
Wild Cubs Free Children's Play Area
📍 Ilford, Greater London
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.
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
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →24 Google reviews
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.







