Hi
Just thought I'd post about a new indoor play centre that's opened in Bromborough in the retail/leisure complex. I've been to a few indoor play centres around and about and can totally recommend this one.
Photo from official website Kidz-a-Loud has been open since October 2008 (news to me - not heard of it until I was looking for kid's birthday party ideas). Its situated in a large retail/leisure unit sandwiched between Gala Bingo and Fitness First. Parking is ample (even when you'd expect it to be busy).
When you get there the greeting is friendly. It costs £5.50 per child during peak times (weekends/after school/school holidays). Its £4.00 for off peak (school hours). Adults are not charged for admission.
OK briefly, they give you a number for the box they put your kid's shoes in, you go find a table and basically watch the children disappear into the play area! They usually appear again about 5 minutes later once they've been round it all and want to tell you what its like!
Important stuffClean? Yes very - been to a few of these places and been disappointed by shabby furniture and even the play equipment. OK so this place has not been open long, but they seem to care about the appearance of the place - its a main question on their feedback form (which is part of the info you get once you've paid). One thing I always check (sad I know) is how clean they keep the loos. The loos in this place were pretty spotless and they even had a sink lower than the rest for little'uns.
Play equipment? This is a typical indoor play centre with the usual things like the big wavy slide, obstacles to go through - hanging padded bars, rollers etc. There's a tunnel slide with windows in it, and also what I would call a 'death slide'. One of those practically vertical slides which are VERY fast lol. There was a supervisor at the top of it telling kids how to go down it safely. Lots of climbing, rigging, a climbing wall. And one thing my kids found highly entertaining - a big gun which shot foam balls into the air towards a target wall. They also have a ground level with walkandgo cars, and a small football area.
Supervised/Safety? Yes, lots of staff about, even on the play equipment, to make sure that everyone is able to enjoy themselves. They have 2 areas with different height restriction, so smaller kids can have fun without being kicked in the head!
Food? Seems reasonably priced. We didn't have anything to eat on this occasion but I was impressed by what I saw being brought to surrounding tables. The coffee was good (Illy) and they had a good selection of drinks for the kids (not just Fruit Shoots).
General impressionI'm pleased to say we'll be back there again soon and will recommend it to everyone we know with kids of the right age for this place.
Anything else?Kidz-a-Loud do birthday parties for kids with separate rooms off from the main area. The website gives you prices and what you get for your money:
http://www.kidz-a-loud.com/index.htmOpening Times(from 1st January 2009)
Sunday - Thursday, 9.30am to 6.30pm
Friday - Saturday, 9.30am to 8.30pm
Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Years Day.