Tag: soft play

Dynamic Earth: Dive into fun at Ocean Commotion Soft Play!

Dynamic Earth launches its Toddler Tidal and Deep-Sea Discovery Zones for little ones across the Capital

This summer Dynamic Earth is encouraging wee ones from across Edinburgh, and surrounding regions, to set sail on a magical underwater adventure at the city’s leading Science Centre and Planetarium.

With the launch of Ocean Commotion Soft Play on June 23rd, the venue aims to provide accessible, stimulating and interactive engagement opportunities for little ones needing to let off some steam and spark their curiosity in our planet.

For just £4, kids aged 0-6 can expect to explore, climb, splash (not literally!), and play away in the ocean-themed interactive costal escape. No booking required for this fun, interactive soft play.

With every corner of Ocean Commotion designed to boost your child’s development through play, whether they’re learning to crawl, climb, or conquer new challenges, kids are sure to have some fintastic fun beneath the waves!

  • Sea Turtle Sanctuary – Allow your littlest adventurers to safely drift, crawl and discover Dynamic Earth’s serene ocean cove.
  • Toddler Tidal Zone – Let wee ones (recommended 12 months plus) build, slide and grow their confidence as they explore the world around them.
  • Junior Deep-Sea Discovery Zone – Bigger adventures for your budding explorers. Take the training wheels off and scale Dynamic Earth’s rock-climbing reef, before taking part in interactive activities that fuel both skill and imagination

Parents who want to let their little star(fishes) have fun in the venue’s brand-new interactive ocean escape can pay-on-the-day, with £4 granting their wee ones *unlimited access to Dynamic Earth’s world beneath the waves.

Ts & Cs

*During busy periods your little one’s adventure will be capped to 90 minutes.

Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store

  • FREE Little Seedlings Holiday Club
  • Kids Eat for £1
  • Soft play, bookings start from £2 for members and £2.50 for non-members
  • Great deals on outdoor toys

This summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies’ Edinburgh store for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.

Little Seedlings Holiday Club is back by popular demand to entertain children over the school break with a sensory workshop, and families can enjoy low prices on the soft play experience and Kids Eat for £1.

Families can also get 20% off all outdoor toys and play equipment on top of existing promotions for a limited time at the Edinburgh store, giving the kids plenty to keep busy with right through summer. From hippo sandpits, flower pools and toddler swings, to slides, activity towers and trampolines, there is something for all ages. Deals include

  • Plum 10ft fun springsafe trampoline, now £95.99 (was £149.99)
  • Set of 2 flower pool, now £7.99 (was £19.99)
  • Hedstrom folding toddler swing, now £35.99 (was £54.99)
  • Hedstrom wavy pool, now £71.99 (was £99.99)

Little Seedlings Holiday Club

Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Holiday Club returns to the Edinburgh store this summer with an exciting workshop, Summer Scents. This session takes place on various days across July and August, and is perfect for children aged 4-10 years old. 

Attendees will become scent explorers and learn all about the sweet smells of summer in gardens, homes and parks. Children will discover how and why flowers have scents, the happy herbs with the most fragrance, and the long history of perfume making, before getting the chance to mix their own petal perfume to take home. 

It’s a hands-on workshop that celebrates beautiful summer scents and is perfect for keeping the little ones busy over the school holidays. 

Dates vary, visit www.dobbies.com/events for more information. 

Kids Eat for £1

Dobbies offers Kids Eat For £1, allowing children under the age of 16 to enjoy their food for less with every traditional adult breakfast and main course meal at lunch. Children can pick from the kids’ breakfasts, lunch menu or pick ‘n’ mix meal, including a drink.  

Restaurants are open Monday-Sunday from 9am, location times may vary and customers are advised to visit dobbies.com to check the restaurant opening hours for the Edinburgh store.

Soft play 

Families are invited to come and join in the fun at Dobbies’ Little Seedlings soft play at the Edinburgh store, where children of all ages, from babies and toddlers to young kids, can let off some steam and play in a safe environment. 

The soft play area is in Dobbies’ restaurant, where families can enjoy tasty meals and snacks, plus kids eat for £1 with every adult main meal.

Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment, but there may be walk-in spaces available on the day, prices and age ranges vary for each store, starting at £2 for members and at £2.50 for non-members. 

For more information on the Little Seedlings Holiday Club at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store and activities for families this summer, visit www.dobbies.com/events.

