It is really nice to have an indoor, interactive play place that is FREE in Middlesex county. Perfect place to take my child to in the winter, or on days where weather keeps you away from the park and outdoor activities.
The play zone is located in a stand-alone area of a previous store, on the corner next to Nordstrom and across from Color Me Mine, and a sports memorabilia store. It has multiple areas for parents to sit, and its own bathroom equipped with a changing table. The seating is set up in a way that closes in most of the area, which helps to keep the little ones confined to the play area, and not wandering (or running) off into the mall. Under the seats there are shoe cubbies, and on the wall multiple hand sanitizer dispensers.
Now for the children.... There is a small slide with a tunnel underneath. Surrounding the slide is a road themed carpet which leads to a Mickey and Minnie themed pretend sports car. A giant television in the middle of the zone I have noticed is typically playing Vampirina. The zone also has a foot stomp keyboard, next to that on one side are two computers and on the other side is a push button wall that plays sounds. The back wall has an abacus and a tic-tac-toe tile game. I know I am missing a few things but that covers most of it.
Now I am well aware this ''zone" is promoting Disney, however Middlesex county lacks free indoor play areas with a park-like feel, where kids can run around with others and interact. So major kudos to Disney and Simon properties for providing a space free of charge for our little ones to do what they do.
I rated this space 4/5 stars because it is truly a space for ages 5 and under. I would give an older child playing here about 5 minutes til boredom set in. Also the space is on the smaller side. Especially on a Saturday in the middle of the day in the dead of winter, you are looking at a packed house.
Before I conclude I want to mention a few reviews that are already posted.... This place should not be reviewed based on rambunctious children or a lack of parental supervision. That is not a valid review of the actual establishment. It would be like giving a product a negative review because of slow shipping speed, or being sent the wrong item. The concerns noted by previous reviewers are invalid because they have nothing to do with the play zone itself. Also this zone can not be policed as it is a somewhat public space. Are parks policed? It is up to the parents to properly keep track of their own children. While it is frustrating when some parents fail to do their duty in watching their own kids, that is the way it goes, just as if it was a park.
This is a FREE indoor space that is good for our children. I would recommend trying it out on a weekday or weeknight so as not to be overwhelmed by crowds. Way to go Disney and Simon! read more