Southcentre Mall Play Areas

(click on pictures to see a larger image)

(updated November 2011)

Location                     http://southcentremall.com

Community: Willow Park -  100 Anderson Road SE (MacLeod Trail & Anderson)

Gordie's Review (19  months old) – Yay! Bead mazes!

Cost: Free.
Supervision: None.
Age Range: There is no age or heights specified at the play areas. The touch screens could probably be used by 3 year olds but are probably designed for kids 5+. The rest of the equipment (panels etc) would be enjoyed the most by kids under 5.
Footwear: Shoes.
Surface: There is safe fall recycled tire flooring in the area with the climbing structures. The rest has recycled tire tiles or industrial flooring.

Play Area 1: The Deep Sea (North side of the mall by the elevators)
Safety Features/Concerns: The entrances are not gated so children can easily slip out if you are not paying attention.
Play Area Features:  The submarine has 4 touch screen monitors with a variety of different games; Large bead maze; 3 sea creature climbers; many panels; TV.
Seating:  There is a short bench by the submarine.

        

      

       

Play Area 2: Jungle Play Area (outside Sport Check main floor)

Safety Features/Concerns: The two play areas are not connected and when you are sitting on one of the benches your back is towards the other play area making it difficult to monitor both play areas at the same time.
Play Area Features:  One side has 3 touch screen monitors with a variety of games. The other side has a large bead maze and panels. There is an interactive floor projection in the centre (but it was not working when we were there).
Seating: There are two benches – one in each side.

 

The Disney Store: (next to Sears main floor)

         

Play Area Features:  The newly renovated Disney Store (Sept 2011) now has a number of fun features. There is a castle display with a tunnel that leads to a magic mirror that plays Princess messages. There is also a theatre where kids can sit and color as well as pick a movie to watch.

There’s another display with buttons that you can push that make noise or turn which makes the characters at the top spin around. It also has a tunnel the little ones can run through.

Go Toys – newly opened Fall 2011

Located near The Bay on the upper floor this new toy store has a train table for the kids to play with while you look around.

Additional Kid Friendly Services: Complimentary kids strollers; Kids concierge; emergency baby supplies available at the food court concierge and customer service; beautifully decorated nursing rooms inside both new washrooms with comfortable seating, microwaves, sinks, change areas, TVs, and even interactive play areas for toddlers. Toddler toilets in men’s and women’s washrooms.
Other Noteworthy Stores: Baby Gap; Bo Bebe; Gap Kids; Gymboree; The Children’s Place; Below the Belt.

Overall Assessment: Southcentre has made a real transformation in the last few years. At one point it was unusual to see kids under 10, but now it’s one of the most kid friendly mall in Calgary. The play areas are all unsupervised so you can come and go as you please. The Deep Sea and Jungle play areas can even be accessed before the mall officially opens. At the moment some of the electronic equipment need a little repair. Two of the monitors in the Deep Sea area weren’t working when we were there and the interactive play mat was broken in the Jungle play area. The seating in the Deep Sea area is pretty limited but because there are three play areas you don’t have to spend as much time in one spot. It also helps keep it from getting too busy as people tend not to camp out. We don’t go to Southcentre very often as it’s not particularly close for us, but we always have a good time when we do.                                              

Update November 23, 2010:   I have just heard from the Marketing Coordinator at Southcentre who has told me that touch screens in the Deep Sea area have been fixed and are currently working and they are waiting on a part for the interactive floor projector in the Jungle play area and then that will be fixed as well.      

Have you been to this play place? Have a suggestion for a playground review? Would you like to write a guest review? Write your thoughts in the comments.