Oakville Small Business Spotlight - Little Rascals Place

Little Rascals Place has been a favourite spot for Oakville kids since it opened.  With lots of bright and welcoming decor, a mini trampoline, a ball pit and lots of blocks, Little Rascals is a great place to take your kids for some fun indoor play or a fabulous place to host a birthday party.

I asked the owner, Nilla, tell us a bit more about how Little Rascals Place came to be and what she loves about running a small business.

Tell us how you came to start your own business.

Well, I had just moved to the area and was looking to start something that would make a difference. I like to think my kids were my inspiration and I wanted to offer families a place where they could host children related events, but exclusively.  That’s how Little Rascals was born and I only hosted private events on the weekends and evening. As time went by I got inquiries about day time play and added that later on.

What do you love about running a small business?

What I love about being a small business owner is that I am the creator of my own success and wealth.  I have learned so much and met many other entrepreneurs, there is something very enticing about carving my own path (for me at least).  I love that I get to perform the many different roles that comes with being a one women show.  To be so involved with all the different aspects of running a business, from networking to advertising to customer service and everything in between. I enjoy it all, but I definitely love that I get to plan out parties and events and be part of the families making memories.

What to do you love about running your business in Oakville? 

I think Oakville is a great place to be a small business owner; it’s such an ambitious town.  I try to contribute back to the Oakville community and to do my part. Little Rascals is always part of the charity fundraisers and we also donate to schools for their fairs.  I believe what makes a community great is the involvement of local business owners. 

What do you want Oakville families to know about your business?

At Little Rascals we do things a bit differently, because we believe that having an intimate gathering makes for great parties.   No party has even been the same at Little Rascals, which is why we have such great clients who come back year after year hosting another birthday or a sibling’s party.  This is really amazing since 90% of the parites that I have hosted or planned have been from referrals. I think birthdays are such a big part of childhood and I believe in catering to the wants of the families to make sure children have great memories of their birthdays. At Little Rascals we want to help you make that day more special, so you can enjoy celebrating!  

momstown Oakville has hosted several events at Little Rascals and our mamas love Nilla and how welcoming and warm she is when greeting all the little ones that come to play.  Little Rascals has so much to offer Oakville families.  Not only do they have great birthday party packages and an indoor playground, but they also offer after school programs in Art & Drama and Lego & Robotics and summer camps (full day & half day options) too!  Check out their website to read more about this great Oakville business!

2013 Halloween Events for Oakville Moms And Kids

Halloween is such a creative holiday with so many ideas for crafts, costumes and spooky snacks!  We're lucky that Oakville moms and kids have the opportunity to celebrate with so many local Halloween events! Have you marked your calendar with these fun events?  I'm sure you'll see some of our momstown Oakville moms and kids there!

Little Rascals Indoor Playground Hotel Transylvania Halloween Party
Saturday, October 19, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Come get your key and stay awhile at the Hotel Transylvania. Explore Hotel rooms with spooky surprises. Visit Franenkstein's home away from home or Dracula s crypt suite. DANCE the night away in the hotel banquet hall. Prizes and treats, juice provided. Order pizza for the family through Little Rascals. All ages, family event, $25 plus HST per family or $15 plus HST for one child/one parent.

Halloween Spooktacular at the Halton County Radial Railway
Saturday, October 19 & Saturday, October 26, 6:30 PM-10:00 PM
All ages event! Walk through the haunted car barn and travel in the old, creaky streetcars along the mainline and enjoy some hot apple cider & scary snacks. If you’re a Halloween fan this is definitely a spooky experience not to be missed! Costumes encouraged. Reservations not required. Tickets sold at the door.

Spooktacular Halloween at Mountsberg Conservation Area
Oct 19 & 20 and 26 & 27th, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Start your Halloween festivities early at Mountsberg Conservation Area's Spooktacular Halloween. This event is free with park admission and features plenty of hauntingly good fun for everyone: Pumpkin Patch, Toddler pumpkin maze, Haunted PlayBarn, Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt, Kids crafts, Harvest games and Bison rides.

Family Great Pumpkin Carving/Decorating Contest with the Oakville Public Library
Saturday, October 26, 2013 from 1:00-4:00pm
Attention all Families! Take some time and choose, decorate and carve a pumpkin for our Great Pumpkin carving contest! Bring it to the Central Branch for judging! Prizes awarded in various “spooktacular” categories. This is a free event.

Halloween at the Oakville Museum
Sunday, October 27, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Join us at the Oakville Museum for our annual family friendly Halloween event. Come in costume and experience a historical Raggedy Ann story time, hunt through the house counting pumpkins, and make your own Halloween scarecrow craft! Crafts, games, popcorn, prizes = FUN! $5 per person.

Tiny Tots on Parade, Downtown Oakville
October 31st, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
With our friendly witch, cuddly friends and Oakville Fire truck display, not to mention all the tasty treats, it's a day you don't want to miss! Please come in costume and bring a bag for all of your treats!

Glama Gal's Little Goblins Halloween Bash
Thursday October 31st, 10:00am-11:30am OR 1pm-2:30pm
This jam packed event for Little Goblins 5 and under includes making a halloween mask, a monster mash mini dance party, create your own mummy cupcake, snack station, candy buffet and more!  $20 per child and $5 per parent.  Tickets need to be purchased in advance, reserve your tickets here or call (905)842-4257.

Top 5 Oakville Family Fun Gifts

Our playroom is jam packed with toys. My kids love their toys but really, we are a busy family who likes to get out of the house, attend lots of momstown activities, participate in extracurricular programs and explore together.

When Grandma asks what to get the kids this year - what about these terrific family focused gift ideas that encourage learning, adventure, physical activity and family fun?


1. Bronte Creek Family Pass

A family pass allows families to pop into the conservation area whenever they choose to ride bikes, play in the barn, go skating.... not sure why we don't have a pass but we SHOULD. An annual day-use pass is $150 - a perfect family gift of the outdoors.

2. Drop-In Indoor Play Pass
My kids love to run and jump at indoor playgrounds like Little Rascals or The Busy Genie. Contact them to ask about their play passes. Perfect year round gift!

3. Lessons and Activities
momstown Oakville spends a lot of time at the Little Gym and many of our member kids take lessons there which are fabulous but not cheap. My kids love gymnastics too and they also need to learn that it's a privilege not a right. By receiving a 'gym pass' for Christmas they realize it's a gift and the appreciation level goes up. I know of many grandparents who contribute to ballet, hockey or music lessons instead of another toy under the tree.


4. Tickets to the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
Going to a big production is always a hit with kids! We're so lucky to have a theatre like the Oakville Centre so close and with quality performances. Tickets to a family show are sure to delight any child and is an experience they won't forget for just $20/ticket. Additionally, there are packages that include many performances at a discount if you want to maintain the magic all year long.


5. Family Ski Pass
Get active this winter right here in Halton! With little legs and small attention spans, a day pass doesn't make sense for new skiers but a family pass sure does! Glen Eden sells their season pass for age 5 and under for just $89 - a perfect gift!

Hope these Oakville gift ideas help you and family have an active and fun year together in 2012!