REVIEW: New Soft Play at Better Link Centre, Swindon

This week, to celebrate the launch of Better Link Centre's brand new soft play area, we sent a local parent blogger along to try it out with her two little ones!

Emma, of everydayplayideas.co.uk is a Teacher and a Mummy to two young children. They spent the morning at The Link Centre Soft Play which opened this week.

A few years into parenting and you’ve checked out most of the entertainment in the area, haven’t you? So we were thrilled to be invited to visit somewhere new. Well, my 3 year old and 1 year old had a brilliant morning and we’ll definitely be returning.

They were both tired out but happy afterwards and that’s always a sign of a great day out for me. There was plenty to entertain them for 2-3 hours and lots of seating so we could sit and have a much needed rest, drink and snack. As it’s a very large room you don’t get that same sweaty, noisy experience that you do in some soft play areas, so that was a huge win for me.

The under 4s area is lovely and easily our favourite part of the centre. With a well-considered layout, a nice open ball-pit and several sensory items (some of which aren’t available at other local centres) this area is perfect for even the youngest of babies.

The mirrors, sensory screens and tactile items are perfect for babies who aren’t mobile. While the keyboard, climbing apparatus and slide are great for those with energy to burn. As a parent, it’s brilliant to find a soft play where both of my children can play quite happily in the same space. As a teacher, it’s wonderful to see a space that’s been designed with tiny brains in mind.

For the under 10s there’s a larger soft play area with apparatus to challenge them physically with equipment such as scramble nets and climbing frames. The zip-wire swing and slides were a favourite for my almost 4 year old, who particularly enjoyed being able to move between the pre-school and school aged areas.

Age-appropriate word-searches and challenges have also been placed throughout the space and while the area isn’t huge, there are lots of parts to explore once inside. With fairly dimmed lighting the under 10s area has a cosy feel, perfect for older children to explore independently.

As the café is situated opposite, you can easily sit back with a coffee and supervise them from there. The cafe has a variety of snacks and drinks but they do not currently offer lunch. Whilst this is the case they are happy for you to take your own. Another win for a budget friendly morning out.

The soft play equipment is situated next to the Trampoline Park so those with a wider range of ages to accommodate would also be quite satisfied here. The centre is currently clean and very quiet over lunchtime too. Highchairs are provided as well as a space for buggies and the toilets and changing area are within the soft play space itself. From a safeguarding point of view, there is currently no button escape and rather an open door, meaning speedy toddlers need constant supervision.

So if you’ve got little ones that like to play, socialise and explore, then check out The Link Centre Soft Play. It’s a great space for grown-ups, children and childminders looking for a budget friendly morning out.

Book a soft play session at the Link Centre here!