Welcome to Petit Ilot

Bienvenue à Petit Ilot

An innovative indoor play space for children 0-10 years, fostering development through free play with active parental involvement.

Discover Our Concept

The Story Behind Petit Ilot

Petit Ilot was born from a simple observation: children need spaces designed specifically for their developmental needs, where families can connect through meaningful play experiences.

Our team combines expertise in sports science and early childhood education, with 15+ years of hands-on experience creating safe, engaging environments for children of all abilities.

Discover Our Approach
Petit Ilot

Latest Project Updates

Follow our journey as we bring Petit Ilot to life

Coming Soon
August 19, 2025

Project Launch Announcement

We're excited to announce the beginning of our journey to create Montreal's most innovative indoor play space...

Location Search
September 15, 2025

Finding the Perfect Location

Our search continues for the ideal 3,500 sq ft space in Villeray or surrounding family-friendly neighborhoods...

Equipment Design
October 8, 2025

Equipment Selection & Safety Standards

Working with certified suppliers to ensure all play equipment meets the highest Canadian and European safety standards...

View All Updates

Follow Our Journey

Stay updated on our progress toward opening day!

About Petit Ilot

Why Petit Ilot?

The idea for Petit Ilot emerged from years of working with children and observing a gap in Montreal's play landscape. While outdoor playgrounds abound in summer, families needed a year-round solution that goes beyond simple entertainment to truly support child development.

We noticed that many existing indoor play spaces focus primarily on physical exhaustion rather than holistic development. Parents often felt like spectators rather than participants in their children's play experiences. This disconnect inspired us to reimagine what an indoor play space could be.

Our Design Process

Petit Ilot wasn't designed by architects alone, but through extensive research into child development theory and practical experience with hundreds of children. Our design process involved:

  • Developmental Research: Studying how different play types support cognitive, physical, social and emotional growth
  • Safety Innovation: Implementing standards that exceed Canadian and European requirements
  • Inclusive Design: Ensuring accessibility for children with varying physical and cognitive abilities
  • Family Integration: Creating equipment and spaces that encourage active parent participation
  • Sensory Consideration: Balancing stimulation and calm to support all sensory processing needs

Our Expertise

The Petit Ilot team brings together complementary expertise that uniquely positions us to create this innovative space:

  • Sports Science Background: Deep understanding of motor skill development, physical literacy, and safe equipment design
  • Early Childhood Education Expertise: Specialized knowledge in developmental milestones, inclusive programming, and supporting children with diverse needs
  • 15+ Years Combined Experience: Hands-on work with children from infancy through school age in various educational and recreational settings
  • Inclusive Approach: Extensive experience supporting children with specific needs, ensuring our space welcomes all families

This combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience drives every decision we make, from equipment selection to program design.

Our Vision

We envision Petit Ilot as more than a play space – it's a community hub where:

  • Children develop confidence through age-appropriate challenges
  • Parents actively engage in their child's play rather than watching from sidelines
  • Families create lasting memories through shared experiences
  • Every child, regardless of ability, finds joy and growth opportunities
  • Montreal families have a premium, safe space available year-round

Our Concept

A unique indoor play space designed for children 0-10 years and their parents, featuring three distinct zones that promote physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development through child-initiated free play.

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Motor Skills Zone

• Gymnastics obstacle courses
• Secure foam pit
• Age-appropriate climbing structures
• Play structures with slides

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Symbolic Play Zone

• Interactive mini-city with grocery store
• House and construction site
• Themed costumes and accessories
First of its kind in Montreal!

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Calm & Sensory Zone

• Relaxation and sensory space
• Building and fine motor games
• Library & board games
• Artistic expression area

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Why Choose Petit Ilot?

🛡️ Maximum Safety

All equipment meets Canadian (CSA Z614) and European (EN 1176) standards with regular inspections and preventive maintenance.

