A softplay and activity centre chain will be opening up its Essex sites for free for a full day later this month. Oxygen Activeplay will be inviting over 10,000 people across the country to shun the Monday blues and bounce themselves happy, by opening all 12 of its parks for free.
The chain has two centres in Essex – Romford and Rayleigh. Monday January 20 is often referred to as “Blue Monday” in reference to it being a post-festive slump period, with feelings of “doom and gloom”. However, Oxygen Activeplay is hoping to turn this upside down to help epople “energise their minds, bodies, and souls” by letting them bounce and play for free.
The firm says recent led by Helen Dodd, Professor of Child Psychology at the University of Exeter, revealed that adventurous play, which generates feelings of excitement and thrill, has positive effects on children’s mental health.
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Oxygen Romford and Oxygen Rayleigh will both host nine, hour-long sessions throughout the day, all completely free of charge and available to book via the Oxygen website. Families, including the big kids, will be able to bounce, climb, leap and play to their heart’s content, making the most of dozens of interconnected trampolines, a giant airbag, climbing walls, a toddler soft play area, and more.
Oxygen Romford’s and Rayleigh’s awesome Hero Crew will also be on hand to get pulses racing and release those endorphins, through extra special dances, activities, and games. Special sessions will be held for toddlers during three time slots, with local community groups also being invited to take to the trampolines in the afternoons.
To be in with the chance of securing tickets to the free sessions, parents must be signed up to the Oxygen mailing list before Sunday (January 12). Exclusive booking links will be sent out on January 13, with all slots available to book on a first-come, first-served basis.
Professor Helen Dodd said: “Our research shows that the more time children spend playing adventurously the fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression they have, and the happier they are. Our national survey data shows that for both school-aged children and for preschool-aged children, the most adventurous play happens in indoor play centres, such as trampoline and activity parks like Oxygen, as well as in green outdoor spaces.
Children taking part in activities at Oxygen Activeplay in Romford
(Image: Oxygen Activeplay)
“We also know from our research with parents that the weather affects how much time children get to play adventurously during the winter. So, at this time of year, indoor play centres that provide opportunities for thrilling, exciting play provide a way for children to access adventurous play without parents worrying about the weather. It is brilliant to see that Oxygen centres are offering free sessions, open to all, at a time of year when children and their parents might be feeling low and children might be in need of some adventurous play.”
Natasha Waterfield, Chief Operating Officer of Oxygen Activeplay, said: “Giving families up and down the country a space to play and have BIG-TIME Fun is our mission at Oxygen, so we’re tackling Blue Monday head-on and making it a day where 10,000 people can jump for joy instead.
“We know that studies have proven how beneficial play can be for mental health and staying active with family and friends is one of the best ways to get the endorphins flowing and shake off the January blues. So, everyone is invited to leap into happiness at one of our 12 parks. We hope to see you there!”