22 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! Focus on Godstone Farm That's precisely why the farm has invested millions in a new Play Barn, making it Surrey's largest soft play destination. The Play Barn at Godstone Farm isn't just physically vast; it's also determined to make play as thrilling as possible. In the post-pandemic era, we've all come to appreciate the fleeting nature of childhood, and parents strive to provide happy, playful, and fun environments for their children to explore and discover. As early as 2011, Chief Medical Officers emphasised that engaging in fun and stimulating activities is beneficial for children's physical health and mental wellbeing. Active children enhance their motor skills, develop coordination, balance, and body awareness. The results are evident: exercise leads to stronger muscles, improved bone density, and better control of breathing. Godstone Farm’s new Play Barn champions the joy of play! Nicola Henderson, CEO of Godstone Farm, states, "As a society, we often go to great lengths to protect our children from harm. We bubble wrap their lives, sanitize every surface, and constantly hover over them. But what if we're hindering their development? What if we're denying them the chance to become resilient, confident, and capable adults? This might sound ambitious for a soft play centre, but it's something we consider daily and feel deeply passionate about." Henderson continues, "Research indicates that engaging in risky play helps children acquire essential skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, and risk assessment. By taking risks and experiencing the consequences, children learn to assess and make informed decisions. They also develop resilience by picking themselves up after falls and trying again. The new Play Barn at Godstone Farm features climbing walls, rope bridges, and tunnels - offering these opportunities for children in a controlled environment, ensuring they have fun rain or shine." By offering an environment that promotes this type of play, Godstone Farm intends to create lifelong memories and nurtures a spirit of adventure in its young visitors. This exciting new playbarn is open from late June onwards and to book tickets please go to www.godstonefarm.co.uk Godstone Farm's motto, "Discover, Explore, Play," embodies its deep-rooted dedication to the benefits of stimulating and exciting play for children. High-quality play encompasses an additional aspect - risky play. Thrilling and exciting activities that carry physical risks, like climbing trees, jumping off swings, and building forts, fall under this category. While some argue against risky play, deeming it dangerous, growing evidence suggests its positive impact on children's development.
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