Appalling weather? Kids bouncing off the walls of your tiny London flat? Fear not, there is hope in the shape of the capital’s myriad indoor playgrounds, from the most stylish play cafes and museum children’s galleries to the least awful soft-play centres we can think of (and, good God, there are some dreadful ones).
North
Sammy’s Soft Play, Yogaloft, Queen’s Park
Brand new soft play in the back of a swanky Queen’s Park yoga studio. As soft plays go it’s fairly ordinary, but it’s very clean and shiny nonetheless, as well as being just the right size for under-5s. Yogaloft is also home to an excellent family-friendly vegetarian/vegan cafe where you can all sit down for a healthy lunch pre- or post-session, or you can even just grab a coffee and nibble to enjoy ring-side while the kids play. Open 9-5 every single day of the week. Very good toilets.
27 Beethoven Street, W10 4LG / yogaloftlondon.com
Sobell Centre, Holloway
It’s anyone’s guess how many more years Better and Islington Council would have gone without replacing the notoriously depressing Sobell Safari had a water main not burst and completely destroyed it (along with the ice rink and trampoline park) in 2022. Whatever your thoughts on the loss of the ice rink, the new Active Play Area is a dramatic improvement, boasting what the Camden New Journal describes as a “play-topia of slides, tunnels and bridges”, plus a giant crochet tree. Next door you’ll find the just-as-massive Active Multi-Zone Arena (pictured), featuring inflatables, trampolines, the genuinely challenging Strike Challenge Zone, and even a zip wire that takes you on an aerial tour of the arena.
Tollington Road, N7 7NY / better.org.uk/sobell
Awesome Little Explorers, Cape Adventure Playground, Crouch Hill
Cute, woodland-themed soft play inside the Cape Adventure Playground building. While designed for 0-8s, this dinky space best serves under-5s, and opens for five 90-minute sessions, seven days a week. Alongside the two-storey play frame and baby area, the space features a cafe serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and light meals, while an enclosed roof area is open on warmer days. All profit made from the soft play goes directly back into supporting free adventure playgrounds across Islington.
85 Crouch Hill, N8 9EG / awesomelittleexplorers.org
Playbox, Enfield
Said to be North London’s first role-play cafe, this stylish spot packs a construction zone, supermarket, a house and even a rocket into its adorable Play Town. Aimed at ages 0-6, with a separate area for pre-walkers featuring a selection of books and Montessori-style baby toys, Playbox is conveniently arranged to allow kids to play in the gated play area while parents and carers watch from the adjacent cafe (if they like), which serves cakes, snacks and hot and cold drinks.
38-40 Palace Exchange Shopping Centre, EN2 6SN / playboxlondon.co.uk
Fe Fe Fanclub, Angel
Absurdly stylish play space offering ‘playcare’ and stay-and-play sessions for ages 3 months to 8 years. The answer to all your childcare woes, Fe Fe sits somewhere between a nursery and a play cafe, offering parents the flexibility to drop in or drop off whenever suits them, whether they’re looking for somewhere to hang with their baby on a rainy Saturday, or need a couple of hours to themselves midweek. The decor is immaculate, with a pastel-hued play kitchen, giant colourful beanbags and a Scandi-chic climber, and the staff are the absolute best, so you can rest assured you’re leaving them in safe hands.
Unit 1, 6F Esther Anne Place, Islington Square, N1 1WL / fefefanclub.co.uk
Inflatanation, Colindale
Bouncy castle fans will be in heaven in this humongous inflatable park, which takes up the entirety of the hangar-sized industrial unit that houses it. Here, kids big and small can boing around on bouncy pillows, sinking (inflatable) stepping stones, bumpy slides, drop slides, tipping slides and lots more. It can get monumentally busy on weekends, when the venue hosts (non-exclusive-hire) parties, so head here during the week if you can.
Unit 1, Colindale Retail Park, 355 Edgware Road, NW9 6TH / inflatanation.com
Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre, Swiss Cottage
Another Better soft play that’s had a major glow up in recent months (late-2024), Swiss Cottage’s new offering isn’t quite as impressive as Sobell’s, but it’s ideal for younger kids, who’ll find more than enough to entertain them without getting lost (and without you losing sight of them). Arranged over three levels, with slides, walkways, a baby/toddler area and even a touchscreen, it’s a perfectly servicable rainy-day option for NW Londoners – plus the adjoining cafe is unusually good for a Better gym.
4a Adelaide Road, NW3 3NF / better.org.uk/swiss-cottage-leisure-centre
Ding Dong Fun Bus, Tottenham
Ever wished you could be in a soft play and a bus at the same time? Alright, so technically the soft-play part of this (almost unbearably gaudy) venue isn’t on the bus at all, but in the community centre attached to it. Still, the novelty factor remains high and your kids will be having far too much fun to notice the details. Sure, it’s mildly claustrophobic, but when entry is this cheap, the staff are this accommodating and the food is this kid-friendly and reasonably priced, who cares?
Selby Centre, Selby Road, N17 8JL / facebook.com/dingdongfunbus
King’s Cross Station Family Waiting Room, King’s Cross
Okay, so it’s literally a slide and a few buttons. But on those occasions when your train’s delayed and your kids are losing their minds, that’s really all you need. This spacious (but often busy) family waiting room – intended to be the first of several across the LNER route – also packs in a model train that you can watch whizz around a track, screens showing specially shot family films, and even a breastfeeding booth. Not worth a trip unless you have a train to catch, but mighty handy if you do.
King’s Cross railway station, Euston Road, N1 9AL
Elian’s Corner, Holloway
Small but perfectly formed play cafe for 0-4s. Along with a crawl- and toddle-perfect climbing frame, this cute Hornsey Road space features ball pools for both over- and under-1s, as well as a selection of books and toys. The food offering isn’t huge, but if you’re looking for somewhere clean and cosy to grab a coffee and a slice of cake while your preschooler potters around happily, then this is a great option.
222 Hornsey Rd, London N7 7LL / elianscorner.co.uk
Jungle Rumble, Finsbury Park
Very cute 0-5s cafe whose main draw (aside from its stylish play area) is its kid-friendly Caribbean menu. The play area reminds me of some of the kids’ concept cafes we’ve visited in the Netherlands, and consists of a slide/play frame, climbing wall and baby slide, as well as a selection of books and toys, while the menu features toddler favourites such as simple pasta, jacket potatoes and even jerk chicken boxes – all at extremely reasonable prices.
358 Hornsey Road, N19 4HT / junglerumblecafe.com
Curiouser, Hampstead
This Finchley Road family club offers classes for 0-6s on a pay-as-you-go basis, with the option to purchase a pack of classes for a reduced fee. There are loads of great classes to choose from, from baby massage and messy play through to music, art, drama and languages, plus ad hoc events including storytelling and movie nights. The club’s stylish family lounge is available to use pre- and post-class, and houses a cute climbing frame, baby area and coffee corner.
