Guide To Soft Play Centres In Essex

If you are looking to visit a soft play in Essex then check out this guide to soft plays in Essex. From small facilities best suited to preschoolers all the way through to huge play frames which will keep older children happy. There is a great choice of soft play centres in Essex. You can view them on a map at the end of the post to help you find your nearest venue.


A toddler at a soft play centre in Essex looking at a ball pool
Soft play venues in Essex for toddlers through to tweens


While there are attractions in Essex which include a soft play this list only includes standalone soft plays unless overall entry is under £10 per person.

I have included maximum age/ height information and if there is parking where this information is available. Prices, booking requirements and session times provided are as accurate as possible, but venues may change opening hours, prices etc without notice. Most venues recommend checking their Facebook pages for the latest information. 

All soft plays require children to wear socks, and adults should bring some too just in case they need to go in the soft play too. It is recommended that arms and legs are covered, particularly if using slides to avoid friction burns. Most soft plays have food and drink available for purchase and ask you not to bring your own to the venue. 

Sadly many of the soft plays in Essex have had to permanently close during the last couple of years and as more may need to in the future please check before travelling. Closures include: Cheeky Monkeez in South Woodham Ferrers, Creepy Crawlies in Chelmsford, Come n Play Cafe in Loughton and Wam Bam Boomerang in Burnham on Crouch.


List of (Over 30) Soft Play Centres In Essex


Adventure Inside at Adventure Island, Southend

This big soft play is part of Southend's Adventure Island, but unlike the “theme park” it is open all year round.
Age: "Under 10"
Toddler area (Play Pod) and main Play Stack spanning 6 storeys
£5 per person or there is currently an introductory offer of £15 per person. (There is also a £12.50 ticket which includes 4 rides)
Open 11am to 6pm
Adventure Island, Sunken Garden, Western Esplanade, Southend on Sea, Essex, SS1 1EE
Council pay and display parking in the area, no dedicated soft play parking

Ashlyns Play Barn, North Weald

A medium size soft play with separate area for toddlers.
Open 9am to 5pm 
5 High Road, North Weald Bassett, Epping CM16 6RZ
Free car park

Ashlyns soft play in Essex
Ashlyn's Playbarn

Brewers Fayre, Chafford Hundred 

Age: No maximum age given, but maximum height is 1.45m
There is a small indoor play area in the Brewers Fayre restaurant, prebooking recommended for the soft play (call to book).
Open 12 to 7pm every day.
Fleming Road, Unicorn Estate, Chafford Hundred, Grays RM16 6YJ

Discovery Bay Adventure Play, Clacton Pier


Age: 12 and under
Separate play frame for babies and toddler and a role play area.
Online booking available. 0-5 months free, 6 months - 11months £1.49, 1 - 3 years old £5.49, 4 - 12 years £6.99 and adults free when accompanying a paying guest.
Open 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am to 6pm at weekends
1 North Sea, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO15 1QX
No onsite parking, nearest car parks are Agate Road or High Street.

Go Bananas, Colchester

Age: 12 and under
Go Bananas has a Tiny Town area for age 4 and under with a huge variety of activities for little ones to do and Aztec Adventure which is the play frame for older children. Like most soft plays they do parties, unlike most these can be for older children or even adults and they can do sleepovers!
Prebooking not currently required.  0-5 months free, 6 months - 11months £2.00, 1 - 4 years old £5.00, 5 - 12 years £7.00 and adults £5.
Open Monday - Saturday 9.30am - 6.30pm, Sunday 10am-6pm
9 & 10 Mason Road, Cowdray Centre, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1BX
Free parking, free wifi.

Frankie’s Soft Play, Romford

Age: 0 to 8
Book online, children under 6 months £1, 6 months to 8 years £4, adults free.
Open weekdays: 9.15am – 11.15am and 12pm – 2pm. Closed at weekends.
1st Floor of Myplace Community Centre, 343 Dagnam Park Drive, Romford, RM3 9EN 
They have a small car park and there is additional parking available in the Leisure Centre car park

Jolly Jungle, Dagenham

Age: under 12s and shorter than 148cm. 
Part of Everyone Active at Becontree Heath Leisure Centre
Visits must be prebooked, which can be done via the website. Sessions are 2 hours long. Juniors £6.40, adults free.
Monday to Thursday 10:00-6:00pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10:00-3:00pm although it can be closed for VIP exclusive hire parties.
The Jolly Jungle, Becontree Heath Leisure Centre, Althorne Way, Dagenham, RM10 7FH

Jungle Adventure, Colchester

Age: Under 12s
A family run soft play and role play village with some additional bookable activities like crafts.
Book online, prices vary for each age up to a maximum of £8 at peak times for children aged 6 years upwards. Adults £2.50/ £2.75 off peak/ peak
Open 9.30am to 5.30pm with role play village open from 10am on weekdays.
Peartree Retail Park, Moss Road, Stanway Colchester CO3 0LE

