Things to do with Kids in Derbyshire and Staffordshire -| Under-Fives

Places to go with Young Children in Derbyshire and Staffordshire

22 November 2017

There are lots of places to go with your children in our area this summer - parks, play centres, farms, playgrounds, pushchair walks, steam train trips and more. If we've missed any let us know. We also love to read your comments on the places you have been.

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Play Centres

Lunar Liftoff

Runway Business Park
Ashbourne
Derbyshire
DE6 1HD
Tel: 01335 345735
E-mail: info@lunarliftoff.com See map
Your Comments...
Ashbourne's family entertainment centre.

The Little Rascals Club

St John's Community Centre
behind St John's Church
off King Street
Ashbourne
DE6 1EA
Tel: 01335 346735
E-mail: thelittlerascalsclub@hotmail.co.uk
Contact Sally Smalley.
Open Monday to Friday, 10.30 am to 4 pm. £3.00 per session, under-ones free. Bouncy castle, climb and slide, tents and tunnels, cars and bikes, trampolines, dressing up, baby toys.
See map
Your Comments...

Little Rascals Indoor Play Area

Unit 1
Tongue Lane Industrial Estate
Dew Pond Lane
Buxton
Derbyshire
SK17 7LF
Tel: 01298 26512
Little Rascals is a children's indoor play centre and party venue established in 2010. With dedicated play areas for babies, toddlers and juniors from 0-10 years..
See map
Your Comments...

"Better than the softplay and ball pit at Leek!"
Rowen

Kiddies Kingdom Indoor Play Area

Cross St. Mill
Cross Street
Leek
Staffordshire
ST13 6BL
Tel/Fax: 01538 382333
Ball pools, rope frames, bridges, etc.
Open 10am-7pm (last entry 5.30pm) 7 days a week. Closed Christmas day, boxing day and New Years day.
See map
Your Comments...

"I have visited lots of Play Areas in the area but always return to Kiddies Kingdom as I find it extremely clean. The staff are very friendly. The food is excellent and reasonably priced."
Lewis

Leaps and Bounds

Cross Street Mill
Cross St
Leek
ST13 6BL
Tel: 01538 382 333
Indoor play and party centre for children up to 9 years old

Come into Play

Unit A
Whitebridge Estate
Stone
Staffordshire
Tel: 01785 286882
Ball pools, rope frames, bridges, etc.
Open until 6.30 pm. Closed Christmas day, Boxing day and New Years day. Offers timber towers to climb, tunnels to crawl through, rope bridges to cross and 4 lane Astra slide .

The Big Top

Dovefields Leisure Park
Off Town Meadows Way
Uttoxeter
Staffordshire
Tel: 07804 851604
Circus themed play barn. Separate play areas for babies and toddlers with equipment designed to develop climbing and balancing skills.
See map
Your Comments...

Rumble Tumble

Broom Street
Hanley
Stoke-on-Trent
ST1 2ER
Tel: 01782 212882
Play and party centre.

Funsters

Funsters
Federation Road
Burslem
Stoke-on-Trent
Tel: 01782 811661
A smaller soft play centre to its sister centres in Stoke and Crewe. 10 am daily.

Planet Fun

Freeport Talke
Talke Retail Park
Pit Lane
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST7 1XD
Telephone 01782 777 847

Fun Factory

Montrose Works
King St
Fenton
Stoke-On-Trent
ST4 3EF
Tel: 01782 698957
E-mail info@fentonfunfactory.com
New Soft Play centre.

Jangala

Hilton Business Park
Hilton
Derbyshire
DE65 5FJ
Tel: 01283 736199

See map
Your Comments...
Children's indoor play and party centre. Soft play, cafe, private hire.

Pirates Cove Adventure Play Area

Meadowside Leisure Centre
Burton-upon-Trent
Staffordshire
DE14 1TL
Tel: 01283 508865
E-mail:

For children from 0 to 12 years. Ball pools, rope bridges, giant spiders, web obstacles and slides. Tuesday 11-1, Wednesday 12.30-2, Thursday 12.30-3, Friday 10.30-1.30, Saturday and Sunday 10-12.
See map
Your Comments...