194 Finchley Road, NW3 6BX / curiouser-family.com
Old Bank Coffee House, East Barnet
The owners’ decision to transform the vault of this former Barclays branch into a playroom for babies and toddlers was a stroke of genius. Said playroom is adorable, with spongy (but tastefully hued) flooring, Pikler triangle, play kitchen, squishy blocks, library, TV (which was showing the dreaded Cocomelon when we visited) and amazing wall mural. The cafe itself is spacious and modern, and serves sandwiches, baked goods and organic kids’ snacks, as well as great coffee.
253 East Barnet Road, EN4 8ST / oldbankcoffeehouse.co.uk
Rainbow, Cockfosters
You won’t find many soft plays on this list because I hate them, but this one is different. Small enough to be manageable but big enough to still be exciting, this shiny new wonderland for kids aged 0-8 boasts a good cafe serving hot meals and an impressive array of cakes, and a cleaning regime to rival Monica Gellar’s. It’s a mission if you don’t happen to live on the northern end of the Piccadilly Line, but worth the hike – especially when they set up the bouncy castle outside.
Bramley Road, N14 4PE / rainbowsoftplay.com
Rainbow Creative Learning Centre, New Southgate
The relative inaccessibility of this New Southgate gem means few Londoners seem to have heard of it – a real shame given its brilliance. The other Rainbow is smaller than the one in Cockfosters, but still manages to cram in an adorable soft-play structure, a cafe and a toy-stuffed upstairs playroom. Booking is via text, payment is cash only and the food selection is limited, but if you can ignore these minor inconveniences then this is a super-cute toddler hangout.
143-186 High Road, Arnos Grove, N11 1PJ / facebook.com/RainbowLondon
Red Stairs Soft Play, High Barnet
This brand-new soft play’s name refers to the red, carpeted flight you have to ascend to reach the it, but don’t worry – the super lovely owners are on hand to help with buggies. The main structure feels clean and manageable, though it’s probably better suited to 2-7s than the 5-10s the venue suggests. There’s also a small playroom with a ball pool for really tiny ones, and drinks and snacks are available to buy. Brilliant value for 105-minute sessions.
101 Barnet High Street, EN5 5UP / redstairssoftplay.co.uk
Sandscape, Finsbury Park
If you like coffee and your kid likes sand, you’ll be onto a winner with this cute spot, which offers a beachy take on the traditional play cafe, with a large, enclosed sandpit they can plunge into via a big yellow slide, plus plenty of toys to boot. There’s no kitchen here and food is limited to snacks and pastries, but the coffee is good and there’s plently to tempt hungry young ones. Admission is £4 per child, which feels reasonable given the attentive staff – in fact you can pretty much leave them to it while you enjoy a cuppa. Bliss.
93 Stroud Green Road, N4 3PX / instagram.com/sandscape_kids
Baby Gym at Talacre Leisure Centre, Kentish Town
I’ve been taking my kids to Talacre for five years and it’s still one of my favourites. The daily under-5s session, known locally simply as ‘baby gym’, is pretty unbeatable in soft-play terms with its sprung floor, foam pool, trampolines, loose parts and gentle nursery rhyme soundtrack. Talacre is also home to a more traditional soft-play structure called Treetops, but it pales in comparison to this delight. Booking is, unfortunately, via the notorious Better app.
Dalby Street, NW5 3AF / better.org.uk/talacre
Babylon Park, Camden Town
While its biggest draw is probably its indoor rollercoaster, this subterranean fairground also boasts a pretty decent soft play in two parts – half for under-5s and half for older ones. It’s not cheap by any stretch, but the fact that you can come here and just pay to use the soft play (all day, if you like) should ease the pain (even though you know for a fact your kids will talk you into paying for the coin pushers, the merry-go-round – and yes, probably the rollercoaster too).
8 Castlehaven Road, NW1 8QU / babylonpark.com
The RAF Museum, Colindale
Alongside its rather brilliant aviation-themed outdoor playground, the ridiculously underrated RAF Museum boasts an enormous, hands-on permanent exhibition where little ones can fix planes, try on uniforms, sit in miniature planes and loads more. There used to be an interactive children’s gallery called Aeronauts in a separate hangar but it’s not called that anymore and it’s been closed to the public for ages. Hopefully something even better is about to pop up in its place.
Grahame Park Way, NW9 5LL / rafmuseum.org.uk
The Sherriff Centre, West Hampstead
Why wouldn’t there be a soft play inside a church in West Hampstead? Hullabaloo is fairly humdrum as soft plays go, but that doesn’t matter. What it lacks in imagination it makes up for in proximity to good coffee (Sanctuary Cafe stretches across the space, meaning owners of older kids can take a slouchy ringside seat). The big bit has three storeys, while the 0-2s area is gated with a massive ball pool. There’s also a Post Office, should you need to buy stamps while you’re there.
St James Church, Sherriff Road, NW6 2AP / thesherriffcentre.co.uk
The Markfield Project, Tottenham
We haven’t figured out why Markfield’s soft-play area needs to be closed for cleaning up to an hour before the end of the only session it’s open all week (under-5s drop-in on Thursday afternoons), but we wish it was open all the time. It’s by far the tallest soft play we’ve seen – a selling point in itself – and includes big squishy shapes, a tunnel running through the middle and a ball pit at the top, if you can hoick yourselves up there. Mattresses-down-the-stairs vibes.
Markfield Park, Markfield Road, N15 4RB / markfield.org.uk
East
It Takes a Village, Walthamstow
One of the best play cafes we’ve been to and one I’m sad didn’t open earlier in my parenting journey (even if it is a bit of a bummer to get to during rush hour). Owners Charleen and Rosalind know exactly what kids (and, crucially, their grown-ups) want in a play cafe, and have 100% delivered. Expect a small but dreamy custom play frame, deeply tasteful toys and furnishings, life-giving coffee and pastries the size of your face. There’s also an adorable (albeit tiny) gift shop for all your last-minute kids’ birthday party needs.
152 Billet Road, E17 5DL / ittakesavillageplaycafe.com
Hiland Play, East Ham
Small, eccentric soft play designed for 0-10s but probably better for 0-6s, if we’re honest. In a world where soft plays invariably look the same, this one feels refreshingly quirky. On the downside the toilet is off site (shared by a cafe two doors down) and it’s expensive for the size and one-hour time constraint. On the plus side it’s pretty, the staff are friendly and helpful, and there was quite a bit to keep even my big one (8 ATOW) amused, from a ‘secret’ room to bouncy swings, a squishy carousel, a pneumatic ball shooter and a triple wave slide.
