Lollipops Playland and Cafe – Review

When you walk into Lollipop’s Playland & Cafe in Croydon, the first thing you will notice is that it is HUGE. Bigger than how it looks from the exterior and undoubtedly the biggest play cafe in Adelaide.

There are plenty of tables to sit at while the kids play and there is a cafe menu of the usual fare with breakfast, lunch, snacks and of course coffee.

The other thing you will notice when you first walk in, is the boat ride. My kids couldn’t quite believe their eyes. About once an hour when they announce the boat rides are on, you’ll see kids swarming from all over the playland to line-up for a sail on the rocking boat. These rides are included in your entrance fee. By the way, unlike other play cafes we are familiar with, adults are also charged an entrance fee ($3.50 as of July 2013) but this includes a voucher for either a coffee or tea. After paying fees and before entering the play area, kids are tagged with a wristband.

Opened just in time for the winter school holidays 2013, the equipment is all nice and new. In the huge main playing frame there are the big quadruple slides; twisting slide; a spider climb tunnel (which I haven’t seen before elsewhere); three levels of obstacle course to climb and roam around in; ball pit; one mega canon and a few other smaller canons for shooting soft balls.

This main playing frame has open space on both sides, to help you supervise or find your child when you haven’t seen them for awhile.

On the other side of the warehouse there is a baby area with several baby rocking chairs available and this is adjacent to a decent sized toddler play area. A lounge area with a couple of large lounges and bench seats are adjacent.

There is a computer area and a couple of big screens for games. Plus there is a bouncy castle too. There are of course party rooms – I’m sure there will be many Birthdays celebrated here – which are set up with childrens’ size table and chairs.

As if that wasn’t enough, there is a Children’s Quiet Play Room. That’s right. This is a separate area which is very well sound-proofed and is a large room full of toys, including many make-believe or pretend play toys; dress-up costumes, books and a big blackboard wall. I can see mother’s groups escaping here with toddlers, where you can talk without the usual play cafe noise. The photos below were taken very late in the day and yes it does look like little people have come through and ransacked the place.

We visited during school holidays so probably a particularly busy time, but be warned, being a huge warehouse style building which can fit a lot of kids, it is noisy. Don’t go there expecting it to be anything but noisy.

So, what did the kids think? We had children in our group between 4 years old and 8 years old and they said it was “Awesome” and “the best play cafe ever” and can’t wait to go back there again. Not surprising when, as if it wasn’t already a good time, they also receive a lollipop on leaving. They certainly know the way to a kid’s heart.

Lollipop’s is situated on Port Road (it’s on the right as you are heading towards the Port) not long after South Road. It’s part of a group of buildings with OfficeWorks opposite it. There is a car park it shares with these other businesses so you may be better off parking across the road or on the street. The car park is busy and tight so be careful of walking through here with the kids.

Lollipop’s Playland originated in New Zealand before opening franchises in Australia. It is a new addition to the play cafe scene in Adelaide after opening many successful sites interstate.

For more information, entry fees, menu and party pricing please see their website here. And don’t forget your socks!

What:  Lollipop’s Playland & Cafe Croydon

When:  Open Every Day – see their website here for opening times

Where:  449 Port Road, Croydon  |  map

Who:  Play Cafe Fans

All images are by Play & Go

At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.

Play Cafes in Adelaide, Kids Entertainment, Kids Play Centres