Coral Reef Creche and Play Area

Meadowside Leisure Centre
High Street
Burton-upon-Trent
Staffordshire
DE14 1TL
Tel: 01283 508865
E-mail: E-mail:

The crèche is available for children aged between one and five years. Sessions last 90 minutes between 9.15am to 10.45am and 10.45am to 12.15pm. You can book your child onto one or both of the sessions. Each 90 minute session costs £2.10 (£1.40 Leisure Pass), the 3 hour session costs £4.20 (£2.80 Leisure Pass).
See map
Your Comments...

Recreation Soft Play and Party

Hawkins Lane
Burton-on-Trent
Staffordshire
DE14 1PT
Tel: 01283 534375
E-mail: info@kanuk.net
Tuesday - Friday from 10.00am till 5.00pm
See map
Your Comments...

Hudy's Play Barn

High Street
Woodville
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 7EH
Tel: 01283 732083
See map
Your Comments...

Pirate's Play Isand

44 Derby Road
Draycott
Derbyshire
DE72 3NJ
Tel: 01773 748600
See map
Your Comments...

Go Bananas Play Zone

Unit 11
Smiths Close
Zone 3
Burntwood Business Park
Burntwood
Staffordshire
WS7 3FT
Tel: 01543 682194

Large play frame featuring air cannons, drop slide, waterfall slide, rope bridge and tunnels. Separate Toddler Village.
See map
Your Comments...

Playtime Cannock

138 Anglesey Business Park
Littleworth Road
Hednesford
WS12 1NR
Tel: 01543 877 957
playtimecannock@aol.com
Separate areas for crawlers, toddlers and everyone else, it has 3 slides, a big toddler section and a jungle zone.
See map
Your Comments...

Rainbow Playworld

Unit 1A
Amington Ind. Estate
Tamworth
Staffordshire
B77 4DP
Tel: 0182 768 863
E-mail: enquiries@rainbow-playworld.co.uk

See map
Your Comments...

Big Play Barn

Ash End House Children's Farm
Middleton lane
Middleton
Nr Tamworth
Staffs
B78 2BL
Tel: 0121 329 3388
E-mail: info@bigplaybarn.com

See map
Your Comments...

The Play Shed

Newport Road
Stafford
ST16 2EX

Indoor play & party centre.
See map
Your Comments...

Noah and Nellies Ltd

23 Ascot Drive
Derby
DE24 8GW
Tel: 01332 204292
Large Indoor Adventure Play area with coffee bar. Loads of seating and parking. Air conditioned. Parties.
Open 7 days 10am - 6:30pm. Five minutes from Pride Park.
See map
Your Comments...

Hickory Dickory's Playhouse

Unit C Kingsway Industrial Park
Kingsway Park close
Derby
DE22 3FP

Tel: 01332 346699

See map
Your Comments...
Children's indoor play and party centre.

Freddys Play Kingdom

50 Nottingham Road
Derby
Tel: 01332 662322

Tubby Bear's Play Den

Carrington Court
Great Northern Road
Derby
Derbyshire
DE1 1LR
Tel: 01332 341355
See map
Your Comments...

Planet Happy

Heage Road Industrial Estate
Heage Road
Ripley
DE5 3GH
Tel: 01773 748600
See map
Your Comments...

"Excellent children's indoor play centre and cafe. Also caters for children's parties."
Lesley Hutchinson

Atlantis Soft Play

Genesis Community Centre
32-46 King Street
Alfreton
Derbyshire
DE55 7DQ
Tel: 01773 417004
fec@genesis-centre.co.uk See map
Your Comments...

Cyril's Nut Hut

Cyril's Nut Hut
Unit 3, Acton Road
Long Eaton
NG10 1FR
Tel. 0115 973 6532
E-mail: enquiries@cyrilsnuthut.co.uk
Children's indoor play area: ball pools, slides and bouncy castles.
See map
Your Comments...

