All About KidsPark

We all have those moments as parents when we need an extra set of hands or childcare falls through. That’s where KidsPark comes in. We sat down with Katie Krivolavek, owner of KidsPark Lincoln, to learn more about her passion for helping kiddos and parents.

LK: Where are you from and how did you get started with KidsPark?

Katie: I was born in Kansas and raised in Kansas City. I went to KU for Early Childhood Education, and my plan was to be a preschool teacher. I found a preschool teaching job at KidsPark in Olathe, Kansas. I met my husband (he’s from Nebraska), and we got married and moved to Lincoln. I was a teacher at LPS for a few years and then stayed home with my babies — Kennedy and Maddison — for awhile. I was pushing two toddlers in a cart in Target one morning, thinking, “I just need KidsPark!”

It was right around that time, I told my husband that I wanted to open a KidsPark here in Lincoln. I LOVED working there and I knew that fellow Lincoln parents would benefit from it too. We officially opened our doors in 2015, ten days after the birth of our youngest, Oliver.

LK: What’s a typical day like at KidsPark?

Katie: We have activities every hour and we are all in one big open room. It’s more of an entertainment setup. I’m a big believer that kids are learning the most when they are playing, especially at a young age.

We don’t have an extremely structured center. The day is moving, flowing, and changing. For example, if it starts snowing we might start doing a snow craft; it’s very flexible.

LK: What ages do you take?

Katie: 18 months through 10 years old.

LK: How does it work? Say it’s a Monday morning and I realize I don’t have daycare, can I drop off my kids?

Katie: Yep! You would register online or when you drop off. Then you sign a few pieces of paper and you are good to go.

LK: Does KidsPark have a preschool?

Katie: Yes, we offer preschool Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. You can come on a regular basis, or it can work as a drop-in option.

LK: How many staff do you have at the center during the day?

Katie: It depends, typically we have three staff members. On a day off from school, we have four or five. We can have up to 60 kids at one time. If we have that many, there would be six to seven teachers.

LK: How do you handle staffing for drop-ins?

Katie: We are always looking at days when school is closed, and looking back in history to see what we typically staff on certain days. We have an on-call teacher, and I’m also available, to help with extra backup.

LK: What activities do you do?

Katie: We have an activity every hour — games, science experiments, cooking, arts and crafts, — a little bit of everything.

LK: What are your hours and rates?

Katie: We are open: Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

We charge $10.00 by the hour, or $70.00 for a full day. We have discounted rates for siblings. You can find more details on our website: kidspark.com/lincoln.

Find KidsPark Lincoln at: 5633 S 16th St Ste. 100, Lincoln, NE 68512 (402) 413-8849

Learn more about Katie and her family on YouTube at @allelectricfamily!

It’s easier than finding a babysitter.

It’s engaging, a way to make new friends, and socialize.

We can be your backup. We are often open on SNOW DAYS.

We love doing all the messy activities. Let your kids have fun and we will clean it all up.

We are open until 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Drop the kids off while you go to dinner.

Did you know you can save energy in your home every day? Turning off or unplugging appliances and electronics that are not in use gives you the power to save energy! For example, while the sun is shining, windows can allow sunlight into your house without having to turn on a lamp or a light switch.

Unscramble the letters to reveal the names of common appliances and electronics that you should turn off or unplug when not in use. Use the pictures below for clues.

Appliances

DIRECTORY Child Care & Education

Fingerprints Child Development Center

(6w - 10y) Featuring an educational curriculum for all ages in a loving, Christian environment! Open 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Enrolling now for School Age care with transportation to Meadow Lane, Kahoa and Robinson. Contact for current openings.

7800 Holdrege St. (402) 467-4503

CapitolCity.org

KidsPark

(1 1/2 - 11y) Trusted hourly childcare on days, evenings and weekends! No reservations required. Drop-in Mon. - Thu. 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m., and Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.!

5633 S. 16th St. Ste. 100 (402) 413-8849

KidsPark.com/Lincoln

Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of Southern Hills

(6w - 12y) Brand new state-of-the-art learning academy with exclusive curriculum developed for each classroom, guardian-accessible cameras, age-appropriate playgrounds, an onsite chef, and more! With our “Hug First, Then Teach” principle we take a whole-child approach, strengthening each child’s emotional, intellectual, social, and physical well-being. Currently enrolling all ages – including Summer Camp!

5588 Canterbury Ln. (402) 436-4005 kidsrkids.com/southern-hills

Lincoln Parks and Recreation Preschool Programs

Little Sprouts Preschool at Calvert Recreation Center and Nature Preschool at Pioneers Park Nature Center are open to children 3 to 5 years of age. Programs are nature based, with teachers planning curriculum around children’s curiosity and wonder of the world around them.

(402) 441-8669 lincoln.ne.gov (search: Preschool)

Prairie Hill Learning Center

(18m - 14y) Prairie Hill Learning Center offers quality, Montessori education in an outdoor, farm environment. Young Children’s Community is licensed by DHHS, has immediate openings and operates year-round. 7 miles south of Lincoln on Highway 77.

17705 S 12th St, Roca, NE 68430 (402) 436-6668 admin@prairiehill.com prairiehill.com

South Gate Preschool

(18m - Pre-K) South Gate Preschool is an established Lincoln Preschool of 30 years. Our curriculum is based on learning through play with classes for children 18 months to pre-K. Our classes are designed to build a strong foundation for your child’s academic success.

