If you’re like me and always on the look-out for a great KID-FRIENDLY cafe, our lovely friend, Lauren Hunt is here to help us. And by “help” I mean “SAVE” us!
Lauren is an Early Childhood Teacher who currently works part-time teaching children in their first year of school, while also running a great website, teachertypes.com. Lauren is a Supermum to her two-and-a-half year old daughter, Miss M and she knows what it’s like bringing toddlers to cafes that aren’t kid-friendly — HELL!
Here are her top 5 Play Cafes in Adelaide:
Hayley xx
Guest Post: By Lauren Hunt
1. Lollipops Playland, 449 Port Road, Croydon
Okay, this one is our favourite! When my daughter, Miss M was a baby, I was thrilled to find out that Lollipops has it’s own specific baby play area with swings, rockers, walkers, jolly jumpers and massage chairs for parents! It’s awesome – and right along-side the toddler area so if you have a baby and a toddler, you’re covered.
The toddler area is generous in size with safe, padded climbing, slide, mini bouncy castle and lots to do. The main play area is huge (we are not quite at the age yet to venture in there to explore) but we do love the ball room, and they also have a pirate ship — like the Royal Show.
There’s even a ‘quiet room’ with toys if the noise and chaos is too much for your little one, especially if you’re visiting on weekends or school holidays. Don’t be surprised when they charge adults $3.90 for entry – this means you get a free coffee, or other drink of your choice. There’s plenty of food and snack choices for all ages. Oh, don’t tell the kids this but there are usually free lollipops given out when you leave!
Image credit: Lollipops
2. Amalie’s Play Space, Shop 8/9, 414 Milne Road, Redwood Park
Amalie’s Play Space is very different from the typical large indoor playgrounds. It’s smaller, quieter, run by two local mums and has a big focus on “playing with toys”. It’s organised much like an Early Learning Centre with a kitchen play corner, baby play area, book corner, art & craft table, construction area etc… When you walk in, you just say, “Ahhhh” and have the chance to sit on a comfy couch and enjoy coffee with a friend, while the kids go and play (in full view from said comfy couch).
It’s just a beautiful space and one of our favourites. There’s a small menu for snacks, but right next door is Soul Food Café if you’re after something more. Read more about Amalie’s HERE in my detailed review on Teacher Types.
Image credit: Amalies Play Space
3. Bubbles Play Café, Helicon Drive, Golden Grove
These guys have a great toddler play area with a foam floor and lots for littlies to safely play with. The main play area is pretty standard and what you’d expect, but the kids absolutely love it. Miss M is just about at the stage where she’s old enough and confident enough to venture up the steps and down the giant slide. The menu has some great healthy options as well as the usuals. The fruit, cheese & crackers shared platter is our favourite to get when we go with a friend. Oh and another tip – if you’re going there for a birthday party and have forgotten a gift, grab one on the way in from the toy selection!
Image credit: bubblesplay
4. Splodge, corner of Diagonal Rd, Railway Terrace, Warradale
Something else a little different (yet fantastic) is Splodge. The focus here is art, craft and sensory play experiences for little tikes. Enjoy delicious café style food and coffee while the kids amuse themselves with a huge variety of activities. They have a dedicated room for painting, gluing, making etc and you can purchase certain wooden craft items to paint and decorate. You can have your child’s birthday party at the venue or organise for Splodge to bring the fun to you! Definitely something to keep in mind for your next birthday party.
Image credit: @splodgefun
5. Wacky Warehouse, 162 Gorge Road, Newton
Wacky Warehouse is a tad smaller than Lollipops and Bubbles, but still just as fun. During the week is much quieter but weekends are great too as the bouncy castle is set up. The toddler area is quite tiny, mainly just a ball pit and some foam blocks. Older kids will have a blast exploring the play frames and slides. There’s quite a lot of choice on the menu and they host fantastic birthday parties – they can take care of every detail for you.
Image credit: wackywarehouseplaycafe
What’s your favourite play café in Adelaide? Did I miss any?
Lauren xx
Croc cafe at Kilburn
Fantastic
Have you seen crazy monkeys at evanston on main north rd
Top of our list is Origin Coffee at Victory Church Maxwell Road Pooraka, it’s a cafe with a free indoor playground. Another is Kidz Biz on Clayson Road Salisbury East who have a reasonably priced entry fee.
Victory cafe at the victory church Maxwell road Para hills
Imagination Kidz on Richmond Rd is great too.
Love Cheeky Ratbags at Victor Harbour, great food and coffee, very clean and friendly.
Crocs play centre at Kilburn.
New, clean and good food. Its run by muffin break, so theres a great selection of healthier food options, they still have other options too.
Jelly Beans in Seaton. They opened a couple of months ago. Good challenging play areas for big and small kids. Great food and service.
Agree. Was excellent when we went.
Play n Fun cafe, Beach Rd Christies Beach.
We love quench at clovercrest church modbury. It’s rather small but the staff are fantastic and so is the food
Dont forget TinLids Play Cafe 358 N E Rd Klemzig 5087. Back and better then ever under new managment by mum and teacher Vanessa
http://www.adelaideplaycafe.com.au
I went to Bumble Bees only a fortnight ago. Food and service was atrocious and severely over priced for entry. Will not be back.
This is so out of date! Places have closed or changed names. Time to update your info Adelaidy!!