Which Play Centre to go to?
So, now you have a heap of play centres to choose from, which one do you choose?
The Answer, I think, is trial and error. But here are some suggestions;
Some questions you might ask yourself are:
What do I want to get out of my play centre experience?
Do you want to sit back and relax with a nice cuppa coffee and a paper or magazine while your child(ren) play? Or do you want to go with a group of friends and let your little ones play together? Or perhaps you are just a big kid and want to play too!
You might want to consider the coffee that is sold there. (Some places advertise that they sell Grinders coffee). Perhaps the food is important; for while some play centre's food is really good, cafe, quality, others are not of the same high standard. Some places are small and cozy, whereas others are large, without that same homely feel. (Although, when the small ones fill up they are very loud.)
Which play centre is best suited to my child(ren)'s age?
Finding the 'right match' for your child(ren) is very important. While most play centres are geared to accommodate children of all ages, some equipment is 'more exciting' for the 'older children'.
You might want to consider, here, the size of the play centre itself. Some play centres are small and more 'homely' than their larger counterparts. As a general rule, I would say that the larger play centres are better for the older children. But keep in mind that (almost) all play centres have a special sectioned off play area for the younger kids.
I suggest viewing their website (enter the play centre name in google search) before going there, to get an idea of their equipment etc.
Where can I get the most value for my money?
Here is the all-important question. This is where trial and error is the most important. Some things to think about here are: how long will the child(ren) be happy to play? Is the equipment age appropriate? Remember, most (if not all) play centres don't allow food to be brought into the play centre (usually because of allergies), unless it is baby formula or something similar (usually, their internet site will tell you what the rules are here).
In the end, you need to balance what is best for you, for your child(ren), and how much money you are willing to spend. Remember, that when you go to a play centre you need to pay the entry fee, but will then need to buy any food you want to consume in there. So budget well!
