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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what age for soft play unsupervised?

21 replies

honeylemons · 07/08/2021 11:47

First time braving soft play since pre covid, when DS was 2. He is 4 now and quite happy to run off, make friends and come back over to me periodically - but it feels a bit odd to not be following him around and hovering behind as I did when he was 1 and 2! Grin

Just wondering what the general consensus is on what age is ok for children to play independently at soft play? (I’m keeping an eye of course!)

Tia Smile

OP posts:
MasterBeth · 07/08/2021 11:49

There’s no age. Is your son happy to do it? Then it’s fine.

Foxhasbigsocks · 07/08/2021 11:50

2.9 / 3 in our house as long as child confident with it

Original poster
honeylemons · 07/08/2021 11:50

@MasterBeth

There’s no age. Is your son happy to do it? Then it’s fine.
More than happy! I feel l would slow him down slightly by tagging along Grin
OP posts:
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 07/08/2021 11:51

Depends on the child and location.

A happy 4yo, in a quiet safe soft play, should be fine

Merryoldgoat · 07/08/2021 11:51

I’ve never followed - I supervise and assist if needed.

rosesandsalvias · 07/08/2021 12:05

Our local soft play says under 3s should be supervised through the play frame. By 4 if he's happy to go in on his own I would imagine he will be fine - enjoy your cuppa!

Figmentofimagination · 07/08/2021 12:09

DH went to soft play this week with 4yo DS for the first time since before covid, met up with DS's friend from nursery and his mum.

DH was shocked that apart from the odd time, DS was content to run off and play without help/supervision. He enjoyed a drink and food and chatted to the mum.

It did help it was quiet but was still unexpected.

JaggedLittlePilI · 07/08/2021 12:11

Just turned 3 year old will go off alone on a small one now, but some are huge and she'd get lost. I'd imagine almost any school age child would be fine with some encouragement wherever you went though. (Imagining the reception children I've taught).

Stompythedinosaur · 07/08/2021 12:14

As soon as you can possibly leave them to it, it my book! The whole point of softplay is to have a break or get work done while the dc play. I think my eldest was probably 3ish and my youngest 2ish but would go with her big sis.

gogohm · 07/08/2021 12:16

When I took my niece and nephew the tots area was accompanied (under 3's) and the main area was no adults allowed.

TeenMinusTests · 07/08/2021 12:17

As soon as they:

  • can find their way back to you
  • won't get stuck at the top
  • can use words to ask for help / explain something that happened.
elliejjtiny · 07/08/2021 12:22

From 3 or 4 if they are in the kind of small softplay where you can see them all the time. I still supervise my 7 year old (or send my teenager in to supervise) at the big soft plays.

Iwantafuckingbreak · 07/08/2021 12:58

Im currently in hell that is soft play. Mine has just turned 3 and has been going in unsupervised for ages. He usually plays with his 7 year old brother though. It makes going to soft play a tiny bit more enjoyable for me.. not much but a tiny bit 🤣

welshweasel · 07/08/2021 13:01

My 2 year old goes in with his 5 year old brother. Definitely fine by 3, even in big soft plays. The whole point is to be able to drink coffee in peace!

Treezan82 · 07/08/2021 13:05

My 5 year old would be annoyed if I followed her around. My 3 year old still needs me nearby but to be fair soft play is still very new to him because of the pandemic.

thetaleunfolds · 07/08/2021 13:33

My ds has been going into small ones since 2.5 and bigger ones from 3 with no problems. Around here all the soft plays are asking parents not to go into the main area unless their children need help anyway (baby/toddler area exempt of course)

VoyageInTheDark · 07/08/2021 13:43

DD is 3 and is fine on her own even in big ones. I'm glad not to have to go in as I always end up whacking my head on something

ComDummings · 07/08/2021 13:45

@TeenMinusTests

As soon as they:
  • can find their way back to you
  • won't get stuck at the top
  • can use words to ask for help / explain something that happened.
This is a good guide as it can vary ^
eightyfourandahalf · 07/08/2021 14:02

When they are old enough to go by themselves, pay at the entrance and bring themselves back home?

Supervising doesn't mean "holding their hands throughout and following". It's just the opposite of ignoring your kids for 3 hours because you are too busy on your phone or chatting with your friends.

4 you keep an eye on them full stop (because they likely will get hurt by other "unsupervised" children, stuck somewhere or need a pee), 8 you trust them to come and tell you.

TheRealMrsMorningstar · 07/08/2021 14:26

I follow (am dragged around by) dd(6) but she has ASD and doesn't cope without someone adult with her. It really is child dependent rather than age dependent.

In fact I am off to endure this afternoon as dd wants to go 🤦🏼‍♀️

TamiMurray · 08/02/2025 10:41

I feel the same. My 4yo still wants me with him, but I get weird looks from other parents.

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