A Shopping Mall Necessity
I love taking the boys to the mall…Well, for the most part. But, I can say that while I love it I still sit there wondering.. who’s going to have a tantrum?, who’s going to start screaming? Who’s going to fall and lie on the floor because they would rather run around freely than sit nicely in their stroller or hold our hand? The other week Luke and I were on our way over to the mall and we looked at eachother with horror when we realized we forgot our double stroller! I had to pick up some new glasses and Luke was tasked with watching two little ones, for literally only about 15 minutes. Thankfully, with the help of some nice strangers all went well and we all survived.
However, thanks to Pickering Town Centre, If Luke was ever to forget the stroller again… they have something that, personally I feel, all malls should have for the sanity of the parents and people around them. A Toddler Play Park.
Pickering Town Centre is two floors. First, I always start off covering the first floor while the boys slowly start to settle in a just enjoy looking around at all the stores. Eventually as we go, I start to see patience running low. Not just the boys, but my own too.
We head to the bottom floor, which is like a parents dream come true. At the centre of the mall a little play park filled with a treehouse play slide, a crawl threw log with a friendly bear and a butterfly and fish that kids can stand on, fall on, whatever they wish. Oh, and they are foam sooooooooo less chances of blood, bruises and a screaming child.
Also, along the walls are interactive toys just so everyone has something to play with or in case your child isn’t like Mason and doesn’t want to jump off or climb everything they see. Now, when we all head to Pickering Town Centre we have an exact plan of what needs to be done. And either one of us could watch the boys plan while the gets things done!! Such a relief.
FEEDBACK FROM EXTRA SPARKLES PLEASE
….And, yes fellow germophobic parents, there is a sanitizer dispensing machine right outside as you come in and out to stop the spread of germs which are already going around.
Pickering Town Centre – Mall address: 1355 Kingston Rd, Pickering, ON
Mall hours: 10am-9pm
This is such an amazing idea for us parents. Ill have to try my next shopping trip there!
i really enoyed this! i cant wait until my son is older so i can take him out on play dates like this
Love this!! It would definitely make shopping with my toddler more fun if our mall had such a cute play area!
I love these! I completely agree for bigger center’s they are a must! Our mall is to small to have one 🙁
Is it in a secluded spot or is it in the middle of the mall? This looks like the perfect stop, I don’t live far from Pickerjng.
Aw Mason looks like he’s having so much fun. This is definitely a something every family should consider when they are going to a mall!
What a fun little play area! My kids would love it!
I can only imagine how helpful this is. Now the problem will be trying to take your children home without crying!
My son is just about to outgrown these play areas and I’m so bummed. There were some days when he was littler and it was too cold to do anything outside so we’d go to the mall JUST for these little play area!
I love these areas of the mall and had no idea they existed!! I don’t remember these as a kid, but now that I have kids of my own, I see them EVERYWHERE! Love taking my kids there!
This is seriously a parents dream. We need more places like this around here so that I can let my daughter roam and play!
Ok this place is awesome! We need more places like this around here so that I can let my daughter roam and play, without freaking out that she might get hurt!
I wish more malls had these! We only have one mall that has a play area and they’re so helpful! I love to take the kids I nanny and my niece and nephew there! Great post about it.
Yes! We moved away from the mall that had a great play area and I miss it so much!
This is such a great idea! I will have to remember this when I have kiddos!
I love when malls have a play space for kids! It’s also extra helpful during super cold or rainy days as it gets everyone out of the house!
I know my mom used to love to take us to the mall when we were little! It’s a great free way to get out of the house and keep them entertained!