[New] Days Out Early Years

By Claire Lockie Williams

Chesham Leisure Centre

Nothing makes me more pleased than when something new opens up locally, so Chesham Leisure Centre’s soft play was high on my list to visit. The soft play wasn’t too busy when we arrived. We waited a short time for our slot to start and within seconds of being inside my children had kicked off their shoes and raced onto the frame, as we easily found a table to sit and watch.

The bigger frame was both boys focus, with my older tackling monkey bars and a climbing wall while his determined brother raced to catch up. With slides, climbing challenges and abundant hiding spots, there was something for both of their ages. There was also an area dedicated to toddlers with a mini trampoline in it and lots of soft stacking bricks. My toddler explored the sensory room, with mirrors and lights which could be turned on and off it was very relaxing. My eldest tried to try out the Interactive Tag but the machine didn’t seem to be working.

The soft play didn’t disappoint in both tiring and exciting the children and was fully enclosed within a large room with several chairs and tables for adults.

Location: Chesham, HP5 1BB

Note: Bookings are taken by the Everyone Active app. There are vending machines within the building but no café area. Sessions are 1 hour.

Bojangles Creative Café

A visit to Bojangles was quite different to what I had anticipated. It was very much an experience, a lovely treat that I am keen to repeat.

I took both my youngest son and my mum with me to enjoy a session and it really didn’t disappoint. We were warmly welcomed and led through to the back of the café where a table waited us. The café was beautifully decorated.

We chose two Christmas decorations to work on and purchased some gorgeous cakes and some tea. It was explained to us how to get the best out of our painting experience and there was a wide array of paints, brushes and stencils to choose from. My toddler was surprisingly enthralled to paint and with our session two hours long it was plenty of time to paint the decorations, enjoy the cakes and watch him race around the small soft play area. It was really relaxing to weave our own artistry onto our decorations and the ambience of the café itself.

Location: Amersham, HP79NQ

Note: Pottery items start from £6 to paint plus studio fee. The last Friday of every month, Bojangles waive their studio fee.

Booking is essential to avoid disappointment. Parking isn’t the easiest if busy, however there is road parking and a public car park a short walk away.

DJs Soft Play

DJs Soft Play was huge and hosted a variety of enthralling activities. There were dedicated areas for under 2’s, under 4’s and then 4+. The over 4’s frame was the largest and boasted many different slides, nets, monkey bars and climbing challenges. There was also a big ball pool, the pool having tubing that sucks up balls before dropping them all over you, but unfortunately it wasn’t working during our session, although the soft play was large and varied enough that it made little difference.

The under 4’s frame had a cluster of ride on cars in it and a smaller slide as well as its own frame. It also had a fab set of stacking blocks which kept my toddler busy as he directed me to fit parts with him. The toddler frame was bright and colourful and held a small sensory room which housed lights to capture a little ones’ eyes.

There was a very sweet imaginative play area for dressing up and pretend play. At busier times, go karts are also available for an additional charge. It was a thoroughly enjoyable session and we were well exercised and relaxed by the end.

Location: Jarman Park, HP2 4JS.

Note: Parking is abundant and free for a specified time, which is longer than a single soft play session. Check times and restrictions when using Jarman Park as parking enforcement does happen. Soft play sessions are for 2 hours.