When Brady TenBrink had her first child five years ago, her friends were all still working. “It was hard for me to find a place where I could go to meet other adults without my daughter disturbing people.” She wanted something hip and delicious, but also inviting to her growing family. So she and her husband John created Family Grounds Café, which opened this summer only four weeks after the birth of the couple’s third child.

Located at 3652 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, with its own complimentary parking lot, Family Grounds delivers on the TenBrink’s dream. The café is a fun, urban setting with free Wi-Fi, great wall art, delicious pastries and strong Intelligentsia coffee.

The real draw for families is the beautifully designed indoor play space.

Kids’ imaginations can soar as they role play on stage, in the kitchen or in the market. During our visit, a functioning “school-room” setting complete with teacher’s desk and chalkboard gave children of different ages the chance to teach and learn. On a recent Friday afternoon visit, I saw kids snuggled with books, an impromptu stuffed-hedgehog race and a full dance number with scarves and musical instruments. A lot of these activities are facilitated by two full-time staff members who keep an eye on the kids at play, clean and replenish materials, rotate toys and basically make the space even more fun.

For more information, visit www.familygroundcafe.com or call (773) 281-0785. It is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.