Family Tides
When visitors walk into Electric Donuts, it’s clear this isn’t an average coffee shop.
With bright walls, donuts piled high with creative toppings, specialty coffee drinks and a play space tucked in the back, Northfield’s recently opened play cafe is serving up a little fun — and flavor — for everyone.
Carrie Washington, who co-owns Electric Donuts with Lambros Tsikouras, was inspired after visiting other play cafes that combine coffee and a space for kids to play.
“I have a daughter — she just turned four. I would say for the last three winters and rainy days and fall, I’ve just been so bored. There’s not a lot to do around here,” Washington said. “I started taking her out of this area to a bunch of other play cafes, and I was checking them out. I’m a coffee drinker myself, so I love coffee. So, I was also trying all different brands of coffee everywhere I went, starting to do my research, and I just knew that this was what I wanted to do.”
Washington said she wanted the space to feel bright but also wanted it to be a place where parents could relax.
“I wanted it to be just fun and vibrant and a place for families and friends and moms to come and just be able to feel like they’re at home — a place that was clean and they knew they were safe here and that the food would always be good and the coffee would always be great and keep them going,” Washington said.
But she emphasized that Electric Donuts isn’t only for parents and children.
“It’s not just for moms and dads. It’s for everybody,” she said. “The front of our cafe has regular tables. We do a lot of to-go orders with coffee and donuts. People just come in and sit down. A lot of people work on their computers.”
The cafe’s menu spans the palate, from the Electric Shock donut — topped with strawberry frosting, Fruity Pebbles and a marshmallow drizzle — to other seasonal and made-to-order options. Customers can also build their own creations or try an ice cream donut boat.
After plenty of taste testing, Washington said the cafe chose La Colombe as its coffee offering and plans to roll out weekly donut and coffee specials.
Toward the back, parents can sit at a high coffee ledge and watch their kids play while enjoying a drink. Next to the larger play area is a softer section for children under 2.
“It kind of gives moms and dads a break. If you want to come and meet one of your girlfriends here for coffee or one of your family members and just sit and let the kids play, you can do it. If you want to interact with them, you can do it,” she said.
And some of the small touches haven’t gone unnoticed by parents.
“I’ve gotten quite a bit of feedback here of people saying, ‘Oh, you can tell this place was definitely created by a mom. You have every corner guard on. You have diaper-changing stations. You have stools for the potty,’” she said.
The play cafe, designed for children 6 and under, features playhouses like a cafe and doctor’s office, a slide, train table and other interactive areas. Washington’s daughter also had input on the toys.
“We just wanted a little bit of everything for everyone. I wanted to make sure that we had just the right amount of toys for kids to have such a good time that they’ll want to come back,” she said. “And that’s become an issue here — nobody wants to leave. The kids do not want to leave. I mean, that’s the only time I’m hearing crying is when it’s time to go.”
For Washington, keeping the play space clean and safe was just as important as making it fun. Employees sanitize throughout the day using kid-safe products, and the cafe has rules around health and hygiene, like no sick children in the play area.
“Personally, I’ve taken my daughter to a couple of places, and every time I go there, she gets sick when I get home the next day, and it drives me insane,” she said. “We have someone in our play cafe at all times dedicated to cleaning up after the kids and sanitizing all day long.”
Reservations are recommended for the play area, which is capped at about 12 to 15 children per two-hour open play session to keep things safe and comfortable.
“We don’t want to overbook it, and we don’t want parents and kids on top of each other. We want to keep it safe and fun. So, in order to do that, we cap it,” she said, noting that some sessions have been selling out, limiting walk-ins.
Looking ahead, the cafe plans to host a variety of family-friendly ticketed events, including a Halloween event Oct. 25 with trick-or-treating, a DJ and a visit from Lilo and Stitch. On Nov. 1, the cafe will also host a Toddler Techno Party — a dance party designed for little ones with a DJ, hype dancer, LED wands and more.
Reservations for open play can be made on the cafe’s website. Grippy socks are required and can be purchased at the cafe. Open play is $15 per child and $10 for each additional child. Reservations for events can also be booked online.
The cafe is also offering birthday party packages with private use of the party room and play cafe and plenty of add-ons.
The play cafe is peanut-free, but other nut products are served in the cafe, like almond milk. Outside food is not allowed. Gluten-free options are not currently available, and the donuts contain egg.
Electric Donuts is open Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Mondays. For more information, visit electricdonutsplaycafe.com.
Madison Russ is an award-winning journalist, copy editor and adjunct professor of communication based in Atlantic County. An Ocean City native, Madison is passionate about telling stories that matter to locals, often spotlighting nonprofits and exploring the area’s vibrant arts scene.
