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Original poster

Taking 18mo to soft play. What to expect?

55 replies

Devilsmommy · 10/04/2024 15:31

As title says I'm taking my 18mo to soft play tomorrow and I've got absolutely no idea what to expect. Kind of nervous as I'm so bloody clueless. I'm not worried about him mobile wise as he's been independently walking since 10mo so he's good on his feet but how worried should I be about the other kids? Or is it parents I need to watch😳 🤣 but seriously please give me any indication of how you've found it with a little toddler please. TIA

OP posts:
Autumn1990 · 10/04/2024 15:32

Unless there’s a really good baby area I wouldn’t bother

Mumoftwo1312 · 10/04/2024 15:32

If it's his first time he'll probably want you to climb in there with him! I'm sure he'll love it. Prepare to be exhausted and for him to beg to go again every week

Original poster
Devilsmommy · 10/04/2024 15:34

Autumn1990 · 10/04/2024 15:32

Unless there’s a really good baby area I wouldn’t bother

It has got a baby/toddler area but no idea if it's good 😕

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Original poster
Devilsmommy · 10/04/2024 15:35

Mumoftwo1312 · 10/04/2024 15:32

If it's his first time he'll probably want you to climb in there with him! I'm sure he'll love it. Prepare to be exhausted and for him to beg to go again every week

He can't talk yet so that's in my favour though gonna feel a right prat if I get in there🫣

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flowergirl2020 · 10/04/2024 15:35

Joking aside - expect an illness in the week after Easter Confused mine always comes down with a bug after those places. We still go as it's great for burning off energy etc but my fav places to go for that age are 'play cafes' if there are any near to you. I'm in the north west and the secret garden in Chorley is the sort of place that's fab for that age so much to do and lovely food. They tend to operate in sessions of limited numbers so all round it's just nicer not chaotic and feels/smells cleaner xx

Original poster
Devilsmommy · 10/04/2024 15:38

flowergirl2020 · 10/04/2024 15:35

Joking aside - expect an illness in the week after Easter Confused mine always comes down with a bug after those places. We still go as it's great for burning off energy etc but my fav places to go for that age are 'play cafes' if there are any near to you. I'm in the north west and the secret garden in Chorley is the sort of place that's fab for that age so much to do and lovely food. They tend to operate in sessions of limited numbers so all round it's just nicer not chaotic and feels/smells cleaner xx

Now this is something I'm worried about as he hasn't really had many illnesses as such. Probably 2 colds in his 18 months and obviously I've read threads on here and just thinking about the germs🤮 but he gets no other time around other children and I thought this could be a way to get him used to being around children but not have to play with them iyswim. Wish the weather would just get dry as I'd just take him to the park

OP posts:
flowergirl2020 · 10/04/2024 15:41

Ahh I know. It's rough that first 18 months. Our son is the same - we are both only children so there aren't other kids in our family for him. He started nursery at 10 months and from then up to about 20 months it was illnesses one after the other. He mixes a lot via baby classes, play cages and his friends he's since made. Now he's 2 it has settled down a lot the bugs and illnesses xx just seems be something they have to go through to build immunity xx

Original poster
Devilsmommy · 10/04/2024 15:44

@flowergirl2020 mines an only and though he's got cousins they are all alot older and live far away anyway. I can't afford nursery so hes stuck with me at moment 😂 we tried a toddler class but he screamed the whole way through and I just couldn't afford to pay if I couldn't even take him there

OP posts:
SpringBunnies · 10/04/2024 15:44

18mo is very young in soft play. I will go in with him even in the toddler areas. Mine are way too old now but I remember the toddler areas aren’t well supervised and often have much older children. Often they are older siblings. They are rough abd prepared to be shocked.

KnottyKnitting · 10/04/2024 15:47

Soft play- What to expect?

1)Being frustrated by other parents' lack of parenting

  1. Coming home with a headache ( so take painkillers with you.)

  2. Reaching for the wine/ gin/ Valium when you get home! ( get supples in before you go)

Have fun!

Favouritefruits · 10/04/2024 15:49

He’ll have a lovely time and it’ll be a fantastic work out for you! I lost loads of weigh climbing into those soft play areas, you’ll both be knackered after an hour!

