Soft Play Frequently Asked Questions

Parents often have questions that they would like answered about soft play centres before they bring their children to one. It is perfectly natural and normal to want to know what to expect when visiting a new type of place, particularly when going there with your children, so we have compiled a list of the top five questions that parents have asked us about soft play centres.

What is a soft play centre?

A soft play centre is a children’s activity centre which is often based around a brightly coloured and well padded play area that is effectively a climbing area comprising cargo nets, ball pits, chutes, poles to climb or slide down etc. They tend to be very popular and children love them.

They are indoor spaces so are unaffected by bad weather and they are well padded, to minimise the possibility of accidents. They often have a cafe area with a good view of the play facilities so adults can watch while having tea or coffee.

What are the benefits of taking my child to a soft play centre?

Soft play is an excellent way for children to develop their physical attributes such as motor skills and balance, as well as their spatial awareness, so they develop a better understanding of how to interact with the world. Soft play areas also offer the chance to interact with other children and improve social skills, which can be of great benefit, particularly before they go to nursery or primary school.

How do I know if my child will like soft play?

There is no way to know this with absolute certainty other than to give it a go and to find out. Children all have very different personalities and what works for one won't necessarily work for another. Soft play does seem to be very popular among children and they especially seem to enjoy and thrive on the taste of freedom they get when they are allowed to explore on their own terms.

What should I bring to a soft play centre?

There isn’t really anything specific that you need to bring to a soft play centre. If there are any bumps and scrapes, they should have their own trained first aiders and a first aid kit on-site. Money to pay for the entry fee or to buy something from the café is always an idea, and a good and tolerant attitude toward other parents and their children also goes a long way in ensuring a pleasant experience for all.

How long can my child stay at a soft play?

This depends on the rules at the individual soft play area that you attend but anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours is considered pretty normal. Most soft play areas have an upper age limit for children of around 8-10 years old but this can vary between different establishments so it is worth finding out. People with younger kids may ideally want to avoid soft play areas at times when children in the upper age range are likely to be there. This means your child should be there with others more in line with their age and abilities.  

Got more questions? Check out our articles on what age children can go to soft play and whether soft play is safe for kids.

Ready to hit the soft play centre? Check out our lists of the best in London and Manchester.

Photo by Do Hoang Anh on Unsplash