Roar Around has opened at Somerset Crossing in Somerset West, offering dedicated play zones, birthday parties, a café lounge and more for young explorers.
Roar Around has officially opened at Somerset Crossing in Somerset West, bringing a colourful new indoor adventure space to the Helderberg where children can climb, slide, bounce, explore and simply let some of that endless energy loose.
I’ve been following Roar Around since the first glimpses of the space started appearing towards the end of 2025, when it was still very much a work in progress. Now that the doors are open, it is exciting to see the idea come to life — and there is quite a lot packed under one roof.
Designed for children from around 9 months to 13 years, Roar Around has been created around different stages of childhood, with separate play areas aimed at keeping the experience fun, challenging and age-appropriate.
Two Play Zones, Two Very Different Adventures
One of the things that immediately stands out about Roar Around is that it isn’t simply one large play structure where everyone is expected to find their own way. The park has been divided into dedicated zones, giving younger children a gentler space to explore while older kids can tackle bigger challenges.
The Toddler Zone
For little explorers up to 3 years old, the Toddler Zone offers a softer introduction to the world of indoor play. The space includes soft play structures, sensory toys, a ball pit with a slide and age-appropriate activities, giving toddlers room to move, discover and build confidence at their own pace.
For parents, there is something particularly reassuring about having a space designed with smaller children in mind rather than simply trying to keep up with the bigger kids.
The Kids & Junior Zone
For children aged around 4 to 13 years, things get considerably more adventurous. This zone is designed for children who are ready to climb higher, move faster and test themselves, with ninja courses, trampolines, adventure-style obstacles, multi-level play structures, slides, ball pits and climbing areas.
It is the sort of space where I can imagine children arriving with plenty of energy and leaving with considerably less of it — which, let’s be honest, is often exactly what parents are hoping for.
More Than Just a Play Park
While the play areas are clearly the heart of Roar Around, the concept goes beyond simply dropping the kids off to run around. There is a snack bar and lounge area where parents and caregivers can take a breather while the children play, with coffee, cold drinks and light snacks available.
And for those special occasions, Roar Around also offers birthday parties and events, with tailored packages that can include playtime, catering and private party rooms, along with dedicated hosts to help take some of the pressure off the adults.
Because if there is one thing I’ve learnt about children’s birthday parties, it is that the less you have to worry about, the better.
Keeping Little Bodies Moving
Roar Around has also partnered with Genna Carter and Lively Kinetics, its resident Kinder kinetics specialists. The partnership brings a developmental element to the play experience, with Kinder kinetics focusing on children’s neuro-motor and physical development through movement and play.
That means the climbing, jumping, crawling and balancing that children naturally want to do can also contribute to developing coordination, physical confidence and movement skills. It feels like a natural fit for a space built around getting children moving.
Party Food, Platters and a Food Truck
There is plenty happening on the food side too. Roar Around has introduced party platters with freshly made food designed to keep little adventurers fuelled during play sessions and birthday celebrations.
The business has also launched its own food truck, which can be booked for events outside the play park, including school sports days, corporate functions and larger birthday celebrations.
So Roar Around isn’t only catering for families who walk through its doors — the food truck gives the business a way to take its offering out into the community too.
A New Place for Families to Play
What I like about Roar Around is that it feels like it has been designed with the whole family in mind.
There is the obvious excitement of the slides, trampolines, climbing areas and obstacle courses, but alongside that is somewhere for parents to sit with a coffee, birthday packages to make celebrations easier, and specialists who bring another layer to children’s development.
And, importantly, Roar Around’s grip socks are required in the play zones, with socks available for R45 per pair.
Having followed Roar Around from those first social media teasers, when the space was still just an idea taking shape, to the finished indoor adventure park it is today, it is lovely to finally see the place doing what it was created to do: filling up with the sound of children playing, exploring and having fun.
For Somerset West families looking for somewhere new to burn off some energy — especially on those days when the weather isn’t playing along — Roar Around at Somerset Crossing is now open and ready for little explorers.
