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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think soft play is old school and not eco or progressive

142 replies

sheparo · 03/09/2022 16:29

We have the v v exciting opportunity to make a building that will house some sort of large play/event/task zones for children, that will have to meet the council's loan interest of 100k a year. The building is part of a city-wide facelift on being more green, community focused and cheerful and is the only focus on making money in this venture. The rest is building bridges, creating community hubs, cycle paths and green spaces (yay!).

Thing is, I want this space to be eco friendly and an opportunity for kids to try new things like barefoot trails, climbing and bouldering, maybe a small skate park, small library area, sensory room, running and soft area, maybe even a circus bit, a little indoor garden... sort of where kids can develop skills, talk to each other, learn things, run around but also have it as somewhere to chill and have a milkshake.

My (kind but elder, male, grown up kids yada yada) colleague says he wants soft play. His wife is a childminder and wants soft play. I really think soft play would cheapen and degrade everything this building is meant to stand for... but I agree we need to make money... AIBU to want to push for something different? Or is there something about soft play that I am being snobby about? (I have three kids btw, they adore soft play tbh... but, but... garish and loud and plastic and aircon! And can be rough and not exactly community...)

Am just wondering if I am being a snob and really, soft play is fine and am just over it, personally, when others would really love it.

TIA ladies, I await judgement... !

OP posts:
RaRaRaspberryKing · 03/09/2022 16:34

I get your perspective but maybe you could combine the two? An eco-themed soft play with sensory areas and maybe an indoor or outdoor garden space with activities that is part of the soft play price? A focus on eco and sustainable products used in the cafe, regular workshops on eco themed/forest school type stuff etc.

Soft play will bring the money, more so than something that could be perceived as a bit dull by some, but if you can make it so it's soft play with a difference I think that could be a great selling point!

Sounds like a fab project to be working on!

Soubriquet · 03/09/2022 16:35

Parents of small children will gravitate towards soft play because it’s somewhere secure where their children can learn to deal with their surroundings in a soft environment.

They can also sit and have a cup of tea in peace.

Your idea, whilst it sounds good, probably would attract as many people because it requires parents to take more active role.

ItsSnowJokes · 03/09/2022 16:37

Why don't you do soft play and then real world play zone, so shops, police station etc....... you can bring in eco themes through the shops on the real world play etc....

MichelleScarn · 03/09/2022 16:37

Are you a parent? Do you want it to be something the kids want and will use or is it going to be something that adults want the kids to want?

Wishyfishy · 03/09/2022 16:39

There is soft play and there is soft play IMO. Some soft plays are much better than others and some are just garish hell. If it is cleaned regularly will help!
I know one with a climbing wall next to it for older kids, and one that has those vacuum tubing that sucks up plastic balls and pops them down in a different section, and that’s perfect for the youngest ones.
Just stay away I think from the horrible muzak and the electric floor game things.

livingthegoodlife · 03/09/2022 16:39

You can do eco indoor play. I've seen a play in a huge barn with trees to climb, planks to walk on, slides, all eco themed to learn about the world. Maybe something like that? It's safe enough that the mums can drink tea and watch and the kids run free. Different textures on the floor etc.

Good luck. Sounds v interesting.

Haus1234 · 03/09/2022 16:40

Soft play is only for little didn’t it, whereas some of your ideas are better for older kids. Can you have a bit of both (with a focus on environment and make it a bit different?)

StamppotAndGravy · 03/09/2022 16:42

How about soft play around a city theme e.g. a track for balance bikes (learning about sustainable transport), a ball pit shaped like a bus, a giant squishy garden themed bit about insects (e.g. spiders web, bouncy flowers). If you could get balls made out of recycled plastic even better.

lillyrabbit · 03/09/2022 16:44

You could have a play area that is like soft play without it being soft play - we have an amazing place locally that has indoor wooden climbing frames, sand pits, a water area and then an area for imaginative play that is set out as a building site and a kitchen with lots of wooden structures. Appeals to both parents and kids and is more eco friendly and not as bloody loud as soft play!

WhosthatGirlJess · 03/09/2022 16:46

A newly built 'community hub' near us was due to do this, have a lovely pool and soft play area but also for older children an interactive and accessible sensory garden, rooftop nature trail, loads of ASD/SEND focussed things etc, sounded amazing and there is nothing else like it locally. Huge council investment, brand new equipment, everyone was hyped for it. But when it finally opened it was just a small (over priced) tiny soft play area, not particularly good for any kids over toddler age. Same price as the huge warehouse type ones but less than a quarter of the size. The rooftop area was sold off to a gym for an outdoor exercise space instead. Sensory gardens etc never happened. A lot of local SEND community parents were pretty gutted. Your idea sounds wonderful and I hope you do get it off the ground. But I imagine cost will be a huge factor in why ours never happened. No advice sorry but wishing you good luck and there's definitely customers out there wanting these facilities!

Hardbackwriter · 03/09/2022 16:46

I don't think it should be decided on the whims of either you, your colleague or MN randoms, especially as there seems to be some public investment here. You need to do some research on what people in your area actually want, not what either of you think they should want or what you'd want them to want.

Mercerly · 03/09/2022 16:47

You can do eco indoor play. I've seen a play in a huge barn with trees to climb, planks to walk on, slides, all eco themed to learn about the world. Maybe something like that?

So like... everything you can do in the woods for free but without the fresh air, the daylight, the learning about the ACTUAL world and the freeness?

Sorry but I really don't understand this. Might as well switch "eco" for "middle class virtue signalling".

