How Soft Play Can Contribute to the Development of Play in Early Childhood

Soft play is a fun and interactive activity for children of all ages – it's an especially great idea for days when the weather is unkind, but you need to get out of the house. If you're like many of our visitors, it might have become a staple in your family's routine, and for good reason.

Although soft play centres like ours might seem like a novelty, we ensure that our centres are thoughtfully designed environments built around safety, fun, and early development for children. We are all about having fun, but also understanding that soft play is more than just a place for little ones to burn off energy – it's a space where essential early childhood learning happens naturally through play.

Ways Soft Play Contributes to the Development of Play for Children

So, apart from giving the parents time to sit down, have a cuppa and a catch-up, how exactly does soft play contribute to the development of play in early childhood?

At Rock Up, we truly believe that there is more to learning than what can be taught in the classroom. Little minds are fit to bursting most of the time, and we need to stimulate them in different ways. Here are just a few of the key ways soft play can contribute towards children's learning and development:

Physical Development – this is probably the most obvious one, when you think about crawling through tunnels, climbing soft blocks, and sliding down padded ramps, you can feel the amount of energy and muscle tone required. These activities all help toddlers build gross motor skills, strength, balance, and coordination in a safe and cushioned setting. Let them burn off some energy and run riot in a setting that is built for exactly that! Book your session today.

Social Interaction - Soft play encourages children to play alongside others, even from a young age. These early social experiences lay the foundation for sharing, turn-taking, empathy, and confidence in group settings. These are all key skills that they will need when going to school or for life in general.

Imaginative Play – Our soft play areas are designed with themed zones or open-ended layouts that spark creativity. Whether it's pretending a ball pit is the sea or a tunnel is a secret cave, imaginative play helps develop cognitive flexibility and storytelling skills.

Problem-Solving and Exploration – Toddlers and young children naturally explore their surroundings, and soft play offers a safe space to take risks and figure things out – like how to climb to the top of a structure or get through an obstacle course. Let them practice on our soft stairs and cushioned floors to ensure safety and give them more confidence. If you have a tiny tearaway, then book them a session at our soft play today.

Sensory Stimulation – "Sensory" elements tend to be a bit of a buzzword these days, but that is because we are more understanding as a nation of what sensory play is and how it can aid development! In our soft play areas, we use a variety of textures, colours, shapes, and sounds to offer a rich sensory experience that supports brain development and body awareness. It also makes a great safe space for children with additional needs. We have special sessions for this, so take a look at our bookings page for more information.

Safe Independence – this first time your child toddles off into the soft play area without you, you may feel emotional, you may feel like they're growing too fast, or you may feel relieved that you can sit down for five minutes! Either way, the padded, supervised and familiar space that soft play provides gives children of all ages the freedom to explore independently when they are ready to. To ensure your child gains this independence, it can be a good idea to bring them to our soft play on a regular basis, so they become familiar with the space and also the staff. Book your session here.

Soft Play – the Screen-Free Play Time for Everyone

There is a lot of controversy in the media these days around screens. Not just for children, for grown-ups too. Regardless of whether screens are good or bad for us, just having some time away from the screens is a break for everyone.

We spend enough time sitting down; soft play allows them to run and explore in a fun way. And, we see a lot of the parents in the frame enjoying some physical movement too! Leave the iPad and tablets at home and throw yourself into a session of fun and laughter.

Soft Play at Rock

Our soft play areas are within each of our centres. They make a great option for younger children if the older ones are climbing, or they are perfect for you to visit with the toddlers whilst the bigger kids are at school.

We're proud to support children's early development in a fun and engaging way that parents can feel good about. Whether it's their first steps or their first friendships, soft play creates moments that matter.

Find your local centre and book your soft play below