Photo: Photo of Ashford: Tim Sheerman-Chase, CC BY 2.0Soft play centres in Kent
The soft play centres in Kent we would start with are Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch, near Ashford, Flip Out Ashford in Ashford and Imagine Play Centre in Ashford. We list 12 in all that suit families, each checked against official sources. Of these, 12 have indoor space and 12 are marked as suiting toddlers.
Soft play centres often set age limits, ask everyone to wear socks and need booking for busy sessions, so check the venue's website before you go.
Soft play in Ashford
Image: Flip Out AshfordFlip Out Ashford
A 34,000 square foot indoor trampoline and adventure park in Ashford, with trampolines, Ninja Tag, two stunt zones, laser quest, an inflatable, soft play and a separate area for under 5s.
Image: Rare Breeds CentreRare Breeds Centre
The Rare Breeds Centre is a working farm and conservation park run by the Canterbury Oast Trust charity, set in 100 acres of countryside near Ashford. Children can meet more than 200 rare and native animals, ride the tractor trailer, explore woodland walks and burn off energy in the indoor soft play and outdoor play parks. Seasonal events include Halloween and a Christmas grotto.
Image: Imagine Soft Play CentreImagine Play Centre
Imagine is a large soft play centre in Kingsnorth, on the southern edge of Ashford, built around a three-storey play frame with slides, ball pits and rope bridges. There is no time limit and no need to book, so it suits families who want a long, unhurried rainy-day visit, and toddlers get their own gated area.
Soft play in Gravesend
Mad Play
Mad Play is a family-run soft play centre in Greenhithe, open since 1999 and handy for Dartford and Swanscombe. There is no booking for general play, so families simply turn up, and parents can sit in the café while children explore the soft play and sensory area.
Dinotropolis Bluewater
Dinotropolis is a dinosaur-themed indoor adventure park on Bluewater's Upper Plaza, with three storeys of soft play in its Dino Jungle. Children can also race pedal karts and dig for fossils among life-size dinosaur models, so it suits dinosaur fans and makes an easy add-on to a Bluewater shopping trip.
Soft play in Birchington
Image: The Jungle at QuexThe Jungle at Quex
The Jungle at Quex Park in Birchington is a soft play centre for young children, with a main play frame, a toddler frame and a baby area for under 1s. It is also a busy party venue with themed rooms and spaces for groups of up to 125. It suits families with little ones, especially on a rainy day.
Soft play in Canterbury
Under 1 Roof Canterbury
Under 1 Roof Canterbury is an indoor soft play centre on the Ashford Road at Chartham, just outside Canterbury. It is a simple rainy-day option for families with young children, with timed play sessions at weekends and in the school holidays.
Soft play in Chatham
The Fun Drum
The Fun Drum is a large indoor play centre off Capstone Road in Gillingham, with giant soft play frames, a separate baby area and a Tiny Town for imaginative play. A football arena for over 5s is included in the entry price, so it suits families with a spread of ages.
Soft play in Folkestone
Photo of Folkestone: Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0Kidz Planet
Kidz Planet is Folkestone's family entertainment centre, open for more than 22 years, with a four-storey soft play frame and a 4-metre vertical drop slide. Babies, under 5s and 3 to 11-year-olds each have their own area, and a 140-seat café sits right beside the under 5s zone.
Soft play in Maidstone
Photo of Maidstone: John K Thorne, CC0Explorers Escape at Maidstone Leisure Centre
Explorers Escape is a three-storey soft play inside Maidstone Leisure Centre at Mote Park, designed for children up to 12. Its lava slides, climbing volcano and mine cart racing slide appeal to older children, while a separate under 5s area with a ball pit keeps toddlers happy.
Soft play in Ramsgate
Under 1 Roof Thanet
Under 1 Roof Thanet is an indoor soft play centre on Pysons Road in Ramsgate, with a large main frame for children aged 4 to 11 and a refurbished toddler area for under 4s. A café serves food, including vegan options, so it works well for a few hours with mixed-age children.
Soft play in West Malling
Adventure Kidz
Adventure Kidz is an indoor adventure and soft play barn on the Quarry Wood Retail Park in Aylesford, near Maidstone. Alongside the main soft play with slides, there is an indoor high ropes course, mini quad bikes and a baby and toddler area, so it works for toddlers through to older primary-age children.
Questions people ask
Which of these suit toddlers?
Our listings mark Adventure Kidz, Flip Out Ashford, Kidz Planet, Mad Play, Rare Breeds Centre, The Fun Drum, Dinotropolis Bluewater and Explorers Escape at Maidstone Leisure Centre and 4 more as suiting toddlers and young children.
Which of these have indoor space?
Our listings show indoor space at Adventure Kidz, Flip Out Ashford, Kidz Planet, Mad Play, Rare Breeds Centre, The Fun Drum, Dinotropolis Bluewater and Explorers Escape at Maidstone Leisure Centre and 4 more.