Have Breakfast or Lunch With Santa at Playzone!!

Are you planning your Santa visit? Are you struggling to find a Christmas experience for the little ones which will be one to remember? Well look no further as Playzone has you covered!! Due to last years successful breakfast and lunch with the main man himself we have invited Santa back to visit all the boys and girls of Playzone for Breakfast and Lunch. Due to his huge deadline which is arriving on December 24th we have only been able to secure our Santa visits on December 6th, 13th and 20th!

Booking is essential for this magical experience and the cost is 15 euro per child which includes time with Santa, breakfast or lunch, a selection box and some Christmas themed arts and crafts to help get you in the Christmas Spirit! Booking can only be done over the phone so be sure to give us a call today and book your spot as places are filling up rather fast!

Why bring your own food?

Have you ever considered going to McDonalds and bringing your own food? We know it may sound like a stupid question but think about it for a minute. You would never arrive to a restaurant, McDonalds or any other, and have your own food tucked away in your bag would you? We didn’t think so. Now let us ask you this, would you arrive to Playzone and bring your own food? Many of you may answer yes but we would like you to reconsider that answer, what makes us any different from McDonalds? We provide food services; we have a range of affordable, nutrious meals prepared fresh for our customers, so why would you bring your own food?

Over the years we have noticed a number of our customers like to be prepared when heading out for a day with the kids and we understand the need to be organised but when coming to Playzone we like to think we can make things a little easier for you. Here at Playzone not only do we pride ourselves in our play equipment but also in the food that we provide. You may think that having a café in our play centre is all about making money, but it is not. It is about proving a service to our customers, it is about providing affordable food that is healthy and nutrious and it is also about ensuring our customers can tick one more thing off their list before heading out the door. How nice is it to know that preparing a lunch isn’t necessary when heading out to Playzone?

When it’s a rainy day and the kids are running a muck in the house, when your stuck for something to keep them busy and you decide to head out to Playzone you can rest assured that we have a range of nutrious hot and cold food prepared freshly for our customers, so why burden yourself with adding extra stress when trying to get the kids out the door. When the kids get out of school on a Friday and you want to treat them and decided to head to Playzone why stress about preparing an after school snack when you know that you can get smoothies and fruit at Playzone not only ensuring they get a healthy option but that it is also quick and convenient for yourself.

We here at Celbridge Playzone want to make things easy for our customers which is why then designing our play centre not only did we ensure that children could be seen at all times while on the play equipment but that parents can also have an enjoyable time. Removing the stress of worrying about the safety of your children has always been a priority for us which is why our play equipment is spacious, open and monitored by trained staff at all times but we think about more than just your time at Playzone. We also like to think about the stress which can sometimes involved in getting to Playzone and things such as preparing snacks and lunches should not be one of those stresses which is why we have ensured our menus are packed full of affordable healthy options.

Not only do we pride healthy and affordable food but we also have something to suit everybody’s needs including vegetarian options as well as gluten free options. We strive to ensure that we are inclusive in everything that we do which is why we ensure we aim to meet as many dietary needs as possible. Many times we have found that parents felt the food we provide is not healthy enough for children but we must challenge parents on this. We do provide the expected play centre food of sweets, crisps, nuggets and chips but we also provide much more. Not only do we have fresh fruit available, and children’s and adults smoothies available to buy but we also have a range of meals which are perfect for the little ones which include pasta, perfect for ensuring your little ones get enough carbohydrates to ensure they have enough energy to get through the day. We provide sandwich’s made using brown bread along with kiddie rolls and we also have scrambled eggs to ensure your children get the protein that they need.

You might find yourself asking other questions such as are the portion sizes correct for my child? Well here at Playzone we are very aware of the risks of obesity in society today and ensure that all of our kiddie meals are just that, made for children. Still not satisfied that you don’t need to bring your own food to Playzone? Well if taking the stress out of preparation, knowing that we have healthy options and that our portion sizes are also adequate for children doesn’t satisfy you I’m sure out friendly service will make all the difference.  Not only are our staff always on hand to help with any questions or concerns you may have but our kitchen staff are trained and work tirelessly to ensure your food meets the highest standards possible and is prepared in a timely fashion. Once your food is prepared our dedicated staff will bring your food to your table along with anything else you may require, again taking away some of the stress and hassle involved in organising your own food.