Unit 11, The Market Place East, E6 1HY / hilandplay.simplybook.it
Yonder, Walthamstow
Yonder is a very cool bouldering centre close to Blackhorse Road. In addition to its cavernous main climbing area, Yonder offers a separate, jungle-themed children’s area with easier climbing routes and a little slide (there’s also a massive, hidden slide in the main climbing hall that older ones can try once they exhaust the kids’ room). You either need to complete a family induction or already be an experienced climber to supervise kids on the wall, then you can simply rock up and pay as you go. The cafe is well worth checking out too.
6 Hooker’s Road, E17 6DP / thisisyonder.com
Flip Out, Canary Wharf
“Where the feck are the trampolines?” was my initial thought upon entering what claims to be London’s largest indoor amusement park. This is the capital’s newest branch of Flip Out, a venue known for its.. trampolines? Instead, this former carpark seems to have been filled with everything but, from soft-play frames to rollerskating, go-kart and bumper car areas, along with an indoor football arena, laser-tag room and a rather anticlimactic donut-slide run. It’s fun, but prepare to queue for the popular attractions on busier days. And remember – no trampolines.
Former Car Park, Shopping Centre, 2 Cabot Square, E14 4QS / flipout.co.uk/canary-wharf
Museum of the Home, Hoxton
The former Geffrye Museum feels a million times more family-friendly following its £18m refurbishment in 2021, with virtually infinite interactives dotted around the now 80% larger museum. In addition to this, the museum’s Reading Room provides a quiet haven for families, with comfy seating and a selection of tasteful toys including a play kitchen and teepee, as well as an adjoining sensory space. The sort of museum you can hang out in all day and never feel you’re outstaying your welcome.
136 Kingsland Road, E2 8EA / museumofthehome.org.uk
Dreami, Cambridge Heath
Dreami by name, dreamy by nature. This Hackney newcomer is the play cafe to end all play cafes, offering a large play space with easily the best selection of toys we’ve ever come across. Envisaged as a bilingual French/English cafe for 0-6s, Dreami offers a programme of workshops in both languages, spanning cooking, singing and crafts, as well as weekday and occasional weekend open-play sessions. The toys on offer mean it’s best suited to crawlers and toddlers, but siblings of all ages are welcome and the owner is the best.
Oakwood House, 422 Hackney Road, E2 7SY / dreami.uk
Kindhaus, Stoke Newington (TEMPORARILY CLOSED)
This beautiful space is open for drop-in play whenever it’s open, with no charge to play at present. They also offer a brilliant (paid) cowork and creche service on Monday-Thursday mornings, with playworkers available to take care of your kids while you work in the adjoining cafe space. Toys are well-chosen and modern, and the play space is bright and airy with a secure gate at the front and suntrap of a garden at the back. A great alternative to traditional childcare for those who need a more flexible option – and the staff and owner are brilliant.
147 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 0NY / kindhaus.co.uk
Toconoco, Haggerston
Brilliantly batshit Japanese cafe with bespoke play kitchen/bunk bed in the back room. If you’re the sort of person who expects the play area to be cleaned between visits then this probably isn’t the place for you, but if you’re willing to overlook a bit of mess and the odd foreign object (on our first visit we found a powerdrill on the floor) then it’s great. No one cares how long you stay and the food is cheap and delicious. Order rice balls, a black sesame latte and a matcha blondie.
Unit A, 28 Hertford Road, N1 5QT / toconoco.com
Mile End Park Leisure Centre Soft Play, Mile End
Surprisingly-great-for-a-Better-gym soft play offering a particularly lofty multi-level play frame, a big purple play house, a wooden teepee, a baby area and one of the longest and most terrifying curly tube slides I’ve ever seen. This place manages to be interesting enough for older kids whilst being easy enough for littler ones to tackle by themselves, and while sessions are short at just an hour, no one really seemed to be checking when we visited.
190 Burdett Road, E3 4HL / better.org.uk/mile-end-park-leisure-centre
Macaroni Penguin, Royal Docks
With its modern decor, custom-designed play structure, lovely staff and T4 stand serving weird and wonderful bubble teas, Macaroni Penguin is easily one of the best play cafes in London. At an hour duration its play sessions are annoying short, and unless you live in the Docklands then it’s a mission and a half, but it’s still always worth the trip. In addition to the main play frame, the cafe boasts a baby-sensory area and classroom that plays host to a weekly schedule of kids’ classes.
28 Royal Crest Avenue, E16 2TE / macaroni-penguin.co.uk
The Can Club, Forest Gate
It’s not a club in the exclusive sense (there are no fees, memberships or booking requirements), but this kids’ concept cafe is no doubt something you’ll want to be part of if you have little ones and live even vaguely near Forest Gate. The ex-teacher owners have succeeded spectacularly in creating a space that both kids and their adults will want to spend time in (and will even hang out with your kids if you want them to) and the decor, food and play opportunities are all spot on.
361 Winchelsea Road, E7 0AQ / thecanclub.co.uk
Bambino City, Dagenham
It’s far from central, but Bambino City might just be the prettiest play cafe we’ve seen in real life, which is surely reason enough for the schlep. This stylish spot is designed for 0-6s, with a sizeable play frame for 3-6s and a squidgy soft-play area for the minis, plus two ball pits and toys including busy boards and baby walkers. There’s a small kids’ hot food menu as well as sandwiches for the grown ups and plenty of cake (though disappointingly few vegan options), and entry is £8-10 per child for two hours.
Unit 4, Bygraves House, Merrielands Crescent, RM9 6FJ / bambinocity.co.uk
Kidzmania, Clapton
I’ve talked to a few parents about this place and it seems to be pretty Marmite, but we really liked it when we visited on a super-quiet Monday morning. It’s been going for years (I have mates who are my age that went when they were little kids) and as a result it’s a bit rough around the edges (and the ball-pit balls could have done with a scrub), but it’s still a good one for toddlers with its numerous ride-ons, manageable soft-play structure and super-cheap kids’ menu.
28 Powell Rd, E5 8DJ / kidzmania.co.uk
The Mill E17, Walthamstow
Essentially a free playgroup that’s open all the time (Tuesday-Sunday). The Mill accepts four parent-and-child/ren groups at a time, with toys on rotation in its playroom (which comes complete with a giant chameleon sculpture) to allow for cleaning. Tea/coffee is available in the adjoining room, where families can eat their own food at the communal table. Sadly booking isn’t an option, so there’s every chance you’ll get turned away if they’ve reached capacity.
