SPRINGFIELD – We might be 90 minutes from Florence, but the ocean is closer than you think.
Five-year-old mermaid wannabes and toddler pirates can now set sail on a new adventure close to home.
Lagoon Playcafe, which opened less than a month ago at 141-145 Pioneer Parkway E, is already making waves in downtown Springfield as a cool way for kids to escape the summer heat in an interactive indoor play space.
The 5,000-square-foot building, which previously housed The Mercantile Antique Mall until March 2024, has since been transformed into an underwater-themed adventure space for children that also serves as a relaxing area for adult guardians to “caff up” and snack.
Dayna Brink, business owner and mom to three young children aged 1, 3, and 5, considers Lagoon her “passion project.”
“Right now my heart and hands are fully in this magical space,” Brink said. The play space is designed for children 48 inches and smaller. Children taller than 48 inches are welcome to play (up to age 12), and running is not permitted. All children ages 0-12 are asked to engage in gentle play.
Pirates greet visitors as they meander through a large and impressive coral reef display, walls adorned with various stimuli.
Brink created many of the drawings and designs that artists used to bring her ideas to life. Brink hired an artist to create a foam sculpture for the three-dimensional structures, such as coral reefs, that greet folks upon entering. She also enlisted the help of her husband, Adam.
“I’m cheap labor,” he said with a chuckle.
A black light area features glowing projections and artistic jellyfish. Children can chase light projections, and there is a room with sand on the floor, along with sensory tables. Kids get a kick out of the splashing tables and fountains, which are complete with waterproof smocks.
The Splash Bash Party Room is available for booking to host birthday celebrations and other special events. There are field trip packages available for schools that include STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) activities. The venue also hosts special events, such as the Mermaid Bubble Magic Night featuring a mermaid actress.
Mermaids make appearances most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the summer. “The mermaids come to every birthday party they can. We occasionally surprise guests with midweek pop-ins as well,” Brink said, adding that you’ll only find her in a mermaid costume at Disneyland or on Halloween.
Lagoon also offers beverages and snacks with aquatic-themed names on its “Jaws & Java menu, which includes breakfast, caffeinated drinks for adults, and snacks.
Brink said in a 2024 interview that her “goal in acquiring The Mercantile’s space (was) to update the building to match the growth of Springfield’s downtown area,” adding that “downtown Springfield has seen massive improvements over the years, and I want to be part of that.”
Daily admission is $7 per child, Tuesday through Thursday, and $10 on weekends for kids. Memberships start at $25 a month. Adult supervision is required.
