Anyone who has lived in the North West knows that planning an outdoor party is a gamble. You can book the garden, buy the bunting and order the cake, and still end up with twenty toddlers watching the rain from the patio doors. That's one of the big reasons soft play hire has become such a popular choice for families across Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and Greater Manchester. It brings the fun indoors, keeps little ones busy for hours, and turns any hall, living room or marquee into a party space.
This guide covers everything you need to know before booking soft play hire in the North West.
What is soft play hire?
Soft play hire means we bring a complete set of foam play equipment to your venue, build it before your guests arrive, and take it all away afterwards. Instead of paying per child at a busy soft play centre, you get your own private play area for your guests only.
We drop off and build in the morning at a time that suits you, and collect the same evening once your event has finished. Delivery, setup and collection are included within 20 miles, and we travel further for larger bookings.
Soft play hire prices
One price per set for the full day:
- Creativity Set (11 pieces) – £125. Ages 0–4, up to 10 children, needs roughly 4m × 4m. Ideal for smaller rooms and younger toddlers.
- The Quiet Corner – £165. A pastel or white and grey set styled for weddings and christenings.
- Party Set (36 pieces) – £185. Our most popular set. Ages 0–5, up to 20 children, needs around 6m × 6m, with a step and slide, tunnel, rocker and a ball pit with 500 balls.
- Nursery Day Hire – £215. The Party Set for a full weekday setting, with risk assessment and insurance documents supplied.
- Mega Castle Set – £245. Our largest single set. Ages 1–6, up to 25 children, needs around 7m × 7m, with a castle arch, ramps, tunnels, double slide and ball pit.
- The Full Playroom – £395. The Mega Castle and Party Set combined for up to 30 children, with a separate toddler zone for under-2s.
You can add a flower wall backdrop for £250 to any set, built at the same time by our sister company Starlight Flower Walls, so there's only one delivery to arrange. See all hire packages and photos.
Why soft play hire works so well in the North West
It beats the weather. A grey Saturday in Southport or a drizzly afternoon in Crewe won't spoil anything when the party is indoors.
It suits the venues we already have. The North West is full of village halls, church halls, community centres, cricket clubs and function rooms that are affordable to book but can feel a bit empty. A soft play set fills the space and gives children an instant focal point.
It's private. No queuing, no strangers' children, no fixed time slots. Your guests, your music, your party food.
It's often better value. Once you add up per-child entry and party food packages at a soft play centre, hiring a set for your own venue can work out cheaper, especially for bigger guest lists.
Where we deliver
- Cheshire: Chester, Warrington, Crewe, Macclesfield, Northwich, Knutsford, Wilmslow, Nantwich, Sandbach, Congleton, Winsford, Middlewich, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn and Widnes
- Merseyside: Liverpool, the Wirral, Birkenhead, Southport, St Helens, Formby, Crosby, Bootle, Huyton and Prescot
- Lancashire: Preston, Blackburn, Blackpool, Burnley, Lancaster, Chorley, Leyland, Ormskirk, Accrington, Skelmersdale, Nelson and Clitheroe
- Greater Manchester: Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Stockport, Altrincham, Wigan, Oldham and Bury
If your town isn't listed, ask anyway.
What ages is soft play suitable for?
Our sets suit children from birth to around six. The Creativity Set is best for under-fours, while the Mega Castle Set works well up to school age. Older siblings usually join in too, so let us know the age range of your guests when you book. All play should be supervised by a responsible adult.
How much space do you need?
Measure before you book. The Creativity Set needs roughly 4m × 4m, the Party Set around 6m × 6m, the Mega Castle Set around 7m × 7m and The Full Playroom around 9m × 9m. Leave a clear walkway around the set for parents, and if you're adding a flower wall, allow about 2.5m of clear wall. Tell us about your venue and we'll tell you what fits.
Events that suit soft play hire
- First birthdays and toddler birthday parties
- Christenings, naming days and baby showers
- Weddings, as a quiet corner so parents can enjoy the day
- Corporate family days and staff events
- Church, school and community fundraisers
- Nursery open days and graduation photos
Planning a toddler birthday? Read our guide to planning a toddler soft play birthday in the North West.
How booking works
- Check your date using the date checker on our hire page, then send us your details.
- Confirm with a £50 deposit. The balance is due on the day, and deposits move free to a new date if plans change.
- We arrive in the morning, build the layout and wipe everything down.
- We collect that evening, so there's nothing for you to clean, pack or store.
Frequently asked questions
How much does soft play hire cost?
Prices start at £125 for the Creativity Set, with the Party Set at £185, the Mega Castle Set at £245 and The Full Playroom at £395. Delivery, setup and collection within 20 miles are included.
Is the equipment clean?
Yes. Every set is CE-certified, non-toxic and BPA and phthalate free. Each piece is cleaned with a child-safe antibacterial solution after every hire and wiped down again once built at your venue. Ball pit balls are washed between bookings.
Can soft play be set up outdoors?
Yes, on flat grass or a patio in dry weather with matting underneath. We'll agree a wet-weather plan when you book, and most people keep a hall, gazebo or garage as a backup.
How far in advance should I book?
Weekends between March and September usually book up four to six weeks ahead. Weekdays and winter dates are often available with a week's notice.
Ready to book soft play hire in the North West?
Whether it's a first birthday in Chester, a christening in Liverpool, a party in Stockport or a family fun day in Preston, we'll bring the soft play so you can focus on the party. Check your date and book.