7-11 Coppermill Lane, E17 7HA / themille17.org
Clissold Leisure Centre Toddlers’ World, Stoke Newington
Unlike with regular soft play you can’t quite rock up to this one whenever you like, but it does pop up for three whole one-hour sessions every Wednesday and Friday morning. It’s pretty simple and I can see kids any older than two or three getting bored fairly quickly, but it’s a nice, relaxed session for those days when you just want to make things easy on yourself. Be warned though, the only thing separating this and the aerobics session next door is a massive curtain.
63 Clissold Road, N16 9EX / better.org.uk
Clissold Leisure Centre soft play, Stoke Newington
Designed for kids aged 10 and under, this four-level structure should keep most kids entertained for the duration of your hour-long slot (more if you like, since it’s never particularly busy and staff don’t tend to check). There’s ringside seating and the whole thing is fenced and gated to reduce runaways – plus the toilet is about a five-second walk away and the adjoining cafe has great healthy lunch options (think falafel, houmous and flatbread, and kids’ lunchboxes).
63 Clissold Road, N16 9EX / better.org.uk
Kidspace, Romford
There’s something weirdly nineties about the Romford outpost of Kidspace, but we’re there for it. Actually I don’t think it’s anywhere near that old, but the main play frame is like something out of a deeply kitsch sci-fi fantasy – again, in the NICEST POSSIBLE WAY. Like The Fifth Element, only tackier, and without Bruce Willis. The toddler area is great but it’s mostly set up for older kids, with towering climbing walls, go-karting and a lot absolutely terrifying slides. Fun though.
The Brewery, Waterloo Road, RM1 1AU / kidspaceadventures.com/romford
Play Central at Crate Walthamstow
Cute little soft play within 17&Central’s Crate food hall. An absolute godsend if your child is aged 0-4 and needs to let off some steam mid-shop, though it’s actually marketed at ages up to 7. My 5 year old was incredibly bored here and completely done within about 20 minutes, but I still really rate it for babies and toddlers. You can take your Perky Blenders coffee (or whatever) into the (gated) space and enjoy ringside while your little one enjoys a 90-minute frolic – either on the 0-2s frame or the slightly larger 3-7s frame.
CRATE food hall, 17&Central, Selborne Road, E17 7JR / crate17.co.uk/play-central
Soft play at Rainforest Nurseries, Haggerston
Cute soft play aimed at 0-6s but best for babies and toddlers. Enjoy a hot coffee and freshly baked pastry while little ones explore the small wooden play frame and larger soft-play apparatus, as well as loose parts such as ride-ons and toys. This place is only open during school hours, bar the occasional weekend day where no parties are booked. Combine with a trip to Japanese cafe Toconoco (see above) or Cuppapug dog cafe – both nearby.
295 Haggerston Road, E8 4EN / rainforestnurseries.co.uk
Discover Children’s Story Centre, Stratford
There’s nowhere else quite like Discover in London. While we wish their brilliant temporary exhibitions changed more frequently (or even that all their Story Worlds were temporary), it’s such a great space for crawlers and up (my nearly-six-year-old still loves it). Attractions include two permanent, themed story spaces, a newly renovated Story Garden, a temporary exhibition and an ever-changing programme of storytelling shows for different age groups.
383-387 High Street, E15 4QZ / discover.org.uk
Yellow Warbler, Stoke Newington
Yellow Warbler isn’t a play cafe as such, but it is a great cafe where small children are actively welcomed, and such things are rare – especially in cool places like Stoke Newington. The cosy back room is well stocked with baby and toddler toys, and situated right next to the baby change. You won’t get hours of play out of this place, but you might manage a relatively peaceful half hour with a cake and a good cup of coffee, and sometimes that’s really all you need.
9 Northwold Road, N16 7HL / instagram.com/yellowwarblercoffee
Yellow Warbler, Walthamstow
Yellow Warbler’s second site is even better than the OG, with plenty of high chairs, a big stack of games and books, and even a baby Merc poised to occupy tiny visitors (it doesn’t actually move, but would you just look). The coffee and baked goods are reliably excellent, with lots of great vegan options plus babyccinos for younger guests, and the owner and staff are the loveliest. Arrive early for lunch to nab the sofa – this is set to become the place to eat with babes in E17.
10 Chingford Road, E17 4PJ / facebook.com/yellowwarblercoffee
Role2Play, Walthamstow
Role-play centres are hard to come by inside the M25, but this Walthamstow favourite more than makes up for the dearth. Owned by two local mums, Role2Play is equipped with everything a good toddler town needs, from a supermarket to a hair salon and a theatre to a tiny house – all surrounded by a real-life cafe serving great coffee, cakes and kids’ snacks. One of the most reliable days out with an under-4 we can think of, and always worth the schlep to E17.
75 Fulbourne Road, E17 4EZ / role2play.com
Britannia Leisure Centre, Hoxton
It’s not a big by any means, but the new Britannia Centre’s soft-play area deserves a mention for its cleanliness and manageability alone. While the two play areas are designated for under-2s (a small, soft, pen-like space) and under-8s (a three-storey climbing structure), the whole thing feels best suited to under-5s, and is usually blissfully quiet on a term-time weekday morning. Combine with a trip to the Britannia’s Leisure Water – a brilliant interactive water-play area with a slide.
Pitfield Street, N1 5FT / better.org.uk/britannia-leisure-centre
Mudlarks, Museum of London Docklands, Canary Wharf
Museum of London Docklands is one of London’s most underrated family-friendly museums and an excellent day out even without a trip to Mudlarks, its interactive children’s gallery. If you can though, make sure you book a session here too. Suitable for 0-8s, Mudlarks packs in plenty of dock-themed treats, from a ship-loading play table to boat-filled water play, a DLR-themed soft-play area, baby sensory and even a wearable diver’s helmet .
No. 1 Warehouse, West India Quay, Hertsmere Road, E14 4AL / museumoflondon.org.uk/mudlarks
Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre Soft Play, Walthamstow
While it’s technically designated a ‘toddler area’ WFFGC’s smaller soft-play area is weirdly challenging in parts and definitely more of a 0-5s than a 0-3s situation. As well as being pleasingly clean and manageable, the soft play is housed in a secure room complete with electronic doors, picnic tables and toilets with baby changing, so little ones stay safe and there’s no reason to leave until home time – unless you fancy checking out the centre’s ‘Extreme’ offering…
170 Chingford Road, E17 5AA / better.org.uk/waltham-forest-feel-good-centre
Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre Play Park, Walthamstow
With its huge multi-storey, multi-slide soft-play structure, mini trampoline park, large foam-pit area and even a series of Clip ‘n’ Climb walls, WFFGC’s enormous Play Park is the perfect place to tire out kids big and small – not to mention their adults. The hour-long session doesn’t sound like it’ll be long enough to cram everything in but, trust me, it’s enough. Refuel with reasonably priced kids’ food in the cafe post-play.
