Tire Out the Kids at the Best Soft Play Centres in Manchester

From giant play frames to sensory experiences, these soft play centres in Manchester are perfect for indoor days out with kids of all ages.

When it comes to rainy day activities, nothing beats a trip to the soft play. The kids get to whizz around, burning off all that excess energy, while you get to relax with a cuppa and cake. There are plenty of soft play centres in Manchester, so we’ve rounded up the very best – helping you quickly find the right spot for toddlers, younger kids or energetic older children.

If you’re planning a full day out, it’s also worth bookmarking our guide to the best family-friendly restaurants in Manchester and current restaurant offers and deals.

Head over Heels

Credit: Head Over Heels

Head Over Heels is one of the best places to go for a day out with the kids. Their Chorlton play centre offers plenty of spaces for the kids to explore, from a huge play frame with rope swings, ball pits and multi-lane wavy slides, to chilled out sensory rooms where they can interact with sounds and colours.

The grown ups will be in their element too, with two fantastic cafes where you can grab a drink and a bite to eat. Their award-winning menu isn’t an afterthought either, packed with delicious and healthy treats sourced from local suppliers. Our tip? Arrive early while it’s quiet and you can enjoy a cracking breakfast sarnie and a Worker Bee coffee.

Best for: Toddlers, sensory play and parents who want great coffee while the kids explore.
How much? Prices start from £12.95 for children aged four and above, £11.95 for children aged one to three, £6.65 for ages three to 11 months and free for babies under two months. Prices based on a 1.5 hour session, but longer sessions can be booked. The venue is cashless.
When it’s open: 9:30am to 6:30pm, every day.
Find it: Head Over Heels Chorlton, Unit 1A, Albany Road Trading Estate, Albany Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, M21 0AZ & Head Over Heels Wilmslow, Unit D1 Commercial Avenue, Cheadle Hulme, Handforth, Cheadle, SK8 6QH.

Play Factore

Credit: Play Factore

Now this is a biggie. Play Factore in Trafford Park is a huge indoor play centre, home to state-of-the-art facilities and a gigantic soft play frame. Set over multiple levels, kids can crawl, climb and swing across obstacles before hurtling down the largest standing indoor slide in the UK. Then there’s laser tag, interactive ValoJump trampolines and a zip wire – phew!

A large toddler zone means that tots under five can crawl through tunnels, whizz down slides and play with soft shapes without worrying about bigger kids getting in the way. An on-site Italian cafe serves freshly-made stonebaked pizzas, alongside bagels, wings and hot dogs. With coffee from Worker Bee, you can guarantee a quality brew.

Best for: Older kids, thrill-seekers and big energy days out with loads of space to burn off steam.
How much? Prices start from £3.95 for under-1s, £12.95 for ages one to four, £13.95 for ages five to 16 off-peak and up to £21.95 peak. Adults are £5.25. Under six months go free. Peak pricing applies on weekends, bank holidays and school holidays.
When it’s open: 10am to 6pm, every day. Session times vary and advance online booking is required. Last entry is typically 4pm for full session access.
Find it: Play Factore, Trafford Quays, Leisure Village, 7 Trafford Way, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester, M41 7JA.

Adventure Forest

Credit: Adventure Forest

Surprises await around every corner at Trafford Park’s Adventure Forest. Their three-tier play frame is kitted out with everything from cargo nets to tunnels, and there’s a two-tier frame dedicated specifically for smaller tots. Add in a sports court, mini quad bikes and an eye spy hole where they can spot sea creatures, and you’ll not hear a peep from them all day.

While the kids play, you can tuck into coffee and cake, paninis, burgers and more in the on-site cafe. Visit from 9:15am to 11:15am during term-time for dedicated pre-school sessions, complete with dress-up, role-play and singalongs, while autism-friendly sessions take place from 9:15am to 11:15am on the first Sunday of every month.

Best for: Mixed-age siblings, pre-school sessions and quieter SEN-friendly visits.
How much? From £10.45 per child during off-peak weekday sessions (unlimited play). Peak sessions cost more and typically run for two hours. Babies under three months and one registered childminder per booking go free. Adults from £4.75.
When it’s open: 9:15am to 4pm Monday to Thursday, then 9:15am to 6pm Friday to Sunday during term time, and 9:15am to 6pm every day during school holidays and bank holidays.
Find it: Adventure Forest, Unit 16 Severnside, Textilose Road, Trafford Park, M17 1WA.

Antz in Your Pantz

Over in Altrincham, Antz in Your Pantz is one of the best soft play centres in Manchester for under-10s. There’s a huge play frame for children aged four to 10, complete with a multi-lane wavy slide, obstacles and a small climbing room. There’s also a football pitch, basketball area and a disco room, complete with pop music and lasers!

Visiting with younger kids? They can toddle and crawl to their heart’s content in their own dedicated area, which includes soft play, role play and a sensory room. Once they’ve worked up a hunger, visit the cafe for pocket-friendly eats like chicken goujons and jacket potatoes, with salads and sandwiches for the grown ups.

Best for: Under-10s who love sporty play, disco rooms and high-energy group sessions.
How much? From £7.50 per child during off-peak weekday sessions (unlimited play). Peak sessions (weekends, school holidays and bank holidays) cost more and typically run for two hours, with prices rising to £12.75 for older children. Babies under three months go free. Non-playing adults are £2.50. Optional meal deals are available at an additional cost.
When it’s open: 9:30am to 6pm daily.
Find it: Antz in Your Pantz, Unit 7, Crown Industrial Estate, Canal Road, Timperley, Altrincham, WA14 1TD.