"What a great place, I took my kids today and we had tears when it was time to go. Nice and clean, brilliant value food and drinks are cheap and the staff are so friendly. I am definately going back. "
Paul

"This is a superb indoor soft play center "
Lisa

"Really nice soft play area. Staff very welcoming. Parties are very good too. "
Sarah Barker

"A wonderful place to go with a big area for little ones (under 4's) as well as a larger area for older ones. I have to agree about the welcoming staff - never had any complaints, and they also do a 'reward card', getting you a free visit periodically and other special offers throughout the year. Just undergoing refitting now, so will be even better soon I guess! Highly recommended."
Catherine Donald

Crazy Crocodiles Indoor Play Party Centre

Abbey Street
Ilkeston
Derbyshire
DE75 7RL
Tel: 0115 9441555
See map
Your Comments...

Toddler Time Monday - Friday during term time. Baby Session every Monday during term time. Also caters for Parties including themed and private hire Open 7 Days throughout the year except at Christmas.

The Play Mill

Via Gellia Mills
Via Gellia
Bonsall
DE4 2AJ
Tel 01909 544908
See map
Your Comments...

Mr Clown's Fun Zone

Unit 16C Etherow Industrial Estate
Woolley Bridge Road
Hadfield
Glossop
SK13 2NS
Tel: 01457 865650
See map
Your Comments...
Large indoor fun center for children 0-12. Separate area for babies and tots, a sports court with football nets and netball posts, 4 party rooms, the Big Top Cafe and the Large Fun Zone for the older children with a four lane slide, spiral slide and lots more.

Jungle Monkey

Unit 1A
Redmoor Mill
Buxton Road
New Mills
High Peak
Derbyshire
SK22 3JT
Tel: 01663 745700
See map
Your Comments...
Children's indoor adventures park and party venue.

Chuckles Indoor Play Centre

Bridge Street
Clay Cross
Derbyshire
S45 9PD
Tel 01246 860049
See map
Your Comments...

Jesters Soft Play

Main Street
Carr Vale
Bolsover
S44 6JF
See map
Your Comments...

Castle themed indoor play area.

"Great play centre for younger children - my 2 and 5 year old love it."
Matt Skates

The Burrow Play Centre

Clumber Park
Worksop
Notts
S80 3AZ
01909 544908
E-mail: charlotte.jones@nationaltrust.org.uk
See map
Your Comments...

Clumber Park's new play centre, The Burrow. Soft play area for 0 - 3s, with ball pool, lion rocker, small steps and more. Older children, up to 6 years, can get artistic with painting easels, splash about in the sand and water area and get active with hoola hoops and bouncers. When the sun's shining, children can enjoy giant games outdoors. Refreshments are available for mum and dad too. Open daily 10am - 4pm. Free entry to the play centre, normal parking charges apply at Clumber Park.

Animals, Farms and Zoos

Blackbrook Zoological Park

Winkhill
near Leek
Staffordshire
Tel: 01538 308293
Evening: 01538 387159
Open daily apart from Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Birds, donkeys, llamas, rabbits, lemurs, etc.

Highfields Happy Hens

Highfields Farm
Heage Lane
Etwall
DE65 6LS
Tel: 01283 732083
Egg train rides, egg collecting, bouncy castle, children's parties.
See map
Your Comments...

Matlock Farm Park

Matlock Farm Park
Jaggers Lane
Nr Two Dales
Matlock
DE4 5LH Tel: 01246 590200
Fax: 01226 350055
A varied selection of animals to see including llamas, goats, peacocks, red deer, rabbits and an opportunity to help feed the young lambs (seasonable). Specially designed playgrounds.
See map
Your Comments...

Chatsworth Working Farmyard

Chatsworth
Bakewell
Derbyshire
DE45 1PP
Tel: 01246 583139
E-mail: farmyard@chatsworth.org
Features cows, pigs, goats, sheep, horses, chickens and fish. There are usually young animals to see throughout the year. There is a milking demonstration at 3.30 every afternoon, daily animal handling sessions at 11.30am, 2pm and 4.10pm and goat milking demonstrations twice daily at 11.30am and 1.pm subject to kidding. Also playground with sand and water play areas. Open 10.30 am - 5.30 pm, last admission 4.30 pm. £4 admission charge, under-threes free.
See map
Your Comments...
Read review of Chatsworth farmyard and adventure playground...

