There's a new soft play in town, and as far as I'm concerned, it's the best indoor play area in Bali.
Play 'N' Learn at
Mal Bali Galeria has it all: a massive ball pool, slides, 3 levels of obstacles to climb around, trampolines, dressing up, basketball hoops, a climbing wall, lots of smaller toys to play with... and even a dedicated toddler area for younger visitors to explore safely.
The slides and ball pool are just the start
Galeria mall has long been lacking good entertainment options for younger kids. There's a cinema there, and a Timezone arcade, but now it has this great soft play it's become a much better option for a few hours out with the kids.
And it's not just a soft play - there are so many different interactive features and activities to keep children entertained, even if they aren't in the mood to run, climb, and jump around.
Grown-ups are allowed on as well
This machine, for instance, sucks up the balls that you post at the bottom and shoots them out at the top. There are signs posted around which explain the benefits of the different activities and sensory activities children can experience there.
The interactive features are different to other soft plays in Bali
Hidden away behind the ball pool there's a 3-level climbing frame with swings, walls and obstacles to navigate. You'll also discover a little room filled with balloons blown around by fans.
3 levels of fun to explore
Another enclosed area has basketball hoops, goals, and plenty of soft balls to throw and kick around.
Away from the fun of the ball pool and climbing frame, there's a quieter area where children can dress up, play kitchens, or construct something with blocks or magnetic shapes.
There are quieter activities, too
Continuing around there's a TV in one corner with some beanbags and benches. This is also the area used for birthday parties, which they can organise as well. This is the one part I'm not a fan of, because I found myself constantly telling my daughter "If you want to watch TV we can go home!". I mean, I hadn't paid all that money for her to sit and watch cartoons.
Finally, babies and toddlers have their own section to play in, with some mini obstacles, wall activities, and a scaled-down climbing frame, slide and ball pit.
The toddler zone
One final thing that seems good about this place, especially compared to other soft play areas in Bali, is the professionalism and attentiveness of the staff. There are 4-5 staff on hand in the play area itself at any time, as well as two on the front desk. They record the details of each child and take a photo, and the whole play area is monitored by CCTV.
I'd feel quite comfortable leaving my kids here while I went for a coffee or a shop, if they were a bit older.
How much is it?
There are different rates depending on whether you want to stay for 90 minutes (110k) or have unlimited play time (150k). There are special member rates which, from what I can gather, apply once your child has been 10 times. You collect stamps on a card for each visit, or you can buy a block of 10 or 20 sessions at a lower price (these can't be used for multiple children though).
Children under 1 are free, and one parent can accompany each child for free. Additional parents/guardians are 50k each. Socks are provided for kids, not for adults, and are compulsory.
Loyal visitors get better rates
If you're planning to be a regular visitor you can pick up an 'Active Kids Passport' which records all the different activities your child does each time.
How to find it
Play 'N' Learn is easy to miss if you don't know where to look. It's tucked away on the top floor above Ace Hardware, behind a batik/souvenir shop and the ATMs. You can go up the escalator in Ace Hardware or make your way past the ATMs right to the back of the mall.
The mall itself is easily accessible since it's right on the bypass, at the Kuta end of Sunset Road.
Have you visited Play 'N' Learn in Mal Bali Galeria, or do you know of an even better soft play in Bali that I haven't discovered yet? Leave a comment to let me know!
