Wippersnappers play space brings smiles to kids, parents

January 21, 2016

POST PHOTO: KYLIE WRAY – Anika Wipper, 7, plays in the ball pit at her parents business, Wippersnappers, in Sandy.

Click Here To Read Original Article on Sandy Post Web Site.

When Sandy residents Hans Wipper and Tiffany Vanek envisioned the children’s play place they have made their business, they designed it with their 7-year-old daughter Anika in mind.

But she’s not the only Sandy child who has benefitted from hours of fun at the new Wippersnappers facility.

On Friday, Nov. 27, Wippersnappers opened its doors at 16542 S.E. 362nd Drive. Wipper and Vanek can’t believe the enthusiastic response their business has gotten from the community since it opened.

“We’ve been really surprised and happy with how well we’ve been received,” Wipper said.

After 20 years of working as a nanny and raising her daughter, Vanek saw a need in east Clackamas County for affordable, indoor activities for children.

She and Wipper spent time driving Anika miles away to take advantage of indoor play places and witnessed their friends doing the same thing.
“We saw the need,” she echoed. “We had no idea it would take off as fast as it did.”

Wippersnappers has six employees, not including Wipper or Vanek, and is searching for yet another team member.

Wipper and Vanek designed the giant play structure with Anika’s help, adding a trampoline and other features at her request.

“We designed this with her in mind,” Wipper said. “We wanted a place for her to play too.”

In addition to the trampoline, the structure at Wippersnappers features a toddler area, slides, a giant ball pit and plenty of things to climb on and navigate around. There also is a rock wall and an open area, which now features wiggle carts, that Wipper said will rotate activities throughout the year.

Cousins Tate and Grant, both 5, and Paisyn and Evie, both 3, of Gresham, spent a rainy evening inside at Wippersnappers on Friday, Jan. 15.

Tate and Grant said they have been to Wippersnappers more than once, and their favorite things to play on are the trampoline inside the play structure and the wiggle carts.

“I love this!” Paisyn yelled with a smile.

The young cousins’ parents said that Wippersnappers is a great place to go to get out some of the kids’ energy, especially in Oregon’s usual wet weather.

Wipper said his favorite part of running the high-energy business is seeing all the fun visitors have.

“We have more kids cry that they have to leave than anything else,” Wipper said with a laugh.

Although Wippersnappers admission ensures access to the facility for a whole day allowing families to leave and come back, the business also offers food and drink in house.

In addition to pizza, which the staff has all learned to make together, Wippersnappers offers hot dogs, salads, healthy snacks such as fruit, string cheese and mini carrots and assorted drinks for children and adults alike.

“We’re going to slowly expand the menu as we figure out what our kitchen can handle,” he added.

Wipper said the kitchen will be adding an espresso machine within the month. The café also offers free Wi-Fi

Wippersnappers has taken off in popularity based on birthday parties, as it offers party room rentals all week and private rentals on Wednesday nights.

On the weekend of Friday, Jan. 15, Wippersnappers was the site of eight birthday celebrations.

Ready, Set, Go!Cherry City Busy Kids Reviews Wippersnappers!