Basildon ★★★★★ 4.8 (170 reviews) TripAdvisor Year-round (holiday extended hours) Indoor play centre, 0–12 yrs, from £6.50/child
Stay & Play is Basildon’s go-to family-run soft play, a bright 5,000 sq ft space in the Pipps Hill Industrial Estate that’s been a local favourite since 2012 for its spotless frames, role-play village, and café that feels like a proper coffee shop. The multi-level play structure includes crawl tunnels, rope bridges, a massive ball pit, and a dedicated under-3s area with soft blocks and mini-slides, all padded to perfection with hourly cleaning checks. Sessions are 90 minutes, no socks rule (but recommended for grip), and it’s capped at 80 kids max for space.
The role-play zone – a mini supermarket, doctor’s office, and fire station – keeps imaginative play going, while the big slide and climbing wall thrill 5+ yrs. Parents rave about the café’s homemade cakes (£3 slice), flat whites (£3.50), and kids’ meals like fish fingers with chips (£5.50). Parties are a steal at £150 for 10 kids (play + party bag), with themed options like princess or dinosaur.
Just 10 minutes from Basildon station with free parking, it’s ideal for quick rainy-day fixes or mum meetups.
Pros
- Super clean and never overcrowded
- Role-play adds educational fun
- Café food is home-cooked quality
- Affordable parties and value sessions
Cons
- Industrial estate location (not scenic)
- No outdoor play area