⭐ Premium Experience

Limited capacity (30 children per session) to avoid overcrowding and guarantee a personalized experience.

📱 Screen-Free Play

Environment deliberately free of digital technologies to encourage real interaction and imagination.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Active Parent Involvement

Equipment designed to support adults, encouraging parents to play with their children rather than just supervise.

👶 Age-Adapted Sessions

0-3 years: Secure configuration, modules adapted to toddlers
1-6 years: Balance between simple and complex challenges
5-10 years: Advanced courses and sophisticated games

Motor Skills Zone: Physical Development in Freedom

Zone Motrice : Le Développement Physique en Liberté

An Adaptive and Safe Approach

Our motor skills zone adapts to the specific needs of each age group through a reconfiguration system between sessions. The equipment is designed to support adult weight, encouraging parents to actively participate in their children's motor discoveries.

High-Quality Equipment

Gymnastics Mat

Professional surface allowing rolls, jumps and movements in complete safety, compliant with CSA Z614 standards.

Secure Foam Pit

Soft landing zone for jumps and acrobatics, encouraging calculated risk-taking essential for building self-confidence.

Modular Climbing Structures

Evolutionary courses adapted according to the age of the session, developing strength, coordination and spatial problem solving.

Slides and Play Structures

Fun elements stimulating balance, proprioception and the joy of movement.

Developmental Benefits

  • Gross Motor Skills: Development of strength, balance, coordination
  • Body Confidence: Knowledge and acceptance of physical limits
  • Calculated Risk-Taking: Learning to assess challenges
  • Cooperation: Sharing space and mutual help between children

Symbolic Play Zone: Imagination in Power

Zone Jeux Symboliques : L'Imagination au Pouvoir

A Montreal Innovation

Petit Ilot introduces Montreal's first immersive symbolic play space. Inspired by the best European practices, this universe allows children to reproduce and reinterpret the adult world on their scale.

Rotating Themed Spaces

Interactive Mini-City

Functional grocery store with real adapted products, allowing learning of social interactions and basic mathematical concepts.

Domestic Space

Miniature kitchen, living room and bedroom to explore family roles and develop autonomy.

Construction & Trades Zone

Construction site with adapted tools, helmets and materials, valuing manual work and creation.

Themed Wardrobe

Costumes and accessories renewed regularly according to seasons and events.

Rotation and Renewal

Sets and accessories evolve quarterly to maintain novelty and adapt to children's seasonal interests.

Developmental Benefits

  • Language Development: Vocabulary enrichment through role play
  • Social Skills: Negotiation, cooperation, conflict resolution
  • Understanding the World: Exploration of social and professional roles
  • Narrative Creativity: Invention of complex stories and scenarios

Calm & Sensory Zone: Well-being and Inclusion

Zone Calme & Sensorielle : Bien-être et Inclusion

A Space for Regulation and Discovery

This zone offers a soothing contrast to the energy of other spaces, allowing children of all sensory profiles to find their balance.

Inclusive Sensory Spaces

Snoezelen Corner

Gentle sensory stimulations (soft lighting, varied textures, soothing sounds) particularly beneficial for children with specific needs.

Interactive Library

Selection of age-appropriate books, parent-child reading space promoting literacy awakening.

Rotating Creative Workshops

Artistic expression materials, play dough, drawings, according to current workshops.

Construction Games and Fine Motor Skills

Lego and Varied Blocks

Development of spatial planning and patience.

Evolutionary Puzzles

Adaptation according to session age, from 4 pieces to 100+ pieces.

Board Games

Introduction to rules, turn-taking and simple strategy.

Developmental Benefits

  • Emotional Regulation: Learning to return to calm
  • Fine Motor Skills: Preparation for writing and precise gestures
  • Concentration: Development of sustained attention
  • Creative Expression: Channeling emotions through art

Project Updates

Coming Soon
August 2025

Project Launch Announcement

We're excited to announce the beginning of our journey to create Montreal's most innovative indoor play space for children and families.

