Salford, Greater Manchester
An independent soft play on Moorside Road in Swinton that has been welcoming local families for more than ten years. The same team runs a wraparound school club and school trips, which tells you something about how used they are to managing children. Prices are fair: £7 for over-3s on a term-time weekday, £8 at weekends.
Watch the hours. In term time it opens Wednesday to Sunday only: 9.30 to 6 on Wednesday and Friday, Thursday with a 12 to 2 closure for a SEND school booking, then 10 to 6 on Saturday and 10 to 5 on Sunday. In the school holidays it opens every day from 9. Weekend hours can change for exclusive-hire parties, so ring first rather than turning up to a locked door.
What it costs: Weekdays in term time: under 12 months £3.50, under 3s £6, over 3s £7. Weekends and school holidays: under 12 months £3.50, under 3s £7, over 3s £8. Childminder and home education discounts on request.
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