38A Dukesway, Teesside Industrial Estate, Thornaby, Stockton on Tees, TS17 9LT
(Ad-Pr Visit)
***WE VISITED ON A SEN (QUIETER) SESSION SO IVE INCLUDED LOTS OF INFO AROUND THIS TOO
🌟ARRIVAL🌟
In took us around 20 minutes to drive here from the north of Darlington which isn't bad at all. I used my satnav which I would recommend if you haven't been before, as there's lots of turns to take once getting nearer, not so much signposted from what I could see but this isn't unusual either for a venue like this.
🚘 There was plenty of parking spaces beside the building in their car park including a couple of disabled spaces next to the entrance. There was a ramp leading up to the entrance and double doors to get in so accessible for wheelchair users.
It's also right next door to Tazerz, a lazer tag venue. (I plan to visit at some point when my 13 year old stepson is with us so keep an eye out for my blog write up on this).
We visited on Sunday for their SEN session. This is generally quieter due to lower numbers. On our visit there was myself, Kamron (my 6 year old), Leo (my 7 month old) my sister Emma, her partner Chris and my niece and nephew Sophia, 3 and Harvey, 1. Sophia has cerebral palsy and can struggle emotionally and get overwhelmed easily so we decided to visit this session mainly to try it out for her, but hoping it would be good for all the kids too, which it was.
We received a friendly welcome, and once checking in the staff opened the secure gates for us (these gates help to keep kids from getting out on their own).
🔶GETTING SETTLED🔶
We headed straight over to the baby area. There’s lots of comfy sofas/chairs surrounding this area, and as well as the baby soft play section, they have larger padded playmats on the floor, soft cubes and other padded toys just outside of the baby section in front of the seating. This was great for your little ones to play in clear view if you wanted to sit down for a bit. There were a couple of sofas with tables in front of them too so you could sit with a cuppa and eat there with the kids. There were plenty of high chairs available. If you didn't want to sit near the baby play there's was plenty of seating everywhere in the central area and you could see all three play areas from here too. Seating was table and chairs, we definitely preferred the baby section for the comfortable seating but also as that's where our kids mainly were.
AD-Gifted Visit
🔷JUNIOR PLAY🔷
Kamron went straight off to explore the bigger areas. There was lots of choice including bridges to walk along, football/sports court, towers to climb up, a ball cannon area, a drop slide and a four lane slide to name a few things. He did comment the lane slide wasn’t that fast for him but he said he still enjoyed it. I imagine the drop slide is faster but Kamron didn’t try this, maybe next time! There was also a smaller slide in the toddler area. The toddler area offered some similar play equipment to the larger area just on a smaller scale, it was nice to see effort had gone into the toddler section as sometimes this age group gets forgotten about in softplays I think. Kamron loved this softplay, he asked if we can stay longer after the SEN session as he had made some friends🤗
🔶BABY AND TODDLER PLAY🔶
The baby section was a huge hit with Leo, Sophia and Harvey. There was a ball pool, mirrors to look in, baby walkers, jumperoo, baby toys, play blocks, a bubble fish sensory lamp and more! 🤩
Leo was taking it all in smiling, he loves jumping at the moment so it was great to see a jumperoo there. Sophia was very relaxed and happy, she loved the bubble fish tank and playing with toys in front of it as she could put them at a high level and kneel in front which was great for her condition and physically helped a lot. Harvey was being his usual happy self too, looking for the next thing to dart straight over to or dive over like a typical toddler! 😂
There was even a grab rail along where the mirrors are-this is great for those learning to walk or that may have mobility issues as it can really help with physical development and give them some independence. Sophia enjoyed walking along looking in all the character mirrors whilst holding onto this rail, it was a good opportunity for her to practice her walking whilst having fun. Harvey loved the ball pool and he was able to get around safely when he wanted to explore as it was all very padded. Both Sophia and Harvey even went in the toddler section. They both loved going down the slide and it was good that there wasn't many kids in the session as it wasn't too overwhelming particularly for Sophia, making it more enjoyable for everyone and meaning they could have a few extra go's down the slide 💜
There was quite a lot of baby equipment for Leo to be able to sit in and use his legs a little, like the jumperoo and walkers, which was good to see as sometimes I find there isn’t so much for babies in softplays like this and more just floor toys. What we particularly enjoyed about the SEN session is that it was much quieter so the kids could play safely and for Sophia it was much less overwhelming for her. I imagine a larger softplay like this could get pretty busy and particularly with older kids, which is fine I think when there isn't additional needs to think about.
