NORWICH – A new business is scheduled to open its doors in September, and its primary focus will be on kids and fun.

Norwich Kids Kingdom, LLC will provide an indoor playground and party place for children from birth to about 12-years-old. “It’s basically a family fun center that provides parents with something to do and gives kids a chance to experience active play and imaginative play,” said business owner Leslie Ann Lawrence.

Kids Kingdom will provide a fun area free of video or arcade games. Instead, the center will feature 5,000 square feet of playing room that will include separate areas for infants, toddlers and older children. The area will include a six foot tall rock climbing wall, for children ages three and up; a five foot climbing jungle gym, for children three and up; a 200 square foot soft playground with a slide and ball pit; a second ball pit with more than 14,000 balls; a play area specifically for toddlers; soft mats and toys for infants and their parents; dress-up clothes; ride-on and bouncy toys; see-saws; tumbling mats and climbing ropes. In addition, parents will have a lounge area where they can relax while the kids play. Free computer and Internet usage will be available and a beverage and snack area will be open as well.

“There’s not a lot in the area for kids. We wanted something that was close to home for families and the community to be involved in. There was a need for something like this in the area,” Lawrence said. The owner said she got the idea to open the play center after visiting a similar business started by a family member in another area. “My daughter played for hours and still cried when it was time to leave,” she said.