There are many soft play centres spread across Glasgow, which feature playrooms filled with tunnels, slides, stairs, ball pools and netted environments in which children aged 6 months to 11 years can play. The best ones have separate play areas for babies, for toddlers, and for older children. They should also have a manned, secure entrance with a sign-in and sign-out list, and a requirement that parents accompany their children. Soft play areas are least crowded and most fun for young kids when the schools are in session. Some offer coffee and snacks, which parents can enjoy within view of the kids.
Popular soft play areas in and near Glasgow include:
Jungle in the City
Jungle in the City soft play in Partick has a climbing frame with a slide and ball pit suitable for 2+,
and a separate ball pit and play area for babies and younger toddlers.
There’s also some general play space with soft animal climb-ons and a
doll’s house. The café serves the usual child-friendly food: sandwiches, toasties and pannini with salad or crisps.
Address: 8 Gardner Street, Partick, Glasgow G11 5NG
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 10am-7pm
Jurassic Jungle
Jurassic Jungle has a soft play frame for children under 3, plus a much larger soft play frame for children ages 3-12. It has a cafe that serves basic popular kids' fare (cheese sandwiches, crisps, sweeties), plus coffees.
Phone: 0141 352 9874
Address: Unit 5, The Point, Hamiltonhill, Glasgow G22 5HT
Jurassic Jungle website
Kid'z Play
Phone: 01292 475 215
Address: The Esplanade, Prestwick KA9 1QG
Kidz Play website
Monkey Madness
All-day play for under-5s costs £3.50. Monkey Madness is also having a Halloween party on 29 October and 20 October 2008, featuring a magician, Sammy the Squirrel, a puppet show and hot food. Phone for more details.
Phone: 0141 952 0077
Address: 33 John Knox Street, Clydebank G81 1N
Monkey Madness website
Pure Mayhem
This well-run new indoor play centre in Bridgeton (by the train station) has two climbing frames for children: one for babies and toddlers, and another for older kids. Little ones can climb and play or roll in the large ball pools. There is a separate play area with baby and toddler toys, and a spacious cafe with room for 140 people.
Phone: 0141 556 7400
Address: 12 Main Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow G40 1HA
Pure Mayhem website
Sox & Slides
This soft play area en route to Loch Lomond is enormous. You can't miss it - a giant balloon man stands outside. It contains three levels of soft play, plus special toddler and baby areas. Video cameras aim to show parents in the cafe where their children are at all times, though parents can also scramble through the complex after their kids. Food offered is both healthy and unhealthy. There are rooms to hire for parties.
Address: Colquhoun Road, Milton, West Dumbartonshire G82 2TH
Sox & Slides website
Sporty Kids
This soft play area, located in a warehouse in Thornliebank, is brilliant. It's amazingly clean and well-attended; staff actually roam through the play complex to ensure that children are safe and following rules. There are separate play areas for different ages and abilities, rooms to hire for parties and lots of healthy snack options.
Phone: 0141 620 3535
Address: 72 Spiersbridge Road, Spiersbridge, Thornliebank, Glasgow G46 7SN
Sporty Kids website
Whale of a Time
Phone: 0141 649 5455
Address: 1273-1277 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow G41 3RR
Please write to us if you know of another good soft play area!