Gold Coast

Review – “2BKids” play-centre Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast.

It’s kind of funny that my first few reviews are being written while I’m at the Gold Coast. This was one of those unplanned escapes that happen when you have a small plumbing disaster that requires your entire cork kitchen floor to be redone.

Today it’s raining. (Perfect beach weather…ahhh) So I decided to take the kids to an indoor play centre to run off their energy. The closest one to “Grandma’s” is called 2BKids. And my first impression is pretty good, actually better than good.
Here’s what they’ve got:

•    2 large areas — over 4 years & toddles (under 4 years).
•    A large well stocked Café and plenty of seating.
•    3 themed rooms – if you’re interested in holding a party there.
•    A small race track for motorized quad-bikes (over4’s)
•    Three smaller area’s – a “home” play corner, a puppet show area and 2 Xbox computers
•    Toilets 1 men/ 1 ladies/ 1parent toilet and changing table.
•    Friday night dinner and disco/games.

The over 4 area is a large zone that consists of various climbing, crawling spaces a few steep slides and some lookout areas. It has a ball pit and a giant water themed jumping castle. My kids spent loads of time just running up and rolling down the cushion stairs, backwards/on their bottoms/tummies upside down and all variations of such. I’m always amazed at what they find the most fun. It’s never what I expect!

The toddler area is a good decent size. (I know of one play-centre where their toddler area really is a tiny corner add-on.) It has a heap of ride on cars and bikes, a slide, a ball pit and a mini jumping castle. Plenty to occupy themselves with and you can even supervise them from the counter on the other side of the half wall that separates this area with the café. Yes you can enjoy a coffee and watch your children playing safely too. Then when you’re ready (coffee kicked in) you can get in and play with them together.

The café sells everything from salads and sandwiches to ice-creams and tiny packets of corn chips. They stock some organic kids food but really everything you can get from a regular café you can get here. They also charge like a regular café…so I’d pack your own food and take it with you. You can’t get a meal, salad, mini pizza, whatever, for less than $8.00. Some water, a chocolate freckle and a biscuit cost me $7. I don’t consider it a cheap entry fee (to get in) so I’ll be avoiding the café next time. But if money’s no issue, it’s there for you.

The motorized bike rides are for over 3’s. Really you can judge if your child can ride one or not. The over 4’s get 1 free ride with entry and any additional ride costs $2. This section only ran for about 15min while we were there today. All the kids loved this ride but it didn’t seem to last long, perhaps they needed to make sure the batteries on these things didn’t run to flat?

It’s a good play-centre, I’d be surprised to meet anyone who didn’t think so after letting their kids test it out. The cost is

•    Adults and under 1 – FREE
•    1-3 – $7.95
•    4-7 – $9.95
•    8-11 – $10.95

I don’t consider this a cheap morning out as I have more than 1 child, but as a treat on a rainy day It’s good value. I would have liked a pass out so that we could come back in the afternoon. But you can’t have it all right? You can check out their web site at www.2BKIDS.com.au oh and don’t forget socks!  The adults need them too.

© 2008 Brizzy Kidz.