Yesterday we visited Crazy Monsters in Blandford Forum so our 3 year old son could try somewhere new.  The play area is quite big but not big enough that I’d worry about him getting lost and because it was very quiet we could see and hear him wherever he was in the play frame.  I especially loved that the exit was gated so he couldn’t escape.

Comparing prices to other soft plays in the area I think it was very reasonably priced for over 2 year olds.  They offer a peak and off peak price which is really great and something I haven’t come across before.

The 3 tier play frame has plenty of obstacles, ball pits and 3 great slides plus a separate under 4’s area with a smaller play frame, slide and ball pit.  Sam’s favourite part was a huge inflatable ball which he rolled up a ramp and then run away which kept him amused for ages!

Crazy Monsters have a good sized menu and although we didn’t eat there yesterday I’ll remember it for next time.  Menu options included breakfast, burgers, paninis, mmlettes, pizza and ploughmans plus a Little Monsters Meal with all the usual favourites.  There’s plenty of tables, chairs and sofa’s dotted around and the large viewing area upstairs offers even more seating.

The staff we met on the day were incredibly friendly and it was nice to see that they cleared tables away as soon as customers left so it wasn’t messy.

Good to know:

• The staff will happily warm baby milk and food for you and there's plenty of highchairs.

• The toilets are lovely and clean and they have a low sink and toilet which is perfect for little ones.  There is a baby change table in the disabled toilet.

• There’s plenty of free parking outside.

• Free Wifi.

• Crazy Monsters offer special discounts for child minders, creches and pre-school groups.

• There are lots of party options with the standard including 1 hour play time, 1 hour in the party room plus food and drink.  Other party options include a disco and laser tag.

• Annual passes are available, please contact them direct for prices.

Thoroughly recommend a trip to Crazy Monsters, my son had a great time and I have no doubt we'll be back again soon.

For more information on prices, parties and special events, please visit Crazy Monsters. 

I’d heard lots about Sprinkles Dessert Parlour in Bournemouth but we hadn’t visited until this weekend and now that we have I fear for the future of our waistlines!

Checking their website before we left we decided to visit the Winton Parlour rather than the Lansdowne one. I knew they were known for their ice creams, crepes and waffles but they serve sooo much more!  I was amazed (and maybe a little excited) at the choice and my brother who has a serious ice cream addiction looked like his eyes might pop out of his head!

The décor inside is modern and fun with TV screens up on the wall and plenty of seating.  We were lucky to get a table even though it was mid afternoon on a Saturday and I really enjoyed watching the buzz of happy staff and customers.

I’ve always been a sucker for a crepe so we purused the menu and couldn’t believe the choice of crepes I had.  There were 12 options, from a simple sugar and lemon topping to the Brownie Heaven one which I chose on the basis that it had crushed chocolate brownie pieces, sliced banana, chocolate sauce, nuts and your choice of vanilla ice cream or cream.  It was heaven!

My brother went for the Ferrero Frenzy Sundae which I tasted and loved.  It was honestly the best chocolate ice cream I’d ever had and my brother said it tasted like a thousand blended Ferrero’s mixed with a little bit of ice cream.  My husband isn’t really a pudding person so he tried a white coffee which he said was really good too.  My son Sam was obviously having difficulty choosing his ice cream flavour and strolled up and down the cabinets a million times before eventually chosing a chocolate cornet with kinder bueno ice cream and sprinkles which also got a huge thumbs up.

Whilst sitting there we saw a couple of people with huge martini glasses filled with scoop upon scoop of ice creams and my brother was seriously deliberating having another Sundae!

So if you have any ice cream or pudding lovers in the family then check it out, it really is a great place to visit with the family and we will definitely be back.

Please visit Sprinkles Gelato for full details on location, menu and special offers. 

Good to know……………

Prices are very good with the sundae being £5.95 and the crepe being £5.50.*

The menu is huge with a great variety of breakfast items, ice cream sundaes, crepes, waffles, cupcakes, desserts, drinks and milkshakes.  On top of all that choice there's also a multitude of cones and toppings which will delight any child (or grown up). 

There is a baby change table in the ladies toilet.

I spotted quite a few highchairs so little one’s can’t escape (not that they would with yummy ice cream in front of them).

Be prepared for a possible wait at busy times.  When we left at around 4pm there was a queue leading on to the street and no available tables.

Both Bournemouth Parlours are open 7 days a week from 7am to 11pm.  Update in 2017, there is now a Sprinkles at Poole Bus Station too.

*Please note that prices are correct at the time of writing and may change in the future.