To play is to grow. How Tyfu is showing us a new way to slow down and connect with our children, the Cardiff community and ourselves.
Once up on a time (in the autumn of 2023 to be exact), a mum had a big idea. She imagined a space in the heart of the community where children could play freely and creatively. A space that would foster their imagination, and at the same time, allow their grown-ups to have a hot coffee, take a breath but still feel connected with their little ones.
That mum was our founder, Carys Daniels. Six months after her initial idea, she left her job and began turning the dream into a reality. Then, in the blink of an eye, it was May 2025 and Tyfu officially opened its doors, bringing a new way of play for our local community. And we haven’t looked back since.
Reimagining bilingual play for families in Cardiff
At Tyfu, play, connection, and joyful moments are at the heart of what we do. We want our
little visitors to use their imaginations in a safe and nurturing environment, something Carys
has been passionate about from the very beginning.
She says: “Turning 40 and becoming a mum massively changed me.”
“I felt like there was something missing. I wanted something more local for the children of
our capital city. Somewhere that was safe for kids to play and for them to grow.”
Carys adds that she wanted something smaller, that feels more intimate.
“I wanted it to be in the heart of our community, and of course, I wanted it to be bilingual.”
That’s why the Welsh language plays such a central role in the identity of the space. It is
woven in naturally, in a way that is easy and familiar. Whether you speak Welsh, English, or a
bit of both, there is no pressure, just a warm Croeso.
A space for children and their grown-ups alike
And just like language, play is a way for children to make sense of the world. There is so
much to be said of the power in child-led, open-ended play, so Tyfu gives them the space to
be curious, imagine, explore, and create in their own way.
It’s more than just an indoor play space, it’s a place where language, creativity and organised
chaos come together. Along with it, we want the adults who bring the children to feel truly
welcome too.
We know that most soft play centres focus solely on children, which often serves that purpose
well, but they can be loud, busy, and often overwhelming for the grown-ups who bring them.
Sometimes the parents, grandparents and carers need somewhere to go with their kids where
they can feel more relaxed, included, and a part of the experience.
So, we designed our space to invite the adults into the children’s world, to play, connect and
be present with them, but at the same time giving them the chance to pause, take a minute,
and maybe even meet another parent who wants that too.
A future shaped by the community
And when we’ve taken a moment to soak in our space, our new community and all that it
holds, we will take a leaf out of the children’s books and imagine what more we can do.
Because an unused space is an unused opportunity, and we are dreaming up new ways to use
Tyfu in the evenings. Just like our children create their own stories in the day, we want Tyfu
to tell new ones for the adults too.
We’re not sure exactly what that will look like just yet, but we do know it will be shaped by
the needs of our community, and will be a space to slow down, connect and grow, together.