Jane's Midlife Journey

Play Street Dorset is a Role Play Village with 12 different activity stations, which sets up at various locations in and around Bournemouth.

Locations

Locations include:

• Talbot Village (St Marks Church Hall)
• Bearwood (Community Centre)
• Broadstone (URC Hall)
• Christchurch (Burton & Winkton Community Centre)

We attended a session at the United Reform Church Hall in Broadstone.

Opening Times

During the week, there are two sessions a day:

• 9.15 am – 10.30 am
• 10.45 am -12 pm

At weekends, there is one public session followed by two slots which can be booked for private parties:

• 9.15 am – 10.30 am (public)
• 11 am – 1 pm (party hire)
• 2 pm – 4 pm (party hire)

In addition to regular sessions, there are special events laid on for occasions such as Easter, Halloween and Christmas which have additional dressing up costumes and activities.

Price

The price for 1 child and up to 2 adult is £7.95. There is a 10% discount for subsequent children. Further details can be found here.

Suitable for age

Play Street is suitable for children age 1 (walking) to 6 years old.

Details

The set consists of three sets of four partitioned activity stations making a total of twelve areas. These include a cafe, post office, flower shop, ice cream parlour, construction site, garage, fire station, vet and hairdresser. Each station has a painted backdrop, plenty of toys, and dressing up clothes. There’s also a range of ride on vehicles, such as a racing car and fire engine.

Orla was a little freaked out by the mannequin in the hairdresser, but enjoyed the other eleven stations. She particularly enjoyed the cleaning utensils in the kitchen and spent ages brushing the floor. And the wheelbarrow in the construction site, which can be filled with rubber bricks. Or anything else you fancy filling a wheelbarrow with.

Numbers are limited to 15, which means that there’s almost one station per child, which is great if, like Orla, you’re a little shy. We were able to spend the whole session checking out the stations where nobody else was playing.

The organiser (Emily) was lovely and when she wasn’t chatting to the parents (grandparents) and children, spent the entire session tirelessy returning toys and props to their correct stations.

Food & Drink

The price includes a cup of coffee/tea/squash and a biscuit for adults and children, although Orla wasn’t convinced a Rich Tea qualified as a biscuit!

Toilets/Changing Facilities

All the centres have toilets with changing facilities.

For more inspiration on things to do in and around Bournemouth with young children, check out my 101 Things to do in Bournemouth with Babies and Toddlers here.

• Updated: September 2024