Photo of Wild Cubs Free Children's Play Area in Greater London
Indoor Play Centres

Wild Cubs Free Children's Play Area

📍 Ilford, Greater London

2.8(24 Google reviews)💰Free👶Under 1m tall (approximately toddlers to age 5)

African safari-themed free-entry soft play on Level 1 of Exchange Ilford shopping centre, designed for children up to 1 metre tall. No-shoes policy applies. Coffee available from nearby Cranbrook Walk.

Free entrySafari themeAge restriction unenforcedSafety notesToddlers and babiesExchange Ilford
★★★Featured review by Anand Radia

It's ok. The issue is that there are bigger kids playing in the area and running around etc. They could easily knock over a younger child. I had to move my little one away as it was unsafe for her. The height restrictions are there for a reason but parents don't seem to care. It's a play area for young infants/toddlers.

🏆 Family Action Verdict

The concept and location are convenient for families already in Exchange Ilford, and the safari theming is genuinely appealing for very young children. The persistent lack of enforcement means the space frequently contains children far outside the intended age and height range.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

💡Visit on weekday mornings when footfall is lower and older children are more likely to be in school
Be prepared to leave if older children are present — enforcement has not improved over multiple years of complaints
🎟️No shoes are worn in the play area — carry a bag for footwear
🚗Coffee is available from Cranbrook Walk nearby as you supervise

💬 What Families Are Saying

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2.8

24 Google reviews

Older children ignoring height restrictions55%
Unsafe conditions for babies and toddlers30%
Management unresponsive to complaints15%
A

Anand Radia

2 years ago

It's ok. The issue is that there are bigger kids playing in the area and running around etc. They could easily knock over a younger child. I had to move my little one away as it was unsafe for her. The height restrictions are there for a reason but parents don't seem to care. It's a play area for young infants/toddlers.

I

Ivy

3 years ago

Rules are to not adhered to. Big kids run around and play making it incredibly unsafe for babies and toddlers and even preschoolers! It's frustrating and scary. The amount of times I've seen 10-15 year olds in there running around, scaring my 5 year old from being able to play freely and my baby from sliding down the slide as a 15 year old thinks its okay to slide down a baby slide! It's not monitored at all. I accidently dropped my bubble tea which was sealed to drink later but split open from the fall onto the carpet and there was no-one around to report it to. I really, really miss the soft play that was originally on the 3rd floor, it was away from the publics eye and softer to play in for babies. Parents adhered to the rules as only parents with babies and toddlers would use it. It was more intimate. This, now is a frighin mad jungle, survival of the fittest!! That's not how play should be for small children at all.

C

Ci D

a year ago

Dangerous as parents unable to follow rules. Big kids running around knocking over toddlers. I've complained so many times to management and it always falls on deaf ears. Avoid if you care about the safety of your child.

S

saba yaseen

a year ago

People are not following rules for age 2 or under. Many kids playing above 2 even near 10 years old. This is a serious health and safety concern for kids 2 and under. I believe administration should look into it.

Reviews from Google

Overview

Wild Cubs Free Play occupies Level 1 of Exchange Ilford with an African safari theme designed for children under 1 metre in height. Entry is free and no shoes are worn in the play space. Parents can access coffee from nearby Cranbrook Walk as supervising. The consistent issue across reviews is enforcement: older children — some aged 10 to 15 — regularly use the space intended for babies and toddlers, creating conditions that parents describe as unsafe.

🕐 Opening Hours

Monday11:00 – 17:00
Tuesday10:00 – 18:00
Wednesday10:00 – 18:00
Thursday10:00 – 18:00
Friday10:00 – 18:00
Saturday10:00 – 18:00
Sunday10:00 – 18:00

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