Whilst there are a host of outdoor events and activities to keep your family busy in Brighton and Sussex, when the weather turns sour it is useful to have a list of fun indoor play areas for young children to play safely in.
Whether it is wildlife, cosmic or beach themes, Sussex provides a fun and colourful range of indoor soft play options which all come with cafes and restaurants fit for a refuel. These centres cater for babies, toddlers, older children and even adults who want to enjoy watching their children in comfort.
Shooting down slides, diving into a ball pit, swinging from ropes, playing Guess the Animal – all these things and more are covered in the options below. If only there were more soft play areas for adults though… we miss all this too.
Want to take your child to a fun-filled Indoor Play Area in Brighton and Sussex? Here are your options…
| Palace Play | Indoor play area on Brighton Pier with four floors of fun, suitable for kids over 0.9m, offering meal deals and amusement rides. |
| Funplex | Professionally designed indoor play area near the downs, featuring multi-level play structures, cannon softball area, and laser tag parties. |
| Monkey Bizness | Two-level play area with slides and football area, offering comfortable seating for parents, food options, and themed parties. |
| Wild Wonderland | Cosmic-themed play area with glow-in-the-dark features, sensory room, and private hire options, suitable for ages 0-12. |
| Sharky’s | Beach-themed indoor play area in Henfield Leisure Centre, offering separate play areas for different age groups and party options. |
| Out of Bounds | Three-floor play area with covered spiral slide, separate area for under 4s, and additional activities like Adventure Golf and Bowling |
Palace Play, Brighton Pier
Surrounded by an amusement park and as many penny machines as you could dream of, Palace Play has surely got to be the most fun location for an indoor play area in Sussex. Distract your children from the candyfloss and other sugar-infused delights, by taking them to this four-storey, multi-purpose soft play area with a massive slide.
Bookings aren’t required and kids can just turn up and get straight inside this magical world, as long as they are over 0.9m. However, do not fear, for toddlers and children under this height there is a separate toddler area where they can play supervised by an adult.
There is a meal deal available option if you want to combine lunch with play, and there is also a chance to add amusement rides. What more could your children possibly want?
The amusement area includes toddler-friendly options such as the cup ‘n’ saucer, trampolines, carousel, mega slide, bouncy castle and a helter-skelter. The pier also hosts children’s parties for those parents who want to make sure all bases are covered for their little ones.
Address: Brighton Palace Pier, Madeira Dr, Brighton, BN2 1TW
Website: https://www.brightonpier.co.uk/rides-and-attractions/palace-play
Funplex, Brighton
Located on the edge of the downs, and near Blue Lagoon Warm Water Centre, this is another good option for those looking to take their kids to an indoor play area in Brighton. A little further away from the city centre, the play area has been professionally designed to allow children to maximise fun whilst giving them an all-important exercise workout.
There are multi-levels of play, with three different slides and its famous four-cannon softball area. Smaller guests also have two levels to play, which come with bouncy animals to ride on. Funplex is a great place for children to learn, explore and party in one area and this is a safe environment for little ones to develop social, risk-taking, coordination and creativity skills.
This parent-friendly venue comes with comfortable seats for tired bums and the finest cappuccinos to ensure you match your kid’s pace. Mums and dads can relax and meet other parents whilst enjoying prepared food from an extensive menu. Keeping a close eye on food allergens, the cafe insists only food purchased at Funplex can be consumed on the premises.
Children’s parties are also hosted at Funplex and include the exciting option of laser tag parties. Games are played in the smoke-filled main play frame between teams of friends and are available every evening from 6.15 pm. They include three games of laser tag, a choice of hot meals, unlimited squash, party invitations, a cutting ceremony and a personal Battle Weapon 7 commander.
Address: Unit 2b, The Hyde Business Park, Auckland Dr, Brighton, BN2 4JE
Website: https://funplex.co.uk/
Monkey Bizness, Lewes
This two-level multi-play area comes with some great features, such as a large rippling blue slide and a fun football area. There is a spacious seating area for parents and the Amazonian café provides perfect food options for both young and old.
Some of the dishes on the menu include jacket potatoes, burgers, chicken nuggets and pizza. Sandwiches and full English breakfast are also on offer, which covers every food choice that your family might need.
