A dependable rainy-day sorter on Derry's Waterside — two custom play frames splitting the babies and toddlers from the juniors, a renovated baby zone, and a proper barista coffee shop with a 5-star hygiene rating. Adults go in free with the kids.
What you'll do — two custom House of Play frames, one for babies and toddlers and one for juniors (roughly 5–12), so age groups aren't on top of each other.
Little ones sorted — a separate renovated baby zone plus a dedicated toddler frame for the smallest.
Proper coffee — a barista coffee shop with a 5-star food hygiene rating, sandwiches, paninis, soups and specialty coffee, plus free WiFi, so you can actually sit down.
Adults in free — you go in free alongside the children (per-child entry). Prices change, so check before you go.
Parties handled — eight years of birthday parties means they take care of the kids and the grown-ups; you just bring the cake.
Grippy socks needed. Anti-slip socks are the norm on the frame — bring a pair for each child (usually buyable there) and check on the day.
Check the hours. Roughly Mon 10am–5pm, Tue–Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 1–5pm, but they can change — a look at their Facebook before you travel is wise, and ring ahead for weekends and parties.
Plan your visit
Walk in most days — adults free
It's walk-in most of the time, with adults in free alongside the children (per-child entry; prices change, so check). Opening is roughly Mon 10am–5pm, Tue–Sat 10am–6pm and Sun 1–5pm, though times can change, so a glance at their Facebook helps. There's on-site parking at Altnagelvin Industrial Estate. Ring ahead for weekends, holidays and parties. Socks are the norm on the frame — pack a pair each.
Hours can change, so check their Facebook before you travel, and ring ahead for weekends and parties. 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.
👕A spare topA change of top for warm, busy play helps for home.
💳Card or cashFor entry and the coffee shop — adults go in free with the kids.
🎂Just the cakeBooking a party? They handle the rest — you bring the cake.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
Paid entry per child, with adults in free alongside them. Prices change — check before you go.
Booking
Walk-in most of the time; ring ahead for weekends, holidays and parties.
Hours
Roughly Mon 10am–5pm, Tue–Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 1–5pm. Can change — check their Facebook.
What’s inside
Two custom House of Play frames (babies/toddlers split from juniors), a renovated baby zone and a dedicated toddler frame.
Age limit
Babies and toddlers up to juniors around 5–12.
Food
Barista coffee shop with a 5-star hygiene rating — sandwiches, paninis, soups, hot food and specialty coffee, plus free WiFi.
Parking
On-site at Altnagelvin Industrial Estate; confirm at busy times.
Toilets
Toilets on site. Baby-changing worth confirming on arrival.
Accessibility
Ground-floor centre; the frames are a climb. Call ahead to discuss specific needs.
How long
Around 2 hours.
Address
Unit 2b Altnagelvin Industrial Estate, Trench Road, Derry/Londonderry, BT47 2ED.
Questions
Before you go
Do I need to book?
Walk in most of the time. Ring ahead for weekends, holidays and parties.
Is it good for a rainy day?
It's a reliable Waterside wet-day plan — two frames, a baby zone and a proper coffee shop, all indoors.
What ages is it for?
Babies and toddlers up to juniors around 5–12, with the frames split by age.
Do adults pay?
No — adults go in free alongside the children; entry is per child.
Do we need socks?
Grippy socks are the norm on the frame, so bring a pair for each child.
Is there food?
Yes — a barista coffee shop with a 5-star hygiene rating, hot food and free WiFi.
Getting there
The Play Shed, Unit 2b Altnagelvin Industrial Estate, Trench Road, Derry/Londonderry, BT47 2ED — on the Waterside side of the city with on-site parking, handy off the main routes around Altnagelvin.
The Play Shed opened in April 2014 on the Waterside side of Derry, in Altnagelvin Industrial Estate off Trench Road. It runs two custom House of Play frames, splitting babies and toddlers from juniors, with a combined capacity well over a hundred children, alongside a coffee shop that's earned a 5-star food hygiene rating.
Eight years of running birthday parties means the staff take care of both the kids and the adults on the day, leaving you to bring the cake. With free WiFi, specialty coffee and a hot food menu, it's set up so parents can actually sit down while the children play.