This may sound like a dumb question but has anyone let their toddler play & climb at these indoor fast food playland gyms? I know the signs at these places say "Children 3 and older may play" and know they probably post this for insurance reasons - so they aren't liable for anything if your child isn't at least 3 and gets hurt" ...
But do they allow younger children to play (do they even monitor or say anything to you if your child is younger/older than the posted age limits?). Has anyone let their 18-19 month old child climb and slide on these gyms? My little guy is very active, climbs on everything...goes to Gymboree once a week usually, and sometimes plays in the mall play areas. He is pretty capable of climbing and sliding on his own for the most part, has pretty good balance and can climb ladders, stairs, etc. However I do need to "spot" him sometimes at Gymboree and assist a bit. Some of these fastfood play areas look kind of large with slides that are fairly high up.
What is your experience and opinion? I really need other places to let him play and climb, especially in winter when we cannot get outside. They have a Monkey Joe's nearby but we've not tried it yet...or a Bounce U, either. Not sure if they are geared towards older kids and hate to pay for it if there's not alot for an 18-19 month old. Any other ideas for McHenry county area?
A.,
IMO - I think that is too young to let them play in those play areas. Reason being, if they need help when they are at the top, it would be nearly impossible for you to go up there. My son is VERY active and climbs on everything and I didn't let him climb in there until he was about 2 1/2.
Also, I heard the Monkey Joe's has a special area for kids 3 and under. I haven't been there myself but I have heard it was nice for the kids.
C.
We do let our 20 month-old play in them, but we're ALWAYS around as there are often older kids who aren't as attentive and will bully their way past her.
She's not as interested in climbing up them as our 3 year old is, so she never gets too far out of our sight. She was probably 15 months old when we first went to one with her.
My only advice - make sure you have lots of wipes and hand sanitizer available. As much as there are kids in and out of there, the staff doesn't have time to sanitize appropriately. I'm not a germaphobe, but those placed creep me out terribly.
Everytime my 3 children went to any playland inside a fast food restaurant they came down sick 2-3 days later, colds, flu, roto virus. Now that I'm an older mom of 3 children (they are 13 and 11 and 11) I look back and say...what was I thinking. And now there are even more serious illness out there like H1N1. I wouldn't chance it. Especially since the flu is on the rise again since the December Holiday Travels. And I do totally agree wtih the other posts that you would think that the older children playing would be kinder and nicer to the little ones playing but they are not. They are running, pushing and not paying attention...they are just children themselves.
There are two Burger Kings that I will bring my kids to because they removed the old tube playland. They put up a playland that is simple with a slide and a lower level that is easy for my 18 month old to get into and out of but is also fun for my older 2 kids (7&4). I can see all 3 of them through the mesh in every area they play in.
I've been to the B.K. on Rt. 176 in Crystal Lake and Rt.31 in McHenry. I'm not sure where else they have these new playlands.
I have allowed my 18 month old son to play in them for a few months now. My biggest concern is about how dirty they are. I've gone in them a couple of times, and they look and smell bad!
Monkey Joe's is a favorite in our family. They have 2 inflatable structures for children 3 and under which my son enjoys. All the rest of them are geared towards older children, but parents are welcome on them with a child under 4. My boys (I also have a very small 22 pound 3 year old) love these bigger ones with my help. It is a very clean, fun place to go. I highly recommend you try it.
I have a 20 month old son and we just started bounce houses- which he LOVES. He has been sliding at the playground since about 14 months and we started at McDonald's about 13 months. Just be with him (not sitting at the table) until he is secure about the play area.
I allow my son to play in the play areas at fast food restaurants while I sit in the area. If there are bigger/more kids, then I hover.
I think the Mcdonalds may be too tough for your little one, although if you wanted to try it you can. My son has been playing on them since he was 2 years old. I think the best place for you and not that expensive either would be Monkey Joes. My almost three year old LOVES it there as does my 15 month old. They have jumpies specifically for kids 3 and under and there are really never too many kids in those except the real little ones. AND you can go in it too... it's a GREAT place. I highly recommend it!
I wouldn't let one so young play in those tubes. The bigger kids can and do push the younger kids around, and often the kids are over the age limit. If a younger one gets lost or scared, can you climb in there and go get them (a lot of them a grown up can't fit in). Also, even if the kids are a little older, those tubes get filthy. Potty trainees pee in them and diapers leak and they don't get washed out. When the kids get older, at least they come when you call and can have them wash their hands before they eat. Chuck E Cheese has room for kids to run around and I have seen parents climb in after their kids.
I've let me daughter play in them before she was 3 - either my husband and I followed her through to make she wasn't hurt. They are so disgusting, and I just try to avoid the restaurants that have them so I don't have to deal with them at all.
Does your park district have an open gym for kids? Sometimes the have play time with climbing toys, balls etc. My kids love Pump It Up and it's inexpensive ($7 for the child for 2 hours - adults free).
