Soft play is fantastic for letting the kids run off some energy while you get to enjoy a coffee and connect with other parents. You’ll often find the kids end up playing together, helping to grow their social skills, and keep each other entertained!
Free play and physical activity are also important factors for your child’s development, as well as promoting alertness and helping to bring calm.
Soft play centres are an easy and fun way for kids to exercise, especially when it’s raining, and you can’t get outside to parks and playgrounds. (1, 2)
Here, we’ve listed the best soft play centres in South London, many offering other great activities or classes in the area.
Gambado, Fulham
Find more family fun: Loopla
Area: Fulham, SW6
Ages: 0-11 years
Gambado offers classic soft play, arcade games, dodgems, and a carousel. It also has a soft play area for children aged 0 to 3 and free parking. The company has an app for exclusive offers and loyalty discounts.
Opening times
Gambado is open Monday-Friday from 10 am to 5:45 pm and Saturday-Sunday 9:30 am to 6 pm. During school holidays Gambado opens daily 9:30 am to 6 pm. Play sessions are for 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Find fun activities near Fulham
Chelsea Harbour Pier is nearby with Thames Clipper boat rides along the river. Ray’s Playhouse hosts stay-and-play for children under 5 years at Sands End. Little Dance Academy hosts Parent & Me Ballet classes in the area.
Bertie and Boo Adventure Island, Clapham
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Area: Clapham, SW17
Ages: 0-6 years
This soft play is pirate-themed, with soft play, a role-play area, and a disco room. The cafe also serves themed treasure chest lunches! You can also book a Magical Story Time session on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
Opening times
Bertie and Boo Adventure Island is open Monday-Friday, 9 am to 4:50 pm, with 1 hour 50 minute time slots throughout the day. At weekends, it is often closed for parties, so check online before you visit. Saturday-Sunday sessions start at 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, and 4 pm.
Find fun activities near Clapham
Tooting Commons is just down the road from the soft play. Here, you will also find Tooting Bec Lido, which has a kids’ pool. Baby Sensory Balham is just a few doors down, and it offers sensory classes for babies and children aged 0 to 13 months.
Kidspace, Croydon
Find more family fun: Loopla
Area: Croydon, CR0
Ages: 0-12 years
Kidspace is packed with activities, including its 30,000-square-foot play frame, go-karts, climbing wall, toddler village, interactive sandbox, and more.
Opening times
Kidspace is open Monday-Thursday from 10 am to 6 pm and Friday-Sunday from 9 am to 7:30 pm. Timeslots last 2 hours.
Find fun activities near Croydon
Kidspace is near Purley Way Playing Fields and other parks as well as activities including Mini Professors science sessions, Little Kickers football, and Music Moo interactive music sessions for 0 to 5 years.
Brixton Recreation Centre, Brixton
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Area: Brixton, SW9
Ages: 0-15 years
The Family Leisure Zone at Brixton Recreation Centre is a soft play space for the whole family.
In addition to the soft play frame, there is an assault course and climbing area.
Opening times
The Family Zone at Brixton Leisure Centre is open Monday-Sunday, 9 am to 6 pm. You can book a session for up to 60 minutes.
Find fun activities near Brixton
There are other activities at Brixton Recreation Centre too, including swimming, sports, and a community gym. The Chocolate Museum, with an exhibition and workshops is also in Brixton. Activities in the area include football sessions and KidsArt classes.
Tribe Time, Wandsworth
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Area: Wandsworth, SW18
Ages: 0-5 years
Tribe Time is a play cafe with a jungle-themed soft play area. It also has games and colouring books. Every day from 9-9:50 am, they host toddler sessions for children 2 years old and younger.
Opening times
Tribe Time is open Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm and 8:30 am to 5 pm on weekends. Tribe Time hosts parties and private bookings, so check the soft play is open before you visit. Sessions last for 50 minutes.
Find fun activities near Wandsworth
In Wandsworth, you will find a number of parks as well as restaurants and cinemas along the main high street. There are kids rugby sessions as well as dance and music classes in the area.
