Indoor Wonderland for Little Ones, a Summer Unlike Any Other — Baoyan Paradise, the One-Stop Family Destination in Magic City Shanghai

Scorching heat and the exhaustion of parenting—which is more maddening? This summer, I’ve mastered both. Don’t believe me? Come and see. Shanghai Baoyan Paradise (Chunshen Branch) has reopened after a revamp. Spanning over 3,000 square meters, this indoor playground satisfies all your kids' needs—eating, drinking, and playing—in one place. A fun maze filled with pink ball pits, a series of thrilling slides, a family restaurant, DIY painting, and more: kids are having a blast while parents finally get a breather!

Whether a little princess or a mischievous whirlwind, I believe the moment they jump into the ball pit, all that pent-up energy erupts. Running, laughing—this is the purest time of childhood.

At the mini supermarket, role-playing lets kids live out their cashier dreams. From weighing and tallying to scanning a mobile payment, they do it all in one fluid motion—proof of how closely they watch their parents at real stores.

Unlimited bumper car rides are a dream for most boys. After hearing the rules and driving tips from the staff, every fire truck, ambulance, and police car 'zooms' along, filling the air with laughter.

When tired, it’s time to refuel. The family restaurant inside the park offers a variety of tasty dishes for little ones. As my kid put it, 'I give you a big thumbs up!' in terms of both looks and flavor.

A real red Beetle, undeniably adorable, sits amidst a pink-and-white ball pit world like a fairy-tale castle. It radiates an irresistible magic, drawing in adults and children alike—come play together!

In the fun maze, two sets of slides—front and side—cater to kids of all ages. Under the patient guidance of staff, children learn to slide in order and quickly clear the landing area. The safety rules are well followed.

The Beetle Castle can be reached by spiral stairs or a rope net. A transparent spiral slide, an extra-long polka-dot slide, and a straightforward slide all fulfill Xiaoyi’s wish to plunge straight into the ball pit.

A ball-throwing battle with Xiaoyi keeps our spirits high and this mom’s inner child alive. Posed shots and candid snaps are equally fun. The moment I lift my phone, I have to watch out for my little rascal’s sudden ball-pit ambush—then he runs off laughing.

There’s also 'bumper ball' in the ball pit: slip into a transparent inflatable roller, secure your arms with straps, and safely crash into your friends. Little ones will need a helping hand.

The slide complex, with varied sizes and thrills, is the park’s centerpiece. The 45-degree blue ‘scream slide’ has a near-vertical drop that demands courage—and a loud yell! My four-year-old was a bit too short for safety, so he missed out, much to his regret, but this mom had all the fun instead.

Xiaoyi didn’t mind at all. He was much more interested in the four lime-green slides nearby. On his first try, he wasn’t quite brave enough and needed me to hold him. Then came his 'free-flying time'.

After that, he went up and down seven or eight times on his own, trying every lane. Even though climbing the stairs left him breathless, he couldn’t get enough of that sliding thrill. I sat by the slides counting; Xiaoyi never tired of these four lanes. With that energy, I think he’s future athlete material.

Hidden on both sides and below the slides are lots of little surprises, creating a safe, playful world for exploration. The space is also adult-friendly, with plenty of room to move around and snap photos. For instance, these 'piano keys': just step on them lightly, and nearby speakers play 'do-re-mi' notes, nurturing kids' musical sense while they play.

All sorts of hidden features await creative exploration. You can swing like on a swing, or try more challenging moves to test your flexibility. As accompanying parents, we just need to quietly capture these wonderful moments.

Role-Play Area: Playing for Real

The mini supermarket and mini kitchen are Xiaoyi’s favorites. A little Virgo boy—who knows, maybe he’ll become a chef one day, haha. Here, kids can enjoy a realistic mini supermarket and restaurant: from grocery shopping to cooking at home, all in one seamless flow, and a delicious feast is served.

