A city full of fun—made just for kids!
Step Into the Past
Welcome to Battle Creek, Play City, 1895—an immersive, hands-on experience where children become the citizens of a lively old-fashioned city built just for them. Inspired by the energy and imagination of 1895, this pretend-play city invites kids to explore, imagine, and interact with real-world roles in a joyful, engaging environment.
This isn’t a museum tour or a staged show—it’s a living city powered by curiosity, costumes, and creative freedom.
What Can Kids Do in the City?
At every turn, children will find new ways to explore, create, and play. Here are just a few of the stops in this bustling city:
Train Station
Ride a real kid-sized train, pick up your ticket, and check the schedule at the changing Vestaboard display.
Opera House
Dress up in vintage costumes, act in a puppet show, or take the stage for a short skit. A photo station captures your star moment.
Post Office & Telegraph
Send letters, sort the city’s mail, or tap out a real Morse code message to deliver to the train station.
Saloon
Sip root beer from the tap, try a tune on the upright piano, or play a round of Old Maid or Go Fish at the card tables.
Restaurant & General Store
Serve meals or manage the shelves in two of the city’s busiest spots. Pretend food and paper goods bring the setting to life.
Crafts & Trades
Make your own quilt patch, pioneer hat, needlepoint card, or wooden toy using simple, hands-on materials.
Blacksmith & Saddlery
Tool a piece of leather, tack up a toy horse, or toss a horseshoe to test your aim.
Sanitarium R&D Kitchen
A playful tribute to Battle Creek’s famous food innovators. Kids can pretend to experiment, invent, and “cook up” their own creations.
How It Works
Every child enters the city with an adult and starts their visit at the City Bank, where they’ll receive a small stash of play coins to spend at various locations throughout the city.
Want to ride the train? That might cost a coin. Send a telegram? Coin. Get a frosty root beer? Yep—coin. These coins aren’t used to buy anything real, but they do help kids think, plan, and make their own choices as they explore.
Coins are limited, and part of the fun is deciding how to use them. Once they’re spent, kids can still enjoy all sorts of activities in the city—many booths are free to explore, create, and imagine in.
Why Parents Love It Too
While kids dive into hands-on fun, parents appreciate how Play City builds:
Confidence and independence
Imaginative play and storytelling
Early decision-making and budgeting
A light touch of local history
Real-world social and creative skills
All in a safe, screen-free, joy-filled environment.
Who It’s For
The city is designed for kids ages 2–12, with different layers of fun built into every booth. Younger kids will love the dress-up, crafts, and pretend play, while older kids enjoy more involved roles, choices, and storytelling.
Location & Hours
Battle Creek, Play City, 1895 is located in downtown Battle Creek
Open: Saturday June 13th, 2026
Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission: Free
Come play, pretend, and discover in a city where kids run the show.
