Chelmsford’s newest Soft Play area – Kids and Koffee

Today saw the opening of something Chelmsford desperately needs – a kids soft play area! After the demise of ‘Go Wild’, the closure of Waterfront Place, and the demolishing of the Wacky Warehouse at The White Hart, ‘Kids and Koffee‘ is a welcome addition. Located off Moulsham Street in the Former Brethrens’ Hall on Hall Street – today was the grand opening, Loz and I took J down for a quick mooch.

With it being the first day, they were running hour long time slots so everyone could get time to play. It’s aimed at children up to 8 years old (G is going to be disappointed!), the prices are reasonable too 0-Crawling : £free – Crawling to 2 years : £2.00 and 2 to 8 years : £3.50. There is a little cafe area as you walk in, selling all kinds of drinks, cakes and the usual coffee shop nommies!

The main play area is split into two sections, a small part for 0-2 years, and a slightly bigger area for 2-8 years, it’s not the biggest soft play area, but all the children seemed be having a fab time. There are tables and chairs for the grown ups to sit at while the little ones charge around, it was nice to see that there is a small outside play area too. It wasn’t the weather for outside play today – but it’s nice to have the option!

The only niggles I can see is the fact that there isn’t really any parking on site, and the surrounding roads have all kinds of restrictions. We parked at the Pay and Display one at the end of Moulsham Street which is close enough I guess, but a bit of a trudge in the rain! The other disappointing aspect is that they are closed on Sundays (with the except of private hire). Considering most of the target audience will be at school during the week I’d have thought they’d be open on both days of the weekend.

Niggles aside, I think Kids and Koffee is lovely addition to the city centre – and I’m sure we’ll be regulars visitors there!

You can check out their Facebook page here, and Twitter page here.