Upon moving to Las Vegas, Mo Sahihi wondered what children did for exercise when the mercury on the thermometer tops the century mark.
More recently, she began wondering if the young children at Child Haven participate in many physical activities during the summer months.
"For about three years I have been wanting to help and trying to think of ways I could help these kids," Sahihi said. "Plus being summer, I thought it would be nice to give them a break and get them out of the heat."
Sahihi contacted Child Haven and invited as many as 20 children per visit, twice a week to her business, Wiggly Fun, for some safe and cool play time for a few hours, free of charge.
Wiggly Fun, 4845 S. Fort Apache Road, is an indoor playground designed for children between the ages 1-8.
"The average age we get here is usually 1 to 6," Sahihi said.
Child Haven is a temporary protective custody facility for children between the ages of 3 days and 18 years old.
It is a public shelter, which houses children that have been abandoned, abused or neglected, or who have suffered through any other experiences that have warranted protective custody.
The shelter houses the children for a maximum of four months before they are placed with a parent, guardian or within foster care.
"Even though it is a business, I feel it's so important to give back to the community," Sahihi said. "And this is my way to give back to kids. If I can bring a smile to their faces, that'll be worth it."
Customer Susan Moreno said the love Sahihi has for children is constantly visible.
"She is so amazing with them and they love her," Moreno said.
"And the place is so clean," she added. "They don't just spray everything down with Lysol, because some kids react badly to it. They actually take all of the equipment out and wash it with soap and water every day."
Wiggly Fun has several pieces of play equipment.
"We have a submarine for the boys and a doll house for the girls, but it doesn't matter at this age," Sahihi said. "They all play together."
There is also an enclosed area with a wall with several holes in it for the children to practice their ball-throwing skills.
The idea behind the business was to provide a comfortable climate -- in terms of temperature and safety -- for children to play while their parents can keep an eye on them while relaxing on one of the couches, or by interacting and playing with them.
"I wanted a place where the kids can stay active," Sahihi said.
There are no televisions, but there are five arcade games, which Sahihi said she reluctantly put in to give older siblings something to occupy their time.
Parents also can schedule birthday parties at the facility and soon the tea room will be complete, another option for parties.
"It will be great," Sahihi said. "We will have real tablecloths and napkins and little teapots."
The room, titled The Enchanted Tea Garden, is downsized to the scale of comfort of those under four feet tall.
"We will also have yoga classes for moms while we watch the kids," Sahihi said. "And dance classes for the older kids. Ballet for the younger ones and hip-hop for the older kids."
Wiggly Fun does not have a day care license, so when the employees watch the children for the parents, which is not the norm, the employees are assigned to watch one individual child.
Wiggly Fun is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The admission rate is $7 an hour, $10 for two hours, $15 for a daily pass and $50 for a monthly pass.
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