170 Chingford Road, E17 5AA / better.org.uk/waltham-forest-feel-good-centre
South
Cheeky Chops, Twickenham
One of the most exciting new additions to London’s under-5s landscape in the last few years, Cheeky Chops manages to appeal to both adventurous toddlers and style-conscious adults with its cleverly designed play frames and considered interiors. Unless you’re SW-based then Twickenham might as well be on the moon, but Cheeky Chops’ exceptionally friendly owners, generously lengthy sessions and tempting menu make it well worth the trek.
37-39 York Street, TW1 3LP / cheekychopsplaycafe.co.uk
Macaroni Penguin, Battersea
The play cafe business is notoriously tough, so it was great to hear that Macaroni Penguin was franchising, with a new branch opening inside Battersea Power Station at the end of 2024. Like its Docklands sister, Macaroni #2 shares its space with a branch of bubble-tea favourite T4, and is best suited to 0-5s, though there’s no upper age limit. In keeping with the Power Station’s high-end shops, sessions are very pricy, but then this is an exceptionally beautiful place to spend an hour – and their waffles go down a treat (though coffee would be a great addition too).
Turbine Hall, 319 Circus Road South, SW11 8DD / macaroni-penguin.co.uk
Playville, Artfix Cafe, Kidbrooke
Colourful soft play area offering affordable play sessions inside Kidbrooke’s Artfix Cafe and community hub. Aimed at ages up to 10 but best suited to preschoolers, although they do offer more age-inclusive arts and crafts sessions on weekends and holidays. The adjoining cafe has lots of options and the amazing Cator Park Playground – which is arguably one of the best in London – is just outside.
Artfix Cafe, SE3 9EX / playvilletoysgamecenter.co.uk
Sutcliffe Centre stay and play gymnastics, Eltham
The Sutcliffe Centre’s daily under-fives gymnastics sessions are to south London what Talacre’s beloved baby gym class is to north. Based in the centre’s sprawling gymnastics hall, these joyful 75-minute drop-ins offer preschoolers the run of all the pro gym equipment you could dream of, from crash mats and balance beams to parallel bars and a giant foam pit. There’s even a bi-biweekly bouncy castle, plus hoops, balls, squishy tunnels and music to get you in the zone.
Eltham Road, SE9 5LW / better.org.uk
Gambado, Imperial Wharf
It’s hard to go wrong with Gambado, a long-running old-school fun-packed soft play whose generous 1 hour 45 minute play sessions all include unlimited use of the carousel and dodgem cars, as well as its classic three-storey play frame. A smaller 0-3s area is perfect for younger siblings, and there’s a cafe serving hot and cold meals and snacks plus plenty of ringside seats so you can keep an eye on them while they play. An instant West London favourite.
7 Station Court, Townmead Road, SW6 2PY / gambado.com
Substation, Brixton
Like the south London answer to north London’s Yonder, Substation is a stylish bouldering centre with a wildlife-themed family room – also with a small slide. Designed for ages 2+, The Wild is available to use on a pay-as-you-go basis for 90-minute sessions during the week (on weekends it’s reserved for birthday parties) and you can also book a private family induction. Substation is also home to a stylish cafe where you can grab lunch and play board games post-session.
Unit 13, Ellerslie Square Industrial Estate, SW2 5DZ / substation.co.uk
Kidspace, Croydon
Foolishly good soft-play-meets-activity-centre scenario for 0-12s. The kind of thing you visit in other countries and think “we’ve got NOTHING like this in the UK”. Well, here it is. The allotted two-hour time slot is nowhere near long enough to try out the gigantic, maze-like wooden play frame, the soft-ball arena, the Toddler Village soft-play zone, the climbing walls, the go-kart track, the black-hole slide, the interactive sand box *breathes*. Just go to Croydon, ok?
The Colonnades, 619 Purley Way, CR0 4RQ / kidspaceadventures.com/croydon
The Kids Space, Wandsworth
In late 2023, Southside’s well-loved play area had a major glow up that saw it moving to the shopping centre’s first floor, and gain improvements including a built-in play frame and giant ball pool, as well as multiple new play zones. Kids aged 0-5 can now enjoy shop and fire station role-play zones, a reading corner, DUPLO wall and more. The space is open every day for 90-minute sessions, whose very reasonable entry price makes them incredibly popular. Be prepared for chaos.
Southside Shopping Centre, SW18 4TG / southsidewandsworth.com
Millie & Maisie, Clapham
Described as a ‘luxury soft play and jungle adventure café, this Clapham Common newcomer is a stunning addition to south London’s 0-5s scene. Arranged over two floors, Millie and Maisie consists of a spacious cafe serving snacks and light bites, with toys and fiddle boards positioned to entertain little ones while you tuck in, and a cosy basement complete with a wooden play frame, large ball pit and climbing area. Sessions are 90 minutes long and fill up quickly, so don’t delay if you’re keen to play.
76-78 Rectory Grove, SW4 0ED / millieandmaisie.co.uk
National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (TEMPORARILY CLOSED)
The National Maritime Museum is home to two interactive play areas – Ahoy! for 0-7s and All Hands for 7-12s – as well as The Great Map, a giant floor atlas complete with moveable ships. While All Hands feels overdue a refresh, Ahoy! is still brilliant with its child-sized fishmongers, net-enclosed sensory area with colour-change lighting, an air-hockey game featuring foam boats, and house ship Rawalpinidi with its maze of wood-panelled rooms to explore below-deck.
Romney Road, SE10 9NF / rmg.co.uk/national-maritime-museum
The Moustache, Sydenham
Newish cafe/bar with hidden kids’ area in the basement. One of those ‘nice places that just so happens to be child-friendly’, rather than a ‘child-friendly cafe’, which half the time are better anyway. I only had a chai when we came here, but it was a pretty damn good chai, and the toy selection is better than in some designated ‘play cafes’. The only bummer was having to leave the buggy on the street, as I just imagined it was being stolen the entire time we were there.
99 Kirkdale, SE26 4BL / themoustache.co.uk
Tots in London, Deptford
This dreamy role-play cafe is probably one of the best things ever to happen to Deptford, and has bridged a pretty huge gap in the children’s entertainment market in SE London. Small but perfectly formed, it includes a playable grocery store, beauty salon, library, diner and doctors’ surgery, all with beautiful attention to detail. Tables have been cunningly placed inside the (gated) play area, allowing adults to sip (really good) coffee right next to the action, and the toilets are stocked with all manor of complimentary nappies and wipes.
10 Tanner’s Hill, SE8 4PJ / totsintown.co.uk
Apple Tree Children’s Cafe, Herne Hill
The original Apple Tree Cafe opened opposite Brockwell Park in 2018, taking over the lease from an existing play cafe on the same site. There are many reasons to love this place, from reasonable prices for generously long sessions to great coffee and food (including toddler tapas), friendly staff and themed activities that change from week to week. It’s popular and can get very busy at times, so it was hardly surprising when they opened a second site in Peckham Rye last year.
