360 Play in the School Community

Did you know that what your kids do after school can affect what they do at school? Research shows that regular physical activity contributes to better academic results, improves concentration , helps development and helps to protect against negative behaviours such as bullying.

 

At 360 Play we are passionate about giving children and their families the chance to enjoy active, creative and engaging play. 10 years ago when everyone was embracing screens and phones and gaming, we decided to go back to basics and that’s how 360 Play Milton Keynes started the play revolution – no screens, no electronics, just play.  Our modern lives means that children don’t get the chance to play out as we did  and the after school period is often a sedentary time for them as their parents may tend to keep them indoors in a safe place instead of running around outside when they really need the chance to unwind after concentrating in the classroom all day. Our centre provides a safe and secure environment where they can do just that – whatever the weather.

 

360 Play isn’t all about soft play, it’s a family entertainment centre with something for everyone.  We realise that even children in the same family are very different so we have designed a wide variety of activities to suit all and as its one entry price for everything, children can choose what they want to do in a safe environment and then change their mind and try something different.

 

We now have seven centres ranging from 12 000 sq ft to 28 000 sq ft housing 360 Street, dodgems, a musical carousel, soft play frames, sports arenas, table tennis and table football. 360 also hosts classes and has an in-house messy play area with a schedule of activities linking to the Early Years Foundation Stage of learning. Some of our centres have harnessed climbing attractions and some have outside areas containing climbing, paddle boats, role play houses and a big favourite, a giant sandpit.

 

360 Street role play is a massive part of our back to basics philosophy. Role play is so key to a child’s development – they watch, they copy, they learn.  We provide the safe environment to explore, to learn risk without risk. Luigi’s Pizza parlour, Vets ‘n’ pets, Twirl’s boutique and Twizzle’s Garage are just a few of the street brands now familiar to customers at 360 Play.

 

As a local business we are proud to support our community and so we decided to give local schools the chance to visit us for a play session after school free of charge. This is a great opportunity for children to rediscover the centre and enjoy spending time with their friends and for some to experience what we have to offer for the first time. We are thrilled to be welcoming them along for our 360 Play in the Community School Days.

 

This week we have been welcoming children to our centre in Milton Keynes and we have been delighted to speak with parents who understand and share our ethos and enthusiasm for active play.

‘This has provided me an opportunity to bring my child here where I wouldn’t have been able to afford to do so before. Thank you’  Kylie Bates – Rickley Park School

‘Good idea for the kids to spend time with friends they don’t usually see out of school.’ Ceri Tyers – Rickley Park School

‘Really good idea, kids have had so much fun! Great idea for SATS week too. Thank you’  – Parent from Chestnuts school

360 Play Stevenage is excited to announce a collaboration with locally based company, Fundamentally Children

We’re going to be teaming up with Fundamentally Children and the Good Toy Zone to bring some exciting new events to visitors. The first part of this new partnership will see three play days beginning on 19th June showcasing Good Toys in the centre, with the Good Toy Zone team on hand to promote play and talk to parents about the benefits of the products.

Dr Amanda Gummer the MD and Founder of Fundamentally Children said “We are delighted to be working with such an exciting partner who shares our approach to play and child development. We’re thrilled to be able to offer even more play opportunities to children visiting 360 Play with our Good Toy Zones and play days.

The centre itself features a host of attractions and activities for families, including a multi-level play frame featuring ball showers, ball zones, slides and more, a carousel, dodgem track and 360 Street creative play zone incorporating individual play units such as a fire station, supermarket, pizza parlour, vets and dressing up boutique.

“We are excited to be working with Fundamentally Children, a company that shares our ethos when it comes to engaging children in active, creative and stimulating play” said Managing Director Duncan Phillips. “We look forward to providing more opportunities at 360 Play for children and their families to enjoy play time in our safe and secure environment.

Make sure you are following on Facebook to find out more about our play days.

Another Basildon First in its 70th year, 360 Parent & Toddler Fayre is a great success with local families and local business

Hosted by Local Family entertainment centre 360 Play, the regions first dedicated Toddler and Parent Fayre was a great success with over 35 local businesses taking part and many over 600 local families attending.