Grand celebration as Tumbles at Portobello reopens following refurbishment

Tumbles Soft Play at Portobello has reopened following a refurbishment that has transformed the much-loved venue into a dynamic new world of adventure—Explorer Island.

The reopening was marked with a special celebration attended by friends, family, and the 15 winners of the recent sandcastle photo competition.

These lucky young adventurers were treated to an exclusive party, complete with fun activities, party bags, and the honour of being the first to explore the reimagined play space.

As part of the festivities, the Tumbles team selected 15 “Star Guests”—children from across different age groups—who joined beloved characters Emma, Fox, and Squirrel on their first expedition through the upgraded soft play environment.

“Our Explorer Island is a whole world of fun—an island where anything is possible, and adventure awaits,” said Ashliegh Murray, Manager at Tumbles. “We’re so excited to welcome families back to a space that’s been designed to spark imagination, creativity, and active play.”

The refurbishment is part of Edinburgh Leisure’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, inclusive spaces for children and families.

Key upgrades at Tumbles include:

  • New light and video features in the baby and toddler zones
  • A reconfigured layout for enhanced play experiences
  • Upgraded versions of favourite features
  • Extended café seating with fixed options
  • New flooring throughout the soft play and café areas
  • A refreshed reception area
  • A redecorated birthday party room for the return of celebration packages

Tumbles is one of three soft play centres operated by Edinburgh Leisure, a charity dedicated to helping everyone in the city lead more active, healthy lives. With over 30 facilities across Edinburgh, the organisation continues to invest in spaces that inspire movement, imagination, and community connection.

Open 7 days a week from 09.15 – 17.00, Tumbles offers wonderful adventures for kids aged 0 – 10 with designated baby, toddler and junior play areas.

For more information about Tumbles at Portobello and upcoming events, visit: 

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/tumbles-soft-play/

Calling All Mini Explorers: Sandcastle Creators Wanted!

Win Your Spot at Tumbles’ Exclusive Reopening Celebration

Edinburgh Leisure invites brave young adventurers to join Emma, Fox, and Squirrel on an epic journey through the newly reimagined Tumbles Soft Play at Portobello, Edinburgh.

The lucky adventurers will be among the first to discover the exciting new world that awaits within Explorer Island.

Ashliegh Murray, Manager at Tumbles at Portobello, said: “Our Explorer Island is a whole world of fun.

“An island where anything is possible, and adventure awaits! We’re looking to our customers to be part of the excitement when we reopen.

“Our new play frame will feature Emma, an adventurous redhead with a baseball cap and torch, alongside her trusty companions Fox and Squirrel. These young explorers are searching for brave new friends to join their quest for play and discovery.”

“We’re inviting parents and kids to unleash their creativity and to send us a photo of their little adventurer with a sandcastle they’ve built, (even if it’s with a little help from their friends, siblings or parents), and a short description explaining why their little adventurer should be part of this grand adventure.

“The Edinburgh Leisure team will select their favourite 15 explorers to join us at the exclusive reopening party, date and time still to be announced.”

As the latest of Edinburgh Leisure’s three soft plays to receive a makeover, Tumbles at Portobello is undergoing an exciting transformation.

The renovations include:

  • Interactive elements in the baby and toddler zones
  • Reconfigured layout for enhanced play experiences
  • Upgraded versions of current favourite features
  • Extended café seating with fixed options to maximise space
  • New flooring in the soft play and café area
  • A refreshed reception area on first floor
  • Redecorated birthday party room for the return of celebration packages

How to Enter:

  • A photo of your little explorer, dressed for adventure, next to their sandcastle creation
  • A brief explanation (300 words or less) of why they should join Emma, Fox, and Squirrel at the reopening party
  • Child’s name and date of birth
  • Parent/guardian contact number and email

All entries must be received by 5pm, Tuesday 27th May 2025.

The Tumbles team will select 15 children from across age groups to be their special “star guests” at the grand reopening celebration, where they’ll join other young adventurers in being the first to explore the reimagined play space.

Edinburgh Leisure is a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to lead more active, healthy lives. They operate over 30 sports and leisure facilities throughout Edinburgh, including three soft play centres designed to inspire active play and imagination in children.

Edinburgh Leisure: It’s never too early to start getting active


Unlock your key to unlimited soft play

Inspire kids to get the active habit. With Edinburgh Leisure’s Young Explorer soft-play membership, children get to sample the world of sport and fitness from an early age.

