Kids Get ‘Under the Hood’ at DCL’s Newest Play Space in Parker

For immediate release: June 8, 2021

You could hear the excitement and the glug-glug of faux automotive fluids flowing at the grand opening of the U-Fix-It Pit Stop auto shop at Douglas County Libraries in Parker (20105 East Mainstreet), the library’s newest interactive children’s playscape. The museum-quality installation, which opened in the children’s area June 3, features a standalone car and playful facets of a real-life auto shop.

Working out of the shop’s tool box and from the service desk, kids can act out all kinds of automotive servicing activities using their imaginations and provided play materials, equipment, and devices. If they can imagine car troubles, they can fix them!

Kids can trigger a variety of sound effects when they get under the hood of the lift-mounted car to add fluids (glug-glug), change the air filter, and check the battery and oil level. They can use the creeper to roll under the vehicle to replace the muffler and tailpipe, and they’ll have fun changing the tires using lug nuts and a realistic-sounding pneumatic drill.

There’s so much play work to be done! One mini mechanic was overheard saying, “OK, I think it’s time to repair the whole thing.”

Children will also enjoy the variety of colorful personalized license plates and bumper stickers they can add to the car.

The Parker library is the latest Douglas County Libraries location to install this type of self-guided play environment for children. Other playscapes at the libraries include The Market at Highlands Ranch, Playful Pets animal clinic and grooming spa at Lone Tree, Little Letters Post Office at Castle Pines, and Mission Control at Roxborough—all of which are now open for play, along with all Douglas County Libraries locations.

The play spaces at Douglas County Libraries offer a hands-on, interactive break from technology for kids, where their imaginations have no limits. Visit DCL.org or call (303) 791-7323 for more information.

Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection.

U-Fix-It Pit Stop auto shop is now open in the children's area of the Parker library.

Kids can 'work' out of the provided tool box and from the service desk in the auto shop.

Imagine replacing a muffler or tailpipe at the library... Kids are getting a kick out of automotive repair work.

Kids can trigger a variety of sound effects when working on the car, like the glug-glug of adding fluids.

Changing a tire is a snap with the provided lug nuts and realistic-sounding pneumatic drill.

Little Letters Post Office at Castle Pines delivers fun when kids use their imagination.

Spacesuits, a rocket, and Mission Control...it's all the kids need for a fun day of exploration at DCL in Roxborough.

DCL's Playful Pets animal clinic at Lone Tree is a great source of discovery for kids who love pets.

The Market at Highlands Ranch is open. Today's special: fresh fun in the produce section.