27-29 Norwood Road, SE24 9AA / appletreelondon.com/hhplay
Apple Tree Children’s Cafe, Peckham Rye
If anything, we love Apple Tree’s new cafe even more than the original. Ok, so we’d have been even more excited if they’d branched out of SE London and come up north, but it’s still absolutely worth the trek to Peckham. In addition to a bespoke wooden play frame, a ball pool, heaps of toys, an adorable reading area, the same great menu as the OG and themed role-play activities, Apple Tree 2 even has a separate baby-sensory room with soothing lighting and squishy mats.
134-136 Peckham Rye, SE22 9QH / appletreelondon.com/prplay
Totstars – Toby’s Adventure Club, Streatham
Surprisingly amazing indoor play area right on Streatham High Road. While there is a small, more traditional ‘soft-play’ room for babies in the basement, Totstars’ main play area is anything but soft, being dominated instead by the kind of amazing wooden structure you’d find in a particularly imaginative outdoor playground. Rope tunnels, slides, wobbly bridges, a sandpit – it’s all here, along with an on-site cafe. Sessions are cheap and it’s generally quiet during term time.
66 Streatham High Road, SW16 1DA / totstarsuk.com
Totstars – the Playbarn, Addington
From the people who brought you Toby’s Adventure Club, this newly opened play centre is a great option for rainy days with its playground-style play frame, high ceilings and oodles of space. A private nursery during the week, the Playbarn opens to the public on weekends, offering generous two-hour-long stay-and-play sessions for ages 0-7. A far cry from your average soft play with its wooden equipment, Montessori toys, brilliant staff and small cafe offering decent coffee, this is a dreamy hangout whether you’re 2 or 42.
Rear of 36 Addington Village Road, CR0 5AQ / totstarsuk.com
Bertie & Boo’s Adventure Island, Balham
Bertie & Boo used to have three sites in SW London. Now only the Adventure Island is left, but that’s ok – it was by far the best of the three. Aimed at under-5s, Adventure Island is a verifiable tardis, packing in four whole play areas including a pirate-themed climbing zone, a role-play and disco room, and a large restaurant area complete with play kitchen and giant building bricks. The menu is extensive, with lots of baby- and toddler-friendly options, and there’s even prosecco.
205-207 Balham High Road, SW17 7BQ / bertieandboo.com
Picnic, Kingston
London only has two role-play centres (due to high rents, presumably) and this is the south-of-the-river edition. Actually, even if you’re north of the river I’d still recommend getting yourself down to Picnic. Not only does it boast an excellent play town with all the essentials (beauty salon, grocer’s, police station, theatre, etc.), it also manages to pack in a baby area and a large picnic-themed play space. The cafe is excellent too, with almost every meal available as a child’s portion.
Unit 3 The Rotunda, Clarence Street, Kingston-upon-Thames, KT1 1QJ / picnicandplay.co.uk
Peckham Levels, Peckham
It’s an unconventional one, but I love a day spent at Peckham Levels with the kids. Ok, so the children’s area is essentially just a large pink-and-green tarmac half-pipe thing that they can hurl themselves onto, but it’s not like that’s the only place to play (remember, this is basically a huge, carless multi-storey carpark) and anyway, I enjoy the weirdness. The food options are great, and if you visit during the summer you can also check out the Bold Tendencies rooftop art exhibition.
95A Rye Lane, SE15 4ST / peckhamlevels.org
Polka, Wimbledon
Polka’s recent refurb is so good you don’t even really need to book a show to have a decent day out here (although their shows are really great). In addition to a fancy new family-friendly cafe, the improved Polka Theatre is home to a huge indoor play den complete with colouring tables, a reading corner and a dressing-up area; as well as an incredible outdoor playground with its own custom-designed wooden treehouse. Drop in for free whenever the theatre’s open.
240 The Broadway, SW19 1SB / polkatheatre.com
Hobbledown Heath, Hounslow
You’re unlikely to trek here just to use the soft play – although we really wouldn’t blame you if you did. Hobbledown Heath’s impressive Playbarn is one of the most inventive indoor play spaces we’ve encountered with its crocheted climbing web, breakneck drop slide, sky bridges, digital games and so many levels we couldn’t count them all. The Playbarn also houses the cafe, so you can enjoy your lunch in peace when the kids inevitably become restless. The dream.
Staines Road, Hounslow, TW14 0HH / hobbledown.com/hounslow
West
Play Base, National Army Museum, Chelsea
One of our all-time favourite museum play areas. Play Base might not be free to visit, but it is well worth the trip to the Army Museum for, even if you’re not planning on doing the rest of it. Aimed at 0-8s, the space consists of a two-storey assault-course structure, a canteen, a large play tent, a military jeep and a toy-packed storeroom. Kids eat free in the museum’s airy Cookhouse cafe, and the galleries are packed with interactives. The whole thing is desperately underrated, tbh.
Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HT / nam.ac.uk/families/play-base
Bear Town, Wembley
This much-needed addition to the north-west London family scene packs 11 themed role-play areas into a generous plot inside a popular garden centre. Strictly for ages 1-7, this gated play paradise is arranged to resemble a town square, complete with interactive beauty salon, fire station, ice cream truck, theatre, grocery store, police station, construction site, vets, doctor’s surgery, vegetable patch and house – so there’s something for every interest. Sessions last for a perfect 90 minutes and you can enjoy food and drink from the garden centre cafe from the comfort of the play-side seating while they get their grown-up on.
Birchen Grove, NW9 8RY / beartownlondon.co.uk
Jungle Monkeyz, Shepherd’s Bush
Cute, mid-sized, NEW (late-2024), jungle-themed soft play located inside the W12 shopping centre. My (currently 5 and 8yo) kids had a fun two hours here, but the 0-12 age guidance seems like a slight stretch given the size (though I’m sure many will take it given the otherwise complete lack of soft plays in this area). Staff were kind and helpful and there are plenty of options in the cafe – even if almost none of it is vegan. There’s a small 0-2s area and the whole thing is very clean and secure, with electric gates to ensure no one goes skipping off into the shopping centre. A useful one to have up your sleeve.
W12 Shopping Centre, Shepherd’s Bush Green, W12 8PP / junglemonkeyz.co.uk
Cloud Twelve, Notting Hill
It might be part of an exclusive members’ club, but I couldn’t do an indoor play areas roundup without including this beauty. Cloud Twelve’s enchanted forest-themed soft-play area is predictably dreamy with its climbable treehouse complex, bumble bee-shaped sensory pod and ball pit complete with vacuum-powered ball blower. Want more? How about a vegetarian/vegan cafe, a relaxing lounge and a whole series of rooms set up with art activities and Montessori toys?