For new customers signing up to become a member in February,April is completely free. And for existing members referring a friend, if their friends join, the existing member will also receive a free month in April.

From only £17.99* per month, the Young Explorer Soft Play Membership offers incredible value, fantastic flexibility and of course, will keep little ones entertained and burning off energy as they explore the amazing soft plays.

Little adventurers can visit as many times as they wish, enjoying unlimited fun at any of Edinburgh Leisure’s three soft play venues across the city at Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Tumbles at Portobello, and Scrambles at EICA: Ratho.

Edinburgh Leisure’s play frames are suitable for children up to ten years old and there are frames for babies, toddlers, and juniors up to 10 years.  Each venue has a café where healthy snacks and tasty treats can be enjoyed.

With great member benefits, the Edinburgh Leisure soft play is only available to buy online:

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/softplaycampaign

Edinburgh Leisure has Christmas all wrapped up

Gift the gift that keeps on giving this Christmas – a year’s membership to Edinburgh Leisure’s three soft play centres across the city!

The perfect solution for grandparents, godparents, and aunts and uncles who are fed-up of giving ‘plastic fantastic’ gifts that are surplus to needs, instead inspire the kids to get the active habit and sample the world of sport and fitness from an early age. Their parents will thank you for it.

Costing £179 for 12 months, the annual soft play membership means little adventurers can visit as many times as they wish, enjoying unlimited fun at any of Edinburgh Leisure’s three soft play venues across the city at Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Tumbles at Portobello, and Scrambles at EICA: Ratho, which will keep little ones entertained and burning off energy as they explore the amazing soft plays.

Edinburgh Leisure’s play frames are suitable for children up to ten years old and there are frames for babies, toddlers, and juniors up to 10 years.  Each venue has a café where healthy snacks and tasty treats can be enjoyed.

With great member benefits including special offers, members’ events, discounts to popular seasonal parties and other exclusive perks, the annual Edinburgh Leisure soft play is available to buy in venue or online. Purchasers will be presented with a Christmas Gift Card, which can then be given to the child.

Find out more – https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/soft-play

Sign up the kids up for a year of unlimited fun here.

Edinburgh Leisure: Free Soft Play

Get free soft play membership when you sign up your under 5s for coaching

Encourage your pre-school child to get active from an early age by signing them up the under 5s coaching at Edinburgh Leisure and you will get one-month’s free soft play membership in August.  The offer also applies to existing soft play members.

The offer is valid for those signing up for under 5s coaching before 30th July 2023 and gives unlimited access to all three of Edinburgh Leisure’s soft play venues across the city at Tumbles at Portobello; Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool or Scrambles at Edinburgh’s International Climbing Arena.

With designated baby, toddler, and junior zones, each soft play ensures fun and adventure for kids and a café for tasty treats and snacks for the adults and children.

Wherever you’re at on the map or in life, Edinburgh Leisure is here to help the people of Edinburgh enjoy a healthier, happier, and more active life. And it’s never too early to start.

And as the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities across the city, Edinburgh Leisure is well-placed to encourage your child to reach their full potential, help them build confidence, learn skills, and meet friends.

From football, tennis, gymnastics or swimming, you can even mix it up with their Jump into Sport, Gym and Jump or Athletics classes.

To find out more and to sign up for this offer, visit:  https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/coaching-offer

Free Friend Day Soft Play

And for existing soft play members, Edinburgh Leisure is offering Free Friend Days at their three soft play venues on selected days in July and August.

Valid for 1-hour slots, the offer only applies to soft play members who pay by Direct Debit and members must accompany their friend and take part in the same activity.

The Free Friend Days are available at:

Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool:
Tuesday, 25 July; Thursday, 17 August

Tumbles at Portobello:

Tuesday, 1st August; Thursday, 24th August

Scrambles at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena:

Tuesday, 18th July; Thursday, 10th August; Wednesday, 30th August

For further information and to sign up for Edinburgh Leisure’s soft play membership, visit:  

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/soft-play

Adventure is calling with Edinburgh Leisure’s soft-play membership



Join the adventure with Edinburgh Leisure’s Young Explorer soft-play membership. A place for children to explore, have fun and be active at Edinburgh Leisure’s three soft play venues.

There has never been a better time to sign up for the soft play membership as Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool has just completed an exciting refurbishment. Join in March 2022 and receive the month of May free.

