Starting the year at Pororo Park

It has been a while since we last visited Pororo Park (read the post here) and it is such a refreshing change. This is the safest indoor playground in Singapore and is extremely suitable for your toddlers. Our 6YO was borderline growing out of it. We got the 2 hours slot, but the shows and play areas could barely keep him busy. 

Our younger toddler on the other hand was having a great time, wanting to go for everything at least twice. Since our last visit, they have introduced new rides - Harry's Tractor Ride, Bubble Party at Tong Tong's Theatre, the bouncy area at Crong's Backyard.

For parents, this place is great because it has a nursing room within. Also, the kids here are around the same age group so there is barely any rough play. The kids will also entertain themselves - befriending and playing with the other kids.  Parents can take a breather and just rest as the kids play. Not going to deny it, but I kinda enjoy this. 

From a price perspective, it doesn't deviate too much from the established indoor playgrounds. However, if you are a family with kids that have a wide age gap, this may not be the best place to entertain your older kids. The train is definitely still a highlight but now that other indoor playgrounds are having their own, it is no longer something exclusive to Pororo Park. Nonetheless, still a great place to kickstart every child's indoor playground journey. *Winks*

Pororo - Revamped

The last time we've been to Pororo was in 2011 (you can read about our review here). I always felt Pororo was the best indoor playground for the young toddlers given that every corner has protective sponge all over and the train is such a highlight for my kid. It has since been revamped and we were quite keen to check it out since the younger kid hasn't been here!

The key changes was that the old carousel was replaced with 2 sponge-looking carousels, which adults can no longer join the ride. (Not as fun if you ask me). The kids supermarket was replaced with an expansion and fancier cafe. Because the cafe sells food and drinks at a very reasonable price, no complaints from me. Haha. There was a new spinning cup station which pleased the children very much!

The indoor gym area was changed quite drastically. It was definitely a refresh in terms of outlook but I found the play areas pretty mainstream. Their old play area had more interesting areas that couldn't be found in other indoor playgrounds like the human spinner. Generally, the kids couldn't be held down as long in one area. We even had time to watch the shows/ take photos. Either that, I have learnt to better maximise my time. 

Also, they had lowered the age for free entry from 1 YO to 9 months. The train was still a highlight for my #1 but my #2 was crippled with separation anxiety and she is almost 1.5 years old. She preferred watching from afar. She was quite happy to spend most of her time at the ball pit and other pits and was quite reluctant to venture/ try new play areas. She is definitely not here to maximise our money worth, LOL. 

The kids found new love with the Hinoki Pit. I don't remember it being much of a fun the previous time. But they enjoyed loading the pails and pouring the beads over each other, digging holes and placing pails on their head. We spent a great deal of time there. I concluded that kids and their definition of fun is so different. Overall they still had a lot of fun.

Don't really think I will be coming back another time unless I have another kid. Maybe it is just me, but I prefer indoor playgrounds that I can have a bit of fun too. I can't even fit in any of their rides and some of the tiny spaces. It seems like the expectations is just for me to leave the kids to run wild...but what I am really looking for is quality bonding through fun and games. 

Pororo Park: Free before 1 year old

The rising Covid cases was quite a turn-off, but after much thought we decided to head to our first ever visit to an indoor playground - Pororo Park. Marina Square was very sparse on a weekend and there were mostly families loitering around so that very much set my heart at ease.

Some tips to make your trip more enjoyable or to obtain more bang for your bucks:

1. In terms of pricing, my initial thoughts was that the price is quite steep. If your child cross 1 year old, it would cost nearly $30+ for a 2 hours slot. Try to go before baby is 1, and he can go in free. For both parents to enter (and enjoy), it would cost only $15.


2. Pororo Park isn't very big (given that adults are more used to USS size playgrounds), but there is a good 10 stations. It is probably considered massive for baby and to be honest, he spent a lot of time on the Gallop Station and the Jungle Gym.


3. Each session is about 2 hours. Try to come on time (we didn't) otherwise there might not be enough lockers for you and your child may not be able to enjoy the full experience. We had 2 parent to 1 so one of us was forever lugging the diaper bag and carrier around. (Update: Heard from the other mums, the lockers ain't very clean)





4. There are no shows during the Covid season. Just photos opportunities which you needed to queue for. Personally, I think you can give it a pass cos it is quite silly really. 


5. There are specific timings for the rides and you can queue for the ride again. My child really loved the Gallop Station so we went 3 rounds on it, that did take up a lot of time for other things. If you can afford it, it is ideal for both parents + 1 helper to enter the premise. Your helper can help to queue while 1 parent go on the ride with child and another to be the photographer. 


6. Generally. Pororo Park was very clean when we visited. Nonetheless, we still lugged around our sanitiser cos baby is still at a stage which he tries to put everything in his mouth. And I am too paiseh to leave his saliva-ed toys around. 





7. You need to wear socks (both for the adults and the little one!) Okay la, the socks ain't very exorbitant. $3 for a pair and the quality is still pretty decent. So don't be too hard on yourself if you forgot to bring a set. 


8. Bring lots of milk and snack for the little one. My boy had a milk break halfway. He found a cushion and just posed there to drink -_- He had to take the train himself. No fussing, maybe cos he had a snack in his hand. 


9. Bring a sweater too! The temperature is not cold, but if your child is young, just don't risk it!

Overall, we did have a lot of fun and met many other kids around his age. It was quite assuring cos I used to think he was pretty slow in his development. But seeing other kids who are progressing around the same pace makes me feel that at least he is not alone.

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Note: Laptop is down, so posts won't be as frequent!