WOODHAVEN: Indoor play center offers fun, bright structures
By Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling
Read it here
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Lorie (back, left), Brian, Paul and Stephanie Kryk 
own Funtastic Play Centers. Lorie and Brian often bring their daughters, Breeya (front) and Mekayla, and Paul and Stephanie bring their son, Dominik. Paul and Brian are brothers. (Photo by E.L. Conley)
WOODHAVEN — Seven-year-old Mekayla Kryk and her sister Breeya, 5, have a fun-tastic time at their parents’ place of business.
Brian and Lorie Kryk, Flat Rock residents and certified elementary school teachers, own and operate Funtastic Play Centers, 20372 Van Horn Road.
The franchise opened two years ago and also is co-owned by Brian’s brother and his wife, Paul and Stephanie Kryk, also of Flat Rock.
“Funtastic specializes in providing a physically challenging form of exercise while allowing for social development,” Brian said. “Parents understand the importance of play in their child’s growth and development, both physically and socially. Play centers such as Funtastic help foster this opportunity to learn. I think that parents are looking for safe, clean places where this learning can occur.”
Brian said the idea of launching the indoor play area was prompted by extensive drives to places outside Downriver so that his daughters could play with their friends.
“My wife and I were driving 40 minutes one way to visit indoor play facilities with our friends and their children,” he said. “Since there wasn’t an indoor play facility such as Funtastic in the Downriver community, we explored the idea.”
On June 5, 2008, the brothers and their wives opened the 4,100-square-foot indoor play area that features open play, private birthday parties and a cafe with snacks and beverages.
The center caters to children up to 8 years old and offers summer hours from Memorial Day to Labor Day: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays.
Winter hours (Labor Day to Memorial Day) are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays.
Their busiest time of year is November through March, or anytime the weather is bad.
Funtastic features a modular play area with three slides, a rock wall, tunnels, monkey bars, a zip line and many other activities for children to enjoy.
“Our soft play (area) consists of a large, soft matted area with large shapes that the children can build with and maneuver,” Stephanie said. “We also offer a toddler pond that has a Velcro wall puzzle and noisemakers for the younger children.”
Prices differ if the child walks or crawls. There are group rates when there are 10 or more children who are preregistered. Adults are admitted free.
“We only allow (children) up to age 8 for open play,” Stephanie said. “If an older sibling comes along, we just ask that they only assist their younger sibling and do not play on their own for the safety of the younger children. During our private birthday parties, there is no age limit.”
Stephanie works at the center full time while Paul is employed by DTE Energy. They are the parents of a 1-year-old son, Dominik.
There are play rules at the center.
“Anyone going on the equipment must wear socks,” Paul said. “We do not permit bare feet or shoes on any of the play equipment. Each person must also sanitize their hands and be free of any illnesses.
“Each child must have a liability waiver on file signed by the person who is responsible for them while they are at Funtastic.”
He said parents must remain with their children while they are at the center and are encouraged to play on the equipment if they desire.
For those who’d rather watch, tables, chairs, two couches, a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi are available.
“Our admissions are good all day long,” Lorie said. “If you need to leave for naptime, lunch or just because, we do not charge for re-entry.
“Getting to know the local families and being able to bring my child to work with me has been a great opportunity. Our youngest daughter gets to spend a couple days a week at Funtastic, and enjoys playing with the other children that come and visit. We have also had parties for our girls, and for other family members at Funtastic.”
Funtastic offers three private party packages, depending on if the groups brings their own food and drink, or if they order pizza, drinks, cake, cupcakes, decorations, place settings, invitations and thank you cards.
This summer, all party packages are discounted in June, July and August.
“We keep our facility extremely clean, and take care in getting to know each of our customers, Brian added. “We are a friendly, but professional, team.”
The Woodhaven center is the only Funtastic franchise in Michigan, but franchises are available in other areas.
Anyone wanting more information can send an e-mail to brian@funtasticplaycenters.com.
Funtastic Play Centers-Woodhaven
Location: 20372 Van Horn, Woodhaven; 1-734-692-3967.
Owners: Flat Rock residents Brian and Lorie Kryk and Paul and Stephanie Kryk.
Started: June 5, 2008.
Services: Indoor play area for children up to age 8 featuring open play, private birthday parties and a cafe with snacks and beverages.
Summer hours (Memorial Day to Labor Day): 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays.
Cost: $8 for walkers; $4 for those who crawl.
Methods of payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard.
Web site: www.funtasticplaycenters.com