a HK-inspired Pork Cutlet Egg Sandwich on a brioche bun; or the Crepe Blintz with creamy spinach and poached egg.
For the evening crowd, the Mango Salmon is doubtless a popular choice on MiniDo’s Dinner menu. Laid over a bed of 7-grain rice, the sweet tanginess of mango salsa makes the healthy dish feel like a guilty pleasure.
Combining play, learning, and joy, MiniDo has been working hard since their mid-pandemic opening to create a safe and clean space where children can explore, and parents can relax.
Plan your family visit to MiniDo Kids Cafe by making a reservation on their website, or book one of their themed playgrounds for private celebrations via email or by calling them at (905) 763-1869. They’re located in Thornhill at 505 Hwy 7, Unit 38-44, and are open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and weekends from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