Leading Local Family Entertainment centre 360 Play hosted the regions first Parent Toddler Fayre putting local families in contact with great companies and organisations across the region who provide everything from child development classes to bespoke birthday cakes and even mermaids.  On the day over 600 local families came to see what this region has to offer young families with children, or those about to have children.   

The event allowed free access to 360 Play Basildon for the morning so families could play while also seeing what support organisations exist in their area and what great local companies serve this market. The In Car Safety Centre said “We’d like to thank 360 Play for the opportunity to attend this great event. It has been very beneficial meeting lots of local parents and carers to discuss car seat safety.

Among the stalls 360 Play also showcased some of their toddler classes. Kelly from Sing and Sign which takes place at the centre on Fridays said “What a fantastic family focused event, bringing service providers and Essex families together. We’ve had lots of interest in our new classes here, met lots of friendly faces and best of all, had a good time. Thank you 360 for hosting a wonderful event

Moo Music stall holders

The classes on offer weren’t just music and movement. Karen from local company Sounds Right Phonics was on hand telling visitors about their Thursday morning classes at 360. “I’ve had so much fun meeting lots of children and parents and sharing local classes

360 Play Centre Manager Ricki Melly “This was a great opportunity for local families to try out informative classes and workshops and to enjoy our great facility.  We are so pleased that so many organizations got involved, we are now 3 years old here at 360 but its great we have seen so many new faces who have not experienced 360 play before, we look forward to welcoming them all back over the next few months

There was all the usual 360 Play fun to be had too making it a great day out for young families and a great introduction to the centre for first time visitors. At 360 Play you can enjoy a wide range of activities for children, from babies and toddlers, right up to the age of 12 and all of the activities included are designed so that adults can join in the experience too. In addition to our multi storey play frame which features slides and ball zones, visitors can enjoy unlimited rides on our dodgems and musical carousel, messy play activities and our 360 Street role play area.  With both indoor and outdoor attractions, 360 Play is a year round destination 

Mermaids from Swim School

Duncan Phillips Founder and managing Director “We are so proud to be part of the Basildon  community and following the success of this day we are definitely looking to make it an annual event.  Thanks to all the businesses that came along and we look forward to welcoming back all the new families that also attended. 

Here is what some of the other stall holders had to say about the event,

Today has been very beneficial and it’s been great to meet local parents and promote our preschools, Hilltots, Little Teds and Briscoe Primary School and Nursery. Thank you for having us.” HEARTS Academy Trust

What a fantastic event it has been! It was lovely to see so many familiar faces. Thank you 360 Play Basildon for a brilliant event” The Book Fairy

What a great local event. Well organised and so informative with lots of great local companies. We’ve had a fantastic day.  Shelley, Painted Peppermint.

Fun in Messy Play

Farnborough’s First Parent & Toddler Fayre is a great success with local families and local business.

Located in the heart of Farnborough at 360 Play, the regions first Toddler and Parent Fayre on 1st May was a great success with over 30 local business taking part and over 700 local people attending. 

Leading Local Family Entertainment centre 360 Play hosted the regions first Parent Toddler Fayre putting local families in contact with great companies and organisations across the region who provide everything from support classes to bespoke Birthday cakes.  On the day over 700 local families came to see what this region has to offer young families with children, or those about to have children.   

The event allowed free access to 360 Play for the morning so the children could play while parents got the chance to see what support organisations exist in their area and what great local companies serve this market.  Kathy Slater who holds Caterpillar Music classes at the centre on Friday mornings said “What a fantastic time we had at the amazing 360 Play Baby and Toddler event. It was an incredible turn out and we enjoyed sharing lots of Caterpillar Music fun with all the wonderful children and their families that came to our sessions. Puppets, props, bubbles and lights were all out in abundance with lots of happy little faces enjoying the benefits of music, movement and sensory!”

Among the stalls 360 Play also had local support groups for parents. Emma Collyer of BRAAIN said “It was really useful for us to be able to speak to some professionals and parents of younger children. We were able to advise on local coffee mornings & our support group meet up so they have the support from other people with children who have an additional need.” 

360 Play Centre Manager Mitch Holmes “This was a great opportunity for local families to try out informative classes and workshops  and to enjoy our great facility, and we are so pleased so many organisations got involved” 

There was all the usual 360 Play fun to be had too making it a great day out for young families and a great introduction to the centre for first time visitors. At 360 Play you can enjoy a wide range of activities for children, from babies and toddlers, right up to the age of 12 and all of the activities included are designed so that adults can join in the experience too. In addition to our multi storey play frame which features slides and ball zones, visitors can enjoy unlimited rides on our dodgems and musical carousel, messy play activities and our 360 Street role play area.