There’s nothing to worry about, just pay when you go in, find a free table to dump your shoes and coat off at they both go exploring together. People will expect you to go on the play team with a toddler! Just remember it’s still school Easter holidays so will be much busier than term time!

enjoy!

flowergirl2020 · 10/04/2024 15:50

SpringBunnies · 10/04/2024 15:44

18mo is very young in soft play. I will go in with him even in the toddler areas. Mine are way too old now but I remember the toddler areas aren’t well supervised and often have much older children. Often they are older siblings. They are rough abd prepared to be shocked.

Second this comment also - you get quite a lot of kids who you can't figure out who they are with who invade the toddler areas and start jumping in ball pools etc. xx

PineappleAreApples · 10/04/2024 15:51

I hope it's not still the holidays where you are 🫣

Hoplittlebunnyhophophopandstop · 10/04/2024 15:51

If it’s school the holidays then I wouldn’t go.

flowergirl2020 · 10/04/2024 15:53

One of the first baby/toddler things I took him to was at a local church. Just turn up and pay £3. It wasn't structured so didn't feel pressure if they didn't like it etc xx

Inyourwildestdreams · 10/04/2024 15:53

Yeah, as has already been said - just check there’s a decent bit for younger children! Is it school holidays where you are? They tend to be horrendously busy in the holidays in my opinion so I only take my 3yo on week days when bigger kids are at school lol.

In terms of toddler classes though - are there any smaller “stay & play” type classes near you rather than structured classes? We have a couple of local ones that meet 1 morning a week in various church halls in town and it’s literally just kids, parents and a bunch of toys and the kids just play rather than having to participate in a class. They usually ask for a donation of £1/2 in my area.
We also have a “free play” gymnastics class where kids just get to play on all the equipment etc rather than a structured class.

KnittedCardi · 10/04/2024 15:56

Be prepared to strip off in the garage before you enter your house. Literally every bodily fluid known to man will be in circulation. My kids loved it, so we went, and TBF it was fun, but they are cesspits, so strip off and bathe the minute you get home 😂

BathshebaEverdene1 · 10/04/2024 15:57

Overpriced squash and an ill child. Tbh

Trying81 · 10/04/2024 15:59

19 month old here; been going to playcafe still soft play since she was 10 months old

Ideally find one which is sectioned off from
bigger kids. You’ll likely be crawling behind them for a lot of it too and be shattered afterwards! However they will sleep well that night which is always a bonus

FluffyDiplodocus · 10/04/2024 16:01

Yeah check term dates - when mine were little I avoided like the plague during holidays (except hot summer days when it would be quiet!).

When mine were that age I always used to have to go in the play frame with them. No matter how nice the baby area, the older bit will always look more alluring! There is usually good cake, they know their captive audience is sleep deprived parents needing a sugar fix 🤣

Never had any problems with other parents, usually found someone to natter to for a bit actually. Childminders not paying attention were the only negative I really remember!

Original poster
Devilsmommy · 10/04/2024 16:16

PineappleAreApples · 10/04/2024 15:51

I hope it's not still the holidays where you are 🫣

God no, I'm not stupid enough to go when all those older kids are there. I'm nervous AF about going in term time🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
Devilsmommy · 10/04/2024 16:18

KnottyKnitting · 10/04/2024 15:47

Soft play- What to expect?

1)Being frustrated by other parents' lack of parenting

  1. Coming home with a headache ( so take painkillers with you.)

  2. Reaching for the wine/ gin/ Valium when you get home! ( get supples in before you go)

Have fun!

So defo send hubby to get whiskey before he goes to work then?🤣🤣🤣

OP posts:
PineappleAreApples · 10/04/2024 16:19

just thought I would check as some people aren't aware that some schools are still not back yet. I don't even go with my own kids in the holidays and they are older way too busy I stick to weekends which aren't quite as bad!

YouPutTheScrewInTheTuna · 10/04/2024 16:19

KnittedCardi · 10/04/2024 15:56

Be prepared to strip off in the garage before you enter your house. Literally every bodily fluid known to man will be in circulation. My kids loved it, so we went, and TBF it was fun, but they are cesspits, so strip off and bathe the minute you get home 😂

Crikey, I hope not... you know she said soft play right! 😉

Original poster
Devilsmommy · 10/04/2024 16:20

@Inyourwildestdreams @flowergirl2020 I did look into this option first but as I'm semi rural and don't drive and buses are a joke it's the soft play or nothing tbh, they're just too far away so I'd spend more getting there than the soft play 😔

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