If one thing is certain when it comes to raising kids it's that no matter the time of year, you always need an indoor back-up when making plans for a day out. Whether it's to make the most of the school holidays, the unpredictable Great British summer weather or even just an excuse to get out of the house, a catch-up with grown-up friends while keeping the little ones entertained takes more planning than some might expect.
Fortunately for us here in Bristol, our area boasts an impressive number of soft play centres and modern play cafes where you can enjoy a coffee and a catch-up with friends while the kids burn off some excess energy climbing, sliding, jumping and playing. There's something for all ages, too.
From small cafés to massive venues full of climbing frames, inflatables, and plenty of toys, we've compiled a list of play venues in and around Bristol. If we've missed your favourite, let us know in the comments section below or email bristolpostnews@localworld.co.uk:
Read more: Bristol's new indoor inflatable obstacle course approved for former showroom
Read more: New Bristol café selling products created and served by adults with learning disabilities
Jungle Mania
Address: Ground Floor, The Galleries shopping centre, Bristol, BS1 3XD
Located on the ground floor of the Galleries shopping centre, Jungle Mania offers children the chance to let off steam in a safe environment. Children will find a variety of obstacles to explore, climb and swing their way through as they play with other children.
The Wild Things Play Project at Cribbs Causeway
Address: Unit 209, Upper Level of The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, BS34 5DG
The Wild Things Play Project at Cribbs Causeway is actually not a soft play in the usual sense. It's described as being 'more akin to an outdoor adventure playground than an indoor ball pool' and its wooden equipment is 'designed for shoes-on fun'.
With a custom-built treehouse play frame, a pint-sized play kitchen, and a giant sandpit, little shoppers at The Mall can burn off some steam while their grown-ups relax with a barista coffee, cake or other snack.
Jump Bristol
Address: 22 Concorde Road, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, BS34 5TB
Jump, described as being an indoor play and party centre, welcomes children between 0-12 years to its centres located in Bristol, Cardiff and Plymouth. It boasts large soft play frames, and children can bounce on inflatables, crawl through tunnels, and even score a goal on its football pitches.
There's also a separate secure designated baby and toddler area, with interactive equipment and toys that enable the development of social and fine motor skills. What's more, if you fancy a refreshment, Jump boasts its own cafe with a range of hot and cold drinks, snacks and main meals.
Boing! Soft Play
Address: The Hub, Gainsborough Square, Bristol, BS7 9FB
Boing! Soft Play family centre is a community not-for-profit social enterprise based in Lockleaze, described as a 'welcoming and safe place for parents and carers to connect with others, interact with their children and/or have some time to themselves over food and drink while their children explore the adventurous, creative and exciting play areas'.
It hosts a variety of activity sessions aimed specifically at 0-5 year olds and their families and also hire out the space for parties and events.
Skyboat cafe
Address: 4 Harcourt Road, Redland, bristol, BS6 7RG
Skyboat is a family friendly cafe in Redland which is run by two local mums. One studied at the Royal College of Art and used her artistic background to create a space where children's imaginations can run wild. The other has a background working in Michelin starred restaurants and has used this experience to create a cafe where families can enjoy food, coffee and tea in an informal, relaxed setting.
Noah's Ark Soft Play Centre
Address: 828a Bath Road, Brislington, Bristol BS4 5LQ
Noah's Ark Soft Play Centre in Brislington is a favourite with kids (and parents) of all ages. There are facilities for toddlers in a dedicated play area plus a large multi-storey play frame with sports area and big bumpy slide.
What's more, its cafe is open to the public and serves a wide range of hot and cold food and drinks.
Wacky Warehouse at the Wishing Well
Address: Aspects Leisure Park, Longwell Green, Bristol, BS15 9LA
The Wacky Warehouse at The Wishing Well in Longwell Green allows families to tuck into some pub grub, and little ones can burn off some energy on a multi level adventure play frame with ball pits, slides, inflatables and more. There's also a toddler zone for the littlest thrill-seekers.
You can book a party here in a designated party area for up to 20 children and the venue offers freshly-made coffee, cake and a selection of food in its cafe area, with WiFi available throughout.
A&R Animal Adventures
Address: 131 High Street, Staple Hill, BS16 5HQ
A&R Animal Adventures is a new sensory animal-themed play cafe on the High Street in Staple Hill. It takes bookings Monday to Friday (9am to 4:45pm) holding four sessions throughout the day, with Saturdays and Sundays available for private party bookings.
Pictures show the colourful interior equipped with play equipment like a slide, as well as mats, sand pit, ball pit, fancy dress and a variety of toys. The team at A&R Animal Adventures describes the new venue as having a "passion for supporting early years play, promoting independent play, skills development, learning and social development".
They go on to say: "We offer a play space that is friendly, warm and inviting to all, providing a safe and comforting space for both parents and children."
The Curious Play Cafe
Address: 52 High Street, Hanham, South Glocestershire, BS15 3DR
The Curious Play Cafe on Hanham High Street is described as being 'somewhere for young families to go, where babies are safe and toddlers entertained, where you can sit on a comfy sofa with good coffee, while observing and playing with your little ones'. With an indoor play space offering one-and-a-half hour open play sessions for children aged between 0-5 years, the play cafe works alongside external partners to provide a number of services for clients. You can even hire the space for parties.
It hosts events, group sessions, therapy and workshops, including the likes of childminder meet-ups, baby massage, hypnobirthing, psychotherapy, family body casting, crafts, book clubs, embroidery workshops and more.
Wacky Warehouse at Mill House
Address: Emerson Way, Emersons Green Bristol, BS16 7AE
Similarly to the Wacky Warehouse location in Longwell Green, Wacky Warehouse Mill House at Emersons Green offers much of the same when it comes to an adventure soft play facility within a family friendly restaurant. There's plenty of fun to be had on the multi-level play zone with an enclosed toddler zone for the little ones.
IKEA
Address: Eastgate Shopping Centre, Eastgate Road, Eastville, Bristol BS5 6XX
Ikea's Småland creche is available in-store for children between the ages of 3-10 years old. You can sign your child in for a session near the entrance to the store.
Then you can enjoy shopping alone for 45 minutes while your little one is looked after by a trained staff member and can enjoy arts and crafts, reading books, playing with toys or burning off some steam in a ball pool.
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm
Address: Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, Clevedon Road, Wraxall, Bristol, BS48 1PG
As well as being home to big zoo and farm animals, Noah's Ark Zoo Farm also has soft play areas for rainy days. Indoor play areas include everything from colourful rainbow slides, which allow for a bit of racing, while you can also race around on mini tractors and slide down a huge drop slide, if you're brave enough.
There's a dedicated under-5s soft play area where parents can supervise their younger children and make plenty of memories. And there's many more indoor and outdoor amenities for a fun day out.
The Treehouse at Cadbury
Address: Cadbury Garden Centre, Smallway, Congresbury, Bristol, BS49 5AA
Cadbury Garden Centre relaunched its soft play centre last year and while it's not the cheapest on this list, The Treehouse does have an impressive play zone with lots of interactive elements, including a foam cannon.
Gordano Gate
Address: Wyndham Way, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 7GA
Gordano Gate, a Brewers Fayre pub in Portishead, is one of the chain's locations boasting a large indoor play area. All Brewers Fayre restaurants have activity sheets to keep little ones entertained while you dine, but more fun can be had on the slides and climbing areas in this venue.
You can even book a two-hour party hosted by a dedicated party host, including a two-course meal and drink and a party bag for each child. There are even purchasable play passes so you can make visiting the play area a more regular, yet cost-efficient experience.
