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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:
RayneDance · 03/09/2022 22:50

Pond mud hasn't been to a soft play!

Of course they use their mobile skills there! There is vertical climbing,little bridges to cross, things to squeeze between, roll through,jump on .
They can also get hurt still.
What nonsense, soft play is just swishyand safer to explore and take Risk!

user29 · 03/09/2022 22:57

Needmorelego · 03/09/2022 18:51

@fUNNYfACE36 tell us - why is soft play in bright primary colours? What's the reason?

Google the massesof research in this area

Needmorelego · 03/09/2022 23:24

@user29 err ok? I was just genuinely curious.
You could just tell me - save me looking it up 🙂

user29 · 03/09/2022 23:25

Put simply, they like bright colours

Needmorelego · 03/09/2022 23:37

@user29 well except for children who find the bright colours a sensory overload.
My daughter is autistic and has sensory overload - and has never liked the big soft play places. It's all just too much for her.
The 'masses of research' can't be that great if they haven't even studied Sensory Processing Disorder and how it affects children 🙄

Pondmud · 04/09/2022 07:04

RayneDance · 03/09/2022 22:50

Pond mud hasn't been to a soft play!

Of course they use their mobile skills there! There is vertical climbing,little bridges to cross, things to squeeze between, roll through,jump on .
They can also get hurt still.
What nonsense, soft play is just swishyand safer to explore and take Risk!

Of course I’ve been to soft play! Kids are hampered from learning about risk if they are in such a cushioned environment. Given the popularity of soft play, I would not expect to see so many kids with such poor climbing, and balance skills when I am out with my kids if it is good at developing these skills as you claim.

Most soft play is also visually overwhelming, and auditory overwhelming. And shite music too.

TeenDivided · 04/09/2022 07:05

Needmorelego · 03/09/2022 23:37

@user29 well except for children who find the bright colours a sensory overload.
My daughter is autistic and has sensory overload - and has never liked the big soft play places. It's all just too much for her.
The 'masses of research' can't be that great if they haven't even studied Sensory Processing Disorder and how it affects children 🙄

The trouble is, if 90% of children like primary colours, and 10% get sensory overload, which will the business choose? Unless you are in an area that has sufficient numbers of that 10% to set up with them as a primary market. Yes it sucks, but anyone needing to make a profit will follow the money.

Softplayhooray · 04/09/2022 07:10

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.

I really have to agree with this. Why isn't it better researched when public money is at stake?

I bet there are some amazing eco experts out there who have a real specialty in suggesting or creating eco play options and (in addition to researching the market) they should be the people making decisions on this.

Quincythequince · 04/09/2022 07:11

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?

This. And what age group is it targeted at?

TBH it sounds like you want this to be a demonstration of how green you can be and how good your design skills are

Nothing wrong that of course but be honest about your motives.

Bouldering…for little kids ?

Quincythequince · 04/09/2022 07:15

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.

:)

£100k for all this you say?

Good luck with that.

I came understand why you think this should be about your preferences though? What is the purpose of this space overall?

custardbear · 04/09/2022 07:29

Stick a coffee area in, make sure it's central where parents can keep an eye on their kids and people will come! It's alternative to soft play IMO, but you should probably have something similar but bespoke to your theme so it's seen very much as a play / eco / sensory centre
Good luck!

Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas · 04/09/2022 07:33

Quincythequince · 04/09/2022 07:15

£100k for all this you say?

Good luck with that.

I came understand why you think this should be about your preferences though? What is the purpose of this space overall?

Show quote history

No she wants to earn 100k a year from it after expenses without looking at the costings. I’m starting to think the OP has posted a reverse.

NewYorkLassie · 04/09/2022 07:34

It’s like people who say they will only buy wooden toys in muted colours. There’s a reason kids love brightly coloured tat and it’s impossible to fight it.

theydontlikeitupem · 04/09/2022 07:36

Look up William's Den for ideas, it's like an eco play area

illiterato · 04/09/2022 07:58

I would scrap the climbing wall/ bouldering idea. My DC do bouldering and you have to pretty much sign a 10 page waiver before they let you in. You’d also need staff to make sure not too many people on the wall and that kids aren’t hanging around on the crash mats below the wall where climbers can fall on top of them. I guess you could have one with a self belay system but still needs dedicated staffing.

User12398712 · 04/09/2022 07:59

antelopevalley · 03/09/2022 17:33

Be aware if you try and include too much, you can end up not doing anything very well.
Would a "small" library be used much? Depends how small.
A small skate park may be too small to be of any interest to any except the youngest children.

This^

It sounds like you are trying to do pack way too much in. Small skate park, small library, small bouldering area etc will be a bit rubbish. They might be OK for one visit but kids won't want to keep going back. You would be better off doing one or two things really well.

LemonDrizzles · 04/09/2022 08:08

You can buy equipment made from recycled materials

Velvian · 04/09/2022 08:08

Have a look at this @sheparo
www.pensthorpe.com/things-to-do/family-fun/hootz-house/

More interesting than soft play.

CaptainSamCarter · 04/09/2022 08:16

There's an indoor sand and water play area at the Cheshire Ice Cream farm which is brilliant. Kids can pump water into channels, dig in the sand etc, work together to move water around the equipment. It's always really popular and more engaging than the soft play area. Plus a lot of it is made out of wood so ticks the sustainable box? It is messy though!

beingsunny · 04/09/2022 08:18

We have (had) something that might meet your needs here in sydney, it closed due to covid but the website still has photos and some info.
It was designed by a creative space agency which has offices in sydney and London called Frost.

Website here www.nubo.com.au/

catblanket · 04/09/2022 08:30

I lived abroad for many years, some of them in the Middle East where they have really nailed indoor play and have lots of amazing and creative soft plays. The best example is OliOli in Dubai, which is incredibly popular and I think could give you some ideas. Obviously you can’t re-create the entire thing, as it’s huge, but it definitely has inspiration for you. olioli.ae

TimetohittheroadJack · 04/09/2022 08:34

i think you need to really consider who your target audience is and cater for them. Different ages have different requirements - having a skate park for older children zooming about whilst trying to appeal to parents with toddlers is not going to work.

having an outside wood area with water is only going to be successful in summer as most people couldn’t face dealing with a wet muddy, cold toddler in the middle of winter. Also, the clean up of those toddlers, the mud will get everywhere !

User12398712 · 04/09/2022 08:36

I also think you need to start making a proper business plan and thinking about the numbers. £100k profit is a lot. How many staff do you need? How much do you budget for running costs, especially with increasing fuel prices. What sort of price is affordable for families in your local area and how many kids do you need to get through the door?

hedgehogger1 · 04/09/2022 08:48

Soft play but make it sized so adults can go on too... then have info panels around the place and an eco theme. Kids can Learn as the play. I went to one once (forget where) that had a little farm area and mini golf. Another one I know has a mini village and climbing tree plus a lazer tag section

JamMakingWannaBe · 04/09/2022 09:06

Unless there is currently zero soft play in your area, please do something different.

I'd love a roller-disco for my primary aged kids. You could put down a plastic floor to make it "ice skating" in the winter.

For pre-school, in the daytime, have little trikes for them to ride around - like a go-cart track.

You could still have bouldering etc at the side but offer something that's not available elsewhere.