2-5 Colville Mews, W11 2DA / cloudtwelve.co.uk
Hamley’s, Westfield White City
Not a play space in the traditional sense, but Hamleys’ Westfield White City outlet is still a fun place to hang out with young ones – particularly if they’re flagging after a long day of shopping. As well as the big red helter skelter, which is aimed at ages 4+, this spacious branch is also home to LEGO play tables, a Playmobil area and giant Barbie packaging poised for photo ops. Best of all, it’s totally free to use and there’s no pressure to buy anything – except maybe from your kids.
1081 Ariel Way, W12 7GF / westfield.com
Jaego’s House, Kensal Rise
This plush family club might be members-only, but it’s also one of the cheapest of its kind. As well as a drop-off kids’ club, chef-led restaurant, chic lounge with kids’ cinema room and an exercise suite for parents, Jaego’s House is home to two impossibly stylish, state-of-the-art soft-play areas – one for under-5s and one for over-5s – which come complete with their own coffee and snack kiosk and a wine vending machine. Look out for pay-and-play day passes, which the club has made noises about introducing in the near future.
557 Harrow Road, W10 4RH / jaegoshouse.co.uk
Two Plus Cafe, Acton
West London parents heaved a collective sigh of relief when this place opened in early 2024 and gave them all somewhere tasteful to tote their sprogs without having to take out a mortgage for family member club fees. Aimed at ages 0-8, this adorable mid-sized soft play features a two-level climbing structure with bridges and a slide, as well as a ball pit, swing roundabout, trampoline and a squishy boat for babies. You can arrive any time and stay for an hour (you get a wristband) and the chic cafe is separate from the soft play – and does excellent cake.
Unit 16, Edison Court, Warple Way, W3 7FW / instagram.com/twoplus.cafe
The Garden, Science Museum, South Kensington
Given the vastness of the Science Museum, I’m always struck by how stingy the planners were when they allocated the kids’ play area this tiny corner of basement. Also, why is it called The Garden? And why is it aimed at ages 3-6? I digress. Both my kids have always loved the big water table here, and the sensory area is really nice. There’s a cosy den-like bit, and a platform where you can lower beanbags on a pulley. And when all that gets boring, there’s always Wonderlab.
Exhibition Road, SW7 2DD / sciencemuseum.org.uk/garden
Purple Dragon, Chelsea
Another private members’ club – and one we’ve been jammy enough to be able to visit on several occasions. If you ever get a chance to hang out at this place, be it through a friend, as a trial or if you just happen to be minted, please do it. The main Imaginarium space is adorable, but we particularly love the little soft-play area with its trampoline and vacuum-powered ball run. There’s also a state-of-the-art music room with a baby grand piano, because of course there is.
Ground Floor, 30 Gatliff Road, SW1W 8DP / purpledragonplay.com
Central
Sorted!, The Postal Museum, Farringdon
The whole of the Postal Museum is great for kids, but Sorted! is particularly good – especially for under-5s. Here they can sort parcels in a mini post office and depot – complete with conveyor belts, pulleys and chutes – and then deliver them in and around a beautifully designed model village. Tinies will love creating their own townscapes with wooden blocks, and there’s even a pair of (working) telephone boxes, a book corner and an unexpectedly high-speed slide.
15-20 Phoenix Place, WC1X 0DA / postalmuseum.org/sorted
All Aboard, London Transport Museum, Covent Garden
Brilliant transport-themed play area across two levels. Kids aged 0-7 are invited to board a fleet of scaled-down vehicles, from a double decker to a Thames Clipper and even a black cab. The baby DLR is great for non-walkers, while older ones can attempt to fix a broken Underground train, try their hand at busking or man the lost-property desk. This might be one of the best play zones we’ve come across, but to be honest the entire museum is a parent’s rainy-day dream.
Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 7BB / ltmuseum.co.uk
Roden Centre for Creative Learning, National Gallery, Trafalgar Square
Central London has been crying out for a free-entry indoor playspace for EVER. Architect-designed, this flexible, three-storey space focuses on workshops pertaining to works housed in the National Gallery, though activities are largely child-led and families are free to move around the space as they please. Expect drawing, painting, dressing up, den building and loads more, and look out for upcoming special events via the website.
Orange Street, WC2H 7HS / nationalgallery.org.uk/learning/roden-centre-for-creative-learning
Beyond
Small + Mighty, Godalming, Surrey
This one isn’t in London but feels far too lovely not to include – and it’s less than an hour from Waterloo by train! Along with an adorable monster-themed soft-play space and pre-walkers’ area, this 0-10s cafe boasts an interactive play mat where kids can play a host of digital games to get their bodies moving, from battleships to floor is lava. The cafe is well stocked, with kids’ lunchboxes, snacks and gourmet sandwiches on offer, along with ice cream for an end-of-play treat. The staff are great and the town is beautiful – well worth escaping London for.
133 High Street, Godalming, GU7 1AF / smallandmighty.club
Gone but not forgotten
We love play cafes. Sadly they’re not famed for their profitability, and I’ve lost count of how many have shut up shop since we began our parenting journey in March 2016 . Here are a few former favourites, with an extra special shout out to the criminally shortlived Peace + Riot, a one-of-a-kind cafe whose ‘peacekeeper’ childcare staff made writing my first and second books while still caring for a then-toddler full-time if not quite a breeze then a billion times easier. Not on the list are Dreamcatcher in Crystal Palace, Little Highness in Highbury, The Corner House in Brook Green, The Parent Hood in Chiswick, Under the Willow Tree in Newington Green, Hygge Pygge in Camden and probably dozens of others we’ve loved and lost. RIP, heroes.
Poppets Stores, Islington – 2022-2024
Everything about this Islington play cafe was adorable, right down to its name. On bad-weather days, its cosy back room offered plenty to keep little ones busy while the adults recaffeinated, from a wall-mounted dolls’ house to a cute reading nook. When the sun was shining, the spacious garden provideed sand play, ex-fairground ride-ons and even a tiny playhouse styled as an ice-cream kiosk. It also sold tiny baby clothes and some of the loveliest toys we’ve ever seen.
Bear & Wolf, Tufnell Park – 2014-2022
It didn’t contain a fancy soft-play structure or pint-sized play town, but this NW5 cafe was a solid shit-weather-day fallback thanks to its toy-packed playroom and kid-friendly menu. In business from 2014-2022, Bear & Wolf was one of London’s longest-serving play cafes – its success likely attributable to its universal appeal (the minimalist decor, laid-back vibe and reliably excellent coffee meant you didn’t need to be a toddler – or in possession of one – to hang out here). It’s now called Little Bear Cafe and the new management have retained the playroom (at least, for now).
