Kid-powered machines make smoothies, art, icy treats at Keystone Kidspace

Paul Kuehnel, York Daily Record
·2 min read

Adding to their kid-powered collection of machines, Keystone Kidspace and WellSpan have partnered to bring bicycle power that can run a blender and make art. Eventually, new accessories for the bikes will generate power.

A group of children poured into the former armory building on Wednesday during a field trip and were encouraged to try them out during a press event before their official unveiling.

Nora Baum, age 13 of Gardeners, creates a smoothie with a specially designed bicycle, while Jenn Borden looks on, at Keystone Kidspace in York.
Nora Baum, age 13 of Gardeners, creates a smoothie with a specially designed bicycle, while Jenn Borden looks on, at Keystone Kidspace in York.

Nora Baum, of Gardeners, said it was “fun” after she blended up a smoothie made with berries and yogurt, then tasted a sample. Her sister, Camille, 10, took a turn powering the spin art bicycle while Jenn Borden, director of visitor experience, applied the paint.

Outside, children lined up for a turn running on a giant hamster wheel that shaves ice for their own snow cone followed by using various buttons, levers and belts for them to move the icy treat along its process that puts it in place to select a syrup.

Jenn Borden, director of visitor experience at Keystone Kidspace, works the paint, while Camille Baum, age 10 of Gardners, supplies the power through a specially made bicycle.
Jenn Borden, director of visitor experience at Keystone Kidspace, works the paint, while Camille Baum, age 10 of Gardners, supplies the power through a specially made bicycle.

It’s “important for children to learn the power of their bodies … by moving their bodies they learn to make something magical,"said Maggi Barton, a media relations manager for WellSpan, during the demonstration, adding that the bicycles were a perfect fit since the center is along the York County Heritage Rail Trail.

A Pedal Power event will be held this Sunday, sponsored by WellSpan, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. to unveil the bikes. Free helmets will be provided for kids as long as the supply lasts.

Kids line up to use the giant hamster wheel that makes icy treats at Keystone Kidspace in York on September 20, 2023.
Kids line up to use the giant hamster wheel that makes icy treats at Keystone Kidspace in York on September 20, 2023.

Celebrating two years

Opening in October 2021, the kid friendly venue will soon celebrate two years operating in the old armory building at the intersection of Hamilton Avenue and North George Street. To celebrate that anniversary, Keystone Kidspace will host an adult party night on Oct. 30 from 7 to 10 p.m. and a Free kids party on Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

According to Keystone Kidspace, the center has seen 16,000 kids venture through its doors in the past year and has hosted 102 field trips for schools.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Kid-powered machines make smoothies, art, treats at Keystone Kidspace