Here's the lightly edited review:
"Had a playdate meetup at The Joy of Toys at Central Clark Quay today. While I appreciate the variety of play areas for kids, the experience was marred by unhelpful and rude staff.
The rules for the different play areas were somewhat unclear, leading to some confusion. When one of our friends wanted to make payment for accessing a different area, the staff at the counter dismissed us by saying, "It's common sense." This was incredibly rude and left us feeling upset.
While I understand that staff are there to enforce rules, a more helpful and polite approach would have been appreciated. Clearer signage or a more welcoming explanation would have avoided the entire situation.
Overall, the experience was disappointing due to the staff's attitude. I would recommend The Joy of Toys to improve their customer service and communication, especially when dealing with families and children.
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Just quoting from your response:
"[...]he was quite argumentative and pedantic. He was questioning where it is written that tickets cannot be shared. The staff at the counter told him it was common sense, otherwise guests can just pass their tickets around to share. This is a known standard for all playgrounds in Singapore."
While your policy regarding ticket sharing might be standard practice, the way it was communicated to us was disappointing. A simple, polite explanation would have been far more effective than the dismissive "common sense" comment.
Instead of focusing on the perceived argumentativeness of my friend, I urge you to focus on improving your staff's customer service training. A more welcoming and helpful approach would greatly enhance the overall experience for families visiting your establishment. The tone and language used by your staff member created a negative experience that overshadowed the positive aspects of the play area itself."
Charlotte Faiz
5
Our curious toddler loves it there, and so do we. Here are the reasons:
* The staff is very friendly.
* Finally, an infant/toddler- and kid-friendly environment. The market usually caters to older kids only, and the environment often ends up being very rough for smaller children.
* A price point and package that makes sense: the price includes two adults, and additional persons are not charged the usual and ridiculous 25-35 SGD.
* A very clean, neat, and well-designed play environment.
* Rules that make sense and are easy to follow, even for usually non-cooperative little creatures.
* Toy selection: all wooden, very safe, very educational, and most likely toys one wouldn't have at home.
* Finally, a child-proofed environment that suits curious little explorers.
We love it and highly recommend it.
Alex
4
Nice place for families with young children.
Let's start with the pros:
1) Cleanliness and Comfort
The place is well-maintained and comfortable. It is very bright, clean, and spacious. There are many sofas for parents to sit down, relax, or watch their kids. Staff put toys back where they belong.
2) Variety and Quality
A large variety of quality wooden toys from Europe. The toys are in good condition, not cheap plastic ones from China. There's everything from cars and railway trains to puzzles, dollhouses, and toy kitchens.
3) Location
Conveniently situated in Central Mall.
4) Safety
All the toys are within children's reach, with carpets on parts of the floor. Sofas are plush and don't have any hard parts. Tables have rounded edges. The area is big enough yet contained. Parents can monitor their kids without much worry, unlike other indoor playgrounds where older kids might injure smaller ones.
Cons
1) Price
It's quite pricey for weekends/peak periods, at $26 per child for two hours of play.
2) Waiting time
We didn't have to wait since we went during lunch hour. But if you plan to go on weekends during other times, you'll probably have to queue as they don't accept reservations and capacity is limited.
3) No battery operated toys
My elder son (4 years old) was a tad disappointed when he realized the crane wasn't remote-controlled. He got bored after a while and needed us to engage him with the toys, as they were all manual.
Overall, I'd say it's a good place for toddlers. They can play in a safe environment, and parents don't need to stress about keeping the toys.
Most importantly, remember to bring socks! 😊
Tarn Pang
4
Here's the edited review:
It's not bad, but I think my baby is too young for it. The bigger room for toddlers is much more spacious and has more things to do. I think I might come back when he is older.
The staff is okay. The place is somewhat clean. The toys are wooden and well-made, though some are really old but still in use.
We went on a weekday afternoon, and it was just us and one other family. No wait time.
Liya Loy
5
I had a delightful experience returning to this beautiful play area. The facility is well-maintained, and the staff, particularly Lina, provided excellent assistance. I was grateful for Lina's help when I needed to briefly step away to use the restroom, as they don't offer a drop-off service. I will certainly be returning in the near future because my son absolutely adores this place!
One of the standout features, in addition to the high-quality toys, is the provision of comfortable sofas for parents or guardians. It was a true pleasure to be able to sit back and relax while keeping an eye on the children's playtime. This play area is perfect for encouraging little ones to explore their independence and tap into their boundless imagination.
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What a great indoor playground at Clarke Quay Central! It serves both fun for kiddos and relaxing time for parents, as they have comfortable sofas to sit on while watching their little ones play. Unlike other indoor playgrounds, this place doesn't have any slides or activities that require bigger muscles (gross motor skills). Instead, the area focuses more on small wooden toys, which encourage structured play like manipulative and construction for fine motor skills. It also facilitates open-ended play for the great imagination of our little tots. The staff are also lovely.
Josiah Lek
5
A very lovely play area. We've only visited the main play area, and have come back 3 times already. The long train set on a short table is the highlight for sure. Well-maintained train sets, at a low height, mean the younger ones can play together. If the train area is busy, they have several corners for pretend play, puzzles, ball runs, and ample seating for parents. They also provide a water dispenser, which is extremely helpful. The only downside is the place is really cold. We recommend bringing a jacket if you're planning a play session here!
Alex Chong
5
My son’s favourite spot. Don't underestimate the fun your kids can experience based on the size of this outlet. There are sufficient toys to last your kids for the two-hour sessions. The price is worthwhile (weekend: SGD29, inclusive of 2 adults). The best part is there are seats for adults to do their work or just chill!
Dina
5
Love this place for calm and quiet play. Toys are good quality, the place is clean, and they have separate areas for babies and older kids. The AC is a bit too cold, so if you stay for an hour or longer, bring a sweater for yourself and the kids. No eating or drinking is allowed within the play area, but you can snack at a separate little zone. They also have drinks and snacks for sale and free water for making formula. You must wear socks, and they provide slippers for when you need to go to the toilet.
Gim Hong
5
Love love it. I could really rest and do my work while my kids were playing. There were toys everywhere: dollhouses, trains, mind puzzles, kitchen sets, musical instruments, etc. My kids don't like noise and the 'rah rah' (e.g., loud play areas with ball pits), so they were in their comfort zone here. I highly recommend this place for parents who need some time off as well. Couches were very comfy.
Daryl Bok
5
I like that there’s a variety of toys to keep my kid entertained. The play area was orderly, and the parents there were all pretty helpful in keeping the place safe for all the kids. Remember to bring socks!