Ikea with children

[lucyA1308]

I need to head over to Ikea next week. It shouldn't be too bad, I know what I want, and so not too much aimless wandering around with the children getting demanding, or bored, or both.

It is more the fact that although it is relatively near, a trip there, can take up most of the morning / lunch time, then by the time we've come back they haven't really had much fun for themselves.

Can anyone tell me about the ball pit / soft play bit at the entrance? has anyone uesd it? What ages is it? how is it supervised? I don't want to leave them there, but it might be nice to give them something fun to do if they have been good while I have done my shopping.

Also anyone know if they have stopped selling the hot dogs? I love those hot dogs.

Thanks,

Lucy

[carrieon23]

Hi. I have used the play place. I think it's over 4 but maybe 3's. they can stay an hour but you can't always just walk in as is very popular. My son loves it and usually comes out asking when we are going back. If you know what you want and it's not rammed an hour should be long enough. There are staff in there and it's a 2 gated entrance/ exit so they can't do a runner! They all get these belt thingies with alarms on also.

They def still do the hotdogs although we always have to have the meatballs when we go! X

[Pickle]

I don't think the meatballs are on sale at the moment due to their horse meat content :-/

[kristymac1]

They've also withdrawn sale of their weiners, apparently their is no evidence of horsemeat (unlike the meatballs) but they have been withdrawn as a precaution as they come from same Swedish supplier - as receieved in email from ikea earlier today....

[fapl]

Ages 3 and over for the creche, not sure what the oldest age is, maybe 10? Go to the counter as soon as you arrive as there are limited numbers in at any one time and you might have a book a slot for a bit later on if they full when you arrive. You have to sign them in and out, I am not worried at all about security and my 3 year old loves it. I think they are even inspected by OFSTED.

[lucyA1308]

if they've stopped doing the hot dogs, I think i'll go one evening after supper, when my husband is at home, and kids are in bed.

[carrieon23]

Excellent, totally missed the ikea/ horsemeat news. Gutted, I thought they were yum!!

[rougepamplemousse]

My nearly 2yo never gets bored. She goes in the trolley and is quite excited to see and touch things in the shop when we pass by. I usually plan it to get there at 10 and have lunch at 12, than she sleeps in the car on our way back.

I went there last week and yes, no meatballs and no hotdogs...