Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

AIBU?

To think that there is no need for teenagers to career through soft play?

18 replies

Thebean123 · 03/09/2016 15:19

Ok so I'm currently sat with a coffee at a soft play centre in the local sports centre with two DSC. I normally hate these places at the best of times but we needed to be out of the house for a few hours thisafternoon and the weather is dire so this is my best option.

So kids (5&3) head on in, and within 5 mins about 40 older kids storm in on some sort of trip I would assume. They're all aged between 13-15 from what I can gather, kick off their shoes and steam in. The place is literally over run with them screaming and racing round in packs knocking kids over in their wake! Even the smaller toddler area isn't safe as they're in there smacking eachother round the head with foam blocks!!

My two are quite capable of looking after themselves in all honesty and seem ok at the moment....but AIBU to think that a soft play centre aimed at young children isn't really an appropriate activity for teenagers??

OP posts:

Report

MoggyP · 03/09/2016 15:21

The management should not permit a group booking for children out of their age group.

Did you mention it to staff, and if so what did they say?

FeckinCrutches · 03/09/2016 15:22

What have the staff said?

fastdaytears · 03/09/2016 15:23

Isn't there an age limit for these things?

Imaginosity · 03/09/2016 15:23

I'd talk to the staff if I were you -

Thebean123 · 03/09/2016 15:25

No I haven't said anything to the staff.....just sat here silently seathing with a latte instead....much more productive of course ;) I assume it's some sort of group because they all trooped on together with 3 guardian type people. I just think it's crazy that these kids would want to be entertained by this anyway?! Even my two get bored of a few slides and a climbing wall!

OP posts:

Sleeperandthespindle · 03/09/2016 15:27

Are you exaggerating a little? Are there actually 'about 40' of them?

Thebean123 · 03/09/2016 15:29

Even though I am prone to a slight exaggeration when annoyed I'm actually not today! There is also a large section at the back with a huge climbing wall and harnesses etc and a large portion of them have headed into there so it's a tad less manic now.

OP posts:

fastdaytears · 03/09/2016 15:30

It must be a massive place!

Who in their right mind thinks I have 40 teenagers to entertain, so let's go to soft play

fastdaytears · 03/09/2016 15:31

The climbing wall makes a bit more sense

RunningLulu · 03/09/2016 15:31

yanbu. Soft play isn't appropriate for over 10s.

Thebean123 · 03/09/2016 15:34

It is a huge place, which is why it's so popular j guess especially on a rainy day. Exactly my thoughts fastday! Surely bowling or something like lazer tag would be more their bag?!

Well glad I'm not being silly and grumpy.....!

OP posts:

BlancheBlue · 03/09/2016 15:39

Why did you not go straight to staff and report? There is usually (always!) an age limit for soft play and I can't believe they booked/paid for soft play.

Is this real OP?

Thebean123 · 03/09/2016 15:45

Because unless I could see that my two or any other kids were in any serious danger of harm I didn't feel the need to run straight to a member of staff and complain?!

I'm sure you're right and there is an age limit....maybe these kids are just unnaturally big and are actually the correct age....who knows! And yes this is real....my life is unfortunately this exciting....(sarcasm incase you didn't get it!)

OP posts:

WhooooAmI24601 · 03/09/2016 15:45

On the other hand, DS1 is 10 and the size of a 14/15 year old going by the school uniform we bought today. He rarely come sot soft play with DS2 any more as he's not too impressed by it, but occasionally goes and climbs with DS2 if it's a quiet session. Obviously we've taught him to take absolute care of littleys, and he's great at looking out for smaller children. But observers have commented on him being "too big" to attend before.

Whilst they might look older it is possible they're still young children.

Thebean123 · 03/09/2016 15:47

And that whoooooami is exactly why I didn't knee jerk and run straight to the soft play police and report report report!! ;)

OP posts:

honkinghaddock · 03/09/2016 15:51

Some teenagers do like soft play but I agree they shouldn't be in the same time as little ones.

ClashCityRocker · 03/09/2016 16:00

Our local one occassionally does an adult soft play night.

Usually it goes by height rather than age at ours - I only know because 9 year old tall for his age dn was just over the height limit when his mates were under it. Tbf they let him in anyway.

RunningLulu · 03/09/2016 16:08

I'm guessing they weren't teens and were simply over-excited & 10+. This is why I think there should be strict age/height rules. I personally don't let my 11 year old into soft play as he's nearly 5 foot 7 and quite heavy - he could end up hurting younger kids without meaning to. Other parents/guardians need to do some fucking parenting & make tough decisions. Not let their PFBs stomp all over other kids.

Flip

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.