Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

Original poster

Soft play costs and charging adults

113 replies

Rupiduti · 09/02/2023 20:26

A fairly local garden centre to me have recently installed a soft play, they previously had one pre covid and as far as I'm aware, it was a cheap and cheerful couple of pounds entry which was a nice added bonus to the garden centre. It's a nice garden centre and I'll often pop along at Christmas time to see their displays, look at the pet store there, purchase some Christmas presents and buy some lunch. Spending plenty of money in store. As do many people.
Their new soft play charges are extortionate at £8.50 1- 4 , £9.50 for 5+ and a charge for under ones. Plus £2 per adult (plus it's more during weekends and school holidays). This caused a huge backlash on their fb page and people are saying it's unaffordable etc...
Anyway, the main point of my post. Do you think it's reasonable for soft plays to charge for adults, especially given most will purchase a drink or cake or something ! I guess my thinking is, a 3 year old can't go alone! This isnt specifically regarding this soft play btw, im noticing it happening in others too.

YABU - it's fine for them to charge for adults

YANBU - they shouldn't charge for adults.

Also interested to hear people's views on what soft plays should cost!

OP posts:

HunterHearstHelmsley · 09/02/2023 20:41

Scottishskifun · 09/02/2023 20:38

I don't agree with charging for adults most of the ones by us don't charge for adults. Ones near SIL does.

For us it actually means we are less likely to buy coffees cakes etc at the ones which charge for adults as both parents go so it soon racks up.

I agree with this. Some friends use one that charges for adults now, they used to buy coffee and cake but just take a water bottle in with them and get a drink at the Costa next door afterwards.

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 09/02/2023 20:41

They all charge for adults around my way so that doesn’t surprise me. My two both love soft play though so I pay it but it feels like an extra kick in the teeth when I’d rather be anywhere else.

Bobbybobbins · 09/02/2023 20:42

Most round here have started charging £1/2 per adult. But the costs for children at the one you've mentioned are extortionate OP! 😱

PuttingDownRoots · 09/02/2023 20:45

I had to pay £3 to watch DDs ice skate last weekend. It did include a hot drink though.

ThomasinaLivesHere · 09/02/2023 20:47

I agree it’s expensive. I like that your centre has a lower charge for under 5s. The ones near me are the same cost for all children over 1 year old. My child isn’t even 2 and pays the same as others but can’t use all the place. The toddler area is so small.

Blablablablaba · 09/02/2023 20:52

There's a few in the town I live in but 2 big ones. I'm surprised 1 is still open as they charge £12.95 per child! The other one only charges £3.50 off peak (when schools are in) and £7 for peak times. I prefer the layout to the other one too and it has a nicer cafe, so its win win!

Neither charge for adults but I have been to another one a few miles away that charged a few quid for adults too!

miserablecat · 09/02/2023 20:58

I've no idea what the going rate for soft play is because my DC are teens, but I remember being charged (iirc) £1 for adults probably 10 years ago.
As an aside I was quite relieved when my DC grew out of soft play because there was always wee in thr ball pool and, usually a toddler or 2 wandering about with a stinky nappy on while their parents enjoyed a coffee and a chat, oblivious to it so I was amazed to see that you can get adult soft play!!

LorW · 09/02/2023 21:04

The one near me charges £10.50 over 5s and 8.50 for under 5s and £5 per adult on a weekend, £4 per adult during the week, not even a nice one either 🤮

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 09/02/2023 21:09

One near us has changed their pricing structure because of people going in with small babies or large groups of adults with one child just to use the cafe. Whilst people spend money it meant less seats for parents which discouraged people from going. People also didn’t like the big groups of seemingly random adults hanging around.

It’s now £10.50 for one adult and one child. That includes a tea and unlimited diluting juice.

Theres a discount for subsequent children brought by a solo adult. Not for subsequent adults though.

Wellybobs0 · 09/02/2023 21:14

I see it as if we don’t suppprt them, they won’t be there for us. I don’t begrudge paying as I use the facilities and my child enjoys it

YouJustDoYou · 09/02/2023 21:16

We never used to have adult watching charges. Now it ranges from £1-£3 just to sit. No thanks.

BAdopter · 09/02/2023 21:16

I've seen the prices really increase over the last year or so, it's resulted in me visiting alot less than I used to. However what really annoys me is that they charge these prices and don't even clean the place properly or fix broken equipment etc.

Ifihadapoundd · 09/02/2023 21:16

I think your near me!
If you are we will still be using the one just up the road from there.

ThatsGoingToHurt · 09/02/2023 21:19

My fav soft play is £4.95 for over 1’s and adults free. The others are £6.50 for over 1’s and adults £2 or £6 per child and adults £1. I’m shocked at some of these prices for soft play!

Blondeshavemorefun · 09/02/2023 21:22

I think it's a con as obv not going to go to soft play without a child

But I get why after covid why they have done this

Some charge £2 but adult get a holt drink with it

SpecialDeliveryServiceIsNeverOnTime · 09/02/2023 21:23

God all your soft plays are cheap; the ones near me all charge £2.50+ per adult and even under 1s are £5.

piggijg · 09/02/2023 21:23

Ours even charges £1.50 to bring in your pushchair.

MajorCarolDanvers · 09/02/2023 21:26

Cost of living crisis.

There costs will be through the roof. They have to cover them or won't be able to operate.

Your choice. Go or don't.

Johnnysgirl · 09/02/2023 21:27

I suppose it prevents entire tables of extended family taking up space while little Jimmy goes into the ball pit on his own.

JennyDarlingRIP · 09/02/2023 21:27

There are two near us one has a climbing wall, go karts etc (you pay extra for both) it's £7.80 per child and £3.50 per adult.
The other is as good in terms of soft play but doesn't have the additional bits, it does have a café. It's £6.50 a session or £18 for the year if you are a local resident (seaside town) and adults are free. Can you guess which one we go to....

Beseen22 · 09/02/2023 21:28

One near me is
Under 6m- £2.95, 6m-3y £9.95, 3-12y £12.95 Adults- £2.95. Obligatory socks for everyone £5 each. So for my DH and I to take our 2 DC it would be £51. For a 1.5h session. It's not even a great soft play to be honest, it's clean and posh buy not really the big crazy slides that the kids want.

DF loves it and often asks to meet us there...no thanks!

HateTheFuckingWorld · 09/02/2023 21:28

One near me is 15 for over 3s and 7.50 for adults, they even charge for car parking!

Swiftswatch · 09/02/2023 21:30

Doesn’t sound that high imo. My local run down leisure centre charges about £7 for a 1 year old. I would expect to pay more for something newer/ better.

mackthepony · 09/02/2023 21:30

This is a reason why I am boycotting soft play for the foreseeable.

I paid around £30 recently for the privilege, I was told I had the wrong socks on, toilets were rank and it was full of dangerous, leaping 6 foot teenagers in with the toddlers.

Never again

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 09/02/2023 21:30

I've never paid for me to go to a soft play though I do understand doing it as a way to limit parents as often see large groups of adults with only 1 or 2 kids which stops other kids from getting in

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

Swipe left for the next trending thread