🔷ACCESSIBILITY🔷
There was a seperate baby changing and disabled toilet. There were a few sofas set back from the main seating area too if you wanted to sit away from the main seating areas a bit. This area was more open for wheelchairs to be able to get around easily. It is very accessible in terms of getting into and around the building and getting seating but as with most softplays the play areas aren’t accessible for wheelchair users.
🔶SEN SUITABILITY🔶
The quiet sessions are great, the fact the baby play also had some sensory equipment too like the fish bubble lamp, mirrors, musical toys and a ball pool can be a great benefit for those with SEN. Also there were different levels to play on and place toys, and the rails going all the way along the back wall in the baby section with lots of mirrors and nursery rhymes to look at on the wall whilst holding on to the rails to walk along was great. Having something like this can help physically whilst having fun and enjoying the surroundings too.
When we were there it was nice to see an adult with SEN/additional needs who was able to sit in the baby play area and just enjoy taking it all in and I imagine feeling very relaxed 😌
When I asked one of the members of staff about the general play sessions and if adults can go in any of the soft play areas, they advised that adults can go in with children and also if they have SEN (additional needs) even if older and would benefit from softplay they can also go in too. This place felt very inclusive from what I saw on my visit and the information provided, and they seem to listen and understand individuals needs rather than having set rules.
With the SEN sessions, these are an hour long and generally quieter as much lower numbers attend. You can stay up to 2.5 hours if you want to. It is likely to get busier after the SEN session has finished though as the general entry starts, so this is just something to be aware of.
🧁 🥪 FOOD AND DRINKS 🥤
A good choice for hot and cold food, snacks, cakes, hot drinks and cold drinks, a varied menu I found. The menu clearly showed they cater for various allergies/dietary requirements too. The cappuccino and cake I tried was nice and I got it on a 'cuppa and cake deal' for £4.50 which I thought was reasonable-and I wouldn't have known about this deal had the guy that served me not have mentioned it so this was good customer service!
I managed to get a quick look in the party room too. They were setting up for a party. It looked fab! And slush machines in there for the kids which I’m sure would be a hit 😀
❓FINAL THOUGHTS❓
Overall, we enjoyed our visit. I honestly don’t have any negatives to highlight. We will definitely be returning again for the SEN session with my sister. Sophia struggles to control her emotions sometimes and can get easily overwhelmed, this time she wasn't.. it was lovely to see her relaxed 🥰
I think the fact there were much less people helped and also the layout of the baby play and the equipment available to play with probably helped too. She does better with baby play areas as some of the bigger ones can be a challenge for her physically but some baby play have very limited toys to keep her interested. She did have a go in the toddler area with her mums help though and again I think it being quiet meant she could take her time.
Also Kamron came running to me whilst we were there saying it’s now his favourite softplay and if we can come again. And there were lots of smiles off Leo and Harvey too so I think it was a success all round!
💷PRICE AND ENTRY INFO 🎟
This softplay is pricier than some for 3 years and over, under 3's is in line with most softplays.
Current prices
SEN Play Sessions £5 (1 hour sessions but you can continue stay into a general session, 2.5 hours total overall)
General Play Sessions (2.5 hours):
£2.50 under 12 months (or free with full paying sibling)
£6.50 1 and 2 year olds
£9.50 3 years and over
I think for the fact they have three seperate play sections carefully thought out for each age range and having a decent amount and variety of play equipment in each section, makes the price appropriate.
And you can stay for 2.5 hours which is a good amount of time too.
I doubt any kid would get bored in here to be honest. Children up to 14 years can go in too, there’s not many softplays that allow this! They are fairly relaxed with the age limit as older kids with SEN/adults can also go in to play with their kids when I asked about this as mentioned further above.
For further info including sessions, up to date prices and also to book, please go to https://www.theplayfactory.net/
Please also follow them on Facebook for any updates at https://www.facebook.com/The-Play-Factory-Thornaby-226671940855968/
I hope you enjoyed reading ☺️
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Ad (Gifted)
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