Little Bear, Tufnell Park – 2022-2025
The Fortess Road favourite formerly known as Bear & Wolf didn’t survive for long following its change of management in 2023. While the new owners had promised to retain the play area, even installing an enclosed area for babies as well as a roof in the garden, the space quickly became a shadow of its former self, growing sadder and sadder with every visit. By January 2025 the playroom was largely devoid of either toys or children, and two months later the owners announced they were reopening as a ‘brasserie’ and tapas bar.
Maggie & Rose Cafe, Angel – 2020-2023
For those who loved the idea of the now-defunct Maggie & Rose family club but didn’t fancy the membership fees, the Islington branch held the solution: an adjoining cafe with a wooden play kitchen, squishy leather sofas, the club’s signature sparkly paint sticks and – most importantly – public access, making it totally free, bar the cost of a cup of coffee. It was small and never seemed to be open when you needed it but was still a great pitstop for when you found yourself near Upper Street.
Raphi & Flo, Winchmore Hill – 2021-2024
Not a destination kids’ cafe per se, but great if you were local to Enfield and looking for child-friendly options. The kids’ menu was a big draw with its toasties, brunch favourites, weaning-friendly finger food and decent range of hot meals; and the adult offer was pretty good too – particularly for vegans. The play area was surprisingly small given the size of the cafe, but the toy selection was well chosen, with lots of wooden role-play props to keep kids occupied.
ZAPspace, Stratford – 2017-2022
By far our favourite jumping place until its closure in 2022. ZAPspace’s appeal lay largely in the fact that it was built inside an old theatre, bestowing it with an air of grandeur that you didn’t really expect from a trampoline park in Stratford. Generally it was just a lot more interesting than other venues – mostly because it wasn’t part of a chain, so felt a little more offbeat than the rest. Toddler sessions ran every single morning and there was even an adorably tiny soft play for babies.
369 High Street, E15 4QZ / zapspace.co.uk
East London Gymnastics Centre, Beckton – 1997-2024
Every weekday afternoon (and Sunday morning) until late-2024, this spacious gymnasium threw open its doors to 0-5s and their carers. Sessions were unstructured (and apparently unsupervised, though there were a lot of rules, which were announced via hand-painted signs dotted around the place) and consisted of 90 minutes of free play in the space, which boasted trampolines, beams, soft shapes and a three-storey soft-play structure with two tube slides. This one will be hugely missed by locals.
Tiny Tigers, South Quay – 2020-2023
This spacious under-5s cafe was a must for any day out in Canary Wharf with young children. Situated close to South Quay DLR, Tiny Tigers was a just a short walk from the tube and Canary Wharf’s other toddler-friendly attractions, but closed early in 2023 due to the demolition of South Quay Plaza and the owner’s unwillingness to relocate due to a new baby in the family. Unstructured play sessions ran several times a day, alongside an exciting programme of classes and special themed events.
Squish Space, Barbican – 2019-2024
Squish Space landed at the Barbican back in 2019. The brainchild of India Harvey and Lisa Marie Bengtsson, this under-5s drop in replaced Barbican Blocks, popping up a few times a week to provide local preschoolers with an array of sensory materials designed to encourage open-ended, imaginative play. Best suited to mobile babies and younger toddlers, the session invariably sold out almost as soon as tickets went on sale – a full 48 hours in advance. Look out for future under-5s offerings from the Barbican – we can’t imagine it’ll be long before they launch a new one.
A Little Me Time, Ealing – 2020-2024
Absurdly child-friendly cafe specialising in bubble tea and Taiwanese cuisine. Think super-cute toddler treats in the form of animal-shaped waffles and dinosaur-shaped biscuits, a small but perfectly formed play area at the front of the space, an ever bigger play area downstairs for classes and parties, and even a kids’ table where bigger ones could sit and craft or play around with the cafe iPad. It’s now a nursery and we wish the lovely owner all the luck.
Kidz#1, Ealing – 2021-2024
Despite the soft play’s unimaginative ‘London’ theme and the extortionate entry fees, we really liked this place. While the main structure didn’t feel quite challenging enough for older kids, it was manageable enough that my two could disappear into it on their own while I enjoyed a coffee, which is surely the only reason we take them to these places in the first place. It was also home to a massive cafe, a VR experience, a mini sports arena and a 7D cinema (whatever that is) but it closed down suddenly in mid-2024.
GetSetGo, Putney – 2021-2022
GetSetGo! was the family members’ club with no membership fees, meaning literally anyone in possession of a child could join. The club’s impressive range of classes included martial arts, music, stay and plays, ballet, swimming and LEGO, but we were just as happy hanging out in the spacious reception area: think custom-designed wooden play frame, sensory light wall and a kid-friendly cafe serving healthy lunches, tempting toddler snacks and exceptionally good coffee. GetSetGo! now exclusively offers swimming lessons.
Peace + Riot, West Dulwich – 2021-2022
Possibly the best idea ever had by anyone ever, Peace & Riot was a beautiful contemporary cafe that just happened to have on-site childcare. Parents/carers simply paid £10 per child (or a monthly membership fee) then enjoyed 90 minutes of eating/drinking/laptop time, safe in the knowledge that their little one was happily occupied nearby by one of the brilliantly named Peace Keepers. The food was great, alcohol was available and it all turned into a restaurant/bar in the evenings. We miss it so much.
London Bridge Station play area – 2019-2023
This tiny play space was once the perfect way to kill 10 minutes while you waited for your train. It consisted of three train carriage structures – one with a steering wheel and another with a very small slide. Its location – between the Tube and mainline stations and slightly off the main thoroughfare – made it an easy target for vandalism and it was often closed for maintenance. It closed permanently in 2023.
The Bee’s Knees, Battersea Arts Centre, Battersea – 2011-2020
Magical Teletubbyland for under-5s, created by set designers and host to a packed programme of weekly classes and groups, with unstructured playtime available on Wednesdays. The Bee’s Knee’s ran for years, boasting a one-of-a-kind design complete with rolling hills, caves, tunnels, and rainbow bridge; super-chilled vibes and an abundance of baby and toddler toys. It closed during the first lockdown and never reopened.
Under1Roof, Woolwich – 2014-2023
So called because it also housed a theatre, a kids’ hairdressers, a shoe shop, a cafe and a nursery, Under1Roof was still a pretty decent soft-play centre in its own right. Aimed at 0-5s, this vast space consisted of a large town-square area decked out with more play houses, ride-ons, giant bricks and slides than you could possibly imagine, in addition to a separate soft-play room complete with a two-storey climbing structure and lots of lovely squishy things.
bablands.com 