To think that it is impossible to leave the soft play without a mega toddler meltdown?

[lizzlebizzle33]

Just that really, my 2yo Ds loves it there but leaving is absolute hell. Anybody have any secret weapons for evading the tantrum or is it the price we pay for a few mins peace while they throw themselves into a million plastic balls?

I suspect we all do take our children out in the fresh air too @victoriaspongecake. But sometimes, an enclosed space such as soft play is the right choice for the day.
And my toddler sometimes raises holy hell when we need to leave the park and there isn't a cafe for emergency Pom Bears in the park

Dd1 only bribery - she's 7 and it's still bribery although usually slush rather than Pom bears now!
Dd2 is nearly 4 a cheery "time to say goodbye to slides and the balls" is enough more times than not - followed by talking about any other topic to distract her while we walk out.
They have however both been taken out screaming shoeless on many an occasion🤣

My now four year old is usually bribed by an icecream on the way out. I'm also very pleased that @victoriaspongecake came on to share her expertise. We all now know how much of a brilliant parent she is, I'd never even considered taking my child outside.

@victoriaspongecake why didn't I think of that? Thank you that's a brilliant idea, I would never have thought to take my children outside if you hadn't suggested it 😂

We do a 5 minutes warning and then last play' and also add a choice - would you like your last play on the slides or on the bouncer?

YANBU.

In fact, it’s the law.

Oh and Victoria sponge? Bitter Brussels sprouts more like 😂

I used to show my dc a clock and say that when the big hand gets to here we have to leave, that will be five minutes. They would ask for longer and I would negotiate it to ten.
I would also make this time at least five minutes before I planned to leave so that we left when I had really planned to. The dc would be OK with this though because they thought they had got more time there.
It worked well for me.

No no, VictoriaSponge, we have tantrums about the park too. And the woods, although they're more of the 'cannot walk another step' variety. But thanks for sharing your expertise 🙄

Op. Biscuits are your friend. Those little ones you get with a coffee sometimes are excellent. I have considered dangling one on a fishing line over DSs head, but that seems a step too far even for me (although, after today's epic leaving the playground episode...)

Couldn’t agree more victoriaspongecake

My two and four and seven and we’ve never been to the germ pit hell hole that is soft play. They’ve certainly not missed out!!!

Horses for courses and all that ...

Happy to help all! (wink)
Sadly from my own local experience parents do NOT take their children to the parks & beach & country parks. I go to these on an almost daily basis with my dog and toddler niece and rarely see children playing there.
The large soft play facility I have to pass at the end of our road is however ALWAYS full of cars and a steady stream of children and parents in and out.

Why didn't my work above? Maybe its stuck in soft play!

I bribe mine with sweets to leave, judge me