Duncan Phillips Founder and managing Director “ We are so proud to be part of the Farnborough community and following the success of this day we are definitely looking to make it a annual event.  Thanks to all the businesses that came along and we look forward to welcoming back all the families that also attended.” Goody bags

Here is what some of the businesses taking part said about the event,

“I just want to say a massive thank you for having me at your event today – it was awesome. The staff were lovely and so accommodating. The event itself was just amazing, a great marketing opportunity and friendly environment. If you do it next year I would love to come back!” Zara from Koala Kids Parties

Joanne from Blue Bear Bakery said “ What a fantastic event in Farnborough. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to meet so many people and businesses from the local community in one place, especially as my business is a new one The staff were really helpful and the atmosphere was such a friendly and happy one. Everyone I spoke to was really enjoying their day. “

Free Parent and Toddler Fayres in Leicester, Milton Keynes, Rushden Lakes and Stevenage

If you’re an expectant parent or have a baby or toddler make sure you don’t miss out on our free Parent & Toddler Fayres. Anyone attending can enjoy free entry into the centre from 9.30am-2.30pm. This is a great opportunity for local families to attend informative workshops, browse stalls from local businesses, find out more about local toddler classes and nurseries and so much more! There’s all the usual 360 Play fun to be had too making it a great day out for young families.

11th September at 360 Play Milton Keynes and 360 Play Stevenage

18th September at 360 Play Leicester and 360 Play Rushden Lakes

9.30am to 2.30pm

Book now for Christmas

Our fabulous Christmas packages are now available to book

Children’s Christmas Party

Join us on Wednesday 18th December 5.00pm – 7.30pm  for a wonderful Children’s Christmas party in the warmth and safety of 360 Play.

A fantastically festive evening to start your Christmas celebrations at the home of fun. With Twizzle and Twirl hosting a dazzling disco and party games, seasonal music around the centre and lots of Christmas cheer what could be a better way to take a pre-Christmas breather and spend time with your family?

painted Christmas baubles

 

In our festive craft area, you can create a Christmas family keepsake, make your reindeer food ready to leave out for Santa on Christmas eve and decorate a Christmas cookie to take home with you. A choice of hot meals for the children from our party food menu is included in your entry price followed by an ice cream desert. Food for adults is also available on booking.  Crackers and hats will be on your table for a fabulous Christmas atmosphere.

Reindeer food

All children will receive a letter to Santa to complete with their Christmas wishes, in an email on 1st November. This letter can be posted in our post box or sent through the post and there will be a personalised reply ready to collect at the party.Our package includes a Christmas card from Twizzle and Twirl with a voucher for a free return visit for an adult and child and a small sweet treat to take home.

Christmas gingerbread cookies

With something for everyone for one inclusive price and all under one roof, what more could you want to begin the Holiday Season?

Tickets are £14.95 per child with free entry for accompanying adults and under 1s. A charge of £4.95 for food applies to anyone with free entry.

Visit our Offers and Events page to book

peg santas

Preschools & Nurseries

Calling all schools! We have a fantastic Christmas celebration package that’s ideal for some end of term weekday fun. If you are a school, nursery, or preschool this could be the ideal Christmas outing for you!

Our 2 hour package includes:

Entry to 360 play and use of our great attractions

Reserved seating for you and your party

Christmas party games including parachute/musical statues/dancing etc (15mins if required)

A served boxed meal from our menu for the children

Visit by Christmas Twizzle and Twirl and a sweet treat for each child.

This package is available to book between 9.30 – 11.30 and 12.30 – 2.30 Monday to Friday(flexible)

From Monday 2nd December to Friday 20th December 2019.

£7.95 per child with free entry for accompanying teachers and helpers.

A fun Christmas craft activity can be included for £2

This is bookable with a £25 deposit. Min 10 children, Max 35 children.

For more information, please contact our bookings team – bookings@dpleisure.uk.com or call 01908 670160.

