Play Factore
Trafford Centre, Manchester
Reviewed by Louisa Nashir
Recently I was asked if I would like to go to Play Factore and review it. Of course I said yes as I had never been but had heard so many good reviews about the place.
I chose a Sunday morning session as I was taking my 6 year old autistic daughter Kate with me and she doesn't handle crowds well.
Upon arrival we booked in with the other adult in our party Debbie and her children Lauren, Tom and Jack. The girls were both very patient as we booked in and took their shoes off ready to give to the lady behind the front desk. The girls were delighted with the Play Factore stamp they each had put on their hands and Kate kept showing it off.
The first thing that caught my eye was the HUGE slide! On the website it doesn't seem so big but in the 'flesh' it's massive!
We found a table in the spacious and clean seating area and Kate and Lauren ran off onto the play frame.
The play frame is one of the biggest I have seen here in Manchester and blows the other play areas out of the water.
Kate came back after a few minutes on the frame and asked me to go on it with her so I popped on my socks and began the descent to the top of the slide.
I found each level fun, safe and a little daring as you could see down into the seating area if you crawled into the tunnels.
Once we got to the top of the slide it was good to see a member of staff there supervising. I have never seen this before in a play place and thought it was a fantastic and safe idea.
After a quick read of the slide rules Kate and I whooshed down and laughed all the way to the bottom. I didn't realise how fast the slide was and thought Kate may have been a little scared but she had the biggest smile on her face and wanted to go on it again.
After another few slides we walked over to the Electronic Go Karts and was amazed when Debbie told me they were included in the entry fee.
Kate and I queued up and soon found ourselves zooming around the track. It was fantastic!
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Kate wanted another go after we got off so we lined up again and this time Kate didn't want me to go with her so I took some photos of her instead.
The whole time she was on the Go karts I felt she was safe and in no danger whatsoever as a member of staff in a red boiler suit was in the track with them.
I think Kate took a shine to the staff member as she kept crashing into the barrier on purpose so he would have to come and rescue her. Kate must have crashed at least 10 times and each time the staff member went straight over to her and helped her. This member of staff was fantastic and he made Kate's day.
Whilst there Debbie purchased the girls some juice and cake each and both girls wolfed it down with no complaints. The cake looked delicious but it was all gone before I could sneak in a bite.
Debbie took the boys to the Interactive toddle play area and came back full of praise for it. Looking on the website I must admit it did look fantastic and would make an ideal sensory activity for special needs children visiting the play centre. I know Kate would have loved to go in and relax whilst in the light room but at 7 she was too old. I hope maybe one day Play Factore will allow special needs children in there supervised?
Whilst waiting for the girls to finish their cake and juice I noticed a fenced off are with a TV screen and Just Dance 4 playing. I notice this was an extremely popular activity especially with the girls and mums.
My overall impression of Play Factore is it's a fantastic day out for families and is a real fun play to visit.
In fact my husband and I are taking Kate and her big sister again on Saturday.
Rating: 5/5 
For more information or to book tickets visit www.playfactore.com