A boy slightly younger than Xiaoyi pushed his cart, carefully picking his favorite fruits and vegetables, then choosing meat, fish, eggs, and milk—so earnest. If I weren’t afraid of interrupting his work, I’d ask what dish he was planning for tonight.

With so many customers, cashier Xiaoyi muttered, 'You’re buying way too much!' He was clearly under pressure.

After picking his ingredients, Xiaoyi returned to the kitchen and started cooking in a flurry: boiling water in the kettle, pouring oil into the frying pan, washing vegetables at the sink. What was he making? I sat nearby, waiting patiently.

This mom ordered a sandwich. Looks like it’s ready! Xiaoyi copied how we make breakfast sandwiches at home: two slices of toast, a fried egg, lettuce, and ham slices. It was done with such care; I was truly moved.

Sand Play Area: Simple Joy

The pristine white sand could be mistaken for rice grains—clean and hygienic. With beach toys everywhere, Xiaoyi played for a solid hour. When the hot summer sun makes a beach trip too harsh, Baoyan Paradise’s sand pit gives kids everything they want.

Playing with this mom was just too much fun. A 'rain' of white sand showered my face—okay, now I’m covered in white. But remember, kids: don’t throw sand at other little ones.

With eyes shut, 'bury' yourself in the sand. Let their imaginations run wild as they use the tools at hand to create different shapes. You like this one, I like that one—small teams of two or three work together busily.

Happy Trampoline Zone: Letting Loose and Relaxing

The bouncy trampoline area is dotted with punching posts. Kick, punch, and tackle them—little rascals turn into boxing champs with no mercy.

Climb up through the connecting transparent tunnel, and at the end is a lounge area: bean bags, plush toys in all sizes, cloth books, dolls, and a toy train track—there’s a bit of everything.

After such a long play, Xiaoyi was indeed tired and could take a nice rest.

Mechanical Ride Zone: Bringing Outdoor Fun Indoors

Bumper cars, a pirate ship, and a merry-go-round—all with unlimited rides. In the past, taking Xiaoyi to a big amusement park meant kids loved bumper cars, trains, and carousels, but always with agonizingly long queues that drained our patience. But today at Baoyan Paradise, we truly enjoyed ride freedom.

Xiaoyi loved the bumper cars best, fulfilling his wish to steer the wheel himself. Watching his satisfied little face as he drove, he was so thrilled.

Family Restaurant: Satisfying Taste Buds

The family restaurant offers a good variety for both lunch and dinner at reasonable prices. Xiaoyi devoured the spaghetti with tomato meat sauce, thin-crust pizza, and fries, plus a freshly squeezed watermelon juice. I didn’t even get to take a photo before he finished it.

On the day we visited, a little princess was having a Frozen-themed birthday party, beautifully decorated and full of childlike wonder. There was a hilarious birthday dance by staff and a giant mascot, plus a fun romp around the park with friends—creating wonderful memories for the birthday girl and her pals.

DIY Area: My Creations, My Way

Drawing and LEGO are absolute favorites for kids. No matter the shape, as long as little hands are busy, that’s enough—that’s this laid-back mom’s standard.

There’s even a perk for parents: free nail art—though you might have to wait in line when it’s crowded. Kids play, parents relax—a perfect win-win at Baoyan Paradise

1. Non-slip socks are required at all times. Both adults and kids should wear snug mid-calf socks to prevent slipping and falls (non-slip socks can be bought at the park for 10 yuan a pair).

2. Long-sleeved tops and long pants are a must for the slides. Since adults can join kids on the slides, long sleeves and pants help avoid bumps and scrapes. Arm sleeves can be a good swap. Girls are advised not to wear skirts, or to bring leggings so they can play without worry.

3. Outside food is not allowed; the family restaurant takes good care of your taste buds. You may bring water—kids should stay well hydrated.

Tip: The park is open from 9:30 to 20:30. Walk-in price is 199 yuan for one adult and one child.