Land Of Play Review

Something is shoved into my hand, “Can you hold this” says an over excited toddler.

I look down, good god, it's an eyeball. For a few horrifying milliseconds the ball of jelly stares back at me. “Who's missing an eye?” shrieks the voice in my head.

Fortunately, there was no need to call an ambulance, the wobbly, sticky mass in my hand was a rather revolting sweet from a vending machine.

The soft play, for the under 3s, is good. A ball pit, small climbing frame, a slide, lots of toys, and cushioned shapes for them to sit, rock, slide and hurl themselves off, safely.

I'm at Land of Play, a children play centre around the corner from The Trafford Centre and close to the M60. It’s set in one of the industrial parks. Parking is limited to immediately in front of the building and the spaces get taken early. There are, however, more spaces a short walk around the side of the block.

 With the site being an industrial building, the centre has the advantage of great height and space inside. It’s airy and bright. Entrance is gated. Take cash, as card payments under £5 are subject to a charge. I thought I had no cash but impressively managed to scrape together the £3.99 entrance fee for one child under three from the fugitive coins at the bottom of my handbag.

Tables are dotted around the cafe area and through the centre of the activities zones. Along the left wall are partitioned party areas. On the back wall there is a large go-kart circuit (£1 per ride) and the rest of the space is given to the climbing and soft play areas.

The soft play, for the under 3s, is good. A ball pit, small climbing frame, a slide, lots of toys, and cushioned shapes for them to sit, rock, slide and hurl themselves off, safely.

 The toddler area has a good sized climbing frame with ladders, ropes, huge rubber balls, tunnels, enough to keep any energetic child happy.

Ordering my drinks and food, I requested a time for the food to be served and so avoided the card charge, crafty. The cafe has a large adult menu and a children's menu offering kid's favorites. I ordered a kids pizza and chips which came bang on time and was freshly made.

This place is good. They do loads of group activities during weekdays, private parties are well catered for, there’s free wi-fi access on request and secure lockers for any valuables. Toilet facilities and baby changing areas were clean. The staff were very pleasant.

On the way home a little whimpering voice comes from the back seat of the car “My eyeball, I've lost my eyeball.”

“Oh dear,” I say knowingly, “I'll keep an eye out for it”.

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