Some kids dream about their birthday parties all year long–what the theme will be, who will be there, how many candles they’ll get to blow out. Many look forward to other kids’ parties, too, and anticipate running around with their friends, shout-singing “Happy Birthday.”
Some kids, however, find these scenarios overstimulating, and escaping the chaos at a kids’ party can be challenging. Entrepreneur Jamean Flowers observed her own daughter, Jayla, feeling this way, and in her quest to provide a safe space for her and other neurodivergent children to celebrate, she created Kidz Play Mobile Crafts & Events in Georgia in 2018. After moving to the St. Louis metro area, she re-launched her business here this summer.
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“I’ve always been an over-the-top mom. … I’m the type of mom who likes to throw half birthdays,” Jamean confesses. “When I found out [my daughter] has autism, I still tried to do everything, but she didn’t like it because of the different textures, noises, and sensory issues she has.”
Jayla was nonverbal at 18 months old and diagnosed with autism at age 2, but now at age 8, she’s speaking without issue, playing alongside other kids, and expressing her creativity. Jamean says they just had to explore what that all looked like within Jayla’s comfort zone.
“Kids with autism parallel play a lot; when you’re doing activities, you have to focus on your own activity, which has helped her. It’s not like she has to intermingle with the person next to her,” Jamean describes. “I don’t have a medical degree, but what I can say is that it has made her more comfortable socializing with other children, whether they’re a little older or younger than her. I can see a difference just by what I’ve been doing and exposing her to.”
Parallel play is a developmental milestone for children as they learn to play with others. It refers to situations where children independently engage in an activity in proximity to others, and it’s a concept that Kidz Play’s “sensory party packages” often incorporate. Clients can choose from a menu of themes and crafts like Epic Slime Time, Ultimate Jewelry Making Experience, Sports Jersey Design Experience, and many more – or opt for an original theme. Experienced hosts are included, unless the client chooses the Party in a Box option to cut the host cost but still receive a professional party plan and setup.
Each service is customizable according to the child’s needs and interests and the event space, which is often a client’s home. When designing Jayla’s parties, Jamean sets up a painting station, spinning chairs, and “calm-down tents” with pillows and comfort toys. Noise-canceling headphones are also a must-have.
“My daughter can only be in a room full of people for a certain amount of time, and then she’ll remove herself,” she explains. “She’ll go in her calm-down tent while all the other kids are going crazy, so we’re creating different environments for each child based on what they need.
“A lot of people don’t understand the need to retreat in that they also think that kids on the spectrum don’t want those birthday parties, don’t want that attention, or don’t want to have friends and feel special,” she continues. “We let them do what they want to do without apologizing.”
Kidz Play services aren’t just for families with neurodivergent children, Jamean emphasizes. She’s happy to assist with parties for anyone through age 21–“because you’re not even grown at 21,” she jokes. In addition to sensory party packages, she offers party item rentals, balloon installations, and full-service event planning.
“We’re all-inclusive; we’re for everybody,” Jamean says. “I just want to make sure everybody knows that moms of kids with autism and with disabilities have an outlet with me. We can throw a good party no matter what the circumstances are.”
