When wet weather descends upon us, it’s a good idea to head to one of the three Edinburgh Indoor Play Centres detailed below. If you haven’t been to any of them already, it can be hard to choose so here’s a handy little guide.
Time Twisters, Sighthill - Time twisters is a really pleasant play centre. Again they have separate areas for the younger children. They also have some extra features which I think puts Time Twisters at the top of my list. While I do think the cafe is expensive, the food served is always good. The front of house staff have not always been the most pleasant but helpful when asked. During week days they offer a special entry price, worth taking advantage of as these times tend to be less crowded and your little one can get a good run around. I think Time Twisters has been designed with a more flexible approach to children’s ages. While there is not a huge floor space the play frame is built very high on several floors and enables children the space to run free. There are two very cool slides, one a bumpy space and one for the braver children in the style of a snake! Timetwisters also has a ball area for playing football and shooting hoops, plus a ball shooting area (though I have only seen this open once on my many visits, no idea why!).
Molly’s Play Centre, Ocean Terminal Molly’s has been on the Play Centre scene in Edinburgh for some time now and proved it’s worth. It is rarely empty and children have a great time running up and down it’s tree house shaped frames. There is a big slide and a smaller ball pit for younger children and babies. It has a lively cafe and serves fab coffee and healthy snacks. I particularly like Molly’s because shoes are checked in on arrival, for me it means no tripping obstacles and gives a sense of order. The staff have alway been very friendly and helpful. Parties are big news at Molly’s, and you are able to book all kinds of themes for your birthday boy or girl. With a stunning view of the Royal Yacht Britannia, sitting drinking a decent cappuccino while your little one makes new friends is a good way to spend an hour. As much as I recommend Molly’s I do think it suits younger children, the ideal age being under 8. With other centres in Edinburgh able to offer more space for these more energetic children!
Monkey Bizness, Fountain Park - A great fun play centre for children of up to age 12 I would say. A nice reasonably priced cafe, though when I was there we only had coffee, still very good coffee! There is the usual mass of climbing tunnels, slides and ball pits but of particular interest to the older children and something that will keep the older children entertained, and offer them a different experience is the Climbing wall. Children are strapped in and able to climb up the wall and abseil back down. There are separate areas for younger children and babies which makes their fun enjoyable too. A great busy hive of activity for parents and children alike. Now taken over by national firm Gambardos, changes may be coming but am sure the essence will still be on fun! I haven’t been to Monkey Bizness much so please feel free to add your comments below for other parents to take note.
November 29th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
I prefer Time Twisters too, My children are 7 and 12 and we can still go there with the eldest not being too bored. They always make friends. Nice place.