360 Play announces Community Week winners.

A few weeks ago we offered 2,100 tickets to local community groups and charities

and we had an overwhelming response.

 

These are the lucky winners:

Whilst we couldn’t offer every single group entrance to our centre, we did give everyone a free family pass to use to raise money for their organisation.

We are so excited to open our doors to the invited community groups and charities to provide them, and those they support, with a memorable day out and hopefully a little respite from the difficult times some of those visiting may be going through.

We offer year round support to our local community. Here are some of the things we can do:

 

Donate a family pass to be used to raise money in a raffle.

Attend an event with our resident mascots Twizzle and Twirl.

Volunteer week, 1st-7th June. Volunteers get free entry during volunteer week on production of proof of volunteering.

 

If you would like us to support your event just send us an email. communitytickets@360play.co.uk

No screen time at 360 Play!

We are always looking to encourage families with young children to be more active. Switch off the screen and let’s get playing, we say!

At a time when so many youngsters spend many an hour in front of a computer or TV screen, the industry leading team at 360 Play is seeking to promote healthier and more beneficial play which in turn enhances child development. To this end, there is no ‘screen time’ at its venues; instead all the activities on offer provide a fun, stimulating environment which encourages children aged 2 to 12 to be creative and use their imagination, whether it be enjoying the many indoor or outdoor elements available.

Research shows that today’s children spend a great deal more time indoors than outdoors – and that’s not good! Outdoor play increases fitness levels and builds active, healthy bodies, it provides a naturally stress-free environment for young minds to benefit from and it aids youngsters’ development both mentally and physically.

As we move from spring to summer and the weather becomes more conducive to outdoor play, 360 Play Milton Keynes offers a wide range of activities within its Club 360 outdoor area, providing children with another fun, safe environment to enjoy. With paddle boats, a huge sandpit, play houses and much more, youngsters can be out in the sunshine and fresh air for a healthier, physically active time.

jump hurdles SQAnd of course, if the great British weather decides not to play ball and the outdoor areas are unavailable, all the activities inside the centre also offer many great opportunities for a fun, active day out, be it the three storey soft play structure, dodgem cars, carousel or 360 Street with all its creative play opportunities.

To help promote a healthier, more active lifestyle for young children, particularly during the warmer summer months, 360 Play is encouraging its members and visitors to post pictures on its Facebook page of themselves having a great time in the great outdoors. The best ones will win a family day pass to 360 Play (for two adults and two children; be sure to tag 360 Play in the photos; Ts & Cs apply).

Everything at 360 Play is available for an all-inclusive price and there are no time limits. There’s also free parking right outside the front door so it really is the place to be this half-term – whatever the weather!

Exclusive special needs evenings, big success.

We provide a unique offering for families with children with special needs

The events take place on the first Friday of each month from 6.30pm to 8.30pm and provide an opportunity for children, parents and carers to come together for an exclusive period of play and activities in a safe, secure environment with friendly and experienced staff. A reduced charge for each child is made and parents and carers receive free entry.

Research shows that children who participate in regular physical activities develop the knowledge, skills, behaviours, attitudes and confidence needed to be active for life, while play also provides a welcome outlet for children to be creative and release stored up energy. These skills are especially important for children with special needs.

Sq pink carousel “We began our special needs evenings a few years ago following requests for such an event,” said 360 Play’s Group Sales and Marketing Manager Billie-Jan Hills. “These regular evenings bring children, parents and carers together to compare notes, make new friends and have lots of fun and have proved very popular with all who take part.

“Very often special needs children are unable to use our centres when other children are present so our exclusive evenings each month provide an environment that caters specifically to their needs and enjoyment.”

Brothers, sisters and friends are welcome too and all the usual facilities are on offer, including a three storey soft play structure, dodgem cars, carousel, 360 Street with all its creative play opportunities and a café area. Mascots Twizzle and Twirl also join in with games and party dancing.

More information on the 360 Play special needs evenings please email: bookings@360play.uk.com

A Father’s Day special offer for dads at 360 Play!

There’s a great opportunity for some fun and games with dad on Father’s Day at 360 Play – with some special offers available for ‘dads’ too!

The first 50 ‘dads’ through the door on Sunday, June 21st will receive a FREE national newspaper, while all ‘dads’ will also receive a FREE hot drink during their visit (‘dads’ can be any adult male accompanying children).

360 Play centres are all designed so that adults can join in the fun too so why not bring dad along for some quality fun time on his special day – he’ll secretly probably love all the activities just as much as the youngsters!

And if you are looking to give ‘dad’ an extra special start to the day, why not come along for a hearty breakfast before diving into all the great activities on offer. These include lots of climbing, sliding and crawling opportunities in the three storey play structure, as well as all sorts of other fun things to do such as the dodgems, carousel, 360 Street creative play area and the Club 360 outdoor area (weather permitting of course!)

We are all geared up to give ‘dads’ a fun-filled day to remember with their children – whatever the weather – so we look forward to welcoming you on June 21st.

Hundreds of free tickets for groups and charities in 360’s Community Week

We will once again be supporting local community groups and charities when we hold our annual Community Week from June 15th to 21st.

Every year 360 Play’s UK centres open their doors to invited community groups and charities to provide them, and those they support, with a memorable day out and hopefully a little respite from the difficult times some of those visiting may be going through.

“Each of our centre teams get a lot of satisfaction from providing a fun day out for local children and from working closely with the local community groups and charities,” said 360 Play group sales and marketing manager Billie-Jan Hills. “We run this event every year and have given thousands of tickets out. We are all really looking forward to helping provide another enjoyable and successful week for all those who want to get involved.”

