Any parent can tell you that keeping young kids engaged, having fun and safe throughout the day requires imagination, patience and lots of activities. As a young mom, Rhode Island resident Taylor Henry knew this well, and took inspiration from planning for her daughter's second birthday in 2021 to creating a new business.
Henry launched Little Dream, Soft Play in August of 2021 just before her daughter turned two-years-old, in part, because she knew what she wanted for the party but it just didn't exist locally. Henry said she wanted something fun for the little ones, but couldn’t quite put her finger on what. After looking online, she saw a few mobile soft-play companies, which were gated play areas that were brought to you — immediately she knew that’s what she wanted.
But there were none in Rhode Island. So Henry bought some equipment and supplied her daughter's party.
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"My little one's birthday was the first event I ever did, and I haven’t stopped since," she said. " I fell in love with everything about it and am so grateful to be a part of so many special moments and meet so many new people."
As a parent, Henry knows birthday planning for young children can be stressful, let alone hosting or wrangling kids during the event. To help ease the burden, she said the company arrives a few hours early to set up the equipment and check in with parents. In addition to small fenced in play areas, Little Dream, Soft Play also offers add-ons such as ball pits, bounce houses, balloon sculptures and more-upscale set ups that come in luxury color schemes like pastel, safari, blue, pink or neutral.
"Oftentimes, when you attend parties with little ones, you don’t have a chance to mingle because you’re too busy chasing them around. This really gives families the opportunity to relax and enjoy more time with loved ones," she said. "Although eyes are required on the play area at all times, you’re able to stand around and chat as the little ones explore and have fun. We also take pride in our cleanliness and how seriously we take germs. Every piece of our equipment is cleaned both before and after each event, ensuring it’s ready for the next set of little ones to enjoy."
Henry said she's bootstrapped the business thus far and doesn't have any specific fundraising goals for the next year, but she does want to expand. The company currently serves Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut and offers outdoor and indoor setups.
"I think as time goes on, I’d love to be able to offer more services and see Where else I can go in the event industry," Henry said. "I do not currently have employees, but have been so lucky with the help and support from wonderful family and friends."
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