3500 Pioneers Blvd.

(402) 489-7302 preschool@southgateumc.org southgateumc.org/preschool

Trinity Lutheran School

(18m - Grade 5) A fulfilling, Christ-based education center. Our Early Childhood Education Program accepts children ages 18 months through Pre-K with extended hours from 7 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. Also offering K-5 classes.

1200 North 56th St. (402) 466-1800 trinityoflincoln.org

Wee Wisdom Christian Preschool & Academy

(3y - 6y) Wee Wisdom has been providing a quality preschool program to the Lincoln-area families since 1996. We provide a well-rounded educational experience that includes a balance between informal and structured learning.

5201 Old Cheney Rd. (402) 420-7111 weewisdompreschool.org

Birthday Party Fun KidsPark

(1 1/2y - 11y) Private birthday parties available! Invitations, balloon favors, a gift for the birthday child, face painting, art, and games are all included. We do the cleanup when the party is over! Sundays 10:30am-12:30pm or 6:30pm8:30pm. Book your date online at kidspark.com/lincoln today!

5633 S. 16th St. Ste. 100 (402) 413-8849 KidsPark.com/Lincoln

Lincoln Children’s Zoo

Celebrate your child’s birthday at the Zoo and enjoy all-day admission for you and your guests. Create lasting memories with options for unlimited train rides and critter encounters. Party packages start at just $225. Visit LincolnZoo.org to pick your party, select your date, and reserve your room and time.

1222 S. 27th St. (402) 475-6741 LincolnZoo.org

Lost In Fun!

Your outdoor playland... indoors! Fun for all ages! Private party rooms, playsets, foam pit, inflatable jumpers, fun maze, laser maze, video games, jumping pillow, Ballocity, and snack area with yummy food and drinks! We do company parties, too! Book your next Fun-tastic party online at lostinfun.com!

8431 Cody Dr. (15th & Yankee Hill) (402) 466-8692 LostInFun.com

Pioneers Park Nature Center

Add nature to your child’s birthday! Parties includes a guided hike or themed activity, special gift for birthday child, party bags for each child, and time for your own activity and refreshments. Recommended for ages 5-12.

3201 S. Coddington Ave. (402) 441-7895 lincoln.ne.gov (search: Pioneers Park Nature Center)

Lessons & Activities

Aimee’s Premier Dance

Aimee’s Premier Dance in Hickman offers a variety of dance styles for ages 3+, including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Pointe, and Boys’ Classes. All classes use ageappropriate music, choreography, and costuming.

6760 Woodland Blvd. (Hickman) (402) 440-8770 apremierdance.com

Bright Lights Summer Learning Adventures

(Ages K - 8th Grade) Bright Lights Summer Learning Adventures. Offering 5 weeks of fun, hands-on, STEAM-infused summer learning camps for K-8th grade students. Half-day and full-day camps available on a wide variety of topics from arts and literature to robotics and cooking. More information including camp schedule, locations and registration details available at BrightLights.org.

5561 S. 48th Street, #220, Lincoln, NE 68516 (402) 420-1115 brightlights.org

Chase the Spirit of Dance

Established in 2017, Chase the Spirit of Dance provides Lincoln’s premier dance instruction. All of our dance instructors are personable and fully certified to teach dance at all levels. Whether your focus is technique, flexibility, or you’re just looking for a new way to work out, you can find it here. We offer Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Clogging, Tap, and so much more to students ages 3 - 93!

chasethespirit.dance info@chasethespirit.com (402) 904-4091

Encore Studio

(Ages 5 - 11) Piano lessons and piano/keyboard classes for all levels. Teaching beginners of all ages.

54th & L St. (402) 499-0400 encore-studio.com

Lessons & Activities (cont’d)

Lincoln Boys Choir

The Lincoln Boys Choir consists of organized choral groups which promote healthy, lifetime singing skills. Ages 8 - 18.

(402) 499-4446 kirsten@lincolnboyschoir.org lincolnboyschoir.org

Lincoln Music Teachers Association

LMTA welcomes all music teachers to meet for workshops and camaraderie, to plan activities for our students, and to serve the community. Our LMTA Music Outreach Program offers low-cost lessons, instruments and repairs, music scores and performance opportunities to children in need. Email MOP@LMTA.info.

For more information or a Teacher Directory, visit www.LMTA.info.

Lincoln Youth Track Club

The Lincoln Youth Track Club is a competitive track and field club for youth ages 7–18. Our goal is to help youth grow their love of track and field. We strive for maximum athlete development throughout the season. lincolnyouthtrack@gmail.com lincolnyouthtrackclub.com

Marble Music

Discover the music in you with private music lessons at Marble Music Studios. Music lessons don’t have to be dull to achieve great results. At Marble Music Studios, our team of teachers bring fun to every lesson with engaging, age-appropriate curriculum and repertoire. Specializing in strings, piano, guitar, ukulele and voice lessons. Now offering toddler music classes! Target ages: ages 1-3 for ECM Classes, ages 4-18 for private music lessons.

6201 S. 58th St. (402) 413-6355 marblemusicne.com

Picnic Hill Orchard

(All ages) We offer u-pick apples, cider and donuts starting in August through the end of October. Located just outside of Lincoln near 105th and Yankee Hill Road.

10500 Yankee Hill Road (402) 417-0734 picnichillorchard.com

Theatre Arts for Kids

TAFK provides quality performance training for kids of all ages in the Lincoln community and surrounding areas. TAFK’s programming is inclusive and scholarship is always available.

(402) 202-1087 info@tafk.org tafk.org