Pouring down with rain and at your wits end with the little ones? Fear not – we’ve taken a look at some of the best indoor play options in Surrey and South West London.
When the rain comes lashing down, there is only one thing parents fear more than soggy trainers marched across carpets – the dreaded ‘Muuumm, I’m bored!'
Whilst many inventive parents up and down the country bring out the arts & crafts box or board games, sometimes all your tiny terrors want to do is charge around, hell-bent on wearing you out. Fortunately for you, we’ve rounded up a number of indoor play centres where you can kick back and relax whilst keeping the kids happy.
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1
KidZania - Westfield London
One of the new kids on the block is Kidzania – a massive 75,000 square foot “reality theme park” in Westfield Shepherds Bush.
This mini-city has over 50 different themed booths where children can roleplay a myriad of jobs, from firefighter or hotel receptionist to singer or chef. Kidzania aims to blend entertainment with education, helping children to understand the importance of work and introduce them to the idea that work pays.
Ages: 4-14
Open 7 days a week; time slots from 9.30am to 7pm; entry from £18; kidzania.co.uk; 0203 815 3934
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2
Clip 'n' Climb - Chelsea
If your little ones are feeling more daring than usual, Clip n’ Climb in Chelsea is a fun indoor wall climbing centre where they can really get stuck in. Somewhere both adults and children can enjoy fun activities and some healthy competition, this is also great for those of you looking to keep fit with your kids!
No climbing experience is necessary, as all climbers are given a safety induction before they are let loose on the walls, and their harness and belay devices ensure that no one comes crashing down to the floor!
Ages: 4+
Open Monday to Friday 11am-5pm & Saturdays, Sundays, Bank Holidays and school holidays, from 10am-6pm; entry from £17.50; www.clipnclimbchelsea.co.uk; 020 7736 2271
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3
Kidabulous - Sunbury
With two huge areas of indoor softplay, Kidabulous is the perfect destination for a rainy day. Including a giant playframe and a Toddler Town (a whole floor of softplay for early years fun and role play learning), each floor also has a café and free WI-Fl throughout.
Ages: 0-12 (Toddler Town, 0-4)
Open daily 9.30am-6.00pm, 6.15pm-8.15pm: Laser Tag and Exclusive Hire; entry from £4.55-£9.10; www.kidabulous.com; 01932 500370
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4
Snakes and Ladders
Bursting with indoor play activities, Snakes and Ladders is fun for children of all ages. Kids can explore their huge three-tier playframe, imagination play area, mini sports pitch, and they even have electric bikes to race!
Ages: 0-12
Open 7 days a week from 10am-6pm; entry from £4.90-£10.10; www.snakes-and-ladders.co.uk; 020 8847 0946
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5
Eddie Catz - Putney & Wimbledon
With outlets in Putney and Wimbledon, Eddie Catz is a soft-play centre and party venue that many parents in the area are familiar with. Eddie Catz in Putney is great for younger ones who will love the large padded area and dressing-up corner, whilst their Wimbledon venue promises to be great fun for kids up to age 10.
Parents and carers can keep an eye on their children from the lounge area where they can grab a coffee, have a chat with other adults or make use of the free Wi-Fi to catch-up on emails.
Open 7 days a week; Monday to Saturday from 9.30am-6pm, Sunday from 10am-6pm, Late night openings on Wednesdays till 7.30pm; entry from £1-£9.50; www.eddiecatz.com; 020 3475 5268
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Gambado – Chelsea
Like Eddie Catz, Gambado has a large soft-play area and ball pit for young children – but it also has go-karts, a spinning cups ride and a climbing wall which are suitable for children up to the age of 8. With a wide range of food available throughout the day, Gambado promises to offer you and your kids a great way to shelter from the rain.
Ages: 0-12
Summer Opening Hours from July 3-Sept 3, Monday-Sunday 9:30am-18:30pm; entry from £8.50-£11.95; www.gambado.com; 0207 384 1635
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7
Hobbledown Farm - Epsom
If you and the kids are feeling brave enough to tackle some of the outdoors in the drizzle, why not not trundle down to Hobbledown? Hobbledown is a unique farm park adventure with indoor and outdoor attractions, giving you and your family the best of both worlds.
Boasting a 14,000 sqft indoor play barn with restaurant, the barn houses two themed play areas, one soft and one wooden. It also has an indoor maze, adding an extra element of fun and discovery for the family.
Ages: 2-13
Open 7 days a week; Entry from £4-£17; www.hobbledown.com; 01372 848990
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8
Specky's Pirate Ship - Guildford
Kids can skip the rainy showers and jump aboard Specky's Pirate Ship for a magic adventure on the high seas! Featuring four storeys of soft play including ball pools, a trampoline, tube slide, cargo net and sky glide, you can guarantee a days peace whilst the little ones are occupied.
If all that isn't enough, Guildford Spectrum also holds ice skating, tenpin bowling and leisure pool sessions kitted out with slides, water wheels, shark showers and more!
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Airhop - Guildford
Need the perfect place to let your kiddies burn off some steam? Airhop is a massive trampoline park of ultimate bouncing fun for the whole family. Including a huge foam pit, dodgeball court, basketball slam-dunk hoops and a main court with over 50 interconnected trampolines, you can guarantee a days rest whilst the kids are happily bouncing around.
Ages: 5+
Open Monday to Thursday 10am-10pm, Friday 10am-11pm, Saturday 9am-11pm, Sunday 9am-9pm; entry from £10; airhop-guildford.com; 0330 223 3333
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10
Jellybugs Soft Play Café - Kingston
A fun play cafe in the centre of Kingston, Jellybugs has toys and activities for all ages, plus barista coffees, frappes and smoothies for mums and dads. Kitted out with a large two-level soft play frame and a lower level play area and ball pool for the little ones, Jellybugs was also awarded 'Best Party Venue' throughout the South East by netmums members.
Open Monday-Saturday 9.30am-7pm, Sunday 10am-5pm; entry from £2.50-£5.95; www.jellybugs.co.uk; 07776 082 089
Open Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm, bank holidays 10am-4pm, closed Sun. Price: Over 1s £4.95, under 1s £1.95, additional sibling £2.95 and adults go free.
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Adventureland and Youth Gym - Redhill
Adventureland is a specially designed indoor adventure play area for children 6 years and under, featuring plenty of slides, tubes, swing areas and other physical play equipment to keep children entertained.
There's also a smaller safe area set aside for toddlers and babies to play in, whilst the centre also boasts a custom youth gym designed specifically for 11 to 15 year olds. This features a mix of high tech activities, including interactive dance mats and target board and its own audio-visual system. A great option for older kids and teens while the smalls are in Adventureland!
Ages: Babies and Toddlers 0-3 and Young Children 4-8; Youth Gym 11-15
For a complete price listing, check out their website or call 01737 764 732
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Whacky Warehouse - Air Balloon, Horley
A great spot to get together with friends and family, Whacky Warehouse in Horley is also attached to a Fayre & Square family pub, offering a value kid's menu with something delicious for even the fussiest of eaters.
Open: Monday to Thursday 9.30am-7.30pm, Friday 9.30am-8pm, Saturday 11am-8pm & Sundays 11am-7pm; entry from £2.25; www.wackywarehouse.co.uk; 01293 820188
You can check out another one of our great local Child's Play pieces by clicking here
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