You’ve all heard of the infamous IKEA, but what exactly does IKEA have to offer you and your little ones? We are going to highlight some of the features that make IKEA a unique, special place for your families and kids. They really have thought of everything!
Family-Friendly Features
- Extra-wide aisles making it easy for carts and strollers
- Shopping strollers (similar to carts but instead of the basket part, they hold your IKEA bag instead (The marketplace actually has full-sized carts)
- Sells everything but bathtubs, flooring and backsplashes
- Each showroom can tell you exactly what kind of flooring and paint they used to help you “get the look”
- The majority of the couches have slipcovers so you can easily remove the fabric from your couch, toss through the wash, and have a new-looking couch again! (They were definitely thinking of families when they designed their couches!)
- Instead of bedspreads/ comforters, they sell duvets and duvet covers so you can easily just toss the cover in the wash instead of the entire thing.
- IKEA employees do not work off commission. They really do just want to help! Let them!
Småland
Let’s face it. Shopping with littles is not always easy. That’s why IKEA offers a free, supervised play area for children between the heights of 37-54 inches and potty-trained.
More Features of Småland
- Free childcare during your visit (up to 2 hours, or 2 1/2 for family members) - they request for you to checkin on your kids after an hour to ensure things are going smoothly.
- Located right by the entrance so you can drop off your children as you enter
- Little cubbies for each child/ family
- Free arts & crafts
- Ball pit - They switch out the balls between “blueberries” and “lingonberries”
- Comfy beanbags in a treehouse type of area with a large TV
- Play kitchen for pretend play
- Individual boy and girl bathrooms with the tiniest toilet and sink you’ve ever seen
- Only the parent who checks the children in, can check the children out for safety reasons
Family Membership
IKEA offers a free, loyalty card program for families. It’s quick and easy to sign up and can save you money. Plus, you can get free coffee every time you visit.
Benefits to the Family Membership
- Special lower pricing on different products throughout the store - These prices change from product to product and can save you several dollars on any one item.
- Special pricing on meals in the restaurant from time to time
- Free tea or coffee from the restaurant any time
- Extra half hour for kids in Smaland
- Invites to special workshops or special events
- Free product insurance for accidental damage on your way home or during product assembly
IKEA Restaurant
Their restaurant is cafeteria-style dining located approximately halfway through the store. They serve everything from Swedish meatballs to a full breakfast. They also have individual kids’ meals. In the restaurant, they have a “Family Room” section of the restaurant with kid-sized tables and chairs and a large TV.
More restaurant kid-friendly features
- $2.99 Kid’s Meals
- Kids Eat Free days
- Free disposable bibs
- Kid-sized tables and chairs
- Highchairs
- IKEA juice boxes
- Organic milk boxes
- Tray carts - Easily move up to three trays across the restaurant with a tray cart!
Play Areas
Throughout the store, there are many computers to use to help you find what you’re looking for, customize your items or design a space. They have conveniently set up little play areas to help keep your kids close to you and entertained while you work.
Bistro
Grab a quick bite as you’re headed out the door. Maybe even bribe the kids to the end. Pick up a 50-cent hot dog or $1 ice cream cone! It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s on your way out!
Swedish Food Market
Whether you grab a bag of frozen meatballs for dinner that night or a special Swedish treat, they have a convenient, little market on your way out the door.
Special Facts about our Kansas City IKEA
- 2nd geothermal store in the U.S.
- Designed for best sustainability
- 40th store in the United States
- Will soon be followed by a 2nd IKEA in Missouri - in St. Louis!
- Able to offer very reasonably priced items by selling the same items at all stores, selling items in small packaging, and having customers do their own assembly
- Offers 10,000 items - from couches to toys and everything in between
- Free interior design consultant - walk-in or by appointment
- Located just off the highway for easy access
IKEA is located at 4220 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Merriam, KS 66205
Phone number is (913) 831-3374.
