AIBU to ask about soft play?

[CanadaNotAMum]

I see lots of references to soft play here and I’m curious about what it is. And is it really as popular in the UK as it seems on Mumsnet?

I’m in Canada and I don’t think it’s a thing here, or perhaps we use a different term. I googled local soft play and it just showed me foam toys to purchase. Is it like an indoor playground? We have those but not everything in them is soft. I’m picturing an indoor playground where everything is made of foam, but that can’t be right because how would they clean the foam?

Any ‘inset’ day from school (up until about 6yrs old) in normal term time I used to take mine and as many friends as I could fit in (7 seater car) to an amazing one locally - if not too busy it was heaven…kids fully entertained (& happily exhausting themselves) whilst I watched on with tea on tap! My teens wish they did bigger versions😂

I assure you, I’m not intending to sneer! Pubs are much more family oriented in the UK than here. The fact that you can roll up to a pub on a Sunday with the kids and have a full Sunday roast is lovely. Not to mention the pies. Because you can get actual quality meals at pubs in the UK, it’s natural that you would bring your children, and makes sense that some put in a soft play.

Canadian pubs do not have roast dinners and pies. There are no vegetables. Many would struggle to produce a cup of tea. Which IMO is very unfortunate for us! Our pub food is not good, so the focus is more on alcohol and many don’t allow children for that reason. But I know that UK pubs are very different!

Out children have plenty to do, it’s just that the they may be somewhat different things than what UK children do. Learning about how different cultures entertain themselves and their kids is not a bad thing surely. It’s odd that you’ve taken such offense!

It depends on the kids. If they're well behaved with a good immune system it's great. If they're the type that need to be watched constantly/will get ill if exposed to a germ then it's not worth the hassle.

I don't know about the glow up you mention op, they are pretty much those same ones you're mentioning from McDonalds, but bigger...

Took my dc to a soft play in Toronto, some years ago now. We had an evening flight home but needed to be out of the hotel early, and it was raining that day.

It was indeed as hellish and expensive as in the UK.

Fair enough.

I haven't taken offense though.

The pubs had to start doing food and welcome.kids due to the smoking ban. Those none smokers who rejoiced about banning smokers didn't put their money where their mouth is. I think it was a survival thing but a lot closed anyway.

You're right, you can get decent wholesome meals in British pubs.

You also have British pubs with soft play.

If anyone finds anywhere that sucessfully combines both of those things, please let me know 😆

There are definitely a lot of germs to be caught. I avoid if we have a holiday or important event coming up just in case!
And for now with a toddler I avoid going at busy times (weekends and school holidays) when they’re crazy busy and extremely loud! But if you go when they’re quiet they’re good fun for the kids. great for little ones physical development and for older ones to run wild and let off steam.
With a lot of rainy days in the UK there are a lot of them and they are very popular.

@Golidlocksandthethreeswears try country pubs with a big garden with a playground, my parents used to take us to a lovely one in Sussex with a big wooden pirate ship in the garden. We mainly stayed in the pirate ship and they ate in peace.

It is what I imagine hell to be like.

Screaming, overstimulated kids, crap coffee, too hot. Germy.

I have to take my child to one today for a party

But most kids love them and get all their screaming and excess energy out of the way. As a co-parenting grandparent, I found our local one at the Leisure Centre a haven in the winter but always took ear plugs.

Luckily my children aren't too fussed about them. They only go for parties.

I've been wondering why the UK doesn't have indoor theme parks like in Dubai. I think we do have a couple of small ones but Dubai has massive roller coasters in malls. It makes sense as it's far too hot to be standing outside but I think it would be brilliant here as it's always raining or cold! The amount of times I've been to Alton Towers and been soaked to the skin because it has just rained relentlessly.

Most of those around here have closed now unfortunately - probably they're the ones more rurally located that people need to drive to which means not drinking etc.

There are shit loads around me in south London. I can walk to one in 5 mins from my house plus another 5 within a 15 minute drive.

We go a lot… I’d say every 2 weeks haha

Having watched too many hours of blippi dancing around 'soft play' in the USA I am assured its not an English only thing.

Both of my favourite local ones closed down due to covid, it was a real shame. Those two were notable for being very clean, not echoey, and making good coffee. Perfect for a wet weekend when you've got toddlers who want active play without getting soaked to the skin and frozen.

My son loves soft play.
We have a few a short bus ride away.

he loves the soft play/inflatable hybrid place near us. Only problem is when I have to join in. 😂 He’s 5 so no doubt when he’s older I will miss the “ come play mommy”

TBF they can be cess pits but children are walking germ factories anyway.

we go every few months

I hate soft plays. With a passion. Have never been so delighted to outgrow a phase!

Wipe clean plastic that is never wiped clean... foul places full of the great unwashed.