Learning Express Toys & Play — Attraction in Bedford

Short and sweet since many others have already said the same things I'm thinking - my 3 and 4yr old spent 2.5hrs here yesterday, and will have their birthday party here next week. Between the train table, the play sets that are more like movie sets, and the tumble area, they can get some exercise, play, interact with other kids, and have a blast. Odds are good I'll take the kids back there later today. That said, if you think you'll go more than once a month then the membership will save you nicely.

Now I'd actually like to take some time and comment on some of the 1-Star reviews because I think putting them in perspective can be more helpful to readers / first timers: Nicole, you were clearly upset when you posted your review last year about the cost, and having to drag your kids from the place best suited for rich snobs. But exactly what indoor entertainment place can an adult, 2 kids and an infant spend several hours at for less than $50? Playground, public library sure, but that's not what Learning Express is. Thinking about it too for $9 more you could have got the monthly membership, gone back weekly and really got your money's worth. Lastly if the 2 websites didn't list prices, did they list a phone number? (answer is yes). I used it to call ahead to see if there as a party and if it was crowded.... they can tell you the prices before you go. As an aside I do think the mark-up at the concession stand is a bit much, but you can bring your own.

The other post I'd like to comment on was the clean-up. I can't speak for that person's particular experience with folks behind the counters not being attentive. But I can say I feel bad yesterday watching the one or two workers completely dedicated to running around and picking up after all the kids. To that I say there's some responsibility on us as parents to monitor our kids, make sure they treat the place like they would treat their homes, and yes, pick-up after the kids. The workers aren't our maids for the price...

Let me preface this by saying my kids had a wonderful time here. It is an incredibly well-designed play space that is fun, clean and stocked with a wide assortment of toys and inspired, creative play areas.

My one complaint is with regards to their "no shoes/socks-only" policy. I LOVE this policy; shoes contain a lot of contaminants and germs, so I am totally onboard anytime a play space has this rule. When we arrived, I was unaware of this policy so did not have any socks. Luckily they have some you can purchase. However, I pointed out to the girl at the desk that out of the other approximately 10 parents and kids already there, only two had socks on. She nicely reinforced that this is their policy and that she would talk with the other people about removing their shoes and donning socks.

However, for the two hours that we were there, only about half the people that came in after us had socks. The others were either barefoot or had shoes (the majority). I felt like some people got preferential treatment in this area and this is frustrating. I would've much preferred not to have had to buy two pairs of socks that I didn't need for $8 (they graciously let my baby go barefoot and I had to don surgical booties to avoid buying a pair for myself) and instead wear our shoes as others were allowed to do.

This policy is really only useful if everyone is required to wear socks or, at the very least, remove their shoes. And this includes staff members who were ALL wearing their shoes in the play area (one male staff member who I believe was facilitating one of the classes had removed them by the very end). Either make everyone remove their shoes or don't make anyone do it.

We will be going back because my kids enjoyed it so much, at which point I hope this policy is better executed so people aren't forced to spend money...

I been at the store many times , spending a lot money, everything is amazing around here, toys, all the games the way the store is setting up, BUT EMPLOYEES ARE VERY BAD!!!! NOT CUSTOMER SERVICE AT ALL AND NOT RESPECT!! , i was ready to pay for my stuff and the girls ask me for my phone number such i give it to her , she ask how she can pronounce my name and started to laughing, my name was spelled wrong and she laughed about it!! is not ok, then she said oh i don’t know if i can’t fixed bla bla, even i has to tell her that is NOTHING TO LAUGH ABOUT IT!! //another and the only one NICE EMPLOYEE that you have on that shift, come out and said i will do it , and he tried to stay in there and look. He listened, i think he notice that’s i was very upset, and is not ok to you have a kind the person who laughs on your customers, while they’re wrapping my toys they keep laughing quietly and is not ok at all; i definitely will refrain to get in there and tell also my friends which i been recommended a lot people , also another time they was looking on another person an saying what she is doing in here she should be on a nurse home!!. THEY HAS TO RESPECT EVERY ONE!! customer spend money...