People need to know to AVOID THIS PLACE

Today, this venue earnt the 1star review I am currently gifting it. Although I admit, 1 star is generous. I would much rather award it ZERO if I had the option. I have visited many similar indoor playgrounds and have never been as disappointed as I was this morning visiting Little Dynamo’s.

Where to begin? So many negatives to choose from. Let’s start at the beginning.

Parking: There is none. A mere 10 spots are reserved for Little Dynamo Clients and the carpark is shared with about 14 other businesses. The venue is located in an industrial estate, so you’re competing with trucks, couriers and other irate Little Dynamo customers. Most are forced to either risk a fine and park illegally or go out of the boom-gated carpark to the busy streets of Alexandria.

Price: In comparison with competitors, this venue charges on the higher end. The prices are much cheaper at Monkey Mania or Jungle Buddies. The food prices are also inflated. Additionally, the venue fails to offer any holiday programs or events like face painting, arts & crafts or story times… other venues do this for a cheaper admission fee.

Product: As far as play equipment goes, Little Dynamo’s is ok. Big slides, and an air trampoline. It all works fine. The website says it is brand new. Well, it isn’t. In some locations, the safety netting needs repair. The play equipment isn’t very clean and could use some TLC after hours. The ‘3 and under’ section is a sad and sorry little area with very little appeal. There isn’t much to do there except for the little kiddies to be distracted by the coin operated ride on toys conveniently located to ensure children hassle their parents enough for them to drop their money into the slots. My main concern is the sheer number of children allowed onto the playground and no staff looking on. It definitely seemed risky watching 50 kids try to jump on the air trampoline at once. Risky enough for me to not allow my 3 yo to partake. Also, no aircon. Creating a humid, sticky unpleasant atmosphere.

Policies: This is where my biggest gripe lays. No Outside food is allowed. It is very clearly a money-making scheme. Management make it out to be in the interest of health and safety, but the ulterior motives are blatantly obvious. I had fruit packed (no nuts), some carrot sticks sandwiches for lunch. This was deemed as a risk and was confiscated upon entry. We were able to pick it up when we leave. I opted to not spend money on deep fried food and asked to collect the food I packed. My kids and I ate our lunch in the parking lot. There is a space near the entrance, amidst the venue dumpsters for those that refuse to eat the “café” food available. I remind you that the carpark is filled with trucks and other hazards. Not that management cares to offer picnic tables or similar for families. There certainly is the space for it.

Facilities: There are not enough toilets for the amount of people they are letting into the venue. There were unending lines of people waiting to use the toilets and it reminded me of the toilets at a festival. In fact, the cleanliness of these toilets was also reminiscent of those found at festivals. The most concerning this was the limited availability of parent’s rooms. And by limited, I mean…. None. For a venue whose main clientele are children, a parent’s room is must. The Ambulant/disabled toilets/parents’ room, were out of use today, or at least this is what I was told by staff when asked. For me this meant that I had to GO TO MY CAR to change my 1 yo’s nappy. Not good enough.

People need to know to AVOID THIS PLACE. Go to a more, well-established, well-operated and well-staffed indoor playground. Pretty much any other place you can think of. A free public park would do better.

Approximate cost: $17

There is so much for kids to do, lots of slides and tunnels etc to keep them busy for hours. Unfortunately though, parents let their kids run amock without any supervision. The amount of toddlers with pooey nappies up to their back was appalling- I know that’s not the staffs fault but perhaps have someone walking around making sure poo doesn’t end up everywhere. Even have someone on top of the slides to ensure older kids aren’t pushing the younger ones.
It was extremely hot inside and not many tables or space to sit. I only took my kids because I found passes on Groupon for $6. We won’t be back.

Little Dynamos is the best indoor children's play centre I have visited thus far, and I have been to about six of them. It is very large, with a decent amount of equipment catering to each of the age groups. It is imaginative, colourful and really quite fun. Biggest problem is that there is barely enough parking, which I wish they would address. Also, I see a lot of rule breaking and dangerous play by kids in the play centre, the venue would benefit from several staff supervising.

Approximate cost: $15

If i could give it Zero i would. [redacted negative personal comment]
We were there last nite. We had a function and only paid $10 per child. We paid for 2 extra one. The food was too much for him so i started eating it. [redacted personal identifier] rudely said you shouldn't be eating that! Not yours! I said it's my son's, i paid! She rudely said you shouldn't be eating that! I approached her again to understand why? Basically she said she would rather throw it in the bin than seeing parents eat it. [redacted inflammatory comment] What about the wasted food? [redacted] May be another dynamos should be open .[redacted inflammatory comments]

Unless you are desperate do not hire this venue for your child . Its dirty , hot no air in the place , they have no a/c my sister paid $500 for her daughters bday for 10 kids , it was 37 deg outside and 40+ degrees inside it was awful. Also no host onsite to help you with the party , when we approached the coordinator she was rude told us to go back to our room someone will be there , we waited an hour before a host came and all she did was switch the tv on with some cartoon on screen. I still dont understand what we paid close to $500 for ? you have to pay for your cups ,plates etc which is ridiculous. I complaIned to [redacted personal identifier] she ignored me she was rude didnt care . Honestly dont do your party here unless you are desperate and cant find a venue .

A great venue. The attractions are huge and lots of fun for my six year old, but.....the toddler area is kind of like an after thought and a grubby. Testament to this is that the three times my 18 month old has been there he has been really ill a couple of days afterwards. The 1st he got a virus with fevers, second was gastro and now I'm living through fevers and sleeplessness again. This was truly the last visit they'll get from us. By the way I'm a firm believer in the germs are good, but this takes it to another level.

The place is big! My little one's favorite indoor playground. The giant slide is so much fun. I am secretly loving it. Good money value.

Large indoor soft play center for kids in Waterloo. Plenty of space and seating ( though can get extremely busy with parties and in holidays.) A little pricier than some places (parents have to pay $2 entry). Parking can be a bit hard sometimes.

Approximate cost: $13-$15

IN THE SPIRIT OF LOLLIPOPS IS LITTLE DYNAMOS GREAT FOR PARTIES AFFORDABLE AND MY SON LOVED THE "SPACE" ROOM GREAT FOOD AND BEVERAGES AT THE HANDY CAFE SO MUMS AND DADS CAN SIT BACK RELAX AND LET THE KIDS RUN WILD

Approximate cost: $220 4 PARTY 0F 7