Chestnut Conservation Centre, Otter + Owl and Wildlife Park

Chapel-en-le-Frith
High Peaks
Derbyshire
SK23 0QS
Tel: 01298 814099
Fax: 01298 816213
enquiries@chestnutcentre.co.uk
See map
Your Comments...
Wildlife Park with some of Europe's largest gathering of otters, 16 species of owls and other indigenous wildlife all in their natural surroundings including, buzzards, pine martens, polecats, foxes, Scottish wildcats and deer.

Byrkley Park Garden Centre

Rangemore
Burton-on-Trent
Staffordshire
Tel: 01283 716467
Farm animals, tropical and coldwater fish and a small playground. Open everyday from 9am (Sundays 10.30 am).

Amerton Farm

Stowe-by Chartley
Stafford
ST18 0LA
Tel: 01889 270294
Small farm, bouncy castles, indoor adventure playground.
See map
Your Comments...

Trentham Monkey Forest

Trentham
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST12 9HR
Walk through woods with 140 Barbary Macaques (Barbary "Apes") roaming free. Open 10 am until 6 pm.
See map
Your Comments...

Rodbaston Visitor Centre Animal Zone

Rodbaston
Penkridge
Stafford
Staffordshire
ST19 5PH
Tel: 01785 710560
E-mail: visitor.centre@rodbaston.ac.uk
See map
Your Comments...

Bluebells

Brunswood Farm
Locko Road
Derby
DE21 7BU
See map
Your Comments...
Have an animal patch with calves, sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits, a pony, a donkey and guinea pigs for everyone to come and meet. Homemade icecream, tea rooms and farm shop.

Parks and Playgrounds

Carsington Water

Carsington
Ashbourne
Derbyshire
DE6 1ST
Tel: 01629 540696
Admission free. Duck feeding, playground, walks and play centre.
See map
Your Comments...

Markeaton Park

Ashbourne Road
Derby
Tel: 01332 384494
West of Derby, Markeaton park features a miniature railway, children's play centre, paddling pool and other attractions

Belper River Gardens

Matlock Road
Belper
Derbyshire
01773 841 488
"Gardens created by the Strutt family for public enjoyment." Playground, rowing boats and duck feeding.

Darly Abbey Park

Derby
Derbyshire
Butterfly garden, playground, duck feeding, picnicking.

Conkers

Rawdon Road (B586)
Moira
Nr Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Derbyshire
DE12 6GA
Tel: 01283 216633
Fax: 01283 210321
Email: info@visitconkers.com.
Adventure playground, steam train, indoor play centre and woodland trails.
See map
Your Comments...

Ashbourne Playground and Duck Pond

Park Road
Ashbourne
Derbyshire

Trentham Gardens

Trentham
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST4 8AX
Adventure playground inside the Italian garden. Woodland walk, rowing boats and mini steam railway. New Monkey Forest lets you get close to monkeys. Woodland walk free, Italian garden £5.50 for adults, Monkey forest £5 for adults, over 4's £3.50, under 4's free. Open 10 am until 6 pm.
See map
Your Comments...

"It is brilliant here, but I think it could be cheaper to go into the gardens! "
Kieran Portman

Central Forest Park

Chell Street
Hanley
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST4 8AX
environment.team@stoke.gov.uk
Lake, junior and toddler play facilities, health and nature trail. The lake provides a home for a range of water birds including great crested grebes and coots. The grassland provides a home for insects. Some unusual plants, such as wild carrot, can be found due to lime in the soil. The mounds are made up of spoil from the coal mine. Carboniferous plant and fish fossils can still be found in some of the loose shale.

Theme Parks

Gullivers Kingdom

Pleasure Park
Temple Walk
Matlock
Derbyshire
DE4 3PG
Tel: 01629 580540
Theme park for young children.
See map
Your Comments...

Waterworld

Festival Park
Etruria
Hanley
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffs
ST1 5PU
Tel: 01782 205747
E-mail: info@waterworld.co.uk
See map
Your Comments...

