To just want to go to th park and not pay £55 a week for soft play

[bestteacherinwales]

That's it really. We live in an area of natural beauty. With wonderful parks on our doorstep but my group of friends much prefer going to soft play.

It costs £4.50 entry. £3.00 for kids lunch with drink and £5.00 for an adults meal. Not including coffee and a drink. I spend £20 every time I go.

I now eat my own meal before leaving but I still spend £55 a week going to soft play as we go three days a week.

I understand when it's raining or cold but on a beautiful summers day or even when the weather is dry and reasonably warm I think it's better to go to the park.

We could have a picnic. Ham sandwich, cheese string, bottle of juice, little cake,fruit. Maximum of £5 total cost for a few hours and food for both of us.

AIBU to think soft play is a wast of money when you can go to the park?

I do know what they mean. They said in th have park you have to watch the Children as they could wander off while in soft play you can relax knowing they can't get out and it's more relaxing as a result.

I agree and love soft play because I can read a book while having a latte 😁

But I think three times a week is excessive and we could spend some times at the park. It's better for them to get fresh air anyway.

AIBU?

YANBU. Soft play in this weather?! Plus, it's so much money. ALSO, your kids can wander off/get pushed around by other kids at soft play

Don't go. Put out a call on FB to see if anyone fancies going to the park for a picnic. If no-one responds, just go anyway! You'll have a nicer time.

You don't need to buy food. Go before or after lunch.
Three times a week is bonkers. Once a week would be more than enough. I hate those places.

YANBU.

Soft play isn't RELAXING! It's a hell house of misery and filth.

Start doing your own thing!

Are you going to the same place 3 times a week? That would do my head in and the kids must be bored senseless with it. Why not just go somewhere new on your own?

And you shouldn't just be leaving kids to it at soft play, no matter what the age. They should still be supervised (hate it when the older kids piss about in the baby and toddler areas and the parents aren't taking a blind bit of notice).

Softplay wins every time for me at the mo. But then ds is only 21mo. The fact he can't escape and probably won't break something if he falls whilst fulfilling his current compulsion to climb every single piece of furniture/wall/inanimate object relieves my stress greatly.

Soft play is an enclosed environment, so like your friend pretty much said the kids don't need the same level of supervision and gives the Mums a chance to sit and drink coffee.

But yes 3x per week, especially with the same group of people seems a bit much and some variation (and fresh air) is in order.

Thankfully my soft play days are well behind me!

You don't have to go , if you want to take your child somewhere else just do that . Unless softplay places have improved I can't imagine why anybody would go 3X a week , I always found them a bit grim .

YABU to go to a soft play 3 times a week! How!?why?!?

Go outside and enjoy the sunshine xo

How does 3x per week add up to £55.

Soft play is the third circle of hell.
Get new friends.

Soft play is the depths of hell for me. Thankfully my two are now too old to go, but we avoided it like the plague when they were small. They didn't overly enjoy it either. The weather is gorgeous, get outside and enjoy the parks and woods!

I do not understand either why you would go 3 times a week.

When I go I avoid meal times or we buy something like cheese and toast much cheaper.

I think it is all about balance

I like soft play. I might start going to the park instead one day a week. Then I only have to go twice.

I love soft play. But think 3 times a week is a bit much and a waste of money.

OMG, so much money!

Why not meet your mates there once a week and do your own thing the rest of the time?

Much nicer and healthier to be out in the open air. I'd love to live where you do!

I hate soft play. I've been less than ten times and DTs are almost 6.

Christ, that's a lot of money to stay indoors!

Your day at a park and your picnic sound ace. I'd come. Take your kids by yourself if this gang don't want to come, or find some park friends.

I could only afford soft play once a week when mine were tiny. Had annual zoo pass and used to do toddler groups, free museums, city farm, swimming, parks. I reckon the kids must be bored silly going there all the time. I was happy to do our own thing too, they don't always need company.

I could only afford soft play once a week when mine were tiny. Had annual zoo pass and used to do toddler groups, free museums, city farm, swimming, parks. I reckon the kids must be bored silly going there all the time. I was happy to do our own thing too, they don't always need company.

How does 3x per week add up to £55.

Crunchy - it costs £4.50 entry. £3.00 for kids lunch with drink and £5.00 for an adults meal. Not including coffee and a drink. I spend £20 every time I go.

I now eat my own meal before leaving but I still spend £55 a week.

That's how... OP must make up the rest with coffeea and drinks...

OP, you could just pay for entry and don't go over a lunchtime?

I don't understand. If you (quite reasonably) don't want to go to soft play 3 times a week, why are you? If you'd rather go to the park/for a picnic, do it!

3 times a week?

Once in a lifetime was more than enough for me!

We used to go to soft play to help with ds's motor skills and we went on warm dry days because it would be empty whereas playgrounds would be full.

You don't "Have to go twice"

Oh my god I think I'd lose my marbles. I can tolerate about once a month! I can't relax at soft play anyway, they still need supervising.