Soft play centre parties are fun, but they come with a few catches: a fixed time slot, other families' children sharing the equipment and a set menu you didn't choose. More parents across the North West are now bringing the soft play to the party instead, at home, in the garden or in a local village hall.
This guide explains how soft play hire works, which set suits your party size, how much room you need and what it actually costs per child. We deliver across Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, Staffordshire and Greater Manchester, and you'll find the full list of towns we serve further down.
Why host a soft play party at home or in a hall?
- It's just your guests. The equipment is only for the children you've invited, which is especially reassuring with babies and young toddlers.
- You set the timings. There's no 90-minute slot and no rushing through the cake. We deliver in the morning and collect in the evening, so the party runs at your pace.
- You choose the food. Bring your own buffet, cake and drinks, and cater for allergies and fussy eaters your way.
- It looks the part. Our sets come in pastel, white, grey and multicoloured, so the play area matches your theme and your photos.
- No setting up or tidying. We deliver, build it, wipe it down and take it all away again.
Which soft play set suits your party?
The right set depends mostly on how many children are coming and how much floor space you have.
- Creativity Set (11 pieces): best for smaller parties of up to about 10 children aged 0 to 4. Needs roughly 4m x 4m, so it fits many living rooms and conservatories.
- Party Set (36 pieces): our most popular party option, for up to about 20 children aged 0 to 5. Includes climbing blocks, a step and slide, a tunnel, a rocker and a ball pit with 500 balls. Needs roughly 6m x 6m.
- Mega Castle Set: our biggest single set, for up to about 25 children aged 1 to 6, with a castle arch, ramps, tunnels, a double slide and a ball pit. Needs roughly 7m x 7m.
- The Full Playroom: the Mega Castle and Party Set combined, with a separate zone for under-2s. For big parties of up to about 30 children. Needs roughly 9m x 9m.
What does a soft play party cost per child?
Our hire prices are one fixed price for the day, with delivery, setup and collection included within 20 miles. Divide it by your guest list and it often compares well with per-child party packages:
- Creativity Set: £125 for the day, about £12.50 per child for 10 children.
- Party Set: £185 for the day, about £9.25 per child for 20 children.
- Mega Castle Set: £245 for the day, about £9.80 per child for 25 children.
- The Full Playroom: £395 for the day, about £13.20 per child for 30 children.
Siblings, cousins and friends' babies don't push the price up, which is a big plus when half the guest list is under two. A £50 deposit secures your date, and the balance is paid on the day.
For a party that looks as good in photos as it feels on the day, you can add a flower wall backdrop behind the cake table for £250. We build it at the same time, so there's still only one delivery and one collection.
How much space do you need?
At home: a cleared living room, open-plan kitchen-diner or conservatory usually fits the Creativity Set. Move furniture back to give us a clear floor, and let us know about any steps or narrow doorways.
In the garden: soft play works well on flat grass or a patio in dry weather, with matting underneath. Always have a backup plan, like a garage, gazebo or room indoors, in case the weather turns.
In a village or church hall: halls are ideal for the Party Set, Mega Castle and Full Playroom. They're often cheap to book, give you space for tables and a buffet, and mean no clearing up at home. Check the hall's access times so we can build before your guests arrive.
Party ideas by age
First birthdays
Keep it low and gentle. Soft steps, a small slide and a ball pit are plenty for crawlers and new walkers, and parents can sit right beside them. Our first birthday soft play hire guide has more ideas.
Ages 2 to 3
Toddlers love tunnels, slides and anything they can climb. The Party Set gives them an obstacle run to repeat again and again, which usually means happy, tired children by home time.
Ages 4 to 6
Older children want height and challenge, so the Mega Castle's arch, ramps and double slide keep them busy. Add simple games like "follow the leader" around the course or a ball pit treasure hunt. For more inspiration, read our guide to planning a toddler soft play birthday in the North West.
Your soft play party checklist
- Pick your date and venue, and check the room size.
- Enquire early. Weekends between March and September often book four to six weeks ahead.
- Choose your set and colours to match your theme.
- Decide on extras, such as a flower wall behind the cake table.
- Plan food and a quiet spot for babies and tired toddlers.
- Agree delivery and collection times with us, and tell us about parking and access.
- Make sure an adult supervises the play area throughout the party.
Soft play party hire near you: where we deliver
We deliver soft play party hire across five counties in the North West and Midlands. Delivery, setup and collection are included within 20 miles of our base, and we travel further for larger bookings. If your town isn't listed, send us your postcode and we'll let you know.
Soft play party hire in Cheshire
Chester, Crewe, Warrington, Northwich, Macclesfield, Congleton, Sandbach, Knutsford, Wilmslow, Nantwich, Winsford, Middlewich, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn and Widnes.
Soft play party hire in Lancashire
Preston, Blackburn, Blackpool, Burnley, Lancaster, Chorley, Leyland, Ormskirk, Accrington, Skelmersdale, Nelson and Clitheroe.
Soft play party hire in Liverpool and Merseyside
Liverpool, St Helens, Southport, Birkenhead, Wirral, Bootle, Huyton, Formby, Prescot and Crosby.
Soft play party hire in Staffordshire
Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stafford, Lichfield, Burton upon Trent, Tamworth, Cannock, Leek, Stone and Uttoxeter.
Soft play party hire in Greater Manchester
Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Stockport, Altrincham, Wigan, Oldham and Bury.
Frequently asked questions
How much does soft play party hire cost?
Our party sets start at £125 for the day, with delivery, setup and collection included within 20 miles. The Party Set is £185, the Mega Castle Set is £245 and The Full Playroom is £395.
Which areas do you cover for soft play party hire?
We cover Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, Staffordshire and Greater Manchester, including Chester, Warrington, Crewe, Preston, Liverpool, the Wirral, Stoke-on-Trent, Stockport and Manchester. Delivery is included within 20 miles of our base.
How long do we keep the soft play?
For the day. We deliver and build in the morning and collect in the evening, so there's no rush.
Can we have soft play in the garden?
Yes, on flat grass or a patio in dry weather with matting underneath. We'll agree a wet-weather plan with you when you book.
Is the equipment clean?
Yes. Every piece is wiped with a child-safe antibacterial solution after each hire and wiped again once it's built at your venue. Ball pit balls are washed between bookings.
Do I need to supervise the children?
Yes. A responsible adult should supervise the soft play area at all times while children are playing.
Ready to plan your party? Check your date and enquire here. Tell us your date, venue postcode and number of children, and we'll recommend the right set and confirm your price.