How much? £600,000? How can you spend six hundred thousand pounds on a few toys for kids to chuck around?
Well, this is one of the largest supervised play activity centres in Scotland, with 1,500 square metres of amazing space incorporating nine interconnected age-specific “play” zones. It’s more than just a few toys, and worth every penny. Open to guests and non-residents, there is something for everyone (aged two and upwards) in this smart, colourful new space which is located within the vast Macdonald Aviemore Resort.
The bright facility offers nine interconnected play zones, each one age specific, with some of the latest interactive technology to ensure every moment delivers fun. It’s not really designed for parents to loiter – although there are some beanbags available – so we checked in our four-year-old daughter and asked her to put it to the test.
This is where it gets tricky, because although she can write her name and spell out the alphabet (and count to 30), she can’t really give you an in-depth review of a new play centre.
You can book children in for a few hours at a time at a very reasonable cost (£8 per session), while you go off and explore the Cairngorm National Park. Climb to the top of a hill without the hassle of trudging toddlers along – bliss. Plus, guests booked for an overnight stay receive one free kids’ activity centre pass per night booked. There are three sessions per day: 9.30am-12.30pm; 1.30pm-4.30pm and 6pm-9pm, which gives you great flexibility while planning your outdoor adventure.
Designed by Wiltshire-based company TigerPlay, the spotlessly-clean activity centre has zones which encourage learning and embracing technology. The youngest can climb, slide and clamber in a nature-themed soft play world, while in Explore (3-5 years) a three-storey high, soft-play maze competes for attention with discovery tables and drawing. Skip next door into Play (6-12 years) and a kaleidoscope of colour is the base for the chance to discover science, enjoy the interactive floor space, make jewellery and even take to the stage as a costumed actor to perform an impromptu play.
For teenagers, a game zone includes giant plasma screen and X-Box, while Mix is where budding DJs and musicians can use a drum kit, electronic mixing desk and video technology to cut their own tracks or record their latest dance moves.
Calm is a zone incorporating sensory features to encourage quiet time and this is complemented by Chill. Here, those aged 13 or more discover a relaxation space for their exclusive use. Monitored by CCTV and accessed via a coded door, the zone includes ipod stations, TV and lounge seating to socialise or simply chill.
Adjacent to the new activity centre is a great swimming pool with fun slide, a cafe and a large soft-play area.
Situated in the very heart of the Cairngorms National Park, the four-star Macdonald Highlands Hotel, part of the Macdonald Aviemore Resort, encompasses a relaxing and stylish stay within the ancient Caledonian pine forests. With luxurious rooms and its own signature restaurant, it is ideal for those travelling for both business and leisure. With direct access to all that the resort has to offer, including the Spey Valley Leisure Centre, Spey Valley Championship Golf Course, luxury brand shopping mall, 3D cinema and new activity centre, there is something for all of the family to enjoy.
Macdonald Aviemore Resort recently upgraded to executive standard 98 of 151 bedrooms at the Highlands Hotel, one of four hotels and 18 luxurious lodges in the resort. Earlier this year, Macdonald Spey Valley Championship Golf Course also officially opened its new £1million clubhouse.
While we were in Aviemore we took the chance to enjoy a ride on the Strathspey Steam Railway. It’s a lovely way to spend a couple of hours and great for stunning views of the glorious Cairngorms. I’d recommend paying extra for your own first-class carriage (and a bottle of chilled wine.)
You are totally spoiled for choice when it comes to eating out in Aviemore, but at the Macdonald resort, choices include Aspects fine dining restaurant, the recently relaunched Scottish Steak Club restaurant and the Spey Valley Sports Bar and Carvery.
We had a relaxed dinner at the Steak Club (delicious), and on our second night we tried Giovanni’s Italian Ristorante, with its superb choice of pizza and pasta and a very relaxed ambience, perfect for children.
So what did our mini ‘hotel inspector’ like the best at the new activity centre? The dressing-up clothes and putting on a stage play with her little friend that she made – she still talks about it. Marks out of ten? Ten.
If you’re looking for something to do with your children in the October holidays – or the forthcoming school break this month – head to Aviemore resort for some fun and R&R.