A first birthday is a big milestone, although let's be honest, it's often more for the grown-ups than the birthday boy or girl. Still, you want your little one to have fun, and you want the day to look lovely in photos. Soft play hire ticks both boxes. It gives babies and young toddlers a soft, safe space to crawl, climb and explore, while creating a gorgeous backdrop for your party.
Here's how to plan a first birthday soft play party, whether you're in Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire or Greater Manchester.
Why soft play is perfect for first birthdays
It's made for little bodies. Soft foam shapes and padded pieces are ideal for babies who are crawling, cruising or taking their first wobbly steps.
It keeps babies in one place. A defined play area means crawlers aren't heading for the buffet table or the door.
Everyone can join in. Older siblings and cousins can play gently alongside the little ones, and parents can sit on the edge to play too.
It looks beautiful. Pastel, white and neutral soft play sets photograph brilliantly, especially with balloon garlands and a personalised banner.
Which set is best for a first birthday?
For a small family party: the Creativity Set (£125) is 11 multi-functional foam pieces that build dens, tunnels and steps. It suits up to 10 children aged 0–4 and needs only around 4m × 4m, so it fits in most living rooms and small halls.
For a bigger celebration: the Party Set (£185) is our most popular set, with 36 pieces including a step and slide, tunnel, rocker and a ball pit with 500 balls. It suits up to 20 children aged 0–5 and needs around 6m × 6m.
For the photos: add a flower wall backdrop (£250) behind the cake table. It's built at the same time as the soft play by our sister company, Starlight Flower Walls, so there's only one delivery.
First birthday party ideas with soft play
The pastel dream
Pair a pastel soft play set with a balloon arch in matching tones. Add a "One" banner and a simple cake table, and you've got a party that looks straight off Instagram.
Cake smash corner
Set up a small area next to the soft play with a wipe-clean mat for the cake smash. Get your photos in the soft play first, before the icing appears.
Teddy bears' picnic
Scatter picnic blankets around the soft play, add teddy bears and serve finger food in little boxes. Perfect for an indoor picnic when the weather won't cooperate.
Neutral and natural
Beige and white soft play with wooden toys and dried flowers creates a calm, stylish look that suits a christening combined with a first birthday.
Top tips for a first birthday soft play party
- Plan around naps. Schedule the party for when your baby is usually awake and happy, often late morning or just after an afternoon nap. Because we drop off in the morning and collect in the evening, you can pick whatever party time suits.
- Keep it short. Around two hours is plenty for one-year-olds.
- Shoes off, socks on. Keep the soft play clean and comfortable.
- Food away from play. Set up snacks and drinks at tables away from the equipment.
- Always supervise. Ask parents to stay with their children in the play area, especially the youngest guests.
- Book early. Weekends between March and September usually book up four to six weeks ahead.
Is it clean enough for babies?
Yes. Every set is CE-certified, non-toxic and BPA and phthalate free, with wipeable surfaces. Each piece is cleaned with a child-safe antibacterial solution after every hire and wiped down again once built at your venue, and ball pit balls are washed between bookings.
Where can you hold a first birthday soft play party?
- Your own living room or conservatory
- Village, community and church halls
- Function rooms at pubs, clubs and hotels
- Your garden, on flat grass or a patio in dry weather, with a backup plan agreed in advance
For more ideas, read our guide to planning a toddler birthday in the North West.
Book first birthday soft play hire
We deliver, build and collect soft play for first birthday parties across the North West, from £125 for the day. A £50 deposit holds your date. Check your date and book.
Find out more in our guide to soft play hire in North West England.