We are asking local children’s groups and charities that would like to take advantage of this great community-focussed week to apply for free tickets for a day to remember. There are 100 tickets per day available for seven days and any organisations interested can apply via email by contacting communitytickets@360play.co.uk

Easter Fun and Activities

We are open as usual all over the Easter holidays, including Easter Sunday of course, with specially themed Easter games and activities.

Activities including arts and crafts and pottery painting will take place throughout the holidays – along with face painting and cookery classes at various times, so plenty to keep the young ones entertained.

Twizzle and Twirl will be on hand to make sure everyone is having a great time, so come and play for as long as you wish, dressing up and imagining in 360 Street, taking a spin on the Carousel or driving on the Dodgems – it’s all included in the entry price. Don’t forget our cafe serves freshly ground coffee; perfect to wash down all those easter eggs!

Physical activity for children at 360

Physical activity helps children grow strong bones, maintain a healthy weight, and discover the world around them. Best of all, it’s great fun.

All children should be physically active for at least one hour a day. You can help by encouraging your child to find activities they enjoy, and building physical activity into family life. Most children love running around a park or playing in a playground.

One reason why physical activity in childhood is so important is because it helps your child to maintain a healthy weight.

But that’s not the only reason: physical activity is part of the way children discover the world, and themselves. It helps build strong muscles and healthy bones, as well as improve self-confidence.

You can find advice on eating well and getting active as a family on the Change4Life website.

“Nine out of 10 of our kids today could grow up with dangerous amounts of fat in their bodies. This can cause life-threatening diseases like cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.”

360 provides an ideal setting for physical activity.

Take a look at our Activity Classes for toddlers during term time or see our Beat the Clock low entrance prices for after school fun.

Opening times

We are open as usual over Christmas except for the following:

Christmas Eve 9.30-2pm

Christmas Day – Closed

Boxing Day – Closed

New Years Eve 9.30-4pm

New Years Day – Closed

WE HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A FANTASTIC CHRISTMAS AND AN AMAZING NEW YEAR

Milton Keynes Charity of the Year 2014/15

The Nominations have been counted and we are pleased to announce…

‘Emily’s Star’

is our Customer’s chosen Charity for the next 12 months!

Emilys-Star-logoEmily’s Star was set up in memory of Emily Elizabeth Elmer who was born with Trisomy 18, otherwise known as Edwards Syndrome, and who sadly passed away 26 days after her birth. The charity was set up by Emily’s mother Katie and has a number of objectives. The main activity is to raise funds for the Children with Complex Needs Nurses and families in Milton Keynes, and eventually across the UK, who care for children with life limiting and life threatening illnesses.

Additionally, the charity aims to raise awareness of Trisomy 18 and to provide neonatal boxes – Emily’s gift – to local neonatal units, which include items for both mothers and premature or underweight babies.

360 Play will offer its support to Emily’s Star for a period of 12 months, with the company helping in a variety of ways.

“It is a great pleasure to be supporting Emily’s Star during the next 12 months and we look forward to helping the charity in its fundraising activities,” noted 360 Play business development manager Adam Skinner. “The charity was a popular choice in the poll we ran among our members to choose which organisation we’d be supporting and we look forward to working with Katie and her colleagues and to providing some new fund raising opportunities which will benefit the organisation.”

For the charity, founder Katie Elmer said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen as this year’s charity for 360 Play. To have been nominated and voted for by customers and the people of Milton Keynes means a lot. We are looking forward to the next 12 months of fundraising; having such a big company backing us in 2015 can only bring good things to the babies and children in Milton Keynes that we help and support.”

> Emily’s Star

Leicester Charity of the Year 2014/15

The Nominations have been counted and we are pleased to announce…

‘Home Start Blaby District, Oadby and Wigston’

is our customers’ chosen charity for the next 12 months!

Part of a national organisation, Home-Start Blaby District was formed in November 1999 and subsequently expanded to the boroughs of Oadby and Wigston in 2005. Volunteers offer regular support, practical help and friendship to families in the local community that need some extra help and support in their own homes, helping prevent family crisis and breakdown. As well as volunteers visiting family homes, the organisation also runs a number of groups in the community that families can attend.

As a registered charity it is dependent on financial support and donations from local organisations and individuals. 360 Play will offer its support to Home-Start Blaby District, Oadby and Wigston, which received 44% of the poll vote, for a period of 12 months, with the company helping in a variety of ways.

“It is a great pleasure to be supporting Home-Start Blaby District, Oadby and Wigston during the next 12 months and we look forward to helping the charity in its fundraising activities,” noted 360 Play business development manager Adam Skinner. “The charity was a popular choice in the poll we ran among our members to choose which organisation we’d be supporting and we look forward to working with the team and to providing some new fund raising opportunities which will benefit the organisation.”

On behalf of the charity, scheme manager Fiona Bedford said: “Home-Start Blaby District, Oadby and Wigston is delighted to have been chosen to become 360 Play’s charity of the year and we look forward to the opportunities that this partnership will bring. Home-Start Blaby District, Oadby and Wigston offers support, friendship and practical help for families with young children, in our local community. We offer a unique service, by recruiting and training skilled volunteers, usually parents themselves, to support families with under 5s either in their homes or through family group support. We also offer specialist help, Mums in Mind for families where the mother suffers post natal depression.”

> Home-Start Blaby District, Oadby and Wigston

title-homestartbow