Location Search
September 2025

Finding the Perfect Location

Our search continues for the ideal 3,500 sq ft space in Villeray or surrounding family-friendly neighborhoods with high ceilings and great accessibility.

Equipment Design
October 2025

Equipment Selection & Safety Standards

Working with certified suppliers to ensure all play equipment meets the highest Canadian and European safety standards for children's development.

Stay Tuned for More Updates!

Follow us on social media for the latest news, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive previews of our progress toward opening day.

August 19, 2025

Project Launch Announcement

Annonce du Lancement du Projet

Today marks an exciting milestone in our journey - the official launch of Petit Ilot! After months of planning, research, and preparation, we're thrilled to share our vision for Montreal's most innovative indoor play space designed specifically for children aged 0-10 years and their families.

Our Mission

At Petit Ilot, we believe that play is the foundation of childhood development. Our mission is to create a safe, engaging environment where children can explore, learn, and grow through child-initiated free play while fostering meaningful connections between parents and their little ones.

What Makes Us Different

Unlike traditional play centers, Petit Ilot focuses on:

  • Three distinct developmental zones designed by child development experts
  • Equipment that supports active parent participation
  • Screen-free environment promoting real-world interaction
  • Limited capacity ensuring a premium, safe experience
  • Age-appropriate time slots for optimal development

The Journey Ahead

Over the coming months, we'll be sharing our progress as we search for the perfect location, select our equipment, and prepare for our grand opening. We're committed to transparency and want our future families to be part of this exciting journey from the very beginning.

Follow us on social media to stay updated on our progress and be the first to know about our opening date!

September 15, 2025

Finding the Perfect Location

Trouver l'Emplacement Parfait

The search for our ideal location is well underway, and we're excited to share what we're looking for and why location is so crucial to the Petit Ilot experience.

Our Location Criteria

We're seeking a special space that meets our high standards:

  • Size: Minimum 3,500 square feet to accommodate our three distinct play zones
  • Ceiling Height: At least 12 feet to safely install our climbing structures and play equipment
  • Accessibility: Ground floor with excellent wheelchair and stroller access
  • Parking: Ample parking for families with young children
  • Safety: Secure location with controlled access and visibility

Target Neighborhoods

We're focusing our search on family-friendly neighborhoods, particularly Villeray and surrounding areas. These communities are known for their strong family presence, walkability, and access to public transportation - all important factors for our families.

Current Progress

We've already visited several promising locations and are working closely with commercial real estate agents who understand our unique requirements. Each potential space is being evaluated not just for its physical attributes, but for how well it will serve our community of families.

Stay tuned for updates as we get closer to announcing our future home!

October 8, 2025

Equipment Selection & Safety Standards

Sélection d'Équipements & Normes de Sécurité

Safety is our top priority at Petit Ilot, and we're taking no shortcuts when it comes to selecting equipment that will provide years of safe, developmental play for Montreal families.

Safety Standards We Follow

All our equipment will meet or exceed:

  • Canadian Standards (CSA Z614): Playground equipment and surfacing requirements
  • European Standards (EN 1176): Additional safety requirements for playground equipment
  • Health Canada Guidelines: For child-safe materials and finishes
  • Fire Safety Codes: Meeting all municipal requirements

Equipment Selection Process

We're working exclusively with certified suppliers who specialize in commercial-grade play equipment. Each piece is being selected not just for fun, but for its developmental benefits and ability to support children of varying abilities and needs.

Special Features

What sets our equipment apart:

  • Adult-Weight Capacity: All equipment designed to support parent participation
  • Sensory Integration: Textures, sounds, and visual elements that support sensory development
  • Adaptive Design: Equipment accessible to children with varying physical abilities
  • Easy Maintenance: Antimicrobial surfaces and easy-to-clean materials

We can't wait to show you the amazing play environment we're creating!