Play cafes were few and far between when Oscar was a toddler, but now thankfully there seem to be lots more in London and Noah and I love checking them out.
1. Millie and Maisie – This Clapham-based cafe is perfect for under fives with toddling Noah being at the ideal age. The ground floor is full of fun and educational Montessori-based sensory toys such as a busy boards, puzzles, shape sorters and stacking cups while downstair is a mini soft play with a slide plus a ball pit. Noah really had a whale of a time playing with his little friend in the jungle-themed space! The cafe is ideal too as there’s food for parents and children with a special emphasis on food for babies such as weaning plates. Best of all the space is super clean – unlike some soft plays – and though sessions are 90 minutes the staff were really flexible about letting us stay longer! We loved having Noah’s second birthday here too.
Opening: 7 days a week 9am – 5pm
Duration: 90 minutes play sessions
Location: 76-78 Rectory Grove, London
Age: Under 5s though older siblings are welcome to chill in the cafe
Price: £10
2. Mome London – Noah and I checked out an aesthetic cafe Mome London, located in Angel. It’s perfect for kids 0 – 4 and combines soft play with a sensory, imaginative spaces with a cafe. The play areas feature different themed zones like Kitchen corner and art garage workshop. Downstairs there’s a sensory room and cinema area. There are also creative classes for babies and toddlers. The open style cafe is designed so parents can socialise while kids play. Noah really loved exploring this creative space!
Duration: 90 minute sessions
Location: 408-410 St John Street, Angel, London EC1V 4NJ near Angel
Age: 0 – 4 years
Cost: £10 under six months £16 over
3. Macaroni Penguin – Battersea
Noah and I love exploring new places and Macaroni Penguin by Tiger Play was a hit! It’s located in Battersea Power Station and is a great space with a two tiered soft play for climbing, sliding and crawling. Noah loved the ball pit! With a little shop and costumes, there’s plenty of opportunity for imaginative play. Plus there’s construction area, ride on cars, rocking horses and train sets. The space itself is so pretty and clean that it’s a pleasure to be in! T4 provides refreshment with Bubble Tea!
Opening: Open 7 days a week, 9.30am until 7.30pm
Duration: 60 minute sessions
Location: 43 The Power Station, Ground Floor, Battersea Power Station, Turbine Hall, Circus Road South, London, SW11 8BU
Age: 0 – 6
Price: off peak £13, peak £16
4. Roam, Vauxhall Noah and I love this play cafe in Vauxhall!
But Roam isn’t just soft play, it’s a community hub with a cafe, play space and pre-loved store.
Upstairs is a cafe and you’re welcome to buy a snack and take it downstairs to the play space. Though there’s also food and drinks served there. The space is really open and inclusive and babies and toddlers are free to Roam! It’s best for children 0 – 7.
The play cafe is not for profit and was set up by a team of local women who know lots of people living in London don’t have that kind of space at home for their children to play. It’s already very affordable (only £4.50) but the team also gives discounts to local parents and even free funded sessions. The cafe serves cake and mini kids lunch from 11.30am – 1pm.
Location: Roam 64 Tyers Street, Vauxhall, SE11 5AE
Opening: Wednesday – Friday 9.30 – 3pm
Duration: 90 min sessions.
Age: Best for ages 0 – 7
Price £4.50 (both adult and child need a ticket)
5. Apple Tree Cafe, Herne Hill – one of the first cafes we ever discovered, I used go here all the time with Oscar. It’s a play cafe for under 5s with role play, sensory spaces, soft play and of course a cafe!
Opening : Open Monday – Saturday.
Duration : 90 minute sessions
Location 27 Norwood Road, SE24 9AA
Age: Under 5s only.
Price : £8
6. Bella Boos – A cute candy land themed soft play with an added ice-cream parlour. This pretty in pink cafe does themed events and family brunches.
Opening : Open Monday – Saturday 9.15 – 6pm
Duration : 2 hour sessions
Location: 152 Fulham Palace Rd, London W6 9ER
Age: 6 months – 10 years
Price : £8.50
7. Sheriff Centre – with a unique location in a church, this fun and colourful soft play is actually a registered charity. There’s a larger section for kids up to aged ten and also a smaller section for babies. We’ve been here a few times for parties as it’s available for private hire. The Sheriff Centre also runs late night sessions and sessions for children with additional needs.
Opening : Open Monday – Saturday
Duration : 1 or 2 hour sessions or a play pass
Location: The Sherriff Centre, St James Church, Sherriff Road, London, NW6 2AP
Age: 6 months – 10 years
Price : Under 23 month is £10 over 2 is £14
8. Macaroni Penguin, Kidbrooke
There’s a new Macaroni Penguin in town and this one is in Kidbrooke. It’s small and intimate so mums can chat while their kids play… and best of all it’s clean! I loved attending a launch of this new soft play which had slides, ball pit, sensory areas for babies and imagination stations. Refreshments come in the form of Bubble Tea by T4 and the new branch will provide classes for different ages and parties. If you’re coming by train, Macaroni Penguin Kidbrooke is directly opposite the station. About a 20 second walk!
Duration: 60 minute sessions
Location: 7a Henley Cross, London, SE3 9JU
Age: 0 – 8 years
Cost: £14
PIN IT!
