More than just an indoor playground: Monkey Town continues to innovate
Anyone who still thinks of Monkey Town on the Brabantse Wal as just an indoor play centre is in for a surprise. Outside, there’s now a mini-golf course, a sunny terrace and a cosy Ibiza-style bar. Together with the spacious indoor play paradise, it creates a place where families can enjoy themselves for hours and where visitors without children are also welcome for a cup of coffee, lunch or a drink. Owner Anne-Rose continues to innovate. “Everyone should feel welcome here.”
As soon as you step inside, the space really stands out. Children run enthusiastically past the play equipment, making up their own games or challenging each other to a game of tag. The large hall feels well-organised, allowing parents to watch over them in a relaxed manner whilst enjoying a tasty treat.
Children are given the space to be themselves here
“Children are simply allowed to be children here,” says Anne-Rose. “They don’t have to move from one piece of equipment to the next. They come up with their own games, play hide-and-seek or run about. That’s exactly what I love to see.”
For Anne-Rose, that’s perhaps the main reason why she enjoys spending time here every day. The 52-year-old owner from Zevenbergen opened Monkey Town Halsteren in 2013. At the time, she had no experience in the industry whatsoever, but she did have two young children who showed her every day what makes a good playground.
It’s no coincidence that children are the inspiration behind Monkey Town. When Anne-Rose took the plunge, she first visited various indoor play centres with her own children. “I had absolutely no experience. That’s why I focused mainly on what my children really enjoy. Together with a playground designer, we created a play environment where they can really let off steam. In fact, they were my most important advisers.”
A new surprise awaits outside
Anyone who steps outside after playing will discover a whole other world. Amidst palm trees, a surfboard and a cheerful shark, a colourful mini-golf course winds its way through the grounds. The twelve holes are clearly laid out and easy for young children to play.
“I set out to find an activity that families could enjoy together,” says Anne-Rose. “That’s how we ended up with mini-golf. It’s accessible, fun and suitable for almost everyone.” The expansion didn’t just come out of the blue. Anne-Rose has noticed that visitors are increasingly looking for a complete day out. With this new outdoor experience, Monkey Town fits the bill perfectly.
This is also evident from the visitors. It’s not just families hitting the ball. Groups of friends, grandparents and even whole groups of senior citizens regularly turn up on the course. She laughs: “Recently, a group of older people walked the entire course with their walkers. It was lovely to see, and it really makes you realise that this is something for all ages.”
Take a seat on the terrace
Another secret that not everyone knows about yet is the outdoor terrace. You don’t actually have to use the play facilities at all to sit here. “Many people think the terrace is only for Monkey Town visitors, but everyone is welcome. Whether it’s for a cup of coffee and a pastry, lunch, an ice cream or a snack with a drink. It’s a lovely spot surrounded by greenery, on the edge of the De Melanen nature reserve.”
It’s precisely this combination that makes this place special, according to Anne-Rose. Families combine indoor play with a round of mini-golf, whilst walkers, cyclists and other visitors stop off on the terrace for a while on their way through. In this way, Monkey Town is increasingly becoming a meeting place where everyone is welcome.
The greatest reward
Anne-Rose has now been happily running Monkey Town in Halsteren for over thirteen years. It’s a place where she feels truly at home, and she can see that many children and parents experience that same feeling. “The best compliment I get is when I hear that children don’t want to go home,” she laughs. “Then I know they’ve really had a lovely day here. When they walk out with a smile on their faces, I’m actually smiling too.”
She finds it even more enjoyable when visitors discover something new. “Children walk out and suddenly shout: ‘Ooooh, we haven’t been here yet!’ Then they look at the mini-golf course and their parents say: ‘We’ll save that for next time.’ That’s perhaps what I love most of all. Knowing that people enjoy coming back, discovering something new time and time again, and making memories here together. That’s what I do it for, after all.”
Visit the Monkey Town website
July 2026