At The Little Things Play Cafe, June is all about celebrating the dads, stepdads, grandpas, and all father figures like uncles and older brothers who fill our play space with energy, laughter, and love. As Father’s Day approaches, we want to shine a spotlight on just how vital fathers are in the world of childhood development—especially when it comes to play.
We see it every day in our cafe: dads crawling through train tunnels, grandpas pushing toddlers on swings, and father figures building block towers as tall as the ceiling. It’s fun, of course—but it’s also so much more than that. Science tells us that these moments of connection are building blocks for a child’s emotional, social, and cognitive development.
A Welcome Space for All Father Figures
We know that modern families come in many forms. Whether you’re a single dad, a stay-at-home father, a stepdad, or a grandparent stepping into a parenting role, we see you—and we celebrate you. Our play cafe is a space where every kind of family is welcome, and every father figure can find joy and connection.
It’s common for dads to feel like the “secondary parent” in some social settings, especially in traditionally mom-centric spaces. But we work hard to ensure our cafe is welcoming, inclusive, and engaging for all parents, and we’re proud to be a place where dads feel like they belong.
Why Dads Matter in Play
While all caregivers play a unique role in a child’s life, research shows that fathers often bring a distinct style of play to the table—one that has profound benefits for young children.
A study published in the journal Infant and Child Development (Fletcher, StGeorge, & Freeman, 2013) found that fathers tend to engage in more physical, stimulating, and unpredictable forms of play, which helps children learn to regulate their emotions and behaviors. This kind of “rough-and-tumble” play—whether it’s chasing, tickling, or wrestling—teaches boundaries, trust, and resilience. Another study in the Journal of Family Psychology (Cabrera, Shannon, & Tamis-LeMonda, 2007) emphasizes that engaged father-child play is linked to improved problem-solving skills, stronger peer relationships, and better academic outcomes. Dads challenge their kids in unique ways, encouraging them to take healthy risks and push their limits, all within a safe and loving environment.
A Special Bond
We’ve seen firsthand how kids light up when their dad or grandpa walks through our doors. For many families, our play cafe becomes a cherished weekend routine or post-work escape—a place where dads can shed the day’s stress and reconnect with their little ones.
Play is one of the most natural ways for children to express themselves and understand the world, and when fathers take part in that play, they’re building a foundation for lifelong closeness. Whether it’s constructing a train track, reading a story in the quiet room, or making pretend pizza and ice cream in the toy kitchen, every moment strengthens that father-child bond.
Grandpas—so often the keepers of stories, wisdom, and time—play an equally powerful role. We love seeing multi-generational families in our space, with grandpas gently guiding little hands, sharing memories, or simply sitting close and watching their grandkids explore the world around them.
Let’s Celebrate Father’s Day—Together!
This June, we invite you to celebrate Father’s Day with us at The Little Things Play Cafe. We have a few father-focused themes coming your way:
- Saturday June 14th – Dogs with Dad – Bring the whole family to celebrate dad with a delicious hot dog lunch on site!
- Note: The play cafe is closed on Father’s Day: Sunday June 15th.
- Drink of the Month – Bullseye – We like our coffee like we like our dads – Bold, Strong and no frills. Grab a locally sourced Cold Brew Coffee, add a shot of espresso, and top with cold foam in honor of all dads.
More than anything, we hope Father’s Day reminds us to pause and appreciate the dads and grandpas who show up with love, humor, and care. Whether it’s making silly faces to make kids laugh, lending strong arms for a catch from the slide, or quietly sitting side-by-side on a couch, your presence makes all the difference.
The Long-Term Impact
We often talk about how the “little moments” are the big ones—and that’s especially true when it comes to play. Research has shown that children with engaged father figures are more likely to exhibit emotional security, have better language development, and show higher levels of curiosity and motivation (Lamb, 2010). These early experiences set the stage for success later in life, from school readiness to interpersonal relationships. When dads take time to play, they’re not just having fun—they’re shaping the future.
A Note to Dads and Grandpas: Thank You
To every father figure who’s visited our play cafe—thank you. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to connect with your kids. Thank you for being a safe place, a source of strength, and a model of love.
This Father’s Day, we’re celebrating you. Your presence matters. Your play matters. And we’re so glad to share in the joy you bring to our play cafe community.
And since no blog post about dads could be complete without a good dad joke…
Why did the toy train bring a coffee to the play cafe?
Because it needed a little steam to get going! Choo Choo!
From all of us at The Little Things Play Cafe, Happy Father’s Day!
References:
- Fletcher, R., StGeorge, J., & Freeman, E. (2013). Rough and Tumble Play Quality: Theoretical Foundations for a New Measure of Father-Child Interaction. Infant and Child Development, 22(6), 550–569.
- Cabrera, N. J., Shannon, J. D., & Tamis-LeMonda, C. (2007). Fathers’ Influence on Their Children’s Cognitive and Emotional Development: From Toddlers to Pre-K. Applied Development Science, 11(4), 208–213.
- Lamb, M. E. (2010). The Role of the Father in Child Development (5th ed.). Wiley.