Days Out NI
Soft Play Derry

Foyle Arena Soft Play

Council-run indoor soft play in Derry, with a pool and climbing wall on the same site.

2 photos
Mon-FriCentre open Mon-Fri 6.30am-10pm, Sat-Sun…
Paid entryPaid, charged per child per session. Pr…
DerryFoyle Arena, Limavady Road, Derry…
1–2 hrsHow long
Under 8sBest for
IndoorsAll-weather
FreeParking
Paid entryPer child

Foyle Arena Soft PlayCouncil-run indoor soft play in Derry, with a pool and climbing wall on the same site.

  • Little ones sorted — A calmer toddler zone is usually set aside; confirm before you go if you have a young baby.
  • The café for the grown-ups — Small cafe on site for coffee, drinks and snacks.
  • How long & cost — 1-2 hours for soft play, longer if you add a swim or climb; Paid, charged per child per session. Prices change with the season and holiday programmes, so check the current rate before you go.
  • Getting in — Mostly walk-in for soft play; ring ahead at weekends and school holidays, and to book parties.
  • Socks — Grippy socks are usually expected for soft play, so bring a pair for each child.
  • Parties — Birthday party packages available, including pool, sports hall and climbing-wall options with a party room. Call 028 7137 6555.
Plan your visit

Paid indoor play, all weather

Foyle Arena is the big council leisure centre on Limavady Road, and its soft play gives the kids a frame to climb and slide while you grab a seat. It is paid entry, charged per child for a play session, but prices change with the seasons and the holiday programmes, so check the current rate before you go. There is a small cafe on site for coffee and a bite. Most sessions are walk-in but it is worth ringing ahead at weekends and school holidays when it gets busy, and grippy socks are usually expected for soft play, so bring a pair.

Indoor Toddler area Cafe on site Socks usually needed Parties Free parking
Good to know before you go:

Soft play centres run toddler mornings, holiday sessions, sensory hours and birthday parties through the year. Check Foyle Arena's own pages for current session times and prices.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🧦Grippy socksA pair of anti-slip socks per child — most centres need them on the frame, and often for adults too.
  • 👕A spare topBall pools and big slides make for warm, mucky kids — a change of top saves a soggy drive home.
  • 💳Card or cashFor entry and the café — the coffee is the grown-up reward.
  • 🚰A water bottleClimbing and sliding is thirsty work, and there is a wipe-down at the end of it.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
Paid, charged per child per session. Prices change with the season and holiday programmes, so check the current rate before you go.
Best for ages
Roughly under-8s, with a gentler area for toddlers and babies (check current age policy).
Under-3s area
A calmer toddler zone is usually set aside; confirm before you go if you have a young baby.
Socks policy
Grippy socks are usually expected for soft play, so bring a pair for each child.
Cafe / food
Small cafe on site for coffee, drinks and snacks.
Booking
Mostly walk-in for soft play; ring ahead at weekends and school holidays, and to book parties.
Parties
Birthday party packages available, including pool, sports hall and climbing-wall options with a party room. Call 028 7137 6555.
Opening
Centre open Mon-Fri 6.30am-10pm, Sat-Sun 9am-6pm. Check soft play session times directly.
Parking
Free on-site parking.
How long to allow
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

How much does it cost?
Paid, charged per child per session. Prices change with the season and holiday programmes, so check the current rate before you go.
What ages is it good for?
Roughly under-8s, with a gentler area for toddlers and babies (check current age policy).
Do we need grippy socks?
Grippy socks are usually expected for soft play, so bring a pair for each child.
Do I need to book?
Mostly walk-in for soft play; ring ahead at weekends and school holidays, and to book parties.
Is there somewhere for the little ones?
A calmer toddler zone is usually set aside; confirm before you go if you have a young baby.
Getting there

Foyle Arena Soft Play is at Foyle Arena, Limavady Road, Derry, BT47 6JY. Free on-site parking. Tap below for directions.

Nearby

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The story

About the 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 is a full leisure centre, with a 25m swimming pool, a children's play pool, an indoor climbing wall, gym and multi-sport halls, alongside the soft play and party rooms.

Because it is council-run, it is 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.