Soft Play Hire: The Complete Guide for Toddler Parties (2026)

Bouncy castles are brilliant for older children — but if your party is for under-5s, soft play hire is often the better call. It turns a hall, garden or living room into a safe, padded play zone toddlers can explore without the bumps of a big inflatable. Here's everything you need to book it.

What is soft play hire?

Soft play is a set of foam-filled, wipe-clean play equipment designed for babies and toddlers (roughly 0–5 years). A hire company delivers it, arranges it into a play area, and collects it afterwards. It's the toddler equivalent of a bouncy castle: low, soft, and built for little ones who aren't quite ready to bounce with the big kids.

What's included in a soft play set?

Packages vary, but a typical soft play hire includes:

• A ball pit — the centrepiece, usually with hundreds of coloured balls.
• Foam shapes — steps, rockers, tunnels, wedges and mini-slides to climb and crawl on.
• Soft play mats — a padded floor base that ties the area together.
• Ride-on toys — cars, trikes and animal bouncers on many packages.
• A safety fence or gate on larger setups, to keep the zone contained.

Many companies offer soft play as an add-on to a bouncy castle, so older siblings bounce while toddlers play safely nearby — often cheaper than booking the two separately.

What ages is soft play for?

Soft play suits babies and toddlers up to about 4–5 years. It's ideal for first birthdays, christenings, playgroups, and any event where the guests are too young for a bouncy castle. For a mixed-age party, a soft play + toddler bouncy castle combo covers everyone.

How much does soft play hire cost?

Package	Typical price (2026)
Small soft play set (mats, shapes, ball pit)	£50 – £90
Standard toddler package (+ ride-ons)	£80 – £130
Large / deluxe set with soft play fence	£120 – £180
Soft play + toddler bouncy castle bundle	£120 – £200

Prices sit a little below or in line with bouncy castle hire (see our full price guide). As with castles, delivery, setup and collection are usually included within a local radius.

Indoor or outdoor?

Soft play works brilliantly indoors — it needs less headroom than a bouncy castle, so village halls, living rooms and community centres are all fair game, whatever the weather. That makes it the go-to for autumn and winter toddler parties. See our indoor hire guide for choosing a venue. Outdoors, it needs a clean, dry, flat surface — grass, patio or decking all work.

Hygiene and safety — what to check

Because soft play is for the youngest children (who put everything in their mouths), cleanliness matters more here than anywhere:

• Ask how equipment is cleaned and sanitised between hires — reputable companies wipe down every piece and regularly clean the balls.
• Check the company holds public liability insurance — look for the Insured badge on a listing, or ask them to confirm.
• Confirm the set is age-appropriate for your guests and fits your space.
• An adult should always supervise soft play — it's safe, but toddlers are toddlers.

Rule of thumb: if you wouldn't be happy for your own baby to crawl on it, don't book it. A good company will happily tell you exactly how they clean their kit.

How to book soft play near you

Browse companies offering soft play hire, or search by your postcode to see who covers your area. Enquire with two or three, tell them the ages and numbers of children and your space, and ask whether they do a soft play + castle bundle if you've got a mix of ages coming.