Indoor Playspace

The forecast yesterday showed rain all day, so we made plans to take the girls to a nearby indoor play space.  Caroline asked the concierge to call them and check on prices, then write the address for the taxi driver.  We arrived at this little place in the middle of one of the innumerable alleys that make up the Taiwanesse streets, grateful the driver was able to point to the right door, because from outside we couldn't be sure which of the doors would lead to a play area for kids.  When we looked closer, though, there was a sheltered sandbox, and rows of shelves for storing shoes - the kind of signs you look for when you're out playing with toddlers.

As we entered, the woman got up from the desk and said, "shoes!" pointing to the outdoor shelves.  Ooops.  So we took the girls back out and took off our shoes, leaving them on the shelves.  Then we went in, and the woman sprayed all of our hands with an antibacterial/disinfectant before the girls could start playing.  The girls were both very excited to see all the toys, places to climb, and a whole little world that they could tell was clearly built just for them, so they set off to explore while Caroline and I tried to figure out how much to pay.  It wasn't bad actually.  250NT (about US$18) for the girls, and the parents were free.

Everything was very neat, clean, and organized.  Partly because they had just opened for the day, so we were the first kids there, but I'm sure that most kids and parents that play there always put things away when they're done.  At first, the girls just jumped from one activity area to another, not quite sure what they wanted to play with.  Then another girl and mother came in, and they headed straight to the sandbox, which drew our girls' attention.  So we played in outside a bit, in the sand and with the bubbles.  Always two great activities for toddlers.   Heading back inside, we first washed our feet and hands in sink they provide, with a hand sprayer, and dried off on the clean towels provided inside.  (This place was VERY clean.)

Then our girls followed the other to the art room, and played with the fresh batch of homemade playdough they provided.  After that, they split up again, each wandering in their own direction.  But having the other girl and (English-speaking) mom there helped us get more comfortable with how the toys were stored and what good activities were hiding around the place.

It never did rain, and we had a nice walk home after two hours or so.  I'm glad we checked this place out, and will very likely go back on another "rainy" day.