Budget-friendly council soft play at Cookstown Leisure Centre — a multi-level frame with nets, ball pools, tunnels and slides, and a pool and gym on site.
Cracking value on a wet Cookstown day — the council-run Play Shack at the leisure centre, a multi-level frame of nets, ball pools, tunnels, slides and climbing ropes. And there's a pool and gym under the same roof to make a bigger day of it.
What you'll do — a multi-level frame with nets, ball pools, tunnels, slides and climbing ropes for toddlers to primary age (up to 154cm tall).
Little ones — a gentler lower level suits the youngest; there's no separate sealed baby room confirmed, so supervise closely.
All under one roof. Being inside Cookstown Leisure Centre means a café, parking and usually a pool are on the same site — easy to build a bigger day around. A swimming pool, gym and sports hall are all here.
How long & cost — most give it 1–2 hours (longer with a swim). Council-priced, recently around £3.60 per child — genuinely budget-friendly. Prices change, so check.
Parties — a soft-play party is 1 hour in the Play Shack plus 1 hour in a private room; under-1s free, and you can bring your own cake.
Grippy socks needed. Anti-slip socks are the norm on the frame — bring a pair for each child and check before you go.
Phone first for play. Walk-in for general play, but phone first to check it's open (sessions can be booked out); parties online at weekends, by phone on weekdays.
Plan your visit
Walk in — but phone to check it's open
It's walk-in for general play, but phone first to check it's open, as sessions can be booked out. It's council-priced and genuinely cheap — recently around £3.60 per child (prices change, so check). Opening is Mon–Fri 8.30am–7pm, Sat 9.30am–3.30pm, Sun 9am–3pm. There's free parking, an on-site café, and a pool and gym under the same roof. Parties are booked online at weekends and by phone on weekdays. Grippy socks are the norm on the frame.
Walk-in for general play, but phone first to check it's open, as sessions can be booked out. Grippy socks are the norm on the frame; bring a pair for each child.
Before you set off
What to bring
🧦Grippy socksThe norm on the frame — a pair for each child.
🩱Swim kit (optional)There’s a pool on the same site for a double bill.
💳Card or cashFor entry and the café.
🎂Your own cakeParties can bring their own cake to the private room.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
Council-priced, recently around £3.60 per child for the play area. Prices change — check current rates.
Booking
Walk-in for general play (phone first to check it's open); parties booked online at weekends, by phone on weekdays.
Hours
Mon–Fri 8.30am–7pm, Sat 9.30am–3.30pm, Sun 9am–3pm. Check current times.
What’s inside
A multi-level frame with nets, ball pools, tunnels, slides and climbing ropes.
Age limit
Toddlers to primary age; open to children up to 154cm tall.
Food
On-site café for hot drinks and refreshments; parties can bring their own cake.
Parking
Free parking on site.
Toilets
Toilets in the leisure centre. Baby-changing worth confirming on arrival.
Accessibility
Inside the leisure centre; the frame is a climb. Call ahead to discuss specific needs.
How long
1–2 hours, longer if you add a swim.
Address
Cookstown Leisure Centre, 78 Fountain Road, Cookstown, BT80 8QF.
Questions
Before you go
Do I need to book?
Walk-in for general play, but phone first to check it's open, as sessions can be booked out. Parties book online at weekends, by phone on weekdays.
Is it good for a rainy day?
It's cracking value on a wet Cookstown day — a multi-level frame indoors, with a pool and gym under the same roof.
What ages is it for?
Toddlers to primary age, open to children up to 154cm. A gentler lower level suits the youngest.
Do we need socks?
Grippy socks are the norm on the frame, so bring a pair for each child.
How much is it?
Council-priced — recently around £3.60 per child. Prices change, so check on the day.
Can we add a swim?
Yes — there's a swimming pool on the same site.
Getting there
The Play Shack, Cookstown Leisure Centre, 78 Fountain Road, Cookstown, BT80 8QF — with free parking and a pool on site, an easy stop in the middle of Mid Ulster.
Cookstown Leisure Centre is run by Mid Ulster District Council on Fountain Road and is one of the area's main leisure venues, with a swimming pool, gym and sports hall alongside the Play Shack soft play. Because it's council-run, the soft play sits at budget-friendly rates and ties in easily with a swim or a gym visit.
The Play Shack offers a multi-level frame with nets, ball pools, tunnels, slides and climbing ropes, and parts of it can be hired out for birthday parties combined with a private party room and the on-site café.