Toddler groups, stay-and-play sessions and baby groups run on volunteers and borrowed space. Equipment has to come out of a cupboard, entertain a room full of children for two hours, then go back again. Foam soft play is ideal: it's light enough to carry, safe for mixed ages and gives children something active to do while parents chat.
What toddler groups need from soft play
- Light and stackable: pieces volunteers can carry and stack into a cupboard.
- Group play: enough pieces for several children at once.
- Mixed ages: something for babies and something for busy three-year-olds.
- Wipe-clean: quick to clean before it goes away.
- Value: sets that last for years of weekly sessions.
Block sets: the most flexible choice
Block sets give you a different layout every week and stack neatly at the end.
- Castle & Cubes Set, 17 blocks: built for group play.
- Foam Cube Set, 12 blocks: simple stacking, building and seating.
- Stacking Block Set, 45 pieces: lots of small hands, lots of blocks.
- Creativity Set, 11 pieces: dens, castles and obstacle courses.
A baby corner
Most groups have crawlers as well as walkers. A separate baby corner keeps them away from the busier climbing area.
- Foam play mats, 5-piece set: a soft base that folds away.
- Little Crawler Set: gentle shapes for babies on the move.
- Mini Climbie Set: a first climbing set from 6 months.
Crowd-pleasers worth adding
- Step and Slide Set: the piece children run to first.
- T-Tunnel Set: crawling and hide-and-seek.
- Two-Seated Rocker: encourages sharing and turn-taking.
Storage and setup tips
- Measure your storage cupboard before you buy, and choose block sets that stack.
- Take a photo of your favourite layout so any volunteer can set it up.
- Wipe down at the end of each session so equipment goes away clean.
- Check pieces regularly and replace damaged covers.
Follow your hall's and organisation's own safety and insurance requirements. See our cleaning guide and safety guide for more.
Related guides
Shop for your group
Browse all soft play sets with free UK delivery (delivery information).