Most people starting a soft play hire business make the same mistake: they buy what looks good in a photo rather than what survives forty hires a year in church halls, gardens and wedding venues. This guide covers what to buy first, which fabrics last, the extras nobody mentions, and how quickly each set can pay for itself.
If you're still deciding whether hire is right for you, start with our guide to starting your own soft play hire business, then come back here when you're ready to choose equipment.
Domestic vs commercial soft play: what's the difference?
Soft play sold for home use is designed to be played on by one or two children, most days, in the same room. Hire equipment has a much harder life. It's loaded into a van, carried up steps, built and packed down in a single day, and used by up to 25 children at a time. Over a year, one set might see more use than a home set gets in a decade.
For hire, look for three things: high-density foam that holds its shape after repeated compression, strong stitched seams that don't split when pieces are dragged, and wipe-clean covers you can sanitise between bookings without a washing machine.
Which fabric is best for soft play hire?
Fabric choice matters more than most new hire businesses expect, because it decides how long cleaning takes after every booking.
Eco leather (faux leather)
The practical choice for hire. It wipes clean in seconds with a child-safe antibacterial spray, doesn't hold stains from juice or cake, and dries immediately. If you're buying your first commercial set, this is the fabric to start with.
Bouclé and velvet
Beautiful for styled weddings, christenings and baby showers, and they photograph brilliantly. The trade-off is care: textured fabrics take longer to clean and show wear sooner. Many hire businesses keep a small bouclé or velvet set as a premium "styled" package and use eco leather for everyday parties.
Cotton and jersey
Soft and lovely at home, but covers usually need removing and machine washing. That's manageable for a nursery, harder when you have back-to-back weekend bookings.
The best soft play sets to start a hire business with
You don't need a warehouse to start. Most successful hire businesses begin with one or two sets that cover the most common bookings, then add more as the diary fills.
1. A small toddler set for smaller rooms
Living rooms, small halls and first birthdays make up a big share of enquiries. The 11-piece Creativity Set builds dens, steps and tunnels for under-fours and fits in roughly 4m × 4m. It's a low-cost way to take your first bookings.
2. A large party set with a ball pit
This is the set most parents picture when they book soft play. Our 36-piece Party Set includes climbing blocks, a step and slide, a tunnel, a rocker and a ball pit with 500 balls, and suits groups of up to 20 children. If you only buy one commercial set, make it one like this.
3. A showpiece set for bigger venues
Larger halls, community fun days and corporate family events need something with wow factor. The Mega Castle Set combines an arch, ramps, climbing blocks, tunnels, a double slide and a ball pit. It commands a higher hire price and helps your social media stand out.
4. A standalone commercial ball pit
Ball pits are the single most requested item. A large, wipe-clean pit such as the Pastel Play Ball Pit (130 × 130cm with 500 balls, in eco leather) works on its own for baby showers or as an add-on to any set. For smaller spaces, a square eco leather ball pit fits neatly into corners.
5. Add-ons that raise your booking value
Extras let you charge more without buying a whole new set. Foam cubes like our 12-piece Cube Set, tunnel sets and rockers can be mixed into any layout so returning customers get something different each time.
How quickly does soft play hire equipment pay for itself?
This is the question every new hire business asks. Here's a simple example using typical North West day-hire rates and our current retail prices. It's gross revenue only, before fuel, cleaning supplies, insurance and your time.
| Set | Buy price | Typical day-hire rate | Hires to cover cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creativity Set (11 pieces) | £200 | £125 | 2 |
| Party Set (36 pieces) | £1,360 | £185 | 8 |
| Mega Castle Set | £2,400 | £245 | 10 |
Hire rates vary by region, season and how far you travel, so check what local hire companies charge before setting your prices. Weekends between spring and early autumn are usually busiest; weekday nursery and school bookings help fill the quieter months.
The extras nobody tells you to budget for
- Floor mats. Interlocking foam or EVA mats go underneath your set on hard floors and are essential for garden setups on grass or patios.
- Storage and transport bags. Heavy-duty bags protect covers from scuffs and damp in the van and make carrying pieces much quicker.
- Extra balls. Balls go missing and get damaged. Keep spares so every booking arrives with a full pit.
- Cleaning kit. Child-safe antibacterial spray, microfibre cloths and a mesh bag for washing ball pit balls.
- A vehicle that fits. Measure your van or car against the packed-down size of your sets before you buy.
Safety, insurance and paperwork
Parents, venues and especially nurseries will ask for your paperwork before they book.
- Public liability insurance that specifically covers equipment hire. Ask your insurer what certification they need to see for your equipment.
- Certified equipment. Choose foam soft play that is CE or EN-71 certified and made from non-toxic materials, and keep the certificates on file.
- A written risk assessment covering setup, supervision, age groups and outdoor use.
- Clear hire terms explaining supervision, weather plans, cancellations and deposits.
- Inflatables. If you add a bouncy castle, commercial hire inflatables in the UK should carry a current PIPA or ADIPS inspection.
One practical tip: don't accept bookings for new equipment until it has arrived and you've built and checked every piece yourself. Read our soft play safety buying guide for more on what to look for.
How to choose colours for a hire business
Neutral sets in white, grey or beige suit the widest range of events, including weddings and christenings, and match any venue. Pastels are the most requested for baby showers and girls' birthdays. Bright multicoloured sets are popular with nurseries and younger children. A sensible starting point is one neutral set and one pastel set, then add colours based on what customers actually ask for.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a soft play hire business?
You can start small with a toddler set and a ball pit for a few hundred pounds, or launch with a full party set and showpiece castle for a few thousand. Budget separately for insurance, mats, storage bags and transport.
What soft play equipment is most popular for hire?
Large party sets with a ball pit and slide are the most booked, followed by standalone ball pits and small toddler sets for first birthdays.
Can I use home soft play for a hire business?
It's not recommended. Home sets aren't designed for repeated transport, setup and heavy group use, and your insurer may ask for commercial-grade equipment.
Do you offer bundles for hire businesses?
Yes. Buying more than one set? See our soft play bundles or contact us for a quote on a full hire starter package.