The Fun Depot

The Fun Depot is a huge soft play centre in East Manchester where kids of all ages can blow off steam in a safe and clean environment. There’s a huge multi-level play frame for older kids, complete with slides, tunnels and ball pits, along with a soft play frame for the little ones. There’s also a truck and care area, alongside a sensory room for under-ones.

A delicious food menu will keep the adults happy, with everything from smash burgers and Spam sandwiches to crispy chicken Caesar salad on offer. There’s even an on-site deli with treats from local suppliers so you can stock up on goodies to take home. As for the kids, they’re sure to love the milkshakes!

Best for: All-ages play, sensory-friendly zones for babies and parents who want proper food options.
How much? From £3 per child, rising to £6 for ages four and over. Babies under six months go free, with one free adult per paying child. Additional adults are £2 each. Cash only.
When it’s open: 9:30am to 2:30pm Tuesday to Thursday, 9:30am to 3:30pm Friday to Sunday.
Find it: The Fun Depot, Unit 7B, Albion Trading Estate, Mossley Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6NQ.

The Funhouse

The Funhouse in Swinton is a large soft play centre that attracts kids and their parents from far and wide. It boasts a three-storey play frame complete with tunnels, climbing nets and a four-lane astra slide that’s perfect for racing down. There’s also a sensory room with soft lighting and cushions, designed to help enhance child development.

With a football pitch, balloon room and a mini motorbike track which can be used for a £1 fee, you’re free to enjoy a coffee and a toastie in peace while the kids storm around. And when they’re just about all tired out, they can tuck into free toast and juice – a lovely touch to help keep costs down.

Best for: Big climbers, sensory play and value-led family visits with free extras.
How much? From £5.50 per child during weekday term-time sessions, rising to £7.50 at peak times (weekends and school holidays). Babies under three months go free. Toddler sessions typically run from 9:30am to 11:30am.
When it’s open: 9:30am to 6pm Wednesday to Friday, 10am to 6pm Saturdays, 10am to 5pm Sundays and closed Monday and Tuesday.
Find it: The Funhouse, Unit 1 Little Moss Lane, Swinton, Manchester, M27 6HA.

Funtastic

If you want a surefire way to keep the kids happy, head to Funtastic. Alongside a huge play frame for bigger kids, complete with tunnels, slides and ball pools, there’s a mini play frame for tiny tots, so they won’t feel like they’re missing out on the action. A small ball pool and an area with toys offers plenty of space to play away from the main frame.

The open-plan layout of the space means you can grab a table for a coffee and a breakfast, all the while keeping an eye on the little ones. The costs are affordable too – it’s £5.50 for kids up to 11 during weekdays, £6.50 on weekends and £7 during bank holidays, with free entry for one adult with every child.

Best for: Toddlers and younger children, affordable weekday play and relaxed coffee catch-ups.
How much? From £5.50 per child on weekdays, rising to £7 during school holidays and bank holidays. Babies aged up to five months go free, with one free adult per child. Additional adults are £1. Discounted entry is available for registered childminders.
When it’s open: 9:30am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm on weeekends.
Find it: Funtastic, Kenyon Street, Radcliffe, Manchester, M26 1NF.

Jungle J’s

When it comes to soft play centres in North Manchester, Jungle J’s is up there with the best of the bunch. A haven for kids, it’s home to a huge three-level play frame, kitted out with tunnels, rope swings and scramble nets, along with a daring 12-foot free-fall slide. There’s a separate space for the minis, complete with a play house and Little Tyke cars for them to zoom around in.

While the kids play, you can enjoy a cuppa and a bite to eat in the cafe – from jacket potatoes to fish finger butties, there’s plenty to go at. Kids will love the snack boxes – a sandwich, crisps, yoghurt and a cup drink, all served in a jungle-themed box for just £2.60! It does get busy, especially during the holidays, so it’s best to pre-book your visit.

Best for: Adventure-loving kids, bigger play frames and families happy to pre-book peak sessions.
How much? From £3.50 per child during weekday term-time sessions, with longer play sessions available. Peak pricing applies on weekends and school holidays, rising to £5 for older children, with shorter session times. Babies under 12 months are £1. Discounts are available for registered childminders and carers when booking directly.
When it’s open: 9:30am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5pm on Saturdays and 10am to 5:30pm on Sundays.
Find it: Jungle J’s Play and Party Centre, 1 Melbourne Commercial Centre, Watts Street, Chadderton, Oldham, OL9 9LQ.

Common questions about soft play in Manchester

What age is soft play for?

Most soft play centres are designed for children aged around six months to 8 to 10 years old. Many venues have separate areas for babies, toddlers and older children so everyone can play safely.

Is soft play good for toddlers?

Yes. Soft play helps toddlers develop coordination, balance and confidence through climbing, crawling and exploring padded obstacles. Most centres include dedicated toddler zones designed for under-threes.

What is the biggest soft play in Manchester?

Play Factore in Trafford Park is widely considered one of the largest indoor soft play centres in Manchester, featuring a huge multi-level play frame, slides and separate toddler areas.