Hi there!
Welcome to LYKKE Kids - a local, family owned space in the east end of Toronto, Ontario.
LYKKE (pronounced lu-kah) is a Danish word that means "joy" and "happiness." Lainie (the big kid behind LYKKE Kids) fell in love with the Danish way of life when her family visited Copenhagen in 2023.
The slow, laid back pace. The deep care and consideration for kids. Time spent together enjoying a coffee and pastry. It felt so civilized and healthy. Danes were our kinda people.
So our family hopes to bring a piece of that to Toronto, to help balance out the busyness of life in the city. To give families a place to enjoy themselves and unwind. LYKKE Kids is a magical place that brings people together while letting kids be kids.
We can’t wait to meet you and your kid(s)!
love,
The Holmes’
Lainie’s Story
Quitting a job I had spent over a decade working towards - isn’t a rational thing to do.
Friends, colleagues, and my parents were concerned and questioned the decision. Years of school, extra courses, multiple degrees, incredible learning opportunities and promotions… an established career as a leader in education.
But it wasn’t wrong.
Something had felt off. Then I started noticing things.
I found myself noticing the empty playgrounds and parks in our neighbourhood. Kids too busy to play. I went on a trip to Denmark for a conference and found myself getting emotional by the attention and care they give to kids in that society. Play was valued, so were kids. And then the personal moments, of having our own kids and suddenly losing Grandma Lainie (I was named after her). Those big life moments that make you question how you’re living your life and whether it truly makes you happy. In hindsight, all of these moments created this golden thread over time - slowly coming together in a way that I just couldn’t see yet.
When I quit my job, the executive part of my brain had no idea what I was doing. It didn’t make any sense. But the emotional, fun-seeking part had a plan. I chose to trust it (and still have to most days). And in the process, have learned to trust myself.
I decided to give kids a space to be kids - where they can follow their own natural instincts and do what they truly love to do. Because what is life if we’re not enjoying it?
LYKKE is Danish for joy. And joy is why we’re here - to help kids find, create, and express their own joy. And I’m thankful this former teacher took the leap to find hers too.
We’re often asked…
“Why did you choose LYKKE as a name?”
“What inspired the space?”
A trip to Denmark wasn’t the inspiration;
it was actually the last straw...
A Pull to Denmark
Meet the Team!
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Lainie Holmes
FOUNDER + CREATOR
of LYKKE Kids TMLainie is the visionary behind the magical space called LYKKE Kids. As a former educator and leader in her field, Lainie is highly respected for her creativity, innovative thinking, and ability to build relationships and community. She now uses her vast skill set and background in child development and learning design to create a high quality space that kids love and where families enjoy spending time together.
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Eric Holmes
HEAD OF MAINTENANCE
(Eric gave himself this title)Eric is a kid at heart. Little ones look forward to seeing Eric on Saturday mornings and the dads do too. He’s endearing, laid back and when it comes to kids, quick to move down to their level to chat and always ready to play.
Eric helped build benches in the space for families to relax on, the art easel for kids to have fun with, and even though he’s likely nervous every time he hears Lainie say “I have an idea,” he’s always up for it.
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Our 3 Kids
TRUSTED ADVISORS
The Holmes’ kids are very proud of the space their family has created and have been a part of the process right from the beginning - exploring locations alongside the real estate agent and helping during the renovation phase.
The kids have also been super patient with having to share their mom with other kids and families, and are happy to collect $5 for candy money when they help out.
Our Wish
because you’re never too old to wish…
We wish for kids to feel empowered + considered when out in the world.
For their neighbourhoods to be designed with them in mind
We wish that the experience of kids and families were a part of the conversation when designing events, buildings, and infrastructure.
Imagine a world where kids are seen walking to the store on their own, out playing with friends, and riding their bikes. Restaurants with delicious food, designed with young families in mind.
In Switzerland, families can travel on dedicated train cars with children’s books, toys, and open spaces to move and play.
In Spain, retail stores incorporate children’s areas so kids can play or create while their grown-ups shop.
In Denmark, an indoor playground in the Copenhagen airport has a trampoline and play structure so kiddos can get their energy out before a long flight.
We wish we saw more of this in North America.
(This is a photo of our kids playing in the airport in Denmark. A full play area near the gate, so kids can move their bodies before sitting on a flight. Brilliant.)
Other Countries Do It So Well
