Monkey Town

Monkey Town in Veghel is an indoor play centre for children, aimed at ages from about one to ten. Veghel is a town in North Brabant, in the south of the Netherlands, and the centre offers a weatherproof option for families, which is welcome in a country where rain is frequent and winters are long. Indoor play centres of this kind are a familiar part of Dutch family life, and they combine energetic play with a cafe where parents can sit and watch.

The main attraction is a large, colourful play area built with climbing frames, slides, ball pits and trampolines. Children can climb, jump and slide at their own pace, and the structures are designed to be soft and safe. A separate zone for toddlers has smaller equipment suitable for the youngest visitors, so that babies and small children can play without being overwhelmed by older children racing past. This division is one of the most important points for parents to look at when choosing a play centre.

Parents should expect to stay with their children, as supervision is generally the responsibility of the accompanying adult. The centre usually has a cafe with drinks, snacks and lunch dishes, and seating from where much of the play area can be seen. Rules about socks, outside shoes and food are common, so check them when you arrive. Prices, opening hours and any time-limited sessions are set by the operator and change from time to time, so look at the official website before travelling and consider booking ahead on rainy weekends and school holidays, when the centre can be very busy.

Veghel itself is a quiet town, and families using the centre may like to combine the visit with a walk in the local park or a ride along the cycle paths that cross the countryside. Larger towns nearby, such as Eindhoven and 's-Hertogenbosch, have their own attractions, including museums and zoos, if you want to plan a longer day out.

Monkey Town suits families with young children, grandparents on a day out and groups celebrating birthdays. Older children may find it less challenging, and teenagers are not the target audience. Bring socks for everyone and a change of clothes for sweaty toddlers, and be ready for a noisy, lively atmosphere. The Toddler Zone is the part many parents appreciate most.