Older Kids Playing in Mall Playground

Not to be harsh, but the indoor playgrounds at the mall are for everyones children...its a public place. They do have some age restrictions on some. I know at the ones in the Frisco mall and the Galleria there is a person that checks it frequently to make sure that there aren't really big kids in there that shouldn't be. When my kids where smaller, I took them during the time the big kids are at school. Rather than sit and watch your kiddo, you can also follow them around to make sure that the bigger kids don't accidently hurt your little one and you can play and interact with your own. A simple reminder to the bigger kids usually works too. Just keep in mind, that the bigger kids (even 3yr. olds) parents are thinking the opposite...that you should be watching your child more closely when there are bigger kids around. They have just as much right to be there too.

This was a major issue for me, too. I have actually called mall security from my cell phone and asked them to come remove children who were being unsafe. Every mall play area has a height limit. Typically, oncea child reaches 4 or so, they are over the limit and shouldn't be in there! I dob't mind if the older sibling of a little one is there as long as they are acting appropriately. I have actually stopped a child who was being terrible and asked very loudly, "where is your mommy, you shouldn't be pushing!". It made her angry but all of the other moms thanked me for saying something. The malls have play areas as a courtesy to shoppers and we should follow the posted rules. If a parent can't use the area responsibly, they should be asked to leave! Speak up- don't let a few bad parents ruin the fun for the rest of us.

J.,

My husband and I don't go to Collin Creek Mall, but we do love to take our son to the indoor playground at the Galleria. We have had the same issue there though. There is a sign that says you have to be under a certain height, but parents just don't care. Many just leave their kids there and take off to go shop! Anyway, my husband has almost had fistfights with other fathers and had to call the mall security several times because of kids knocking down little ones, running and fighting with blatant disregard. When he asks them to chill out or leave, their parents always get ticked...but my hubby doesn't stand for it...we are the parents that follow our son around the play area to make sure that he is nice and is doing ok...others just sit on the side on the phone, etc. Anyway, after a lot of complaining and an explanation by my husband that the mall would be liable if anything happened because their security team isn't enforcing the rules of the playground, the mall finally put a sign out that says here are the rules and please call mall security if anyone is breaking them. Now, we call them immediately when we see an older kid acting up...and have seen other parents call too. Hope that helps, but I would go to mall security with your concerns.

I agree with you my 20 month old has been trampled on a few times. I am sure that it is hard for some parents that have two children one young and one older, so I feel for those parents. But I think if they just had those kids not be so wild then it would be fine, even if they were taller than the height requirements. (Not that all of the bigger children are bad, there are some well behaved one's)

Anyways, one of my suggestions is try Willow Bend Mall. We take my daughter there and they seems to be a lot less "crazy". All of the equipment is spread out (so people cannot jump from one item to another), and they are low to the ground. I really like Willow Bends playground, it is really not appealing at all to older children.

I would suggest visiting the softplay areas at off peak times. Otherwise find a place that is strictly toddlers only like Boomerangs which has a specially designated area for kids.

This drives me crazy, too. However, I really like the play areas at Stonebriar and Willow Bend much better. They are SO much more clean!!!!!! The one at Willow Bend really isn't set up for older kids to even have fun. Everything is low.

I do agree with Amy. They were built for all children to enjoy.
I have a 2 year old and a 6 year old. We don't frequent the mall play areas much anymore. I felt my older child was perhaps a little too old for the play areas at the mall, not because he was out of control or not careful enough with the smaller children in fact he took wonderful care of his baby brother and other babies in the playgroup. However, I did not allow rough and wild bevhavior and I wasn't the type of person to sit and let them play far from my reach and watchful eye. Far too many other dangers out there to consider. I trust you are the same type of parent and I would use that to your advantage.
If you are right there with your child and you see bigger kids not minding your child and his space I'd tell them in passing "careful of the little ones please" Even if they pay no mind to you, maybe the parents will catch wind and tell them a little firmly, you can only hope.
My only other suggestion is to second what Amy said, go when the big kids are at school, you may run across a couple but you will face far fewer.
Good luck!

Thanks so much for posting this; it's great to read the advice given. I've never been to the Collin Creek playground, but I wouldn't be surprised if Stonebriar mall's play area is even worse! It's terribly lacking in space. The play structures are so close together that kids all like to climb on top and jump from one structure to the other. My kids have gotten kicked in the H. several times because of this. I've approached kids and told them not to jump around like that, but it never helps. If we decide to go back, I'll definitely keep the advice given here in mind!