Mercerly · 03/09/2022 16:48

Hardbackwriter · 03/09/2022 16:46

I don't think it should be decided on the whims of either you, your colleague or MN randoms, especially as there seems to be some public investment here. You need to do some research on what people in your area actually want, not what either of you think they should want or what you'd want them to want.

Yes this 100000%.

Needmorelego · 03/09/2022 16:49

The things I hated about soft play (and my daughter too - which is why we barely went) is it's all too much of a sensory overload.
Loud music - there's no need for any music.
Bright colours and lights - could easily be more calmer colours.
Kids running around screaming in areas that aren't the play area (ie the cafe area).
I always liked the idea of indoor play areas and liked the actual equipment but the noise, chaos, brightness is all just horrible.
What you have suggested @sheparo sounds fantastic but could easily include a soft play - but just a more calmer one.

NuttyinNotts · 03/09/2022 16:51

Mercerly · 03/09/2022 16:47

You can do eco indoor play. I've seen a play in a huge barn with trees to climb, planks to walk on, slides, all eco themed to learn about the world. Maybe something like that?

So like... everything you can do in the woods for free but without the fresh air, the daylight, the learning about the ACTUAL world and the freeness?

Sorry but I really don't understand this. Might as well switch "eco" for "middle class virtue signalling".

Sure if you can access the woods. But given that this project is in a city, the likelihood will be that families who rely on public transport may struggle to access rural areas.

WhizzFizz · 03/09/2022 16:53

wondering if I am being a snob and really, soft play is fine and am just over it, personally, when others would really love it.
Yes you are I'm afraid.
Soft play has massive appeal to parents and children. Most of whom won't care about the other stuff.
As others have said though soft play is for very small children. perhaps some more demanding climbing for older children.

Needmorelego · 03/09/2022 16:53

@Mercerly yes as @NuttyinNotts says the actual woods are great - if you can get to them. I've just spent 3 weeks in the East Midlands. Several country parks/stately homes/woodland walks etc I would have loved to have gone to. Unfortunately no buses went near them.

SBAM · 03/09/2022 16:55

I agree that something billed as softplay or an indoor play area might be more appealing to parents as they understand what they’re likely to get when they arrive, and typically it’s designed as an age appropriate secure place for children to burn off energy.

ive recently visited the science museum in Kensington and they have a play area in the basement called the garden which is fantastic.

Holidaydreamingagain · 03/09/2022 16:57

You need to do a proper community engagement consultation to find out what the local community want. You need to reach as many people as possible so need to have some market research groups, surveys, polls and get it out to as many people as possible and then decide from there. It’s what meets the actually needs of the community not what you think they should want.

Tonkerbea · 03/09/2022 16:57

Hardbackwriter · 03/09/2022 16:46

I don't think it should be decided on the whims of either you, your colleague or MN randoms, especially as there seems to be some public investment here. You need to do some research on what people in your area actually want, not what either of you think they should want or what you'd want them to want.

So much this! Have the community been engaged? What consultations are taking place? You need to give the local people a place they feel they belong, not what you think they need.

It's an exciting project, good luck.

SproutsAtChristmas · 03/09/2022 16:57

I think the best soft plays are the smaller ones with café and predominantly in term time it's used by under 5s so it's targeted at that age. You'll earn more money from it that way and can always put some smaller role play equipment in if you want it to double as a learning zone. The community can also use the café as a learning hub base too e.g. antenatal classes, baby groups, weaning support, parenting courses. That way it's more of a community space than just a soft play business.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 03/09/2022 16:59

While your idea does sound good, it also sounds like it's going to be more expensive to maintain all the different elements and have all the right insurances and supervisors/training videos for climbing walls etc.

So it'll end up costing the parents more money to visit turning it into more of an occasional visit place rather than a rainy day/bored kids/cheap and cheerful place

Original poster
sheparo · 03/09/2022 16:59

Thanks guys!

Hehe virtue signalling to other adults! :)

We have an outdoor area that is being developed with (hopefully) safe access to the river, and definitely big pitches for all weather team games and is by a lovely river with ducks and trees and a playground. So that's all great, just needs to be funded by this building.

I really like the idea of marrying my preferences with what soft play can provide. I am doing a weekend talking to the people and getting their views and providing some play stuff and seeing what the kids like. Am also asking schools and children (I work at a school and have 3 children of my own). And you guys! LOVE the idea of having wood to play on and around and areas about insects etc. We could even possibly change up the themes so it stays fresh?

Am really keen to push at least a sensory room for SEND kids, this would be a great investment. was thinking of having it accessed by a side door with a corridor leading to the main bit, so kids with sensory processing issues don't have to go into the main bit which will be loud and (hopefully) busy with kids.

Really want a climbing wall/bouldering area for older kids. And definitely a cafe for parents/carers.

:)

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 03/09/2022 16:59

The thing about soft play is it is soft. It is pretty much safe as safe. Your child can run, climb, slide as much as they want with limited chance to get seriously hurt. They can burn off energy to their heart's content whilst you as a parent sit and chat or read or whatever.

I agree they can be sensory overload, though that could be mitigated for in design, and possibly also by having 'quiet' sessions (no music, more gentle lighting etc).

OP. Your ideas sound very 'worthy', but maybe not great money makers, and serving a different age group. You absolutely need to do proper market research.

SBAM · 03/09/2022 17:00

The tumbling bay play area in the Olympic park is also great, the climbing frames can be accessed by a wide range of ages. Westfield Stratford also has the biodiversity playground which is lovely for children up to around 10 but I’m not sure how much the average child actually engages with the educational display there. Something like the tumbling bay set-up but indoors would appeal to a wide age range, and you could perhaps create a cafe, with a sensory garden outside too.