Images courtesy of Kelly Smith.
There’s a new play cafe in O’Halloran Hill, and its warm and welcoming environment is hitting all the right notes with parents and kids alike. Officially open for business from Tuesday 7 April, The Little Southern Village – located within the Hilltop Shopping Centre – offers creative play sessions that are inclusive and disability-friendly, contains a convenient cafe, and even has space for a small shop selling toys, books, and environmentally conscious pieces, among many other things.
The business idea eventuated in August 2025 during a family visit to the UK, when Kelly Smith, the doting mother of an active ‘threenager’, came across an indoor play cafe in the local town, and discovered a gap in the South Australian market.
“This space was born from a very personal place. As a mum, I felt the need for a village — a place to go, to connect, to feel supported — and when I couldn’t quite find it, I decided to build one,” says Kelly.
The experience of a casual coffee in a safe and positive indoor play space where kids could play independently, was something she knew she could bring back to Australia, and thus, The Little Village Collective was born.
Offering thoughtful and community-focused play villages for families, The Little Southern Village is the first location of parent company The Little Village Collective, and promises calm, imagination-led role play for young children, in a space where they can grow and learn while caregivers can keep a watchful eye over them without hovering.
The village-style play space has 11 curated play areas, for children aged between 0-7, with play sessions running for 1 hour 45 minutes, in a child-led environment where little ones can explore, embrace their creativity, and learn social skills at their own pace. Session numbers for children and caregivers are capped, to ensure a calm environment that is not overwhelming.
The Little Cafe is the heartbeat of the play space, providing a simple but nourishing menu that focuses on high quality and kid-friendly options, that can also cater to specific medical or dietary requirements, upon request, with everything from fresh smoothies (blended to order), hot and iced coffees for the grownups, and toasties and waffles for everyone because…they’re just so darn good.
“The Little Southern Village has been created as more than just a play café — it’s a community hub for families,” says Kelly.
“At its heart, it’s a thoughtfully designed indoor space that blends imaginative play with a calm, aesthetically beautiful environment for both children and adults. But what really sets us apart is the layered experience we offer,” she says.
“Alongside our daily play sessions (running 7 days a week) and birthday parties, we also host seasonal events, workshops, and a curated retail space within the village. These elements aren’t just for the children — they’re designed with caregivers in mind, too…It’s intentionally designed to feel like a “village” — not just in layout, but in purpose.”
Bookings are currently live, so if you’re the parent or caregiver of a young child and you’re looking for a calm and relaxing environment where you can enjoy time spent together and independently, The Little Southern Village may just be the place you didn’t know you were looking for.
The Little Southern Village
Where: Shop 19, 93 Main South Road, O’Halloran Hill, SA 5158
For more information, click here.
