Weekend days with young children can feel endless. Little ones run around bursting with energy, and as parents, we often find ourselves searching for fun activities to keep them entertained.
Soft play centres can be a fantastic way to help them burn off that energy by running, climbing, swinging and sliding. If it’s a rainy day, soft play centres offer space and activities when walks in the park and visits to the playground are not possible.
Here we’ve rounded up the 12 best soft play centres in London. Each is a great option for getting the kids out of the house, exploring a new indoor play area, and making new friends.
What are the benefits of soft play?
Soft play has strong benefits to children’s cognitive development, as well as to to their social skills. All the running around, climbing, and sliding is helpful for their physical development. And as a form of play, it has all kinds of cognitive benefits.
Kids often end up playing with others at soft play centres, too, so they can also gain valuable social skills. (1, 2)
Soft play is just one of many fun activities on offer in London. So, if you need another activity before or after your soft play session, search on Loopla for more things to do.
1. Gambado
Area: Fulham, SW6
Ages: 0-11 years
Gambado is a soft play centre with a play frame, arcade games, dodgems, and a carousel. It also has a separate area for 0-3 year olds. There is free parking and an app with exclusive offers and loyalty discounts.
Opening times
Gamdao opens Monday-Friday from 10:00 am to 5:45 pm. During weekends and holidays it opens from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. Play sessions last for 1 hour 45 minutes.
Find fun activities near Gambado
Near Gambado, there are many fun activities such as the stay and play sessions at Ray’s Playhouse. Little Dance Academy has Parent & Me ballet classes in the area, and Young Film Academy offers film workshops. You’ll find these and more activities, including rugby, football, and music classes, on Loopla.
2. Clown Town
Area: North Finchley, N12
Ages: 0-12 years
Clown Town has two soft play areas: the mainframe for children aged 1-12 and a separate area for children under 3. The cafeteria serves homemade dishes, too.
Opening times
Opening times for Clown Town are from 10:00 am to 5:45 pm Monday – Friday. On weekends, opening times are 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. Play sessions last for 105 minutes.
Find fun activities near Clown Town
In the area around Clown Town, there are lots of fun activities, including RugbyTots, Baby Story Play and KidsArt. Find these and more on Loopla.
3. Sherriff Centre
Area: West Hampstead, NW6
Ages: 0-10 years
The Sherriff Centre is housed in an old church building and features Hullabaloo soft play. In the junior zone, there is climbing, slides, and tunnels. The toddler and baby space includes a ball pit, soft puzzles, and a sensory mirror. They also run sessions for those with additional needs and have light-night openings.
Opening times
The Sherriff Centre is open Monday-Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and on Sundays from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Play sessions last 1 hour.
Find fun activities near The Sherriff Centre
Near the Sherriff’s Centre, you will find fun activities, including football, rugby, and gymnastics classes. There are also Parent & Me and Ballet Bunnies sessions and Heigh Ho toddler music workshops. See these events and more in the area on Loopla.
4. Topsy Turvy World
Area: Hendon, NW4
Ages: 0-12 years
Topsy Turvy World has two soft play areas. One is for ages 3 years and under, and the other for up to 12 years. There is a multi-tiered play frame with the addition of a drop slide. For parents, there’s an on-site cafe.
Opening times
Topsy Turvy World opens at 10:00 am during term time and closes at 4:00 pm on Mondays & Tuesdays and 6:00 pm Wednesday – Friday. On weekends and holidays, Topsy Turvy Word is open from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. Play sessions last 1 hour 45 minutes during weekends and holidays. Check openings before visiting, as it is occasionally hired out for parties.
Find fun activities near Topsy Turvy World
Near Topsy Turvy World, there is regular football coaching and KidsArt classes at multiple locations. There is also a playground at Hendon Park. You can find activities and things to do near Topsy Turvy World on Loopla.
5. N20 KidsClub
Area: Whetstone, N20
Ages: 3 months – 11 years
N20 Kids Club has a large soft play frame for kids to run off some energy. They also host themed events throughout the year and partner with local groups for enrichment classes. You’ll also find a cafe serving hot food and drinks and free Wi-Fi.
Opening times
Opening times for N20 Kids Club are 9:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday-Sunday. On Thursdays it closes at 4:00 pm. N20 Kids Club is sometimes hired out for parties so may be closed on occasion.
Find fun activities near N20 Kids Club
Near N20 Kids Club, there are many fun activities for kids. These include KidsArt groups, toddler music classes, RugbyTots, and football. Darlands Nature Reserve is also nearby. Find these activities and more by searching on Loopla.
6. Partyman World of Play
Area: Upminster, RM14
Ages: 6 months – 13 years
Partyman World of Play is a soft play centre and party destination. It has a soft play frame with some super long slides. The centre also offers arts and crafts, entertainers, and memberships for regular visitors. The cafe serves hot food and drinks. Plus, there’s ample parking available.
Opening times
Partyman World of Play is open Monday, Thursday, & Friday from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. Weekend opening times are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. It’s worth noting that Partyman is sometimes fully booked out for parties, so check before visiting to avoid disappointment.
Find fun activities near Partyman World of Play
For other fun things to do near Partyman World of Play Upminster, you could visit Thordon Country Park, where there is a Gruffalo Trail. There’s also Stubbers Adventure Centre. You’ll find BabyBugs Sensory Classes and SoccerDays football sessions on, too. Find these activities and more by searching on Loopla.
7. Kubz Klub
Area: Eltham, SE9
Ages: 6 months – 11 years
Kubz Klub is a jungle-themed soft play centre. Its multi-tiered play area has many classic soft play elements, including slides and a ball pit. There is also a cafe and go-karts.
