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Parenting

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Original poster

Soft play alone...

28 replies

bellabi · 27/06/2022 15:43

What's peoples opinions on what age would be okay to let your dc go off and play alone in soft play?

Given it's a soft play that they can't get out of and you're sitting at the table inside too so they know where you are and you can still see them (ish).

I've always been under the impression as soon as my ds was capable that I'd let him go off on his own, he turns 2 in 2 weeks and he's capable, I just don't know if I should still be monitoring him in there!

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MolliciousIntent · 27/06/2022 15:45

Well, mine is 2.5 and she can manage by herself but doesn't like to. So I end up in there with her because otherwise she doesn't go, or goes and then cries.

FloralDance · 27/06/2022 15:46

Absolutely depends on the soft play! We have two local to us. One little one I let my 19 month use by herself as I can see her at all times no matter where she is and I'm confident she can't hurt herself and I could get to her in one minute if she had an issue with another child. The other one I think I'll be following her around at five as it's laid out like a maze with lots of challenging stuff and hidden nooks.

AmbushedByCake · 27/06/2022 15:46

When they're old enough to not go in the baby bit, be relied on not to wallop other children, and can tell you if they get walloped.

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Wartywart · 27/06/2022 15:46

He's too little to be inside one of those giant climbing frame type soft plays without you. There are much bigger and stronger children there who could hurt him by mistake if they fall on him etc. If you mean just the small area which is all on one level and where can see him at all times and get to him within seconds, then perhaps ok.

WhatsInAMolatovMocktail · 27/06/2022 15:48

If it is a big soft play frame with lots of big kids on, or if it had challenging parts.
, I would definitely still go along with my dc.

Once my ds was age nearly 3 he could run so fast I couldn’t keep up through all those ridiculous little tunnels and things, so I just let him go alone. He still loves dragging me round occasionally.

CrabbyCat · 27/06/2022 15:49

Depends on the size of the soft play and the age of other children using it. Our local tiny softplay definitely from as soon as they are happy to go in by themselves as long as it's quiet enough there isn't a risk of bigger kids knocking them over.

One of the big ones with multiple stories, even if there is a toddler bit mine haven't wanted to stay in it. They want to go into the big frame, which then has bits they can't manage themselves, or they get up and then panic when they realise how far away they are from you / that they are lost. Those they need to be quite a bit older to go in by themselves.

couldishouldigoforit · 27/06/2022 15:49

Depends on the child but I'd say mine at 2 was too young.

(I thought by your title you meant you go alone - which is also a big no - those places require parenting moral support 😂)

BlibBlabBlob · 27/06/2022 15:54

Please go in with him. He's so little.

From the mum of an autistic DD who needed close watching in soft play structures i.e. constant parental accompaniment until the age of about six. The number of frightened/crying toddlers I had to 'rescue' and attempt to deliver safely back to parents! Unless you can see your child at all times, please don't leave them unsupervised. Otherwise you won't know whether they're happily playing, crying in a corner, or being thumped by bigger kids.

ExPatHereForAChat · 27/06/2022 15:55

My 2.5yo is very physically able (ahead of peers) but I still go in with him. He much prefers it if I do!

Original poster

bellabi · 27/06/2022 16:01

Thanks for the replies, you've all just confirmed all my fears and I'll definitely be accompanying ds in to anything more than the tiny baby area!

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Jules912 · 27/06/2022 20:01

My DS was a bit over 3 in the smallish one where I could see most of it ( and more importantly the door to make sure he wasn't escaping), and that was only because couldn't physically climb up while heavily pregnant. The massive one about 6.

Comedycook · 27/06/2022 20:02

Depends on how busy it is and how much of the soft play is visible from where you're sitting. If not busy and viewable..I'd say from 2.5/3. If packed...at least 4

NippyWoowoo · 27/06/2022 20:10

3ish

Duttercup · 27/06/2022 20:11

I was inside the soft play with my almost 2 year old and another mum told me (honestly, really smugly) that she lets her 2 year old in there on her own to get on with it as if I was ridiculous PFB mum.

Anyway, two minutes later, her 2 year old got kicked down the slide by a herd of marauding 7 year old boys. It was awful, her screaming was really distressing and it took ages for mum to get to her.

I'm all for risky play. I love letting her run and climb outside. It's the confined space and overexcited bigger kids, they can't be expected to watch out for toddlers.

Goodskin46 · 27/06/2022 20:15

When theor younger siblinv is born (who is going to crawl through tunnels with a newborn ?)

ElspethBoomingHowsen · 27/06/2022 20:16

My son is almost 4 and I’ve just started letting him go in alone. Any younger and I’d worry bigger kids would knock him over

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 27/06/2022 20:16

during term time 3- otherwise 4.5

Glitterspy · 27/06/2022 20:17

Mine had to manage as soon as she got a sibling, so she was just shy of 3.

Depended on the soft play though. If DS2 was napping and there were lots of rougher bigger kids about I would go in with her.

Goodskin46 · 27/06/2022 20:17

Anyway, two minutes later, her 2 year old got kicked down the slide by a herd of marauding 7 year old boys. It was awful, her screaming was really distressing and it took ages for mum to get to her.

Don't preschoolers usually go in school hours ?

BeautifulDragon · 27/06/2022 20:20

2 is far too little, unless you can see them at all times and get to them quickly. You wouldn't leave a 2yo unsupervised in a busy place they could easily be hurt in at any other time. I hate soft play & only go when they are invited to parties, but unsupervised children is one of the reasons it's so awful.

A friend of mine once said that 'sending your child into soft play, is like sending them into war' she wasn't wrong. 😂

Duttercup · 27/06/2022 20:25

Don't preschoolers usually go in school hours ?

Weird flex but it was at Rugby services on a Saturday afternoon. HTH.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 27/06/2022 20:25

I can remember my dd first being able to climb up everything on her own. She went off at speed and i was like oh ok then . She was about 3 or 4.

JustAnotherViper · 27/06/2022 20:31

Goodskin46 · 27/06/2022 20:15

When theor younger siblinv is born (who is going to crawl through tunnels with a newborn ?)

I do. I don’t want to but my older one is always getting stuck (likes climbing ladders, won’t go down a big slide alone).

I’ve also been on a very quiet bouncy castle with the baby for a similar reason.

we book the known quiet slots for this reason.

RaceDayCrumbs · 27/06/2022 20:43

couldishouldigoforit · 27/06/2022 15:49

Depends on the child but I'd say mine at 2 was too young.

(I thought by your title you meant you go alone - which is also a big no - those places require parenting moral support 😂)

I frequently go alone.

RaceDayCrumbs · 27/06/2022 20:45

I always go when it’s quiet, first thing, so usually I can easily pick my child out and keep a bit of an eye out. He’s 3.

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