What is Soft Play
Whether the unpredictable British weather is wreaking havoc on outdoor plans or parents are simply looking for a new activity to engage their children, soft play is a perfect solution!
With products suitable for setting up anywhere from shopping centres to dedicated childcare premises, there’s no denying that this form of entertainment is popular for many kids. However, there sometimes seems to be confusion around the purpose of soft play and what the term relates to, which we wanted to clarify in this article.
Keep reading if you want to learn all about soft play, the benefits and how it can unlock a world of possibilities for growing children.
What’s the Definition of Soft Play?
When the term soft play is mentioned, there are likely to be different images that fill people’s minds. From soft pools filled with brightly coloured balls to climbing frames, the wide range of associated products all encompass what soft play is about.
While there are many different types of indoor play areas for children, soft play is the name given to a space which is intended for kids to have fun using a selection of purpose-created equipment. The name is derived from the fact that all accessories are finished with soft surfaces which are covered with child-friendly materials. Soft play items are also intended for long-lasting play meaning they are durable and robust thanks to features such as industrial stitching and tear-resistant covers.
Soft play is intended to unlock the same types of play as outdoor areas but with products safe to use inside (such as climbing frames or slides). Through the use of specifically designed products that are set up in an enticing format, soft play offers both physical and mental stimulation for little ones plus peace of mind for parents.
Different Types of Soft Play Equipment
The definition of soft play is also easier to explain when considering the range of products that are available. A common theme throughout all items is that they are perfect for younger children as factors such as safety assurance, fun colours and ease of installation are all included.
The settings where soft play can be held, from home to mobile spaces, will determine what accessories are best. This includes many products such as ball pits, box sets, play structure components, and multi-level play solutions.
Some play equipment is also categorised by the age that it’s suitable for. Take our nursery furniture, for example, as all of these pieces of equipment are ideal for younger children. Soft play is intended to engage the mind, so there is also a wide selection of fun designs available, which are perfect for securing attention from little ones. Some examples from our own collection include the fantasy, farmyard, jungle and ocean ranges.
What Are the Benefits of Soft Play Sessions for Children?
Another reason why soft play is popular is due to the far reaching benefits that these fun accessories unlock.
Perfect for Physical Development
For growing children, exposure to physical activities suitable for their specific developmental phase is essential. Pushing their little bodies too far can result in injury whereas not moving enough can result in delays to motor development.
Soft play allows a good level of movement to be achieved which positively benefits the entire body thanks to activities such as climbing, running and stretching. Known as gross motor play, this type of activity contributes to all muscle groups. This is also another reason why many play areas are normally set up for different age groups as the equipment is intended for the current physical needs of the little people using them.
Strong Levels of Sensory Stimulation
Another advantage that soft play offers children is stimulation, which covers all five senses.
Multi-sensory stimulation is vital for infants as it reduces stress levels, improves emotional balance, leads to natural learning, enhances healthy sleep levels, and promotes positive weight balancing.
Soft play, with its variety of materials, colours, and styles of equipment, is ideal for enriching these experiences. This type of play also encourages joint engagement with other children, which further enhances aspects such as speech development.
Enhances Emotional Development and Cognitive Skills
The type of interactive play unlocked through the use of soft play equipment is also known for improving decision making and overall cognitive development. Something as simple as an action of choosing what to play with, how to interact with a piece of equipment or selecting a route to navigate around an indoor play area is ideal for helping children to be in control. This is an essential aspect of emotional development as it impacts confidence plus an understanding of cause and effect.
Skills such as problem-solving and creativity are also enhanced through the promotion of unstructured play. This level of independence is something that children of all ages can benefit from.
Social Experience for Children
Soft play spaces are a hub of lively activity with children from all backgrounds coming together in a shared space. This means that little ones can develop their social skills in terms of spoken words and understanding unsaid cues. Body language is also starting to be established during the early years, during which spaces like soft play areas have a responsibility to develop.
Where Can Soft Play Products Be Installed?
Soft play offers universally recognised accessories for use indoors. This means they are ideal for a wide range of spaces where children are likely to be looking for a form of entertainment. The most common locations where soft play areas can be used are as follows:
- Childcare environments such as nurseries (read a case study here), pre-schools, Montessori spaces and after-school clubs.
- Designated soft play spaces, which includes both new businesses and older ones looking for refurbishments.
- Public spaces such as shopping areas, travel locations, cafes, leisure centres or hospitality environments.
- Tourist attractions which also offer outdoor amenities. This provides an extra way to keep guests entertained when weather conditions may not be ideal. It also means children of all ages can be catered too.
- In private areas such as homes or on company premises as there are accessories available for any sized space of available budget.
One of the ways that we install soft play accessories suitable for any space is through our bespoke design and manufacturing services. Although we offer a wide collection of ready-to-install solutions, our team is also well-versed in creating solutions ideal for spaces that don’t fit the standard requirements. This could be equipment in different sizes, colours, styles or themes. Not only are all products designed with safety in mind, but they are intended to meet the unique conditions of where they are being fitted such as offering a finish that is resistant to the effects of heat for warmer climates. No matter what soft play accessory is needed, our team can make anything possible!
What Products Are Available From Softplay®solutions.com
Whether you are a commercial client looking to create an enticing space for customers or a private buyer, we offer a broad collection of soft-play products ideal for all needs. Our products are intended to enhance play experiences so that children experience exposure to educational and developmental solutions. With everything available from single dual level soft play areas to budget ranges, you can shop for any requirement via our online selection.
Still looking for some extra information? We are proud to have a selection of testimonials available which showcase the positive experiences our customers have had. You can also view our example costs here to gain an idea of what your ideal budget can provide. Finally, for more information, please explore our About Us page, view our shipping information or simply contact our team. Soft play is a fun and engaging method of entertainment for children, which we think is a timeless solution for creating memorable indoor play experiences.
