Mum demands indoor play centres open early and I couldn't agree more

"I've already lived three lives by the time you open," she shares in a clip that's resonated with many parents of little kids.

I think I've figured out why indoor playgrounds don't do as well as they should. The opening hours are all wrong. News flash - you aren't catered to your demographic, toddlers! Have you met a toddler who sleeps in?  

I saw this TikTok video recently of a mum saying the same thing about places for kids' indoor activities: "Why are we opening at 10 am?" 

She hit the nail on the head. It's a question I've been asking myself and my mother's group for years. 

I consider myself lucky; my kids are classified as good sleepers. And rarely are they up before 6:30 - but for parents with early risers, usually up from 5 am, the mornings can feel like a lifetime.

By the time 8 am rolls around, the kids have had two breakfasts and one snack, emptied all the toys, and mixed all the Play-Doh colours.

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OK, now what? 

My solution has been to walk to a cafe, fueling myself for the day. But ultimately, the boys don't want to sit still and allow me the peace I deserve as I charge up. 

Opening at 10 am only gives parents a window of roughly 30 minutes of play before we need to head off for naps - but it takes another 30 minutes to get them out of there. Then, the drive home, where you are chatting or blaring the music to stop them from nodding off. Then it's time for lunch (usually, you can't bring food into these venues).

And only then can you start the 20-step bedtime routine. Who will spend the money on entry with that short amount of play time? 

For example, our local library, which has a great play area for toddlers and kids, only opens at 9:30 am - by the time you get there, you have to head back home to avoid the dreaded sleep transfer. Kids museums are also a lovely notion. But the same issue comes up again. 

These places that are dedicated to toddlers need to read the room.

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With centres opening so late. Is the solution to have a soft play setup at home? Source: supplied

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Kids are up early, so you should be, too

So here's my pitch: as a mum of three, may I suggest the following opening times:

8 am - 11:30 am 
1 pm - 4 pm 

Trust me, it will GO OFF! Your bottom line will thank me. 

You can have a siesta in the middle of the day like the toddlers who have graduated to one sleep. You'll capture the audience of kids on one to three sleeps. Everyone wins! 

The response on TikTok is the basis for my new campaign, with thousands of parents pledging to the cause. 

"They need to open at 7 with complimentary coffee," wrote@worldshaker.

"By 10 am, I’ve lived three lives," added another mum who supported the new schedule. 

"If we’re not out the door by 7:30 am with our toddler, all hell breaks loose, and chaos ensues," a third wrote.

One play centre was convinced about the idea, responding to the video saying, "I’m about a month away from the Grand Opening of my indoor Play Cafe. Initially, I had us opening at 9 am, but I am now going to switch to 8 am!" 

I have more to rant about

Speaking of play cafes, why aren't there more of them?

I understand a little hole-in-the-wall coffee shop that doesn't heat its beans over a specific temperature isn't the ideal location for a kid's play area. But there are plenty of others that, during the week, could afford a fewer chairs and more soft play equipment. There would be lines from the minute you open. 

I'd love to go to some fantastic indoor centres, but from where I live, the closest indoor play centre is half an hour away, without morning traffic factored in. So when my youngest was on two sleeps, there was a slim chance I'd make it to an indoor play centre in the window between naps. 

Don't suppose anyone would like to join this crusade? The more the merrier! 

Originally published as Mum demands indoor play centres open early and I couldn't agree more