LANCASTER TWP — Children in Butler County have a new indoor play place to sample: Kidtopia on Perry Highway in Lancaster Township, which opened last month.

At its monthly meeting on Monday night, Lancaster Township’s board of supervisors granted a conditional use permit for Kidtopia to use the space at Perry Highway for educational and recreational purposes.

Manager Jessica Schmitt describes Kidtopia as a “play cafe,” featuring plenty of things to do for both young children and parents.

“Kidtopia is a play cafe for young kids and caregivers designed to help foster community and support for both,” Schmitt told the Butler Eagle. “It’s a safe space for children to be themselves, learn to regulate emotions in a non-judgmental setting while playing and learning, and provide a chance for adult caregivers to connect, as the world can be so isolating these days.”

According to Kidtopia’s website, the space offers four “interactive activity zones” for children, along with a cafeteria for parents to relax in while their children are occupied.

Schmitt told the board of supervisors that although no specific age demographic is listed on promotional materials, Kidtopia will primarily target children between the ages of three and eight.

According to Schmitt, the play space is currently open for limited afternoon hours, as Schmitt is still working as a real estate appraiser until the business is self-sustaining.

“The hours are limited. They’re usually 10 to 3 or something like that for a chunk of the afternoon,” Schmitt said. “Different evening programs will run from 5:30 to 7:30, but nothing later than that.”

The space which Kidtopia now occupies previously belonged to a dance studio.