Kidzz Kingdom Softplay, Harlow Leisurezone

Age: 0-10
A soft play inside Harlow Leisure Centre. It has a small toddler area and a good size main play frame. Limited seating for adults.
Prebooking currently required. Book online or at the main reception. Wristbands in operation at busy times with a minimum of 50 minutes per session. Prices vary depending on age and peak times.
Open 9.30am to 17.30 pm, but closed for an hour at 1.30 on weekdays.
Second Avenue, Harlow, CM20 3DT
Parking is free, but you need to ask for a token for the barrier at reception when checking in for your session.

The long slide at Kidzz Kingdom Soft play inside Harlow leisurezone
Kidzz Kingdom is inside Harlow Leisurezone


Kids Kingdom, Southend on Sea

Age: 0-12 and under 5ft 2 inches (approx 157cm)
A large indoor play space with plenty of activities for older children including a “jelly mountain” and drop slide.
Under 1s free when accompanying a sibling, children 2 to 12 range between £4.50 and £7.50, adults £1.50. You can book online here
Open 7 days a week: 10am til 6pm, Bank Holiday hours may vary.
Garon Park, Eastern Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 4FA

Kidspace, Romford

Age: 12 and under
A large indoor place space with lots of activities including a soft play frame, a soft ball blasting arena, go karts, climbing area, toddler zone and other interactive activities.
Prebooking required for a 2 hours session. Children under 3 £9/£10, age 3 to 12 £13.50/£14.50 and adults £4.50/£5.50 (off peak/ peak)
Opening hours vary, but generally 9 or 10am until 7.
The Brewery, Waterloo Rd, Romford, Essex RM1 1AU
Nearest car park is “The Brewery”

Krazy Kidz Cafe, Ongar

Age: up to 8
A small cafe which is great for private hire parties with a small baby area and a play frame which is good for toddlers to 5 year olds (I think it’s a bit small for 8 year olds personally).
Open: 9 to 5 Monday to Friday and closed at weekends due to private parties (check their FB page for early closing on other days too)
156-158 High Street CM5 9JJ Chipping Ongar
A small amount of street parking is available outside or a pay and display car park is available near the library.

Krazy Kidz Cafe soft play in Ongar Essex
Krazy Kidz Cafe is a lovely size soft play for Preschoolers

Let’s Go Bonkers, Burnham on Crouch

Age: 0 to 12 years and under 148cm
A soft play with two play frames
Call for booking information. Prices are 0-11 months £1.75, under 2 £3.50, 2-4 year olds £5.95, 5 and over £7.25.
Open 10am to 2.30pm, but closed Tuesdays
Units 7 & 8 Station Industrial Estate, Foundry Lane, Burnham on Crouch, CM0 8RW

Mace Playce, Chelmsford

A family run soft play with separate areas for over and under 5s as well as a baby area and games area
Age: 0 to 12 years.
Prebooking not required. Non walkers £2.50 (or free with a paying sibling), under 5’s £5.50, 5-12 years £6.50, adults £1
Open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sunday 11am to 6pm (early closing first Tuesday of the month)
Unit 3, Cuton Hall Lane, Springfield Trading Estate, Chelmsford, CM2 6PB
On site parking

Mace Playce City Centre, Chelmsford

Age: 0-6
A smaller version of the popular soft play in the city centre.
Non walkers £2.50 (or free with a full paying sibling), under 7s £5, adults £1
Open: Monday, Thursday: 9.30 to 3.30, Tuesday, Wednesday 9.30 to 6pm, Friday to Sunday 9.30 to 3.30 (or 6pm if no private hire).
68 Springfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 6JY
No parking, but multi-storey parking available near by

MegaPlay at the MegaCentre, Rayleigh

Age: 11 and under
Located in the MegaCentre and run by a Christian charity 
Prices range from £1.50 for under 1s and adults to between £4.25 and £7.25 for children depending on age peak/ off peak. Sessions must be prebooked online or by calling 01268779100
Open from 9.30 for 2 hour sessions with 30 minutes break in between sessions for cleaning. Early closing Monday and Tuesday at 2pm.
7 Brook Road, Rayleigh, Essex, SS6 7UT
Free parking available

Monkey Bizzness, Hockley

Age: 11 and under, maximum height 5ft 2 (approx 157cm)
Separate areas for under 2s and under 4s, a role play zone, mini football pitch and small quad biking area.
You can book online via the website. Under 1’s £2 (or free with a paying sibling), Under 2’s £4.50, 2 to 4 years £5.50, 5 to 11 years £6.50, adults £1.50.
Open from 10am most days. Timed session slots shown when booking.
14 Eldon Way, Hockley, Essex SS5 4AD
Car parking available

