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Hiring guide

Soft play hire for babies and toddlers: a guide for parents

Soft play is often a better fit than a castle for first and second birthdays. Here is what packages usually contain and the questions worth asking about age, space and cleaning.

What soft play hire usually means

Soft play hire is a set of foam shapes covered in wipe-clean vinyl, laid out on padded mats to make a safe area for very young children to crawl, climb and tumble. Hirers deliver and arrange it, then collect it afterwards.

Packages differ from firm to firm. Ask for a list of exactly what is included, and a photo of the set laid out, so you know what you are getting.

  • Floor mats to form the base of the play area.
  • Shapes such as steps, ramps, wedges, rollers and tunnels.
  • A ball pit with plastic balls.
  • Low slides, rockers or small ride-on toys.
  • Panels or fencing to enclose the area.
  • Sometimes a small toddler bouncy castle as an add-on.

Choosing for the right age

Hirers set the age range for each package, and you should ask what it is. As a general guide, sets for babies tend to be flat and low, with mats and gentle shapes for crawling and sitting, while toddler sets add steps, slides and a ball pit.

If you have a mix of crawlers and confident walkers, ask whether the hirer can divide the area or include a separate baby corner. Little ones who are still unsteady can easily be knocked over by an excited two-year-old.

Space and where to put it

Soft play needs a clear, flat, dry area. The hirer will tell you the footprint of each package, so measure your room or garden and send them the figure.

Indoors, a living room, conservatory or hall works well once furniture is moved back. Outdoors, choose level ground in the shade, and have an indoor fall-back in case of rain, because wet mats are slippery and slow to dry. Ask the hirer whether they bring a ground sheet for use on grass.

Cleaning and hygiene: questions to ask

Babies and toddlers put things in their mouths and touch everything, so it is reasonable to ask how a hirer cleans its kit. Public health guidance from UKHSA for childcare settings says that keeping equipment clean reduces the spread of infection, that frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned, and that hands should be washed after playtime and before eating. A good hirer will be happy to explain their routine.

  • How is the equipment cleaned between hires, and with what?
  • How are the ball pit balls cleaned, and how often?
  • Will everything arrive clean and dry?
  • Can we wipe pieces down during the party, and is there a product you would like us to use?
  • Are any covers torn or worn? Splits can expose foam that small children may pick at.
  • What happens if something is soiled during the party?

On the day

Soft play is not an inflatable, so the PIPA and BS EN 14960 checks that apply to bouncy castles do not cover it. That makes your own eye on the equipment more important.

Check the pieces when they are delivered. Have a hand-washing point or wipes nearby, keep food and drinks out of the play area, and keep a grown-up beside the play area the whole time. Shoes off, and ask older guests to stay out unless they are helping a little one.

Mixing soft play with a bouncy castle

A combined package can work well for a family party with toddlers and older cousins. HSE's guidance for inflatables says bigger and smaller users should be kept apart, so plan the layout with that in mind.

  • Ask about combo deals that pair soft play with a toddler or standard castle.
  • Place the soft play away from the castle's entrance, blower and cables.
  • Give the castle set times for different age groups, or keep it for the older children.
  • Put a separate adult in charge of each area.

Questions

What age is soft play hire suitable for?

Each hirer sets its own age range per package, so ask. Baby sets are generally low and flat, while toddler sets add steps, slides and ball pits.

Can soft play be used outside?

Often, on flat, dry ground and ideally in the shade. Mats become slippery when wet, so have an indoor space ready if rain is likely.

Can older children use the soft play too?

It is best kept for the age group it is designed for. Bigger children can easily knock over babies and toddlers, so give older guests something else to do.

Suppliers you might look at

Sources and further reading

This guide is general information for people hiring inflatables in the UK, not legal or safety advice. Your hirer is responsible for safe set-up, so always follow their instructions. Last reviewed November 2026.