The Young Explorer soft play membership gives unlimited soft play at three Edinburgh venues from only £16.70 per month for one child, £28.00 for two children, £33.80 for three children and £39.50 for four children.

The membership offers incredible value, fantastic flexibility and of course, will keep little ones entertained and burning off energy as they explore the amazing soft plays.

Young explorers can visit as many times as they wish, enjoying unlimited fun at any of Edinburgh Leisure’s three soft play venues across the city at Tumbles at Portobello, Scrambles at EICA: Ratho and Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool.

Clambers has a brand-new frame for babies, toddlers, and juniors, with an aquatic theme and is designed so parents can supervise easily, and children can play freely all within a securely gated area. 

There are slides, an upper storey football pitch and many more exciting features to explore. Its party room and Café Refresh has also been rebranded featuring hero character Skye and her mountain friends and both areas have new tables and chairs; its café servery has been extended; and the reception desk has been replaced.

Edinburgh Leisure’s play frames are suitable for children up to ten years old.  Each venue has a café where healthy snacks and tasty treats can be enjoyed.

And with Scottish Government restrictions easing, there is no longer the need to pre-book sessions.  In addition, 90-minute sessions are also available, in addition to shorter 60-minute sessions.

The Young Explorer is available to buy online.

For more information:   https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/soft-play

Edinburgh Leisure: It’s never too early to start getting active

Check out Edinburgh Leisure’s Young Explorer soft play membership

Inspire kids to get the active habit. With Edinburgh Leisure’s Young Explorer soft-play membership, children get to sample the world of sport and fitness from an early age. For those signing up to become a new member in November, December is completely free.*

From only £16.70** per month, the membership offers incredible value, fantastic flexibility and of course, will keep little ones entertained and burning off energy as they explore the amazing soft plays.

Membership is available to buy in venue or online.  Existing members referring friends will receive £15 cash back for each new soft play member they refer who joins. This should be done via the online form.

Little adventurers can enjoy fun in Edinburgh Leisure’s three soft play venues across the city. 

We have Tumbles at Portobello and Scrambles at EICA: Ratho, while Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool is currently closed for maintenance and will be shutting temporarily for a refurbishment in January.

All visits must be booked in advance online or via the Edinburgh Leisure app.

Edinburgh Leisure’s play frames are suitable for children up to ten years old and there are frames for babies, toddlers and juniors.  Each venue has a café where healthy snacks and tasty treats can be enjoyed.

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/softplaycampaign

Indoor and Soft Play Centres at risk of closure in Edinburgh

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, is supporting the campaign to save indoor and soft play centres in Scotland. Mr Briggs has submitted a motion at the Scottish Parliament which has gained cross party support from Liberal Democrat, Labour and Independent MSPs.        

Indoor and soft play areas employ hundreds of staff across Edinburgh and the Lothians, whose jobs are at risk due to closures.

Indoor play centres were due to open on the 14th September, but was postponed with 4 days’ notice. The new opening date of 5th October is looking increasingly unlikely with the rise in the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Scotland.

Thousands of pounds have been spent by indoor and soft play centres preparing for a reopening that is looking like it will not happen. The autumn and winter months are the busiest times for indoor and soft play centres, with the weather being less good.

Indoor and soft play centre campaigners have held a rally outside the Scottish Parliament yesterday (Wednesday 23rd September) to raise the profile of indoor play centres and highlight the lack of support from the SNP Ministers and the Scottish Government.

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “Indoor and soft play areas have spent thousands of pounds getting themselves Covid-19 ready, to minimise the spread of transmission, and allow them to open their doors again.

“These businesses have been told at short notice that they are no longer able to reopen and many are at real risk of closure, threatening jobs and peoples livelihoods.

“If the indoor and soft play areas are being singled out to stay closed, then the Scottish Government must provide them with the necessary support to survive through to next year.

“Indoor and soft play areas are valuable in the community, allowing young children to play and interact, as well as being sociable places for parents.”

Jennifer McNaughton, manager at Pandamonium Play Centre, said: “The majority of family run soft play areas in Scotland will not survive after the announcement at the start of October if they do not receive financial support from the Scottish Government.

“Indoor and soft play centres in England, Ireland and Wales are allowed to be opened with strict guidelines and since mid-August in England.

“Why are other sectors such as night clubs and theatres allowed to open when indoor soft play areas are not, which provide cheap and cheerful unstructured play, that prevents obesity and is crucial for children’s mental health?”