Soft Play in and around Cramlington

Cramlington has one big indoor soft play of its own, at Concordia Leisure Centre in the town centre. Airbox Bounce on the Nelson Industrial Estate, which had a soft play alongside its trampolines, says on its website that it is closed until further notice. For a change of scene, two more soft plays sit a short drive east towards Blyth. This guide starts with the one in town, then covers the nearby options, each checked against the venue's own website.

Session times, prices and booking rules change, especially in the school holidays, so please check with the venue before you set off.

Concordia Leisure Centre

Concordia Leisure Centre on Forum Way, next to Manor Walks, has the town's main soft play. Places Leisure, which runs the centre, describes it as a four-storey, wild jungle-themed soft play with a separate toddler area. Sessions last 90 minutes and are for children up to 12 years old, and you book through the Places Leisure website or app.

There are extra holiday soft play sessions during the school holidays, listed on the centre's family timetable. Concordia also hosts soft play parties alongside swimming, sports and bowling parties, which are booked on 01670 620200. The same building has a family pool, an eight-lane bowling alley and Clip 'n Climb, so older brothers and sisters have plenty to do too. See our swimming guide for the pool.

Best for: The only dedicated soft play in town: four storeys, up to age 12, and a short walk from Manor Walks.

Kids Town, Bebside (near Blyth)

Kids Town is in Bebside, between Cramlington and Blyth. It combines a two-storey soft play area for climbing and sliding with role-play zones, and there is a cafe with coffee and sweet and savoury snacks for the grown-ups.

According to its website, at the time of writing a 90-minute play session costs £3.50 for babies under 11 months and £5.50 for children aged 11 months and over. It opens from 9.30am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 3.30pm on Sunday, though times can change for private hire and parties, so it suggests checking its Facebook page first. Kids Town also runs SEN sessions with lower noise and fewer children, with dates posted on Facebook. Parties can be booked by calling 07547 469284.

Best for: Soft play and role play under one roof, with quieter SEN sessions.

Blyth Sports Centre (Blyth)

Blyth Sports Centre on Bolam Park, about five miles east of Cramlington, is run by Places Leisure like Concordia. Its soft play is a three-storey, beach-themed frame with a toddler zone and a wooden ship to play on.

Sessions last 75 minutes and are for children up to 10 years old. There is a SEND soft play session every Wednesday from 5pm to 6.15pm for ages 0 to 10. Sessions are booked online through Places Leisure, and parties on 01670 620200.

Best for: A smaller-age alternative to Concordia, with a weekly SEND session.

Also in Cramlington: Willow Farm

If you would rather combine play with a meal, Willow Farm, the Farmhouse Inns carvery pub on Northumberland Business Park, lists an indoor play area next to its family dining area. It is a pub play area for diners rather than a stand-alone soft play centre, and the pub's website does not give ages or rules, so ask staff when you arrive. The pub opens at 8am every day.

Tips for soft play near Cramlington

• Book ahead: Concordia and Blyth Sports Centre both take soft play bookings online through Places Leisure, and holiday sessions fill up quickly.
• Check the age limit: Concordia's sessions are for children up to 12 and Blyth's up to 10, so the right choice depends on your oldest child.
• SEN and quieter sessions: Blyth Sports Centre runs a weekly SEND session on Wednesday evenings, and Kids Town runs SEN sessions with lower noise and reduced numbers.
• Socks: soft play frames are usually socks-only, so it is worth packing a spare pair for children and for any adult who might need to climb in.
• Rainy days: pair soft play at Concordia with a swim or a game of bowling in the same building.

For outdoor play when the weather is better, see our guide to parks and green spaces in Cramlington, and for more ideas visit the families hub. Concordia is a short walk from the town-centre bus stops on Dudley Lane: see getting around Cramlington without a car. You can browse more local venues in our directory.

Spotted a change? Get in touch and we'll update the guide.