Play & Party Hire
Soft play hire for the ages a performer cannot hold
Under fives do not sit through a show. They need somewhere to be. Soft play gives them a contained, padded, fenced area to move around in for the whole party, which is why it outperforms every entertainer for that age group.
A soft play hire package is a set of padded foam shapes, a mini slide, rockers, a ball pit and a soft fence that marks the whole thing off. Everything is ground level and low, which is the point. A one year old can be in it unsupervised for a moment without anything going wrong.
Sets are sold by size, usually described by how many children they suit at once. A small set suits four to six toddlers, a large set eight to twelve. Getting this right matters more than the styling, because an undersized set at a busy first birthday just creates a queue.
Almost all suppliers deliver, set up, sanitise and pack down. Hire windows are typically three to four hours, which is longer than any entertainer booking and usually covers the whole party.
Who it suits
Sizing the set to the party
Work from how many under fives are actually coming, not the total guest list.
| Under fives attending | Set size | Rough footprint to allow |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 6 | Small set | About 3 by 3 metres including fencing |
| 6 to 10 | Medium set | About 4 by 4 metres |
| 10 to 16 | Large set, or a set plus a separate ball pit | About 5 by 5 metres or more |
| Mixed ages with older siblings | Soft play plus a castle for the older group | Two separate zones, sized independently |
What you are booking
What a soft play hire package includes
The equipment is fairly standard across suppliers. Where they differ is set size, hire window and whether cleaning is documented.
Usually included
- Foam blocks, steps, rockers and a mini slide
- A ball pit with sanitised balls
- Soft fencing that encloses the whole area
- Floor matting under the set
- Delivery, setup, pack down and collection
- Cleaning and sanitising between hires
Worth asking about
- The exact footprint in metres, including the fence
- How many children the set is sized for at once
- The hire window, and the cost of extending it
- Whether it can go on grass, decking, tiles or carpet
- Their wet weather policy for an outdoor setup
- What cleaning process is used and how it is documented
Where to put it
Placement decides whether parents can relax
The whole value of soft play is that adults can stop hovering. Where it goes determines whether that actually happens.
Before you book
What to sort out before the delivery
Soft play problems are almost always logistical rather than about the equipment.
- What is the total footprint including the fence, and will it fit through my access?
- Can it be installed on my surface. Grass, pavers, decking, tiles or carpet?
- What is the hire window, and what time do you deliver and collect?
- What is your cleaning process between hires?
- If it rains and the party is outdoors, what happens and what is the refund position?
Get quotes
Tell us the ages and the space
Soft play quotes are sized to how many little ones are coming and how much room you have, so include both.
- Say how many children under five are coming
- Tell us indoor or outdoor, and the surface
- Mention if you also want a castle for older siblings
Questions parents ask
Soft play hire questions
How much does soft play hire cost?
Soft play is priced by set size and hire window rather than by the hour, so a small set for a morning and a large set for a full day sit a long way apart. Delivery distance, weekend timing and whether a ball pit or extras are included all move the number. Send one brief and compare itemised quotes.
What age is soft play hire for?
Roughly one to five. It is the strongest booking there is for first and second birthdays, where a performer would not hold attention at all. Some larger sets stretch to six year olds, but by then most children want a castle or a game based entertainer instead.
How much space does soft play need?
A small set fits in about three by three metres including the fence, a medium set about four by four, and a large set five by five or more. Always ask for the footprint with fencing included, and check the access path and gate width, which is where deliveries most often come unstuck.
Can soft play be set up outside?
Yes, on flat grass, pavers or decking, with shade. Foam and vinyl heat up quickly in direct sun. Most suppliers put down matting first. Confirm the wet weather policy when you book, because an outdoor setup on a rainy morning is the most common cancellation.
How is the equipment cleaned?
Reputable suppliers sanitise every piece between hires, including the ball pit balls, and will describe their process if you ask. It is a fair question given the age group using it, and hesitation in the answer tells you something.
Should I book soft play or a jumping castle?
Under five, soft play. Over five, a castle. For a mixed age party, both, in separate zones, so the toddlers are not in with children twice their size. Compare jumping castle hire.
Get soft play quotes for your date
Tell us how many little ones are coming and where the party is. We match you with suppliers who deliver to your suburb.