Council-run indoor soft play at Foyle Arena on Derry's Waterside — a frame for the under-8s with a gentler zone for the toddlers. And it's a full leisure centre, so there's a 25m pool, a children's play pool and an indoor climbing wall on the same site.
What you'll do — indoor soft play for roughly under-8s, with a gentler area usually set aside for toddlers and babies (check the current age policy).
Little ones — a calmer toddler zone is usually available; confirm before you go if you have a young baby.
All under one roof. Being inside Foyle Arena means a café, parking and usually a pool are on the same site — easy to build a bigger day around. There's a 25m pool, a children's play pool, an indoor climbing wall, a gym and multi-sport halls.
How long & cost — most give it 1–2 hours (longer with a swim or climb). Paid per child, with seasonal and holiday offers; prices change, so check.
Council-run — geared to families and kept affordable, run by Derry City and Strabane District Council.
Grippy socks needed. Anti-slip socks are the norm on the frame — bring a pair for each child and check before you go.
Mostly walk-in, but check sessions. Ring ahead at weekends and school holidays, and to book parties, on 028 7137 6555. The centre is open Mon–Fri 6.30am–10pm, Sat–Sun 9am–6pm — confirm soft-play session times.
Plan your visit
Walk in — check the session times
Soft play is mostly walk-in, but ring ahead at weekends and school holidays, and to book parties, on 028 7137 6555. It's paid per child with seasonal offers in the school holidays (prices change, so check). The centre is open Mon–Fri 6.30am–10pm and Sat–Sun 9am–6pm — confirm the soft-play session times directly. There's free parking and a small café on site, plus a pool and climbing wall to add to the day. Grippy socks are the norm on the frame.
Small caféPool & climbing wallParty packagesFree parkingCouncil-run
Two to remember:
Confirm the soft-play session times before you go, and ring ahead at weekends and holidays on 028 7137 6555. 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 25m pool and play pool on the same site.
💳Card or cashFor entry and the café.
📞A quick callConfirm soft-play times and prices on 028 7137 6555.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
Paid per child per session, changing with the season and holiday programmes. Check the current rate before you go.
Booking
Mostly walk-in for soft play; ring ahead at weekends and school holidays, and to book parties (028 7137 6555).
Hours
Centre open Mon–Fri 6.30am–10pm, Sat–Sun 9am–6pm. Check soft-play session times directly.
What’s inside
Indoor soft play with a gentler toddler zone, alongside a 25m pool, a children's play pool, an indoor climbing wall, a gym and multi-sport halls.
Age limit
Roughly under-8s, with a gentler area for toddlers and babies (check current policy).
Food
Small café on site for coffee, drinks and snacks.
Parking
Free on-site parking.
Toilets
Toilets in the leisure centre. Baby-changing worth confirming on arrival.
Accessibility
Inside a modern leisure centre; the frame is a climb. Call ahead to discuss specific needs.
How long
1–2 hours for soft play, longer if you add a swim or climb.
Address
Foyle Arena, Limavady Road, Derry, BT47 6JY.
Questions
Before you go
Do I need to book?
Mostly walk-in for soft play, but ring ahead at weekends and school holidays, and to book parties, on 028 7137 6555.
Is it good for a rainy day?
It's a great wet-day plan — soft play indoors, with a pool, play pool and climbing wall on the same site.
What ages is it for?
Roughly under-8s, with a gentler area for toddlers and babies. Check the current age policy.
Do we need socks?
Grippy socks are the norm on the frame, so bring a pair for each child.
Is there parking?
Yes — free on-site parking.
Can we add a swim or climb?
Yes — there's a 25m pool, a children's play pool and an indoor climbing wall on the same site.
Getting there
Foyle Arena, Limavady Road, Derry, BT47 6JY — on the Waterside near St Columb's Park, with free parking, a short hop from the city centre.
Foyle Arena opened in April 2015 on the St Columb's Park side of the city, run by Derry City and Strabane District Council. It's a full leisure centre, with a 25m swimming pool, a children's play pool, an indoor climbing wall, a gym and multi-sport halls, alongside the soft play and party rooms.
Because it's council-run, it's geared to families and aims to keep entry affordable, with seasonal offers appearing in the school holidays. Check the council leisure pages for current soft-play times and prices.