Cirencester, England

A children’s soft play centre in the United Kingdom used 'realistic’ body bags as Halloween decorations, shocking the parents. The decorations outside the Rugrats and Halfprints in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, showed black bags tied up from poles, resembling human bodies behind the main play area. 

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The children’s play centre apologised to the parents for using black bags resembling human bodies as Halloween decorations after several complaints. The centre caters to children aged from 0-12 and removed the decorations immediately after receiving the complaint. 

The pictures posted online showed that they resemble human bodies covered in black plastic bags, a few marked “Danger” and “Caution”.

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A mother, who wants to be anonymous, told Sky News, "I went inside with my daughter.” She said the body bags were tied at the back, which makes them invisible from the outside, and only children who enter the centre can see those decorations.  

She said, "When I saw them I did a double take - surely that can't be what I think it is? I just didn't want to have to explain to my kid what they were. She also discussed with other parents, who were as shocked as she was, and mentioned that the decoration was deemed appropriate. She added, “It's a great soft play, but that did shock me a bit!" 

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Soft play centre’s spokesperson told Sky News, “This is the first time someone has brought it to our attention, so of course due to this we will take them down immediately. It wasn’t to cause distress and we apologise; this is how they have felt.”

The Rugrats Centre won the Travellers Choice Award in 2022. Its website says, “committed to providing a safe, clean and stimulating environment, with the emphasis on fun”, with prices ranging from £5.75 up to £11.75 for one child. The soft play centre offers parents several play areas and entertainment for their kids to get busy while they can enjoy their on-site cafe. 

(With inputs from agencies)