Our favourite role play centres in the midlands
If you were a child again, can you imagine having an actual town to play in where everything is a toy?
Imagine, shops where you can serve real customers, vet surgeries to treat animals, and an actual fire engine to ride in.
Like, for realz?
Then look no further than role play towns and play villages.
Ok, so a role play centre is not exactly real, but it’s pretty darn close.
Play villages and role play centres
These role play villages are a really exciting alternative to the usual indoor play centres or soft plays. Children can play with as many props as they want to, and the best news is that it’s not your house being trashed.
At play villages, children can explore different settings and job roles, playing along with others to set their imaginations free. They are perfect for kids who love to pretend during play.
Think salons with pretend sinks to wash hair, doctors surgeries with all of the medical equipment, cafes to serve play food, schools, fire stations and more. Each setting has the appropriate dress up and accessories to play with, so children can really get stuck in.
In my experience, they initially race around to check out what’s on offer, and then settle into their favourites. The crutches are often right up there as the most desirable toys, believe it or not!
So where can you find one?
Obviously, Covid-19 has sucked the fun out of most things, but providing these centres can introduce social distancing and covid-secure measures. they are able to reopen.
The Children’s Play Village, Warwick
Reopening from 21st September 2020, Children’s Play Village is a great out of town option.
It’s a full town with roles and props, and staff who lead the kids on little segments as part of the session. They also have the clever idea to get them to tidy up to a catchy song before the time’s up. Genius.
This play centre has loads of parking and toilets, and also runs an awesome cafe with food that isn’t simply chips and beans or instant coffee.
Play Lane, Solihull
This one has just opened, and although we’ve not been personally, it’s been getting great reviews.
Play Lane is a children’s role play centre and café in Solihull Centre, on Drury Lane. This centre offers both “stay and play” and “drop off to shop” sessions for parents, run by qualified staff team, which is a great idea.
The centre is in two areas; half is a cafe and the other half is the play area. So you can enjoy a break while the little ones play – hurrah!
Tiny Town Role Play Centre, Nuneaton
This one reopened on 4th September 2020, with Covid-19 measures in place.
Located on Nuneaton high street, Tiny Town is huge! Set over 3 floors, there’s loads to explore and it has something for everyone. It has areas such as a salon, shopping aisle, car garage, police station, and even a VW camper bus! Up the stairs you’ll even find a theatre with stage, microphone, lights and costumes ready for your little one to perform.
There’s a cafe here too, and although we only bought drinks and snacks, it looked reasonably priced.
You’ll need to park in one of the town car parks for this one.
MiniBrum at Birmingham Think Tank Museum
Part of the Think Tank Museum in Birmingham, you’ll find MiniBrum!
A major new interactive gallery for under 8s is now open at Thinktank. MiniBrum is Thinktank’s very own mini city, where children are in charge.
This feature includes child-sized landmarks, such as the Birmingham canals and Selfridges, as well as several different play zones for children to discover and enjoy.
MiniBrum has a coffee corner which sells refreshments and snacks, a buggy park, lockers, accessible toilets and baby change facilities.
Role play centres near to Warwickshire
Here are a few other role play centres that we’ve found not too far from Warwickshire,
Please note, these centres may have reduced opening hours due to Covid-19. Please check ahead and be aware that you will probably need to book online to avoid disappointment.