To wonder WHY big kids are all..

[Morloth]

So desperate to play in the baby section of softplay? We are there atm, it is actually pretty civilised but the staff and mums are continually have to kick the big kids out (I have booted DS1 out a couple of times myself).

What is so fascinating about the tiny bit when they have multistoried climbing frames and huge slides? DS1 I kind of understand because he is excited by DS2 finally starting to be fun. I still don't allow him.

I actually don't mind so much DS2 is a feral and will just bite the ankles of unwary big kids.

It's weird.

My children weren't very keen on the baby section when they were babies - ds was always escaping into the big kids section and chasing the older children despite the fact that they made it very clear they didn't want him at all. Perhaps it's just the appeal of the forbidden?

I think it is because they are always attracted by the thing not destined to them. Also, when they have younger siblings it is actually nice to see that the eldest childen want to play with them. I would let my DC1 go if it is to play with a baby brother or sister.

DS1 is like a bull in a china shop, no chance he can be allowed in littlies area.

In my DDs case it;s because she's blinking scared of the big kids area...she's 6 and smaller than average...we need a middle sized area!

DS1 is 4 and petrified heights but DS2 3 loves soft play and will charge about the big area whilst DS1 pootles in the little area where he feels happy and safe, however, I am sat with him and I remove him when any tinies come in

Now I will proabably get flamed like a beast for saying this but nothing makes me more angry when on holiday or at soft play when huge 9/10+ kids are tearing around the little kids bit, especially if the parents are sitting watching, its for little children, my DS wants to play, he doesn't want to be pushed and barged out the way be older kids.

I feel the same about teenages in kids play parks.

Sometimes the height restrictions split a sibling pair.

Sometimes the 'big kids' area is full or VERY big kids who are frightening to 7 year olds - especially one who relies on his 4 year old tiny foghorn of a brother who is only allowed in the little kids area otherwise he gets stuck and bellows like a cow in calf.

Sometimes they're just being naughty.

I think there has to be some leeway but common sense says you dont let a 10 year old play in the baby bit.

Our soft play has under 2s, under 4 and up to 10 sections which works well generally of course you get some overlap but on the whole no problems.

What annoys me is the parents who pay no attention to the children in there. Last time I was in there one child around 18 months was running round with a pooy nappy for about 20 mins which was only noticed when mum had finished her coffee and was ready to leave!

Just so nobody thinks I am a pushover I don't let DD in there if there are little ones playing....as for splitting up siblings...mine are 6 and 2 but they always manage to play together without infringing too much on anyone or endagering the little one.

soft play is the work of the devil.

Not for me Duplcitous...it's a haven when the weather is bad and I have to entertain the DC.

With no car, I don't have much choice...I love soft play.