Santa writing a letter

 Coffee Mums Groups

If you are a parent and toddler group or just a group of friends with little ones and are looking for a great fun venue to have your Christmas meet up, we have a great package for you.  (To qualify for this offer you must pre book your event, pay as one group on the day for your final numbers and be booked in before the 1st of December. Don’t waste any time and book now this could be the Christmas outing for you!)

Our 2 hour package includes:

Entry to 360 play and all our great attractions

Reserved Table for you and your party

Unlimited hot drinks (tea and standard filter coffee) supplied to your table, sugar free squash for the children, a range of festive cakes for adults and biscuits for the children

This package is available to book between 9.30am-11.30 and 12.30-2.30pm £5.50 Per Child £4.50 adults

This is bookable with a £25 deposit.

Min 20 children, and 20 Adults

For more information, please contact our bookings team – bookings@dpleisure.uk.com or call 01908 670160.

Free Parent and Toddler Fayres in 360 Play Basildon and Farnborough

If you’re an expectant parent or have a baby or toddler make sure you don’t miss out on our free Parent & Toddler Fayre at 360 Play Basildon and 360 Play Farnborough on Wednesday 1st May. Anyone attending can enjoy free entry into the centre from 9.30am-2.30pm.

This is a great opportunity for local families to attend informative workshops, browse stalls from local businesses, find out more about local toddler classes and nurseries and so much more! There’s all the usual 360 Play fun to be had too making it a great day out for young families.

360 Play proudly support World Book Day

At 360 Play developing children’s creativity and imagination is a huge part of what we do. Reading is such a great way of stimulating children’s imagination and so World Book Day is something we proudly support. And we love any opportunity to dress up too, of course!

For this year’s World Book Day we invited children to come along with their favourite book and costume and everyone who dressed up got to come and play for free. There were some hidden book covers around the centre and everyone who took part in our book covers search was entered into our prize draw to win a Quarterly Play Pass. Our mascots Twizzle and Twirl joined in with a special mascot story time and there were story time sessions throughout the week in our messy play area.

Chloe, our assistant manager at Milton Keynes said “It was so lovely to see children and their families working as a team and running around the centre trying to find the book covers to complete their quiz sheets! Everyone in the centre had made such a great effort to dress up and the little ones looked amazing! It was a great day all round”

MK’s Parent and Toddler event was a great success

We were delighted to welcome new and expectant parents along to our free baby and toddler event at 360 Play Milton Keynes on Wednesday 27th February. It was a great opportunity for local families to try out informative classes and workshops from leading professionals on topics such as breastfeeding and baby first aid. We welcomed over 25 local businesses who all had stalls throughout the centre for parents to browse and enjoy and there was all the usual 360 Play fun to be had too making it a great day out for young families and a great introduction to the centre for anyone visiting us for the first time.

View of the centre

“It was a great event, well organised and an opportunity to meet families in an informal setting.” said Tamsin from Water Babies “I love the way that there are activities for all ages of children and the children are encouraged to explore and use their imagination whether it is dressing up or chasing bubbles”

 

stallholdersKate who hosts Baby College classes at our centre on Friday mornings said “Having been invited to attend the Baby & Toddler Fayre at 360 MK Play as an exhibitor I have to commend the team on the organisation and press surrounding this event. It was a very well turned out event and it was a pleasure to meet so many bumps, babies and toddlers. It was also an opportunity to meet like minded businesses. Can’t wait for the next one!”

 

happy stallholdersOur management team put together the event with the support of the local business community and our staff were thrilled with the turn out. “We have had some great feedback from both stall holders and customers” said Assistant Manager, Steff Kelleher-Crook  “Some customers said their favourite thing about our facilities is that ‘There is something to do for all ages and loads to do’ and ‘Knowing my grandchildren are always safe’. We would like to thank all the stall holders and customers that attended and made it a successful and enjoyable event for all.”

bubble fun

goody bags

360 Play does World Book Day

Join us at 360 Play to celebrate World Book Day on Thursday 7th March. We’re going to be sharing some of our favourite stories with dedicated story sessions throughout the day in our messy play area , enjoy a visit from Twizzle/Twirl  for a very special story time between 1pm -2pm and if you find all of our hidden book covers you could win a Quarterly Play Pass! Make sure you wear your World Book Day costume and bring along your favourite book to play for FREE (This applies to kids only, sorry grownups).