Children can use their imaginations to shop at a grocery store, eat at a restaurant, care for animals at a veterinary clinic or become firefighters in a city built for them at a new facility and play center in Glenburn Twp.
Abington Kids Creative Learning Center will open the Abington Kids Imagination Station in a 15,000-square-foot building on Pine Tree Drive in the fall. The building, a former church, will include a indoor play space that looks like a city, complete with a grocery store, veterinary clinic, construction zone, diner, a dress-up area with a stage and runway, fire station and STEM areas, and a child care facility that will accommodate up to 150 children from infant through age 5.
Owner and President Melissa Namiotka said the Imagination Station is an idea she and her husband Ryan Namiotka, who co-owns Abington Kids with her, have had for many years. It is designed to teach children to use their imaginations and play while developing language and mathematical skills, social and emotional development and cognitive thinking.
“We are literally building a town built for kids,” she said. “What I’m trying to offer is an interactive, imaginative experience that allows children to learn and explore in an even more engaging, play-based environment.”
Namiotka said the Imagination Station will help children prepare for future learning.
“I want to make sure that we’re setting these children up for success and that we’re providing these learning opportunities for them to become successful, to become confident learners so that when they do go to kindergarten and when they do go into the school setting that they are ready for it,” she said.
Abington Kids Creative Learning Center co-owners Ryan and Melissa Namiotka and their children, Connor Casey, Greycyn Namiotka and Carsyn Namiotka pose inside the future Abington Kids Imagination Station in Glenburn Twp. The facility, which will also include child care, is expected to open in the early fall. (Submitted)
The building that will house Abington Kids Imagination Station on Pine Tree Drive in Glenburn Twp. on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
The logo for the new Abington Kids Imagination Station. (Submitted)
A rendering of the Abington Kids Imagination Station. The new facility and play center in Glenburn Twp. is expected to open in the fall. (Courtesy of Abington Kids)
A rendering of a track at the Abington Kids Imagination Station. The new facility and play center in Glenburn Twp. is expected to open in the fall. (Courtesy of Abington Kids)
A rendering of the Abington Kids Imagination Station. The building, a former church, will include a indoor play space that looks like a city, complete with a grocery store, veterinary clinic, construction zone, diner, a dress-up area with a stage and runway, fire station and STEM areas, and a child care facility. (Courtesy of Abington Kids)
The facility is the third in the Abingtons operated by Abington Kids, joining its child care centers in Clarks Summit and Clarks Green. Namiotka said it will be safe and about 30 people will work there full and part time.
Namiotka, who is also a teacher in the Abington Heights School District, said the Imagination Station is unique because it will also be open to the public for play groups, birthday parties and activities such as story time, theater, music and yoga for children.
Center staff will create an online calendar listing activities and events. Sign-ups will also be available online.
The new location has the support of many in the community, she said, including local businesses. Namiotka said many have agreed to sponsor the activities in the miniature town.
“I’m just hearing a lot of great feedback from families and the community,” Namiotka said.
Autumn Morefield, the director of the early learning center in Clarks Summit, will be one of several directors at the Imagination Station. She said it will be a great opportunity for the community and for her to grow professionally. Morefield also likes that it will allow her to see children grow up.
“I think it’ll be a good opportunity and I think in the long run the community will really respond well to it,” she said.
Namiotka expects the new facility will be open in early fall.