Monkey Bizness, Rochford

Age: not stated on website so if taking over 10s I recommending calling for maximum age/ height rules
Prebooking not required. Under 9 months free, 9 to 12 months £2.45/ £2.95, 1 to 3 £4.95/ £5.95, 4 plus £5.95/ £6.95. Climbing add on £1.25/ £1.50. Adults £1.25/ £1.75 off peak/ peak
Open Monday to Sunday 9.30 to 6pm
6 Purdeys Way, Rochford, SS4 1ND
Parking available

Monkey Madness Play Centre, Basildon

One of the tallest play frames in the country and separate areas for under 5’s and babies/ toddlers.
Under 1s free, 1 to 3 £5.50/ £6.50, 4 to 8 £7.50/ £8.50, 9+ £8.50/ £9.50. One adult per paying child free, otherwise £2.50 (Based on 2 hour session)
Currently closed term time on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They recommend checking Facebook for early closing announcements on other days. Monday and Thursday 9.30am to 6pm, Friday and Saturday 9.30am to 6.30pm, Sunday and Bank Holidays 9.30am to 5.30pm
Monkey Madness, Miles Gray Road, Basildon, Essex SS14 3GN
Parking available

Monkey Puzzle at Madison Heights Maldon

Age: up to age 12. 
The largest indoor soft play centre in the South East (according to their website). Located inside Madison Heights “Entertainment Centre” which also has bowling and roller skating.
Call 01621850222 option 2 for booking enquiries. Under 1s are free, 1 £4, 2 to 4 £7, 5+ £8.25 and adults £2 based on 2 hour session.
Open Wednesday to Sunday 9.30 to 5.30 and 7 days a week in school holidays.
Park Drive, Maldon, Essex CM9 5JQ

Nickelodeon Land, Lakeside, Grays

Maximum age 12 (and maximum 2 adults a family)
Not strictly speaking a soft play, but it's a great inside adventure park for little ones with themed areas including Paw Patrol.
You can book online or in person, but online is cheaper. Children under 90cm go free. Online price for children: £13.45 and adults: £6.75, children under 90cm go free. Entry is for a 2.5 hour timed session.
Open Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm
612 The Quay, Intu Lakeside Shopping Centre, West Thurrock, Grays, Essex, RM20 2AD.
Plenty of free parking at Lakeside. The closest car parks are 10 and 12.

Partyman, Braintree

Age: up to 13 years
No need to prebook. 6-12 months £1.95/ £2.95, 1 to 3 years £4.95/ £6.95, 4 to 13 years £6.95/ £8.95, adults £2.50/ £4.50 off peak/ peak
Open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 6.30pm, Weekends 10am to 6.30pm
Partyman World of Play Braintree, Century Drive, Off Charter Way, Braintree, Essex, CM77 8YL
Parking available

Partyman, Lakeside

Age: up to 13 years
A soft play inside Lakeside shopping centre with a separate area for toddlers.
No need to prebook. 6-12 months £1.95/ £2.95, 1 to 3 years £4.95/ £6.95, 4 to 13 years £6.95/ £8.95, adults £2.50/ £4.50 off peak/ peak
Open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 6.30pm, Weekends 10am to 6.30pm
Partyman World Of Play Lakeside, Unit 9 The Boardwalk, West Thurrock Grays, Essex, RM20 2ZP Lakeside has plenty of free parking. Parking near the Boardwalk is closest to Partyman

Playing with balls at Partyman softplay in Lakeside


Pickles Playhouse, Witham 

Age: 7 and under
Book via the website. Under 1s are £2.50/ £3, 1 to 4 years £4.50/ £5, 5 to 7 years £5/£5.50 off peak/ peak. Adults £2
They run 4 timed sessions, 7 days a week: 9.30am to 11am, 11.30am to 1pm, 1.30pm to 3pm, 3.30pm to 5pm
Unit 12, 27 Crittall Road, Witham, CM8 3DR
Free parking available

The Playbarn, Sawbridgeworth

Age: up to age 10 or 145cm
Separate baby and toddler area (for up to age 3), they also have some equipment outside if the weather is ok.
You can book into a timed session via their website. Prebooked £6.95 a child, £8.95 on the door. Under 1s are free with a paying sibling or £4.
Tuesday to Friday it is open from 9.30 to 5.30pm, Saturdays 9.30 to 5pm
Parsonage Lane, Sawbridgeworth, CM21 0NG
Free parking available

