We work in a soft play – there’s a reason parents always get headaches here, and it’s not because of the noise
WORKING in soft play sounds like a dream – from going down slides all day to jumping into ball pits.
However, it seems the fun-filled fantasy isn’t what soft play workers experience.
Taking to social media many soft play centres have revealed what a typical day looks like, and it certainly seems harder than it looks.
Headaches for all
It’s common for parents to follow their kids around soft play.
The problem that comes with it is that often the soft play areas are far too small for adults, meaning parents often complain of headaches after knocking their heads for hours.
And they’re not the only ones.
The workers are often having to go in and clean the play pits down or put things back – resulting in many knocked heads.
The Play Factory employees admitted: “Banged our heads more than we’d like to admit.”
Wiped out
While you may have thought many of them spend their days running around after the kids, the reality is very different.
Most workers are spending their time running about cleaning surfaces all day.
Naturally kids make quite a bit of mess and to help stop germs spreading, the workers at Adventure Planet Glasgow spend most of their time cleaning up rather than enjoying the soft play.
Out the gate
One massive pet peeve that seems to be an issue for soft play workers across the country is not closing the gate.
With toddlers running about, they need to ensure the gates are closed at all time for the safety of the kids, but it seems many guests seem to forget this.
Wild n Wacky Harlow added: “Customers: ‘You must have so much fun working at soft play.”
In reality, they revealed most of their day, every day, was spend closing the gate after them.
Go Bananas Colchester also agreed they spend most of the day just closing the gate.
Rain of terror
While we have enjoyed a few days of sunshine, it looks the rain is back.
And with no parks to go to in the drizzly weather – parents will be heading to one place in particular to get their kids to burn off some energy during the summer holidays, soft play.
The Play Factory joked it was almost as much pressure as playing for the England football team.
The clips were posted to various soft play accounts and people were quick to share their own stories.
One person wrote: “24/7 headaches.”
Another commented: “As someone who has a child who RUNS at every opportunity you’re doing the Lords work.”
“Story of my life,” agreed a third.
Best Free Rainy Day Ideas
Mum's were quick to share their top tips, here's what parents kept reccomending
- Let the kids get their energy out by having a puddle walk to splash about in
- Day time baths with lots of toys
- Den-building
- Baking sweet treats
- Arts and crafts
Meanwhile a fourth said: “This was my life when working at soft play (and cleaning any liquids that kids can excrete).”
“All day everyday,” claimed a fifth.
Someone else added: “The way I’d shout “SHUT THE GATE FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY.””
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