Great birthday packages include meeting Marvin the monkey, as well as a bear-building party. The bear-building party includes a 16-inch bear for every child, plus an outfit for the bear. Space is also available for private hire with a maximum of 250 guests.
Monkey Bizness holds numerous events throughout the year including Halloween and Christmas activities. All events include entry for one adult and one child, including disco, games, competitions and play times. All events are from 5 pm-7 pm unless stated otherwise. For regular visits, there are peak and off-peak prices with memberships that include a 30-day, 60-day and annual pass.
Address: Unit 27, Cliff Industrial Estate, Lewes, BN8 6JL
Website: https://www.monkey-bizness.co.uk/indoor-play-centres/lewes
Wild Wonderland, Lancing
Winner of the Little Ankle Biters Awards in 2021, this is a cosmic-themed play area where little ones can be dazzled by the wonders of space. This Lancing base offers a range of play equipment including a multi-storey play frame, slides, a ball pit, a toddler area, a crawlers area and a sensory room. Glow-in-the-dark play areas take this space to the next level and provide endless excitement for aspiring astronauts.
This family-run space is a safe and secure environment for children aged 0 -12 and there are 1 hour 45-minute sessions available seven days a week. Whilst walk-ins are accepted, it is better to book in advance to avoid any disappointment.
Again, parties and private hire are available and there are special events held here including a Halloween party and an Easter Disco. As part of the Wild Wonderland group, there is also another soft play area in Gosford, which has a wildlife theme and has also won several different awards.
The friendly staff have especially been praised and if you want nice and welcoming faces to greet you and your young ones then this is the perfect place to visit. To Wild Wonderland and beyond – in the words of Buzz Lightyear (sort of!).
Address: Unit 6, Chartwell Business Centre, Park 42 Chartwell Rd, Lancing, BN15 8FB
Website: https://www.wildwonderland.co.uk/
Sharky’s, Henfield Leisure Centre
Another fun and colourful play area, this time with an exciting water and beach theme. If it’s too rainy to get down to the coast, this is a good second option for kids who can play spot the shark and enjoy the blue, sea-themed multi-story play area.
Located inside the Henfield Leisure Centre, this is a safe and well-equipped indoor area which provides a clean environment for children to play in. The soft play area is suitable for children aged one to 12 years old, with an alternative separate play area for under three. The centre runs specific session times which run from 9 am-11 am, 11.15 am-1.15 pm, 1.30 pm-3.30 pm and 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm.
Good quality, affordable food and drink can be purchased from Sharky’s café which offers a wide selection of sandwiches, wraps and paninis. The children’s menu includes fish fingers, sausages, nuggets, mac & cheese and lunchboxes with sandwiches, crisps, fruit, yoghurt and a drink can also be made up. Due to allergies, only food purchased her can be consumed on the premises.
Sharky’s offers two different types of parties, exclusive parties and parties with the general public. The exclusive party allows up to 35 children with unlimited adults and includes two hours of play and all food and drink for the children. Non-exclusive parties operate with a minimum of 10 children and a maximum of 20 children. Both options have the same food choices as seen on the party menu, which can be found on the company website below.
Address: Northcroft, Henfield, BN5 9QB
Website: https://www.sharkysplay.co.uk/
Out of Bounds, Littlehampton in West Sussex
This three-floor level play area was voted Winner of the Ankle Biters ‘Best Soft Play in Sussex’ and is full of so much fun equipment for your children it could keep them busy all day. Let your young ones safely enjoy crawling, bouncing and swinging around this indoor soft play area with a long, covered spiral slide to enjoy too. The soft play structure has been designed for children up to 12, and there is a separate play area for under 4s.
Whilst your kids enjoy this award-winning, air-conditioned play area, why not treat yourself to a coffee and slice of cake from a spacious table nearby? The last available session of the day is at 4 pm and the structure closes at 5.30 pm. Various offers can be found on the website that includes pre-school climb ‘n’s soft play, after-school fun ‘n’ food, home education and childminder rates.
This large indoor and outdoor centre is great for both adults and children with all-weather activities available such as Adventure Golf, Adventure Nets, Ten Pin Bowling and Open Laser Tag. Each activity is perfect for a little one’s birthday and the Time Out Café is open all day and serves hot and cold food and drinks.
Address: Golfers Ln, Angmering, Littlehampton, BN16 4NB
