The Play Shed
BEST FOR
Ages 0-10
ENTRY
from £8.40
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Stafford
What it’s like
Two separate indoor play zones split by age, each with its own car track, plus a climbing frame for mobile toddlers up to ten-year-olds.
Split into two age zones, one for under threes and one for over threes, so a toddler on their own car track isn't getting bowled over by a seven-year-old racing to the play frame. That frame is built for anyone mobile up to about 10 years old, or under 145cm, which covers most of primary school age in one go.
Booking online is the cheaper route: £9.40 for anyone three and over, £8.40 under three, against £9.95 and £8.95 if you just turn up. Under ones only get charged if they're actually playing, around ten months as their guide, otherwise it's a parent's call whether they're in or just watching from the side. Walk-ins are allowed when there's space but they're upfront that booking ahead is the safer bet.
The rules are a bit fussier than your average soft play. Socks on, shoes off, and arms and legs need covering, so vest tops and shorts are out and jewellery has to come off too. No food or drink goes into the play areas at all, everything gets eaten in the café instead, which does hot and cold drinks from 60p, snacks from 85p and proper meals from £4.50 for kids and £5.50 for adults. Parking is via the Tesco car park at the back, which is handy if you're doing a shop either side of the visit.
Birthday parties run at weekends and in the holidays, with a minimum of 10 children for a standard party or exclusive hire from 5pm at weekends and holidays (4:15pm on weekdays in term time) for bigger groups of 25 plus at £17.99 a head. That includes a host, unlimited juice, reserved seating, a cake ceremony and a free return pass for the birthday child, though you'll need a £40 deposit to hold the date.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Mobile babies to age 10, with under 3s kept in their own zone
- Booking
- Online booking available or walk-ins subject to availability
- Parking
- Access via Tesco car park at rear
- Food
- On-site café serving cold and hot drinks (from £0.60-£1.70), snacks (from £0.85), adult meals (from £5.50), children's meals (from £4.50)
- Parties
- Standard parties weekends & school holidays (min 10 children)
- The café stops taking food orders 30 minutes before the end of sessions, though drinks and snacks carry on all day
- Management can restrict play at busy times, so a quiet weekday visit might suit a younger toddler better
- Exclusive hire closes the kitchen unless you've arranged food in advance
- No jewellery or sharp objects in the play areas, so leave the dangly earrings at home
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£9.40 for three and over, £8.40 under three if you book online. Walk in on the day and it's £9.95 and £8.95.
Do we need to book?
Walk-ins are allowed if there's space, but they say booking online is the more reliable option.
Is it suitable for a toddler?
There's a separate under-3s area with its own car track, kept apart from the bigger kids' zone. Under 1s only get charged if they're actually playing.
What's the oldest age it suits?
The main play frame is aimed at anyone mobile up to about 10 years old, or under 145cm tall.
What should my child wear?
Socks on and shoes off in the play areas, with clothing that covers arms and legs. Jewellery and anything sharp has to come off too.
Can we bring our own food?
No food or drink is allowed in the play areas themselves. The on-site café covers drinks, snacks and meals instead.
Is there parking?
You park in the Tesco car park at the rear of the building.
Do you do birthday parties?
Standard parties run at weekends and in school holidays for 10 or more children. Bigger groups can book exclusive hire from 5pm on weekends and holidays, or 4:15pm on weekdays in term time, for 25 plus children at £17.99 each.
What's the party deposit?
£40 to book, with the rest of the balance due 7 days before the party.
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