Local Mom Opens Chicago’s Only Bilingual Playroom in Logan Square

Kids can socialize and play in a creative, culturally relevant space at Luna y Cielo Play Cafe.
By Lori Orlinsky

March 20, 2023

When Chicago mom Vanessa Avalos, a second-generation Mexican-American Chicagoan was younger, she never learned Spanish, mostly due to a lack of resources. As an adult, she immersed herself in the language in an effort to reclaim her culture.

Now, Avalos, who has two kids ages 5 and 11, is on a mission to ensure her children and other Latinx families learn their native language at an early age. The former vice president of Chicago Latina Moms is opening Luna y Cielo Play Cafe, a new bilingual Spanish playroom in Logan Square. Housed in the former Aubergine space at 3530 W Armitage Avenue, Luna y Cielo Play Cafe will offer imaginative open play for kids up to 6 years of age.

“A lot of these moms in the Latinx community are trying to navigate motherhood with others who look like us, talk like us and have had many of the same experiences, but there isn’t any support for those who want to raise bilingual kids outside of dual language programs,” says Avalos. “When I realized there was that need, I wanted to fill it.”

Avalos said that by the second generation, children usually only understand their native language, and third generation children that cannot speak the language lose an important connection to their culture. 

“I’m trying to change that by preserving our language and culture through play,” she says.

Avalos has been building a fanbase by providing families from all corners of Chicagoland with fun, educational events and culturally relevant play at seasonal pop-ups in Pilsen since 2020. While the pandemic definitely slowed down her plans to open a brick and mortar storefront, she said it also gave her time to pause and plan for the space. She launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $25,000 for the opening.

“A lot of these moms in the Latinx community are trying to navigate motherhood with others who look like us, talk like us and have had many of the same experiences, but there isn’t any support for those who want to raise bilingual kids outside of dual language programs,” says Avalos. “When I realized there was that need, I wanted to fill it.”

Avalos said that by the second generation, children usually only understand their native language, and third generation children that cannot speak the language lose an important connection to their culture. 

“I’m trying to change that by preserving our language and culture through play,” she says.

Avalos has been building a fanbase by providing families from all corners of Chicagoland with fun, educational events and culturally relevant play at seasonal pop-ups in Pilsen since 2020. While the pandemic definitely slowed down her plans to open a brick and mortar storefront, she said it also gave her time to pause and plan for the space. She launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $25,000 for the opening.