Opening times
Kubz Klub opening times are Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. Weekend openings are from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm.
Find fun activities near Kubz Klub
For further things to do near Kubz Klub, consider a historic visit to Eltham Palace. Just up the road, there is a Vue Cinema. And you can also attend kids’ activities such as Boppin’ Bunnies and didi dance classes. Search for these and more events near Kubz Klub on Loopla.
8. Playzone Bellingham
Area: Bellingham, SE6
Ages: 0-8 years
Playzone Bellingham is located at the Bellingham Leisure Centre. It has three levels of soft play, including an area for under-4s. It also has an indoor football pitch. It’s located next to the Better Cafe, where you can get food and drinks while the kids play.
Opening times
Playzone Bellingham is open Monday-Friday from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm and on weekends from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. Play sessions last for 60 minutes. Playzone can also be booked out for kids parties, so check openings before visiting.
Find fun activities near Bellingham Leisure Centre
Bellingham Leisure Centre has sports and fitness facilities, including a Junior Gym for 11-17 years. Music and movement sessions and dance classes are happening in the area. At the nearby Horninam Museum, there are craft sessions and also Bach to Baby concerts to attend. Find these activities and events for kids on Loopla.
9. Kidspace Croydon
Area: Croydon, CR0
Ages: 0-12 years
Kidspace Croydon is a huge indoor play area with a 30,000-square-foot soft play frame. It also has go-karts, climbing walls, a toddler village, and an interactive sandbox. There’s also a pizzeria on-site.
Opening times
Kidspace Croydon is open Monday-Thursday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. And Friday-Sunday from 9:00 am to 7:30 pm. Play sessions last 2 hours.
Find fun activities near Kidspace Croydon
There are many fun activities near Kidspace Croydon, such as Mini Professors science sessions. See also Little Kickers football and Music Moo interactive music classes. Find all of these and more fantastic activities on Loopla.
10. Snakes & Ladders
Area: Brentford, TW8
Ages: 0-12 years
Snakes & Ladders is located within the 200-acre Syon Park Estate. It consists of a three-tiered play frame, role-play village, and under-5s play zone. There are also electric motorbikes to play on and an outdoor play area. This has a football pitch, zip wire, and pirate ship. There’s also a cafe.
Opening times
Opening times for Snakes & Ladders are from 9:30 am to 6:15 pm Monday-Sunday. It can be hired out for exclusive hire, so double-check it is open before visiting. Play sessions last for 2 hours.
Find fun activities near Snakes & Ladders
Snakes & Ladders has many fun activities nearby, such as baby music sessions, KidsArt classes, and Bach to Baby family concerts. You can see the play The Smartest Giant in Town at the Richmond Theatre. Kew Gardens is worth a visit, and there’s the surrounding estate of Syon Park. Find out more about these kids’ shows and activities on Loopla.
11. Inflata Nation
Area: Colindale, NW9
Ages: 4 years+
Inflata Nation is an inflatable park that is very popular with 5- to 7-year-olds. The park has all kinds of inflatable fun, including slides, obstacle courses, and ball pits among the bounce zones. There’s also a toddler area for younger visitors.
Opening times
Inflata Nation is open Monday-Friday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm. On weekends, it is open from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Opening times may differ during the summer holidays.
Find fun activities near Inflata Nation
Fun activities near Inflata Nation include visiting the Royal Air Force Museum. There’s also the musical Starlight Express and Bubble Planet immersive experience. Find activities, such as Little Kickers football, by searching the area on Loopla.
12. Babylon Park
Image courtesy of babylonpark.com
Area: Camden, NW1
Ages: 2 years+
Babylon Park is a giant amusement centre with all kinds of indoor fun. This includes bumper cars, arcade games, a Kiddie Wheel, an Alien Ride, and a soft-play zone. There’s also a cafe there.
Opening times
Babylon Park opening times are 10:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday-Friday. On Saturdays it is open 11:00 am to 10:00 pm and on Sundays 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Find fun activities near Babylon Park
There are lots of fun things to do near Babylon Park. You can visit Regent’s Park with the London Zoo. There are also shows with Stick Man and Bach to Baby in the area. You’ll find these and other creative activities and music groups listed on Loopla.
Which is the best soft play centre in London?
The best soft play centre in London is Gambado, which has a more central location and a variety of activities. Kidspace Croydon and Snakes & Ladders are also fantastic soft play centres with some of the largest play frames in London. Snakes & Ladders is also good if you want a mix of indoor and outdoor play.
For special events throughout the year, take a look at what’s on at N20 Kids Club. If you’re looking for a soft play for babies or toddlers, the Sherriff Centre caters well for those ages. Babylon Park offers arcade games and rides alongside soft play for a mix of activities. And for something a bit different, look at the inflatable park, Inflata Nation.
About soft play centres
What is a soft play centre?
A soft play centre is an indoor play area for children with soft matting and padding. It is usually made up of multi-tiered play frames, which feature obstacles, walkways, slides, and ball pits. Soft play centres are a popular wet-weather activity, as kids can play, run around, and exercise even on a rainy day.
Where is London’s largest soft play area?
London’s largest soft play area is probably Kidspace Croydon or Snakes & Ladders in Brentford. Other sizeable soft play areas in London are Gambado, Playzone Bellingham, and Inflata Nation.
What are the best soft play centres in London for toddlers?
The best soft play centres in London for toddlers are Gambado, Playzone Bellingham, and the Sherriff Centre. Each has a separate toddler play zone. Play cafes such as Ladybird Softplay & Cafe also offer excellent soft play for toddlers.
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