We recently visited Tiny Town, Chesterfield, Located just off junction 30 of the M1. Tiny Town is easy to find, with plenty of parking on site It’s a fantastic mini-village where creativity and learning come alive through play. I took my son to a morning under-five session and we had a blast! It’s incredibly affordable too, just £6.95 for an adult and child for a 90-minute session.

We loved the little touches, like the ‘no shoes’ policy and the tidy-up song. It teaches the children to respect and care for the toys they share, which is something I really appreciate. The play areas are incredibly diverse. There’s a mini supermarket, a fire station, a pirate ship, a beach with an ice cream van! a soft play area for babies, a sensory dark room, AND an amazing selection of dressing-up clothes. There’s even a vets, post office, hairdressers, garden, home, and ride-on cars and bikes! So your little one can be a vet by day and Spiderman by night! It’s endless imaginative play, letting children explore the world around them.

The Power of Play:

Tiny Town truly understands the importance of imaginative play in early years development. Through role-play and exploration, children develop essential social skills like cooperation, communication, and problem-solving. They also build confidence, creativity, and critical thinking abilities. By mimicking real-life scenarios, they learn about different roles and responsibilities within a community. It’s amazing to watch their little minds grow and develop as they engage with the different play areas.

The range of props is really impressive, and every time we visit, the centre is always clean and well-maintained. There’s also a cafe with a nice range of food, drinks, and cakes – perfect for a little treat! It’s a wonderful place for children to learn, play, and have fun together.

Play for Everyone:

One of the things we admire most about Tiny Town is its commitment to inclusivity. There’s no age limit, recognizing that every child develops at their own pace. While there are dedicated under-5 sessions, older siblings are welcome to join in at other times. Sessions are also capped to ensure a comfortable environment for all children to play and explore.

Tiny Town provides a safe, secure, and calm environment where children of all abilities can thrive. This is especially valuable for children with autism, who may find loud and busy environments overwhelming. Role-play centres like Tiny Town offer a fantastic opportunity for children with autism to develop social skills, communication, and emotional regulation in a supportive and engaging setting.

Easy to Get To:

There are two Tiny Town sites Chesterfield and Sheffield both have plenty of parking on site.

Tiny Town is open 7 days a week! Be sure to check their website for booking information and availability.

Special events and Grandparents Day:

They also host fantastic weekly events and seasonal special events, like parties and animal petting experiences. It’s always worth checking their website to see what exciting activities they have coming up. Every Wednesday during term time is Grandparents Day at Tiny Town! Grandparents get a free tea or coffee on their visit! It’s the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with your grandchildren. Check out their website for more details.

Tinytags and Role-Play: A Winning Combination for Safety

Next time you visit a roleplay centre with your children, why not use the experience to build your child’s confidence and awareness of safety? Here are a few ideas:

• “What’s your uniform?” Ask your child what uniform the staff wear at your local supermarket. This helps them identify people who can assist if they ever need help.
• “Practice makes perfect!” Encourage your child to use the play phone to practice making a pretend emergency call. Help them learn how to clearly communicate their name, your name, and your contact information.
• “Where’s home?” Play a game of finding your home address, lets deliver a letter, what do we see on the way to our house? This reinforces the importance of knowing their address and local landmarks in case they ever get lost.
• “Who lives near us?” Use the post office to role-play delivering mail to different houses. Ask your child if they know your neighbours’ names and which houses they live in. This helps them become familiar with their surroundings and identify trusted people in their community.
• “Who are the goodies?” Encourage your child to try on different costumes and ask them to identify the uniforms of trusted people like police officers, firefighters, and paramedics. Discuss the important roles these people play in keeping us safe.

And don’t forget, Tinytags provide an extra layer of security on days out and adventures in busy and new places. Wristbands and tags store your contact details and other vital information, accessible with just a tap or scan from a smart phone. They’re a great way to give both you and your child peace of mind, and empower children to explore their surroundings with confidence.

Katie Green 11.03.2025