Aquatots at Cariba Creek Splashlandings

Alton Towers Cariba Creek
Alton
Staffordshire
ST10 4DB
Tel: 0870 460 6548
Wednesday and Friday free waterpark sessions with floats and toys for the under-fives (£4.50 for adults). Call for opening times - Tel: 0870 460 6545.
Open the rest of the week for all ages.
See map
Your Comments...

"Brilliant for children all ages. i took my daughter for santa sleepover and would recommend highly. "
Vicki

Dimensions Fantasy Pool

Scotia Road
Burslem
Stoke-on-Trent
ST6 4ET
Tel: (01782) 233500
Fax: (01782) 233100
Dragon slide, bubble pools, fountain and river rapids. Aqua tots sessions. Good value for money.
See map
Your Comments...

Alton Towers

Alton Towers
Alton
Staffordshire
ST10 4DB
Tel: 0990 204060
See map
Your Comments...

Other Attractions

Manifold Trail: Cycling and Pushchair Walk

The Manifold Trail runs from Waterhouses to Hulme End, with cycle hire available at the old station in Waterhouses (01538 308609) - where you park the car - and at Brown End Farm (Tel: 01538 308313). Children's bikes, children's seats and buggies to pull children along in are all available. If you don't fancy a bike ride then being tarmaced this trail is also suitable for pushing prams.

Tissington Trail: Easy Cycling

The Tissington Trail starts just north of Ashbourne. It is a former railway track so is easy to cycle with a child's seat on the back.Cycle hire is available to the former stations at Parsley Hay (opposite the junction of the Youlgreave road with the A515), Tissington, Ashbourne (01335 343156) and Thorpe village.

Hassop Station Monsal Trail

The Monsal Trail tunnels will open up spring 2011,making a long cycle and walking trail suitable for buggies and wheelchairs, call in at Hassop Station Cafe, book gift shop with cycle hire coming soon!
Tel: 01629 815668

Matlock Bath Aquarium

110-114 North Parade
Matlock Bath
Derbyshire
DE4 3NS
Tel: 01629 583624
See map
Your Comments...

Rudyard Lake Steam Railway

Rudyard Station
Rudyard
Nr. Leek
Staffordshire
ST13 8PG
Tel: 01995 672280
info@rlsr.org
Days out, steam train trips, birthday party, etc at Rudyard lake. Ideal for Thomas fans.
See map
Your Comments...

Churnet Valley Railway

Cheddleton Station
Station Road
Cheddleton
Nr. Leek
Staffordshire Moorlands
ST13 7EE
Tel: 01538 360522
enquiries@churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
The railway runs along the valley of the river Churnet, a return journey of 10.5 miles. Steam trains every Sunday, March to mid-October and all bank holiday Mondyas 10 am to 5 pm. Plus every Saturday and Wednesday in June, July and August. Special events and trains at Christmas.
See map
Your Comments...

Foxfield Railway

Caverswall Road Station
Blythe Bridge
Stoke-on-Trent
ST4 8YT
Tel: 01782 396210
enquiries@foxfieldrailway.co.uk
Steam train on a 5 mile round journey through the Staffordshire countryside between Caverwall Road Station and Dilhorne Park. Baby changing facilities at the station. Open Wednesdays and weekends. Steam trains operate on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays, 11.30 am to 5 pm from April to the end of October. Santa specials in December.
See map
Your Comments...

Toys of Yesteryear

Museum and collectors shop at the Peak Village Outlet.
28 Peak Village
Chatsworth Road
Rowsley
Derbyshire
DE4 2NP
Tel: 01629 732111
steve@toysofyesteryear.co.uk
See map
Your Comments...

The Heights of Abraham

Matlock Bath
E-mail: enquiries@h-of-a.co.uk
Open daily from April 'til October. Includes cable car ride and guided tours of caverns. Under 5s free.

Poole's Cavern

Green Lane
Buxton
Derbyshire
SK17 9DH
Tel: 01298 26978
Fax: 01298 73563
Email: info@poolescavern.co.uk
Open daily from March 'til October. Under 5s free.
See map
Your Comments...

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Under Fives