I’ll be the first to admit I’ve not been the biggest fan of soft play centres. But as the weather is taking a turn for the worst and I have a very active almost 3 year old I’m starting to see they have their benefits.
1. You can get a cup of (admittedly, not so great) coffee and entrance all for under a fiver during the week. Bargain!
2. They have free craft time, which means your little one can make as much mess as they like and you don’t have to clean it up.
3. Where else can you play on the trampoline and have a ride on the big slide without looking like a bit of a weirdo!
4. As long as your son/daughter isn’t the one kicking off you can feel a bit smug (and relieved) that it isn’t your turn to carry your toddler out kicking and screaming because they don’t want to leave.
5. If you’re lucky you may get a few minutes peace to make contact with the outside world (thank god for wi-fi) whilst your little one runs up and down like a loony.
6. Bribery is everything, and it’s amazing how well behaved a 2 year old will be around Tesco with the promise of a trip to the play centre at the end.
7. Free balloons on sticks, enough said!
8. And the cherry on the cake is that if you get your timing right and head home at just the right time you’ll get a get good couple of hours of napping because after all that running around they’re bloomin’ knackered!
So yes, my heart may sink a little as we pull into the car park but every cloud has a silver lining and all that! Now please don’t let O be the one who screams the place down at home time!
Every child can sense a balloon from about a mile away. But they are a bit magic aren’t they? Oh and isn’t WIFI bliss?? 🙂 Until you have to go crawling up that humoungous climbing frame thingy to retrieve your child that is.
ToInfinityAndIVF recently posted…IVFs a rollercoaster – You just got to ride it
Soft play was never mentioned in the parenting handbooks! Absolute heaven for a child but I don’t enjoy the experience. As you say, there are benefits 🙂
Catherine @ Story Snug recently posted…The Fairytale Hairdresser and Father Christmas by Abie Longstaff / Lauren Beard
I agree, I’m not the biggest fan of the places (hello germs) but you’re right about timing it right to get home in time for a nap! love it #MMWBH
I can’t believe I’m actually saying this but I kind of miss soft play, we hardly every go as three children vs two adults just doesn’t work…we do not get a hot drink in this equation. However, it did used to be quite nice if you could sit back and relax for an hour while they charge round. Kids just love it, maybe we’ll attempt it again with reinforcments xx
hayleyfromhome recently posted…Pumpkin Picking
We love soft play hehe. Also good thing about them is that the kids are bound to be knackered after so bedtime usually goes like a dream! haha
#MMBH
ERFmama recently posted…Deep conversation with my 2 year old (Video)
We have something similar like this in Australia except it’s called Boomerangz – My daughter is a bit of a runner so I like taking her here cause she can’t escape 😉 Unfortunately i was the mummy with the kicking and screaming child that didn’t want to leave the other week the ball pit was just O so exciting…Did get a massive 2 1/2 hour nap in the afternoon so agree they have there benefits but def did not enjoy doing the walk of shame to the car!
Wifey recently posted…Banana Berry Smoothie Love
haha I can’t say I have the same enthusiasm 😉 they are good for rainy days. I just worry about germs we always seem to get ill after going.
We should meet up at one 🙂
Definitely benefits to the old soft play centres!! I wish we had one for rainy days. The beach is the closers we have….no free wifi or coffee for some nice mama time though haha!
Seychellesmama recently posted…Another tale of a messy play fail!
I am not completely sold on soft play centres I must say. HOWEVER I am under no illusion that as my daughter gets older I will find a new found respect for them! 🙂 x
Laura Evelyn Bee recently posted…The Blues, the hardest things, big rewards and a hen
I can see the benefits but I still hate soft play!! lol
Kim Carberry recently posted…What’s On My Phone Tag!
I have recently re-discovered the joys of softplay with my two year old now that his brother has started school full time. This one is actually happy to run off and play on his own so I do actually get some coffee and a chat time! Win! On the other side of the coin when you take two and one of them is over 4, it gets a bit manic and expensive… 🙂 #sharewithme
Sam recently posted…Munchkin pumpkins and the House not so Beautiful…
I haven’t done soft play yet, is that shocking? It’s a daddy and son adventure. But this makes it sound mildly bearable xx
Potty Mouthed Mummy recently posted…The Power of Disney
Author
How have you got any almost 3 year old and managed to get away without going to soft play??? I think the key is just accepting it’s a bit crap and looking for the positives! xx
I know they can be hectic and chaos but I love a good soft play area. I say good as we are spoiled for them around here. But a few have great coffee, great food, prices ok and are huge and clean. The kids run around with their heads cut off but we are out of the rain. Glad you have been enjoying them now. Gets easier too as the kids get older and are more independent. thanks for linking up to Share With me #sharewithme
Jenny recently posted…Share With Me ~ wk 38
I do enjoy a bit of soft play, especially the ones where they don’t mind the parents ‘supervising’ their children on the play equipment… and yes by supervising I mean pushing kids out of the way to get to the slide first… weeeeee!
bloggermummylauren recently posted…The After Diagnosis Limbo
Looks like you had a great time, I still hate soft play though haha! #MMWBH
Mummy Whiskers recently posted…Chucky Toddler Halloween Costume
Bribery goes a long way here at my household too! Son will go to school, eat lunch and do his tennis class as long as we go to soft play at the weekend =) #mmwbh
Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk) recently posted…Noom Walk
Oh I didn’t know they had free craft time, sounds great. I don’t like it much and don’t get to chill as Baby mental and tried to fit behind the drinks machine last time we were there! x #ShareWithMe
You Baby Me Mummy recently posted…Gratitude List #21