Being taken to indoor play centres is almost a rite of passage for little ones – I’m sure we all have fond memories of sliding into huge ball pits and crawling through colourful tunnels.
But, are soft play areas really the best places to take our children for indoor play? Or are their downsides influencing the modern parent to seek an alternative? Keep reading to find out!
Should I take my child to a public soft play centre?
What are public soft playgrounds?
Often decorated in bright colours, or themed to look like jungles or circuses, soft play areas are fun indoor activity spaces for children. Kids can climb rope ladders, swim through a sea of plastic balls and slide down plastic slides, all whilst making friends.
To protect your little ones from falls and impacts, these facilities are netted and padded with foam elements wrapped in smooth plastic covers – hence the name ‘soft play’.
The pros and cons of public soft play areas
Like most things, soft play centres have pluses and negatives.
Benefits of public soft play
Taking your tot to play with other kids among cushioned and padded play has some advantages:
- They’re great for socialisation
Children are introduced to waiting their turn, playing and sharing with others, which will stand them in good stead for school and later life! - They’re very entertaining
To put it simply, soft play areas are FUN! Your special ones won’t get bored playing with others and enjoying the thrills these spaces offer. - They’re good exercise
Playing on soft playground equipment is a great way to keep your little ones healthy and active. Crawling, balancing, and running all contribute to an all-round physical workout, which your tot needs for their strength and muscle development.
Cons of Public Soft Play
There are several things to consider with public soft play facilities:
- They can smell
As kids have to remove their shoes to play, parents and their children can expect to be hit by the stench of sweaty feet as they enter the premises – this can be enough to put families off altogether. - They can be unhygienic
Even though public playground equipment is cleaned regularly, it’s difficult to keep the whole set-up clean and germ-free. For example, younger children may have had accidents where your child is playing that haven’t been spotted by the cleaning staff yet.
Plus, if another toddler has a bug, it can easily be spread to your little one during play. - You have to pay to play
In some cases, it’s pay-and-play with indoor soft play facilities. Add this to travel fees, and the costs will gradually mount across the year.
What’s the alternative?
If you decide to avoid public play areas but don’t want them to miss out on the excitement of soft play, you can buy children’s play equipment for your home.
The top advantages of domestic soft play equipment
- Home playground equipment is easier to keep clean
Thanks to removable foam covers and smooth plastic balls that can be washed with warm water and a gentle cleaning agent, home soft play areas are much more hygienic than public facilities.
So, you can relax knowing your special one is safe from harmful bacteria and germs that cause illnesses. - A real-time saver for parents
With play equipment for your little munchkin’s room, parents can put their own time to better use, rather than spending hours at public play areas – if you consider travel time, and waiting for your tot to finish playing, that’s a hefty amount of your day spent.
But, with home foam playgrounds your child can have just as much fun in a safe space whilst you get on with important tasks and chores that would otherwise be put on the back burner. - Imaginative play from the comfort of your home
Thanks to the diverse range of foam elements to play with, your kids can let their creativity and imagination run wild.
With their own climbing frame, tots can explore the tallest skyscrapers, and create a stunt track with a foam ramp for example – the possibilities are endless! - Motor skill development
Play elements accessible to children at home can help to enhance their gross motor skills more rapidly.
Clambering up climbing frames and crawling through tunnels is a fun way to build muscle and develop the use of the large muscles in their legs, arms and torso.
Where should I buy children’s play equipment from?
Depending on the retailer you choose, there’s an extensive range of play elements to purchase including foam playgrounds and blocks, ball pits, slides, and tunnels. However, only an established retailer can guarantee fantastic quality and durable and robust children’s foam play equipment, manufactured with safety in mind.
Whether you’re looking for wooden playground equipment or foam elements and ball pits, only buy from a trusted supplier that offers everything you need to create an exciting soft play area for your space.
What are your thoughts on public soft play centres? Do you prefer them or home-based play options for your child?
*Disclosure: Collaborative Post
Thanks for stopping by,
Love you all ❤️
Franca 💋
PIN FOR LATER:
Leave a Reply