Kent soft play centres
Kent’s soft play centres are extremely well prepared when it comes to helping frantic worn-out parents give their energetic charges a place to burn off some energy.
And with many a cafe also on hand selling a cup of hot coffee or a piece of homemade cake, there are worse places to while away a few hours.
Cheeky Dino, Maidstone
Kent's newest children's play centre, Cheeky Dino, is roaring fun for ages 12 and under. There's a dino-themed play structure, trampoline, twin way slide, tube slides, pedal car area, laser tag, karaoke roller, mini sport pitch air hockey, computer games and so much more! There's also a play area for toddlers so you can relax with a refreshment from the healthy eating cafe.
www.cheekydino.co.uk telephone 01622 670055
Octopus's Garden, Dreamland, Margate
Dreamland may have a retro theme, but there's nothing old-fashioned about the Octopus's Garden. It's a spectacular addition to Kent's soft play scene and worth making a trip for all by itself.
A circus tent, beach huts, a grassy hill to roll down, a potting shed for arts and crafts, and the Octopus’s House filled with climbing frames, cargo nets, sand pits and much more await visitors.
More details here.
Polar Adventure, Maidstone Leisure Centre
Polar Adventure is a purpose built three storey soft play climbing zone and Ice Hill slides for children aged up to 12. This exciting adventure area is idea for kids to explore and enjoy. Within Polar Adventure there is a special under fives area complete with ball pit and toys for the toddlers’ to enjoy. www.maidstoneleisure.com telephone: 0845 1552277.
Mad Play, Greenhithe
The Mad Play Activity Centre is packed full of entertainment for children while parents can take an equal opportunity to relax. There is spacious seating for over 200 people where children, the centre says, can be seen playing from anywhere you are seated. There is a toddler area for children aged one to three and a main from for those aged four to 11.
www.madplay.co.uk telephone: 01322 385800
Tiny Town, Larkfield
Soft play zones, slides, a separate baby and toddler area as well as a climbing wall and astro turf sports pitches. Tiny Town is open seven days a week – with later opening hours for the football centre, and can be found opposite Larkfield Leisure Centre.
www.tinytown.co.uk telephone: 01622 882218
Larkabout, Larkfield Leisure Centre
Three floors of interactive play equipment, slides, crawl tubes and ball pools make Larkabout an adventurer’s paradise. Suitable for children aged 10 and under the soft play zone inside the leisure centre is open every day. Time restrictions may apply during peak times.
www.tmactive.co.uk telephone: 01622 719345.
Adventure Kidz, Aylesford
It has what it describes as ‘the UK’s first indoor high ropes course’ but there are also indoor quad bikes, a six metre drop slide, football and basketball areas and a toddler zone inside Adventure Kidz.
Age and height restrictions do apply for some activities, which should be checked in advance.
www.adventurekidz.co.uk telephone: 01622 719898
Wear ‘m Out, Park Wood Industrial Estate Maidstone and Botany Trading Estate Tonbridge
Wear ‘m Out has two large Kent play centres in Tonbridge and Maidstone suitable for children aged up to 12. Special areas for children up to the age of four with large play frames and slides for those aged five to 12.
www.wearmout.co.uk telephone: 01622 688855 (Maidstone) 01732 353773 (Tonbridge)
Monkey Bizz, Strood
Monkey Bizz has recently expanded to now include a roller skating arena – offering lots of choice for family entertainment. The main three-storey jungle themed soft play frame is perfect for children aged four to 12 to explore while there is also a separate play for babies and tots under five. The roller rink is a separate charge with sessions run according to age.
www.monkey-bizz.co.uk telephone: 01634 717788
Fun Drum, Gillingham
Indoor football pitch, drop slide, things to ride on and play areas for both children over six, under six and the addition of a place for under threes to play.
www.fundrum.co.uk telephone: 01634 409409
Kidzone, Rochester
An indoor soft play jungle awaits children aged six months to 10 years. The centre is open seven days a week and has a three-storey main soft play frame, ball pools, tunnels, overhead rope bridges, slides and a special play area for those under five.
www.kidzonerochester.co.uk telephone: 01634 827050
Big Fun House, Chartham near Canterbury
Imagination is king at Big Fun House, which has a Tiny Tots Town alongside its soft play facilities. The ‘town’ enables children to cook, build, tinker with the trains or boogie at the disco in a pretend world before heading off to the ball ponds, slides, nets, high walk bridge and climbing equipment.
www.bigfun-house.co.uk telephone: 01227 732323
Snappys Adventure Play, Whitstable
Ball ponds, slides and plenty of things to climb on, over and through, Snappys is open seven days a week. It welcomes visits from schools, pre-school and community groups and is also available for private hire.
www.snappysadventureplay.co.uk telephone: 01227 282100
Imagine, Ashford
Slides, trampolines, bags for swinging on, rope bridges to cross, tubes to climb through and domes to look out of – and that’s just the main play area. A toddler area for role play and a baby and toddler frame for children aged up to two and a half, all help to make Imagine a good place to play.
A fully padded sportszone with football goals and basketball hoops complete the facilities.
www.imaginethefun.co.uk telephone: 01233 650789
Kidz Planet, Folkestone
A four-storey indoor play centre awaits young visitors to Kidz Planet in Folkestone. Babies and children aged up to 11 are all welcome to jump, climb, clamber and slide through all of the play equipment on offer. A spooky hideaway, glide swing, lazer maze, ball ponds, a vertical drop slide and a special soft play area for those under one year are just some of the attractions on offer.
www.kidzplanet.co.uk telephone: 01303 277773
Jungle Jims, Birchington
There is bundles of soft play fun to be had on the Quex Park Estate. An outdoor play area and indoor play barn make Jungle Jims an ideal choice in winter or summer. Rope bridges, spiral slides and multiple ball pits can all be found inside alongside a dedicated toddler area for younger visitors.
www.jungle-jims.co.uk telephone: 01843 846305
Club World, Margate
Let your imagination run wild at Club World right on Margate’s seafront. Spider-web tunnels, slides and climbing frames all contribute to an exciting and challenging place to play. There is also a dedicated soft play area for children under six months of age.
www.clubworldkids.co.uk telephone: 01843 298752
Ollie’s Children’s Indoor Play Centre, Margate
A four level play area for children under 148cm, the play centre has a four lane racer slide, cargo nets, ‘spooky spider web’, spiral slide, log ramps and hanging slippery seaweed.
Hours of fun can be found inside the play centre which is based at Hartsdown Leisure Centre.
www.yourleisure.uk.com/ollies telephone: 01843 226221
Bumble Beez, Ramsgate
With a huge toddler area for children up to the age of four and a separate area for ‘juniors’ up to 12 Bumble Beez has plenty to keep Thanet families entertained. Attractions include ball pools, wavy slides and climbing features for younger visitors while ‘sky gliders’, obstacle courses and an indoor sports area will all keep older ones entertained.
www.bumble-beez.co.uk telephone: 01843 570913