Playzone, Bellingham
Find more family fun: Loopla
Area: Bellingham, SE6
Ages: 0-8 years
Playzone at the Bellingham Leisure Centre has three levels of soft play that also features a football pitch. There is an under 4’s area. Playzone is located next to the Better Cafe where you can get food and drinks while the kids play.
Opening times
Playzone is open Monday-Friday from 9:30 am to 6 pm and 9:30 am to 5:30 pm on weekends. Play sessions last for 60 minutes. Book online to check availability, and opening times may vary when booked for parties.
Find fun activities near Bellingham
There is an outdoor play area at Bellingham Green and at the Waterlink Way park. At the Bellingham Leisure Centre there are sports and fitness facilities including the Junior Gym for 11-17 years. Activities in the Bellingham area include music and movement sessions as well as dance classes.
Discovery Planet, Surrey Quays
Find more family fun: Loopla
Area: Surrey Quays, SE17
Ages: 0-10 years; height restriction of 134 cm
Discovery Planet can be found in Surrey Quays Shopping Centre with two levels of soft play and a toddler zone for ages 0-4 years.
Opening times
Discovery Planet is open Monday-Friday from 10 am to 5 pm. On Saturdays it is open between 10 am and 5 pm and Sundays from 12 pm to 5 pm. Sessions last for 1 hour on weekdays and 2 hours on weekends and holidays.
Find fun activities near Surrey Quays
Surrey Docks Farm and Brunel Museum are nearby, as well as Southwark Park. You can book classes for different ages in music, football, theatre, and Mandarin in the area.
Gymboree Play & Music, East Dulwich
Find more family fun: Loopla
Area: Dulwich, Peckham, SE22
Ages: 0-5 years
Gymboree Play & Music offer a range of sensory classes for different ages, including Play & Learn, Theatre Arts, and Baby Massage. You can also attend the Open Gym sessions with 45 minutes free play in the playroom.
Opening times
Gymboree is open Monday-Friday, with classes starting from 9:30 am and the last of the day at 4 pm. On Saturdays, classes start from 9 am, with the last session at 12 pm. Gymboree is closed on Sundays. Check their website for the timetable of what’s on and when the Open Gym sessions are.
Find fun activities near East Dulwich
Gymboree is located next to Peckham Rye Park & Common, which has a cafe, gardens, duck pond, and adventure playground. The area also offers dance, music, and art classes, theatre shows, and toddler concerts.
Playville Toys Game Center, Blackheath
Find more family fun: Loopla
Area: Blackheath, SE3
Ages: 0-10 years
Playville Toys Game Center has a small soft play area with interactive games and educational activities. They also run art classes for 2+ years.
Opening times
Playville Toys Game Center is open Monday-Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Stay and play slots are for 2 hours.
Find fun activities near Blackheath
There is a play area at Cator Park, which is very close to Playville Toys Game Center. Severndroog Castle and Greenwich Park are in the wider area. Blackheath has children’s dance, theatre, and music classes in the area, as well as forest school sessions.
What is the best indoor play in South London?
The best indoor play in South London is Playville Toys Game Center with 4.9/5 stars or Bertie and Boo Adventure Island with 4.6/5 stars, as these are some of the highest ratings on Google. Kidspace has the largest play area and is great for older kids up to 12 years. Gymboree Play & Music offers a range of classes for preschool ages, while Brixton Recreation Centre has lots of other facilities on site, including a swimming pool.
FAQs
Is soft play good for babies?
Yes, soft play is good for babies and young children, with many centres offering baby or toddler designated areas with many of the benefits that come from physical play. These include developing motor skills, spatial skills, and emotional skills. Soft play is also good for children as it provides physical exercise and the development of social skills through playing with other children. (2)
What age is soft play for?
Soft play is for 0-12 years, with soft play centres setting their own age restrictions. Some soft play will also have height restrictions.
Is soft play safe?
Soft play is safe as long as you abide by the rules set out by the centre, children remain supervised, and professional staff are on hand to help avoid accidents.
