Review and giveaway: Creative Play Indoor Party and Playcentre
5th March 2010
Congrats to #16, Elizabeth and Aiden! Christine picked you as our winner of 10 free passes!
These cold months are no excuse to stay at home when there are so many cool indoor play centres in Durham.
One of our favourites is Creative Play Indoor Playground and Party Centre in Ajax. We took the girls here with Jen O. last February for the Valentine’s Day party and had a blast! I love that there is still to do for all age groups — a play area with smaller toys, ride-em cars, jumpers and padded seating for babies and toddlers, and several climbers for older kids.
We enjoyed decorating cupcakes (extra charge) in the huge eating area, colouring (free — and Lucy drew her first face!) and tons of free play. With two kids more than two years apart, I’d definitely recommend two people, if possible. Creative Play is quite large — more than 3,500 sq. ft., with some equipment around corners — so it can be difficult to keep track of them. That being said, there’s a TON of room to play!
One of Creative Play’s claim to fame are their character days: Tea with Ariel, March Break Art Day, visits with Elmo and Upsy Daisy. Be sure to sign up for their newsletter and keep track of their calendar to see what’s coming up.
My only complaint was this day was also a PA Day — so there were a ton of older kids around. Children to the age of 10 are allowed, and I found Lucy intimidated by the school kids. None of the were in the baby area, so Alice and Avery were fine.
Owner Christine has given me 10 FREE PASSES to a lucky Durham Region Baby reader!
Head on over to Creative Play’s website and pick your favourite feature of the place (or share, if you’ve been there before) and leave a comment below. We’ll pick a winner Monday.
Happy playing and good luck!
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Would love these tickets!!! I love the Castle climber – Ty would too and of course the Baby and Toddler area. It’s great how its so kid friendly and safe – gotta go here.
It’s hard to say what my favorite part was! I know Abby loved the train and the big climbing area with the slide. I thought the arts and crafts plus the dress up area was cool
Can’t say that I’ve been there, however, I booked a party for my 5 year old. The service was spectacular! I’m very much looking forward to it, the Castle Climbing area looks like fun!
I would really love to have these passes for Ayven. I’m always looking for new places to take him to on my days off during the week.
My favourite feature would be the toddler/baby area with age appropriate climbing excursions because there are a couple places I have taken him and there are an overwhelming amount of children much bigger than him and he’s gotten trampled a couple of times by many rambunctious kids! So I love for him to have areas where he can play safely and without worry.
I love the crafts area! We’ve been to a couple of indoor play centers in Whitby and Mississauga, but this one’s take on ‘creativity’ is really neat! Smocks and all! So cool!
Looks like a fun place. The play areas would definitely appeal but I like the creative corners!
I have never had a chance to go there yet but I have been really anxious to take the girls one day. I love that they have special “guest appearances”. That’s always so exciting for kids!!
I have never been there but the unique Birthday party themes sounds neat but even BETTER – the option for fresh healthier party food!!!!
My kids would love those tickets too. I have three children 4 years and under and creative play offers a place where all three of my children can play and have fun all at the same time. We have been there one time in the past and had a blast. However, due to the cost of taking the three of them we are unable to go as often as we like. We sure hope to win the tickets as the kids would love to go again:)
Opps forgot our favourite part is the art corner. My Sayde can glue her artwork while my boys paint. Another favourite spot for my son is the far back corner where my son can play hockey for hours.
I think the greatest thing about these places is that the children get to meet other children who wouldn’t be in their normal group of playmates. It also promotes fun play and sharing, waiting your turn for the slide, with others. I love these places. We’ve never been here, but have visited My Bubble and Little Feet several times.
As a daycare supervisor (in my former, non mat leave life) I am pretty harsh on critiquing most of these places. However, I was thrilled to see so many options for all sorts of creative play: gross motor, fine motor, arts and crafts. Many other sites focus on only one.
I also appreciate the different age appropriate activities. I find some centres focused on either bigger kids (Air Zone) or smaller kids (Little Feet). My 3.5 year old had a blast and burned off tons of energy (loves the rope climb and the hockey the best), while my 5 month old had comfy seating while sleeping and later a safe calm place to play with smaller toys he could handle.
I love the easily accessible bathrooms in the middle of the play area, so my daughter didn’t feel like she had to leave the fun to use the washroom. A big bonus for the younger still learning set.
Love the wide open snack area and coffee for MOM!!! That might be MY favourite part!
My favourite feature would be the theme days. My three year old would look forward to going even more so if he knew he’d see Thomas the Tank or Bob the Builder or whoever. I’ve never been to this place so i’d welcome the chance to go there for free with my two young kids!
i would love these passes for Alana!! i know she would have a ball with soo many fun new tihngs to do id have to say by looking at the site my fav. thing would be the castle climber! and i love all the birthday party ideas so unique
I like the Parents Corner Articles on the website!! Free advice is the best!! It looks like a great place to play!! Good Luck all
Aiden would LOVE the castle climb! How fun would it be to take him there for Art day on MArch 17th? OR to host his next birthday bash – 4 years in September!!
I like that it seems so clean. Some of the indoor play places I’ve been to are so grubby. I’d love to be able to let Audrey play freely without thinking about dirt and germs
I think that my son Carson would love the hockey area – looks like he could spend hours there. Hannah was looking at the pictures with me and likes the paint area and the castle climber.
I agree with everyone else – it looks as though you can bring a wide age range of kids to one play centre – which is not often the case.
To be honest I love that you can have kids to the age of 10. I have kids of so many different ages groups I find it had to go to most places like this, or I have to leave the older 2 at home and they have to miss out.
Great feedback on the different age situation, everyone. I agree!
i would love to take my grand daughter here! she would love it she hasnt been to this one before and it looks like shed have so much fun here, i tinhk her fav. thing would be the castle climber, but who knows as it looks like theres soo many fun things!
Sandra
I definitely need to know when Upsy Daisy comes back! Cameron has a crush on her
)
Thank you so much to everyone for your kind comments! Congratulations to number 16 for winning our free play passes. We really look forward to seeing all of you one day at our play centre. Don’t forget to mention this blog when you come, you might get a surprise!