We here at Celbridge Playzone want the best for our customers and this desire to provide the best underpins all the work, which we do and providing affordable, nutrious food is an essential part of our service. We are constantly updating and improving our menu and options and always welcome feedback and suggestions of what more we could be dong to make your experience more enjoyable. But in order to continue providing this service we need your help, we need customers to experience what we have to offer and see for themselves just how good our food is.

If you wouldn’t go to McDonalds with your own burger and chips why come to Playzone with your own sandwich when we can prepare them freshly for you to meet your exact needs?

Surviving your trip to Playzone!

Fancy a trip to Playzone but the thought of the noise alone is making you reconsider? Well don’t fret because here at Playzone we have complied a list of the top tips which you need to know to help make your visit to Playzone more enjoyable!

First things first- Time it right!
If you are looking for a calm day out with the little ones and a chance for you to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee a rainy afternoon on a Saturday may not be the best time to visit! During the week, Playzone is naturally quieter so it makes perfect sense to pop the kids in the car and come for a visit. Timing is everything, so be sure to check out on Google the times in which Playzone is usually busier before coming down.

Socks, socks and even more socks!

There is nothing worse than arriving at a play centre without socks! Playzone do usually have socks available at reception for those who may have forgotten but save yourself the extra expense by making sure your littles are wearing socks before leaving the house. We see it very often here, so we know the struggle some parents have to get the kids to keep their socks on so we advise you bring extra, because once those socks are off the chances of going home with the same pair you came in with are very slim! We don’t hold onto old socks, they go straight into the bin!

It’s not a fashion show!

Make your life a little bit easier by avoiding toy jewellery etc, things which are loose and can hang are not advisable for wearing on the play equipment and are not allowed on our climbing wall. But to make life easier again, try dress the little ones in something which you can see from a distance! There is no fear of the little ones getting outside of the building as we have alarmed doors, gates and staff who are very aware and observant but something bright always helps when the little ones try to hide when it’s time to go home!

Bite the bullet!

Sometimes, although we always like to be prepared it is easier to just go! Sometimes when the little ones are kicking up a fuss, running amuck in the house or cabin fever is setting in during the school holidays it might be necessary to make that impulse decision. Don’t be scared, don’t be worried, often you will find that your kids will surprise you and that trip you have been dreading will not be as bad as you expected.

Summer Camp

Not sure how you are going to keep the children entertained during the summer? Don't worry, Playzone has you covered! We have 9 fantastic weeks of summer camp lined up for children between the ages of 4 and 8! We will be exploring something different each week, everything from going under the sea to into the safari, we will be sure to keep your little ones busy all summer!!

Good mental health habits for kids

These days we are constantly hearing about mental health in the media, everything from positive initiatives to the lack of funding for mental health services and more often than not the emphasis tends to be on the lack of funding, poor services and the increasing number of people experiencing mental health difficulties. We here at Celbridge Playzone seek to take a holistic approach to children and child development and as we strive to be more than your average family play centre we have found the top six ways you can help your children keep mentally well and although it might seem unusual to be focusing on a young child’s mental health, laying the foundations for positive mental health at a young age may make a huge difference later in life.

Ensuring that your children have good mental health doesn’t mean that they will never experience worry or upset but rather they will be in a position to deal with these emotions and overcome them, preparing them better for whatever life may have in store for them in the future.

Here are the top six ways to promote good mental health in your children.

Look after your own mental health
Many adults find themselves living stressful and busy lives and some may even find themselves getting bogged down by the stress experienced throughout everyday life. It is important that before being able to look after your child’s mental health you must be actively looking at ways to look after your own mental health and control stress. Children learn from their parents so living a life, which promotes mental health, will have a positive effect on your children, making them aware of the importance of looking after your mental health.

Sleep

Sleep is an essential aspect for ensuring positive mental health, both for adults and for children. Ensuring your child has positive mental health means ensuring that they get enough sleep. Ensuring children get between 10 and 12 hours sleep will enable proper growth and development and ensure they are well rested, allowing them to deal with challenges to the best of their ability.

Exercise

Exercise does more than just ensure physical health but it also has a significant positive impact on your mental health. With exercise encouraging the production of hormones such as serotonin, which helps tackle depression and low mood, it is important that your child is getting a minimum of an hours exercise a day. A trip to someone like Playzone on a rainy day can help with this as children don’t exercise like adults a trip to Playzone can ensure children can get healthy exercise through play.

Creative Outlets

All children should be encouraged to get creative as it encourages them to find new ways of expressing themselves. Not only does creativity allow children to explore different outlets for emotions but it also encourages them to engage in activities mindfully, focusing on the here and now, allowing children to move away from the stress and worries associated with everyday life. Finding hobbies such as art and sports also allows this to happen.

