Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To enjoy softplay?

32 replies

ilikespftplay · 05/03/2026 20:14

It seems from threads on here I’m in a definite minority but I don’t mind soft play. I prefer it to the park where I have to stand around. At soft play, I get to sit down, have a drink and maybe a cake, chat to a friend if we’ve done together or chill with my phone if not.

I love kids parties at soft play too; my child is fed and entertained for the price of a gift under £20. Love it.

Surely others out there secretly like soft play?

OP posts:
Jellybunny56 · 05/03/2026 20:25

I don’t mind soft plays, but I do prefer the park and being outside, that said though my kids are an age where regardless of where I am I’m not sitting peacefully having a chat or on my phone I’m playing with them or watching them so I prefer to do that in the fresh air rather than scrambling through sweaty tubes with sticky finger prints all over them and the fabulous smell of 5 years of sweaty feet😂

Thesnailonthewhale · 05/03/2026 20:24

ToKittyornottoKitty · 05/03/2026 20:22

You don’t love ‘soft play’, you love places were your kids are occupied without you. I like soft play because it’s fun chasing my kids around in a place that’s warm and I don’t have to care if they scream. No judgement on enjoying the peace (don’t we all!) but you aren’t a soft play lover!

Gate keeping soft play love... Nice.

Thesnailonthewhale · 05/03/2026 20:24

Smileysmoke · 05/03/2026 20:22

It's grim, because they are like a giant petri dish of germs. The benefits of soft play do not override this sorry fact. 😷

The world is a petri dish... Kids are allowed to be exposed to germs, it does them good!

ToKittyornottoKitty · 05/03/2026 20:22

You don’t love ‘soft play’, you love places were your kids are occupied without you. I like soft play because it’s fun chasing my kids around in a place that’s warm and I don’t have to care if they scream. No judgement on enjoying the peace (don’t we all!) but you aren’t a soft play lover!

Smileysmoke · 05/03/2026 20:22

It's grim, because they are like a giant petri dish of germs. The benefits of soft play do not override this sorry fact. 😷

namechange62 · 05/03/2026 20:19

As a mum of 3, a childminder and a nanny and now a grandma I've spent a lot of time in various soft play venues. I've also worked in one for 6mths. I can honestly say there's worse places to go/be. I've become very good at not hearing other children's noises. And yes, I've had some very enjoyable times especially when I've been with friends and their kids.

Mercedes45 · 05/03/2026 20:18

I fuckin love softplay. But im the opposite to you. Im in the softplay, knocking all the kids over and training my family for when we compete in Irelands fittest family. They are 2 and 4 now, 14 years of training left, softplay is a great place to start