10 best soft play centres in London, area by area (2026)
By The London Scoop team✓ Last updated ⏱ 8 min read
Soft play is the rainy-day, half-term, need-to-get-out-of-the-house answer for families with under-8s. These are the 10 London centres we'd send friends to, grouped by area. Prices were checked in October 2026, but they change, so confirm on each centre's website before you go.
October 2026: new guide. Every centre below was checked against its own website this month, and we've only included prices we could confirm. Looking for more indoor ideas? See our rainy day activities guide.
How we chose: a mix of big destination centres, good-value local options and places with something extra (a museum, a café that adults actually like, or sessions for children with additional needs). We left out centres where we couldn't confirm current opening details.
The destination soft play in London: large, well run and designed for a long session. Gambado's play frames are big enough to keep older children interested, which most soft play centres can't say.
Scoop tip: Book online and pick an off-peak weekday slot if you can — it's cheaper and much calmer than weekends and school holidays.
Honest parent details
It's at the premium end on price, especially at peak times, so it works best as a planned day out rather than a quick drop-in.
The details
Getting there: Imperial Wharf Overground station is the closest. Check parking on the website before you drive.
Good to know: Gambado also has sites in Beckenham and Watford.
Cloud Twelve is a family members' club in Notting Hill with a play space for young children alongside facilities for parents. It's not a pay-on-the-door soft play, so it suits local families who want a regular base rather than a one-off visit.
Scoop tip: Check the website for membership options and any guest or trial arrangements before planning a visit.
Soft play inside a working church, which is as unusual and charming as it sounds. There's a separate baby area for children up to 23 months and a junior area for ages 2 to 10, so siblings of different ages are both catered for.
Scoop tip: Check the website for the additional-needs session and term-time timetable before you go.
Honest parent details
There's also a weekly session for children with additional needs (Mondays, 5:15–6pm at the time of writing).
A friendly local centre with straightforward pricing: £9.50 per child and £3 per adult for a two-hour session. It's open every day, which makes it a reliable fallback for north London families.
Scoop tip: Sessions are two hours, so plan arrival around naps and lunch.
📍 Colindale Retail Park, 355 Edgware Road, NW9 6TH
🎟 Check session prices online
An inflatable park rather than a classic soft play: giant bouncy obstacle courses and slides that suit children who want to run, jump and burn energy. Session types and age rules vary, so check online before booking.
Scoop tip: Book a specific session online and check the age and height rules for each one; there are usually separate sessions for younger children.
Inside Brent Cross Shopping Centre, which makes it an easy add-on to a shopping trip or a good indoor option when the weather turns. Prices are tiered by age, so it's reasonable value for younger children.
Scoop tip: There's a £2 fee for non-members on top of the entry price, so check whether membership is worth it if you'll go often.
A large adventure play centre on Purley Way, with tickets sold as two-hour sessions. Kidspace runs more than one site, and Croydon is the one to know about in south London.
Scoop tip: Book ahead for weekends and school holidays, and check the age and session rules for each ticket type.
A council leisure centre run by Better, with soft play open daily. It's the kind of local, no-frills option that's good value and easy to combine with a swim.
Scoop tip: Check the Better website or app for current soft play times and prices before you go.
A hands-on play gallery for young children inside a free museum. Sessions are 40 minutes and cost £3.95–£4.95, which makes it one of the cheapest good options in London.
Scoop tip: Book a session online in advance, especially at weekends and in school holidays.
Honest parent details
Combine it with the rest of the museum (free) for a cheap half-day out. See our best museums for kids guide for more.
📍 Royal Wharf (28 Royal Crest Avenue, E16 2TE), Battersea Power Station, Kidbrooke
👶 Under-6s
🎟 60-minute sessions — check prices online
A premium, design-led play space for under-6s, with sites at Royal Wharf, Battersea Power Station and Kidbrooke. Sessions are 60 minutes and calmer than a big soft play centre, which suits babies and toddlers.
Scoop tip: Bring socks for everyone (adults included), and book your 60-minute slot in advance.
For a big day out, Gambado Chelsea (ages 3–12). For babies and toddlers, The Sherriff Centre in West Hampstead and Macaroni Penguin. For value, Rainbow Soft Play in Southgate and Wavelengths in Deptford.
How much does soft play cost in London?
Roughly £4–15 per child, depending on age and time. In October 2026, Gambado Chelsea was from £11.50 on weekdays and £14 at peak times, Rainbow Soft Play £9.50, Topsy Turvy World £10.50 for ages 3–11, and Mudlarks £3.95–£4.95.
Is there soft play for babies in London?
Yes. The Sherriff Centre has a baby area for under-2s, Topsy Turvy World takes children from 6 months, Rainbow Soft Play from 5 months, and Macaroni Penguin is designed for under-6s.
Do you need socks for soft play?
Almost always, and many centres require them for adults as well as children. Pack a spare pair.
Is there soft play for children with additional needs in London?
The Sherriff Centre runs a weekly additional-needs session (Mondays, 5:15–6pm at the time of writing). Check with individual centres, as many offer quieter sessions.
Is there free soft play in London?
Paid centres aren't free, but some libraries and children's centres run free play sessions for under-5s. Mudlarks at London Museum Docklands is a low-cost option inside a free museum.
