https://www.facebook.com/THYMEOUT4MESS/
Cranbourne Home,
398 South Gippsland Hwy,
Cranbourne VIC
Finally, messy play has landed in Cranbourne! Thyme out for Mess has recently opened up within Thyme Out Coffee (a café) and is situated inside the same building as the Chipmunks Play Centre. It is new, clean, tidy and the staff are excited and enthusiastic to be interacting with the kids.
Now Missy Moo and I have tried quite a few messy play sessions together, and I have to say we both just adored this one. There were a few elements that really set it apart from the others…and in a good way.
The good bits…
The integration of mess and lattes.
Brace yourself…. The messy play area and the coffee are right there side by side. I was instructed to get Messy Moo set up at an activity and get her started. Then, I could stay and play with her, or if she seemed settled, head back to my table for a cheeky chai (I did the latter, she’s a messy play pro).
The activities.
All the activities were well run, thought out, and engaging. Here’s just a few that we did during our visit. Compared to other places this “messy play” isn’t quite as messy. I’d place the session more in the arts and crafts category, with a little bit of slime on the side!
The Café.
I was surprised to learn that the café had an actually chef working in the kitchen and that everything was made on site. After our messy session we had this amazing “Crazy Juice”, but next time hope to stay for lunch. Thyme Out also does “Crazy Shakes”, and build your own crazy shakes. Perfect for those kids who are just a bit too cool for messy play.
Edit: Since I wrote this review initially I have had lunch many times….get the wedges, yum yum!
The boutique feel.
The play sessions are currently capped at 10 children, so it is quite a small and intimate group. The session had multiple staff members assisting and they got to know the names of the kids very quickly. For example, all the art work was labelled correctly with the kids names which I was quite impressed by.
The staff.
There were staff members assisting the kids throughout the session; topping up paints, taking art work to the drying rack, and just generally assisting with the kids however they required it. This isn’t a day care by any means, and parents are still definitely encouraged to be involved. For those with independent children though, it is a great opportunity to let the kids go for it and know they are in safe hands. The staff I met were all very friendly.
More than just mess…
On all the tables there was information about what this activity was designed for in terms of development. In addition to that, there were instructions to suggest to you what you are meant to be doing at each messy station, eg. use these blocks to paint with. I really liked these suggested directions and I think a messy play novice would really appreciate it too.
Take home art!
YES! My favourite thing! Missy Moo doesn’t attend day care, playgroup, kinder or anything like that, so if I want a million paintings then we have to make them at home. I was thrilled to see that she got to make as many pictures as she wanted during our hour long session to take home to adorn our fridge. I think we took about 8 paintings and a homemade gift card!
Things to note:
- Extra take home art.
Thyme out for Mess sell extra, take home items to craft while you are there. These are an additional cost on top of your session cost but might make a great little grandparent gift or keepsake should you be so inclined.
- The play area/café is now fenced in and gated, which is a fantastic improvement!
- If you want to go to Chipmunks Play Centre afterwards you get a $3 discount. Same as if you go to Chipmunks first and then messy play then messy play is discounted by the $3.
- Toilets are located within the shopping centre strip, not within the café itself…so just a short walk away.
Cost.
$12 per child, 2nd child $10, pre walkers free.
Sessions are one hour long at either 9.30am or 11am Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays.
On School Holidays sessions will run Monday to Saturday 9:30 or 11am.
Overall we had a great time at Thyme out for Mess. I’m really eager to return again, to play, have coffee and grab lunch…the food looked amazing! I give it a 9/10!
If you’d like to book just jump onto Thyme out for Mess on Facebook or call 5996 9887…tell them Anyday Adventures sent you!
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Great review A A !! Comprehensive ! Sounds a good place for our resident Dad to visit with Sav, cos he doesn’t see her making art work as much as I do. Good lattes always help
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Good lattes make everything better!
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