I was recently invited to review Better Extreme in Waltham Forest where they have great sessions with a playzone, trampoline park, ninja run and climbing. It looked like so much fun, but I didn't have childcare for my youngest so I had to turn down the opportunity. Shortly afterwards I was invited to try out their new Tots Tramp sessions. These special sessions have access to soft play and the trampolines, but it's just for little ones (under 6 years old). I excitedly went along with Little on a Wednesday morning to try it out. 

The soft play area at the Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre is for age 5 and under. It's open every day, but twice a week (on Monday and Wednesday mornings) you can use the trampolines as part of a special Tots Tramp session. Little can’t jump properly yet and while she enjoys to bounce around I wouldn’t take her to an hour long trampolining session just yet. The combined soft play and Tots Tramp session is a great way for young children to try out the trampolines risk free, if the don't enjoy them they can happily spend the rest of the session in the soft play. My only criticism is that they might be having so much fun that an hour isn't long enough. 

Experiencing The Trampoline Park

To go on the trampolines at Better Extreme you have to have buy special socks, but you get to keep them and you can reuse them each time you come. There are lots of small trampolines next to each other so children can have one each. It wasn’t very busy when I went and I didn’t have any worries about bigger children knocking Little over. The parents seemed to be having as much fun bouncing as the kids and it was all very relaxed. It’s a short walk from the trampoline park to the soft play area. 

Enjoying The Soft Play

The soft play at the Feel Good Centre has become one of my favourites for young children. It’s on 3 levels and at 15 months old Little was able to explore most of it without help; she only needed help to climb up some of the steps. On the lower level there is an area suitable for babies with a colour changing sensory bubble lamp, ball pool and lots of reflective surfaces. This area isn't totally separated off so older children can come in too.

Throughout the 3 levels there are things to climb, spin on, bounce and a slide. It would entertain my 5 year old and my 1 year old loved it. An extra bonus was I found it fairly easy to manoeuvre around as an adult too. The 1 hour session should be enough to wear little ones out and up to 40 can be booked on to a session. There were probably half that number of children when we went and it didn't feel crowded.

The soft play is in it’s own room and access is via a secure door opened by a button at adult height so there shouldn't be any accidental escapees. Inside the room there is a disabled toilet (with nappy changing facilities) and tables and chairs. There is space for pushchairs in the room or they can be left in the buggy park opposite. 

The cafe is just outside the soft play room and is a great place to refuel after the session. They sell hot food from Midday and a selection of sandwiches, salads and snacks in the morning. Hot and cold drinks are also on sale. Our session finished at 11 and I was happy to find a number of dairy free options Little and I could enjoy. There are a range of tables and booths available in the cafe as well as around 8 high chairs.

The Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre

The Feel Good Centre is a huge shiny building with impressive facilities. As well as the soft play, Better Extreme and Cafe they have 2 swimming pools (a warmer children’s one and a full size pool complete with diving boards), gym, sports hall, outdoor running track, multipurpose outdoor pitch, 2 fitness studios and a spa. There is also a multipurpose room which is used for a creche weekday mornings and a party room at weekends. To be honest I was tempted to put Little in the creche for a couple of hours and have a nap in the Spa relaxation room. The relaxation room has dimmed lights and lots of loungers, I nearly had to be dragged out to continue with my tour of the facilities because it was so inviting. You can use the facilities on a pay as you go basis or pay for a monthly membership.

There is a large car park and parking costs £1 an hour. You can book a place for Tots Tramp online or just turn up, but the queue at reception was slow moving so make sure you allow enough time before your planned session to pick up your wrist band. The normal soft play sessions are available everyday and the special Tots Tramp sessions are Monday and Wednesday mornings (10am, 11am and Midday).

***Disclosure: we were invited to visit the Feel Good Centre and take part in the Tots Tramp session for the purpose of review. All thoughts and words are my own.***