AIBU to think soft play have gotten grotty and shit

[Fusedog]

Been to a few soft plays lately with baby and I find my self driving further and further a Field to find a decent soft play


Many now are simply grotty and un kempt especially when you think how much they are and almost all now don't let you bring your own food.

There's one near me when the baby bit and nothing in there



Am I the only one who feels this way

[WorraLiberty]

I suppose it depends on where you live

[Sirzy]

One near here is great, or as great as such a place can be

[surromummy]

I agree, there's one about 25 mins from me, which I have to take mine to if im taking them all, its the only one still suitable for the older 2. Its not particularly amazing, they get really arsey about the ball pool balls out of the ball pool areas, they only let you eat and drink what you've bought there and the food and drink is quite expensive.

I had not gone since last yr but went in half term, only to discover the admission had gone up, so now £6.50 per child and the drinks of squash fom £1 to £1.20! I definitely wont be going back for a while, a simple trip to softplay now costs £20+ so you feel you have to sit there for at least 3-4hrs to get your moneys worth, dull.

There is a much smaller one near where I live, its sooo much different, really family feel to it, they are very relaxed there, you can take your own packed lunch and eat it there, alternatively they do their own homemade cakes and snacky bits and pieces too, they even let you have a tab so you can pay for everything at the end once you've bought umpteen cups of tea, squash etc

For the prices some charge they really ought to make more effort, although from what I understand its an expensive business to run as insurances are very high.

[BumpyGrindy]

I live in a very "upmarket" area and they've ALWAYS been manky and none have ever let you take your own food...why would they? They're a business and a captive audience is a good thing to them...theyr'e not a charity and they must make money.

[WorraLiberty]

Yes I don't understand why they'd let you take your own food either, unless like on another thread, the child has allergies.

These places have always been expensive so it's best to feed your child before you leave the house.

[HopingItMightBeMyTurn]

I've never been to one that allows you to take your own food (except for baby food and allergies).

Near us there are a few ok ones, two that are pretty grotty but cheaper and one nice, well kept and clean one. We go to that latter!

[Saturnsearcher]

It will help build up immunities!

[BakeOLiteGirl]

I own one and work hard to anti bac everything at the end of the day and vac everything too. Every day without fail. I also let people bring their own food in too.

[Namechangeforamo]

Yanbu. Horrible places. I only ever go near one when one of dc are invited to party in one. My dc dont particularly like them either or ever really asked to go to one