Playpalz, Clacton On Sea

Age: 12 and under
Playpalz has took over and renovated the space owned by Robbie Rascals when it closed in August 2020
Booking not required, but recommended. Under 6 months free, 6 to 12 months £2, 1 to 3 years £5, 4 to 12 years £6, adults £1. Weekdays in term time toddlers get a free lunch and older children get a free dinner.
Open 7 days a week 9am to 6pm, but special booking Monday from 3.30 and also possible private bookings in the week.
Telford Rd, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 4LP
Free Onsite Parking

Rock Up, Lakeside

Age: Under 8s
A soft play session within the Rock Up which has climbing walls, separate entry price for the soft play.
Advanced booking not required, but recommended and it's cheaper online. Under 6 months free, 6 to 12 months £3.25, 1 to 7 £6.25/ £7.25 off peak/ peak, adults £1.
Open 9.30 to 6.30 Monday to Saturday and 10.30 to 4.30pm Sundays.
Intu Lakeside, Thurrock Way, RM20 2ZP
Free car parking, park near the station for easiest access.

The soft play frame at Rock Up in Lakeside
Rock Up Climbing Centre has a good size soft play

Small Monsters, Corringham, Stanford-Le-Hope

A small soft play for younger ones. No maximum age listed, but more suited to toddlers and preschoolers.
It says you can book via the website, but it’s difficult to use so easier to call or just turn up.
0-5 Months free, 6-11 Months £1.00, 12-23 Months £2.50, Children 2 years & over the first child £4.50, Siblings £2.50. Adults free
Mon-Fri 9:00am - 3pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 1pm
The Village Hall, Woolifers Avenue, Stanford-Le-Hop, SS17 7QT
Free wifi

Stay and Play, Basildon

Booking required for peak times and timed sessions in operation, weekdays prebooking often not required and unlimited stay available. Call 01268 491511 to book your session. Under 6 months - Free with paying Sibling, 7-11 months - £2, 1yr - £5, 2yr - £6, 3yr - £6.50, 4+yr - £7.50, adults £2.
Monday to Sunday, sessions running: 09:00 - 11:00, 11:15 - 13:15, 13:30 - 15:30 and 15:45 - 17:45
Durham Road, Laindon, Essex, SS15 6PH

Wacky Warehouse Queen B/ Moulsham Inn Chelmsford - CLOSED

This Wacky Warehouse location is no longer listed on their website so it appears it is now closed.
Age: 11 and under and under 1.45m 
Attached to the Greene King pub
£4 per child or £2.75 term time during school hours. Adults and under 1s free.
Open Sunday to Thursday 9am to 7pm, Friday and Saturday 9am to 8pm
Moulsham Inn, 6 Waterson Vale, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 9PB
Onsite parking

White Elm Petting Farm, Bicknacre

I can’t see the maximum age for the Playbarn online, but I think it’s under 10s only in the soft play
White Elm is primarily a mini farm with play areas, but it has a nice softplay with toys that’s cheaper than some standalone soft plays. It’s located in the garden centres grounds (go past the restaurant and right).
Prebooking required. Under 2’s free, children £4.95, adults £5.95
Sessions are 9am to 12.30pm or 12.30pm to 4pm (Playbarn closed 9am to 10.15am and from 3.30pm on weekends for private parties)
White Elm Garden Centre, White Elm Road, Danbury, Bicknacre, Chelmsford, CM3 4LR
Free car park

White Elm Petting Farm play barn with toys
The Play Barn at White Elm Petting Farm is lovely for children age 6 and under


Wild ’n’ Wacky, Harlow

Age: up to 12 years
Booking required for peak times, peak sessions 90 minutes. Online prices: 6 to 12 months £2.50/ £2.80, 1 to 3 years £5.50/ £6.80, 4 to 12 years £7/ £7.80, adults £1.50/ £2.50 (off peak/ peak).
Open 9.30 to 5.30pm, but closed for cleaning between 2 and 3pm Monday to Friday and 2 til 2.30pm on  weekends and school holidays
Mill Court, Edinburgh Gate, Harlow, Essex. CM20 2JA
Car park next door (but tariff applies)

360 play, Basildon

Age: 12 and under
A large soft play with a separate area for toddlers (upstairs) next to a role play village. There is also a carousel, go karts and a climbing wall (add-on fee for climbing)
Under 1s free, 1 to 3 £7.95/ £8.95, 4 to 12 £9.95/ £10.95, adults £3.50/ £4.50 (off peak/ peak). Additional £1 charge per person if not booked in advance online.
Open 9.30 to 5.30 Sunday to Thursday and 9.30 to 6pm Fridays and Saturdays.
Festival Leisure Park, Festival Way, Basildon SS14 3WB
Free car parking

360 Play in Basildon Essex main soft play frame
360 Play in Basildon has a huge soft play frame

List of soft play venues in Essex


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