I recently asked which soft play centre everyone recommended that I review, and Parents Paradise in Watford was a very popular choice. There were multiple people who claimed that this was the cleanest soft play centre they had ever been to. That is a heck of a claim to make! Lots and lots of people were raving about it. Covid meant I couldn’t go down there sooner to do a review, but I’ve finally been down to Parents Paradise to check it out.
There are three areas; a baby area, under 5’s area and a main playframe. There’s also a decent amount of seating for the grown ups, party rooms and cafe. Parents Paradise also has a go-kart track and a sports court.
Throughout this review I’ve written Parents Paradise without an apostrophe because that’s how they’ve branded themselves. It’s bugged me more that it should do, but I’ve thought about it quite a lot. Shouldn’t it be Parents’ Paradise rather than Parents Paradise? After a long debate we decided it depends on if they want to parents to own the paradise or not!!!!
The baby area
This is a relatively small area with various sensory elements and soft play shapes. It’s suitable for babies up to 18 months old. In one corner there’s one of those fish tv portals which babies absolutely love. In fact there’s lots of light sensory equipment in here.
The under 5’s area
Again, this is a relatively small area. It’s only 7 squares by 2 on the ground floor and 9 by 2 on the first floor. Downstairs there’s loads of soft play shapes including those massive weeble things. Upstairs there’s loads of dangly things, rollers and tunnels. There’s also a little slide. The tunnel is quite cool and goes outside of the frame. Not that I climbed through it. I’m not sure that I would be particularly graceful scrambling through it!
The main play frame
The main play frame at Parents Paradise is all about slides and tunnels. There’s a drop slide, a four lane bumpy slide and a twisty slide. Other features include buoy zip lines, a bridge, a little maze and things to wobble on. At the top there’s also a sports court and there is a track for go karts and Little Tikes cars (not at the same time obviously). There’s a charge of £1 per person for the go-karts.
One of my favourite features is the little trampoline they’ve made from giant yoga balls and a massive tarpaulin. Smallest Child and I spent ages playing games on here, jumping from ball to ball.
There are lots of different slides here; a bumpy slide, a drop slide and a twisty slide. I thought Smallest Child would be wary of the drop slide but she practically jumped off the ledge. Maybe it was just me who was wary – for some reason drop slides terrify me!!!
Parents Paradise was much smaller than I thought it was going to be, and in a couple of ways. The frame itself is isn’t as large as I thought it would be and it doesn’t go back particularly far. The other way it’s smaller is between the levels. This isn’t necessarily the easiest play frame for adults to get around. There’s lots of those split level platforms instead of steps. You know the ones where you have to contort yourself like a snake to get through it. At least the levels are all full height though. When you are finally on the next level you can walk around easily. It’s sooo much easier to get around than somewhere like Yarnton Nursery’s Magic Garden.
I decided to review Parents Paradise because everyone said how clean it was. They were right, it seemed really clean everywhere and I get the impression that’s not just because of covid. I think it’s genuinely that clean all the time.
Parents Paradise review update
Since I visited Parents Paradise I’ve visited another soft play centre which puts a slightly different spin on this place, so I’m updating the review. I did like it here BUT Sprouts Playbarn over in Oxfordshire is much better for over 5’s, significantly bigger and it’s cheaper (up to the age of 11). Sprouts is just as clean but has much better kit. From here I am the two are equidistant and, if I’m honest, I’d choose Sprouts. There’s nothing actually wrong Parents Paradise, particularly if you’re local. I just think there might be better options for the same money for children over 5.
Our review
Parents Paradise in Watford is a decent soft play, very clean and of a reasonable size. Loads of people absolutely rave about it. Smallest Child did have a lovely time and made some brand new friends of life (that we won’t see again). It’s the kind of place where even relatively small kids can just run around quite happily without you because they don’t need any help getting about. It’s well maintained and has decent kit. I’m not sure that it was worth driving from Aylesbury to Watford specifically to visit, but if you’re local it is worth a visit
Admission cost
First adult £1 weekdays / £2 weekends. Double that for any additional adults. Babies under 1 – £2. 1 year old – £4. 2-4 years – £7. 5-11 years – £11. You can book and check the latest prices on their website.
Parking / How to get there
Parking – On-site, free
Address – Unit C, Greatham Road Industrial Estate, Greatham Road, Bushey, Watford, Hertfordshire WD23 2NZ
Toilets
On-site, including baby change
Food
Own food not allowed. Cafe on site.
What else is there to do nearby?
Not too far away you’ll find Oxhey activity park which is amazing. There’s also Leavesden Country Park not too far away.
Hi, I’m Vicky. My husband and I live in Aylesbury with our three children; a 14 year old son, an 12 year old son and a 6 year old daughter. I (mostly) love spending time together as a family. We visit all kinds of places and we’re quite happy to drive a fair distance for a decent day out. A few years ago I decided to set up Free Time with the Kids as a way to share our experiences of these family days out.
You’ll find the essential information you need to know before your visit that can be surprisingly hard to find out. Where do I park? How much will it cost me to get in? Are there any discounts available? Are there loos? Can I take a picnic or get food? My aim is to be your go-to guide for all your free and cheap family days out across Bucks, Beds, Oxon, Herts & slightly beyond. I really hope you find the reviews helpful. If there’s anywhere that you’d recommend please get in touch contact@freetimewiththekids.com or get in touch via Facebook