Space

As parents we worry about our children, we want to spend time with them everyday and ensure they are well looked after, we want our children to feel loved and cared for so when it comes to accepting that children of all ages need time and space of their own it can be hard. Children of all ages can benefit in some way of having their own down time, time to allow their thoughts to wander and to explore their own thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Just like adults children too need their own space in order to relax.

Talk

We always hear about the benefits of talking when it comes to look after our mental health and this doesn’t just apply to adults but it is essential for children too. Some kids bottle up what is going on inside as they feel they cannot talk about things or indeed may not have the ability to express their emotions which is why from a young age it is essential to encourage talking and questioning why a person may be experiencing such feelings. Some children may not be able to verbally communicate their worries or concerns so engaging in creative methods can also be useful.

Mental health is an essential part of our lives and is something, which needs to be, valued the same as physical health. We here at Celbridge Playzone we recognize the importance of mental health and it is for that very reason that we seek to take a holistic approach to child development but also to give parents the tools necessary to help ensure their children can begin to lay the foundations of positive mental health.

Raising confident happy children

Raising children is a full time job, one that we recognize at Playzone as something that can be challenging but worthwhile. Here at Celbridge Playzone we see a whole host of children who we watch grow and develop into fun loving mischief-makers. We have developed unique relationships not only with the children we see on a regular basis but also their parents and it is for that very reason that we seek to help and support parents just as much as the children. Our blog is the place where parents can come not only to learn about Playzone but also to get some top tips on helping their children to grow and develop in to the little mischief makers we want to see them become, loving life and reminding us adults of the importance of living life to the full and taking advantage of any opportunities that come our way.

Parenting can be stressful, we all want the best for our children, we all want them to grown up to be confident and happy but this can sometimes be challenging. Sometimes as parents we can find ourselves unintentionally preventing our children from being as confident as they could be. Confidence is essential for children as it helps them to grow and succeed in many different areas of life which is why we have sourced some of the top tips for helping you to ensure that your children grown to be happy and confident, testing their limits and living life to the full.

Facing their fears

From a young age it is essential to help your children to face their fears, both developmental fears and learned fears. Overcoming learned fears such as a fear of dogs or spiders could be a daunting task for parents, especially if they share many of the same fears but it is something that will allow your children to develop confidence and allow them to gain a sense of achievement, that they have overcome a fear. It is essential to avoid avoiding ensuring your children can grow and develop.

Nature

Many children develop when they are outdoors, experiencing new things, making new friends, and gaining a sense of autonomy. Engaging with organizations such as Scouting Ireland will not only allow your children to learn new skills but will provide them with a level of autonomy which will allow their confidence to develop along with a greater understanding of the world around them, reducing fears and foster a greater sense of achievement within.

Praise

Praise is crucial for ensuring that children know what they have done well and encouraging a boost in confidence. Nowadays with the media focusing on looks rather than what people do, skills they have and abilities they can develop it is essential for us as parents to focus on what our children do and achieve rather than how they look or how others might view them in aiding the development of their confidence, encouraging children to link their self-worth with the positive things they do will enable them to recognize their talents and create a positive self-image.

Try, try, and try again

We all learn through our mistakes but often children can get frustrated when something doesn’t work our for them the first time round. For this reason many children find themselves lacking confidence in certain areas because they fell they cannot do something. In order to encourage our children’s confidence to develop we must remain children, constantly that if at first you don’t succeed try again. When a child try’s again and again and eventually achieves their confidence will be boosted and they will develop a strong sense of achievement, instilling personal values of persistence and patience.

Responsibility

When children are given responsibilities and trust they often seek to live up to the expectations they feel this responsibility imposes upon them along with maintain trust. When children are given responsibility and trust and succeed in maintaining that trust we often see children grown and develop, building confidence and seeking more responsibility. As parents we may avoid giving our children responsibilities for fear of loosing them and seeing them grow up to fast but in order to ensure that out children grow up to be beaming with confidence and full of autonomy we must give into our own fears in order to allow our children to develop.

Here at Celbridge Playzone we often see children develop confidence by completing simple tasks such as getting to the top of the slide and finding the courage to come down the slide without a parent. It is these small steps that allow children to grow and develop into confident children. Being more than just a play centre we here at Playzone have recognised the role we play in children’s lives in encouraging and supporting them to achieve things. These small achievements, which happen at Playzone, have the power to lay the foundations for your children to develop in confident children.