MakeBelieve - The Baby Play Place

★★★★★

“This was a lovely soft play area located conveniently in the middle of downtown Edinburgh. The staff were so lovely and friendly, and the play options were great. My 14 month old had a lovely time and got to stretch her legs after being in the carrier all day, and the price is fair. My only complaint is that it closes way too early, it would have been great to visit a little bit later in the day as a pre-bedtime excursion!”

★★★★★

“I wasn’t sure at first if this place would be suitable for 4 year old, but it turned out amazing! The atmosphere in general is do peaceful and calming, they have taken great care of all details, even in the toilets. Toys are interesting and fun, well organized and cleaned, the party space looks fantastic, staff were kind. I’m not sure how long they can keep the payment plan as it is now, I was thrilled that we can stay for as long as we wanted, not an hour or so, but I’m wondering how this will work once the place gets popular and there is a need to control the numbers. At this point, it was totally worth it. I would love to see more things on the imaginary side, the ice-cream stand was so popular and all the kids loved it, I know my kid would have been so in love with a shop-like corner or a sandwich stall, restaurant, or any imaginative thing of that sort. Congratulations and good luck! We will be back again for sure.”

★★★★★

“I had a really positive experience at this play café. The atmosphere stood out straight away — bright, spacious, and not overcrowded with toys, which made it easy for children to explore without feeling overwhelmed. I especially loved that there were no high tables and chairs, which encouraged parents to be down on the floor engaging with their little ones. It created such a warm, interactive environment, and it was the first café I’ve visited where I noticed this happening so naturally. The range of toys was excellent. There were plenty of different things to try, all well thought-out for little hands and curious minds. My child had a great time moving from activity to activity, and I even left with a few ideas for Christmas presents. The space itself was generous compared to other play cafés I’ve been to, and there was lots of room to play comfortably without feeling cramped. The staff were another highlight. They were welcoming, approachable, and very helpful, creating a really friendly atmosphere. The other families we met were also kind and engaging, which made the visit even more enjoyable. There are a couple of areas that could be improved. Allowing hot drinks in the play area feels a little risky, especially when served in paper cups, so I’d prefer to see sturdier containers or a separate space for them. The stairs could also use a little attention — although the Velcro safety strips are a clever idea, I did notice a dip at the bottom that felt slightly unsafe when carrying a child. The food options weren’t extensive, but that’s fairly common for play cafés and not a deal-breaker for me. Overall, this was one of the best play cafés I’ve visited. It felt safe, spacious, and engaging, with a really positive vibe throughout. It is slightly more expensive than some others, but the quality of the space and the experience more than justify the price. I’d definitely recommend it and would be happy to return.”