Best Soft Play Centres Near Jesmond
Hopscotch, Captain Ted's, Round the Twist, and Pizza Dough Co — the best soft play options within easy reach of Jesmond.
Jesmond itself does not have a dedicated soft play centre, but you do not need to travel far. Gosforth and Benton are both within a few minutes' drive (or a short Metro hop), and between them they offer some of the best soft play options in Newcastle. Whether you want a quick play session with a decent coffee or a full-scale climbing frame adventure, there is something here for every age group.
Hopscotch Play Cafe
Hopscotch on Gosforth High Street is the closest soft play to Jesmond and easily the most stylish. The venue has five distinct play zones: The Gym for under-1s with sensory play, The Frame for under-6s with a bespoke climbing structure featuring a rope bridge, three climbing towers, and a spiral slide, The Arches for imaginative play, The Den for older children up to 12, and The Yard for outdoor play.
The cafe is a genuine highlight — good coffee from Morpeth roasters, homemade cakes, and a fully licensed bar. Sessions last up to 1 hour 45 minutes. Walk-ins are welcome but booking online is strongly recommended, especially at weekends.
Best for: Under-6s, stylish cafe with bar, five minutes from Jesmond.
Captain Ted's
Captain Ted's is on West Avenue in Gosforth, housed in a converted church hall. It has won multiple awards including Best Soft Play Area in Newcastle and North East's Favourite Soft Play. The pirate-themed venue has separate play areas for toddlers/babies and juniors, with toys, dressing up, and active play.
Beyond soft play, Captain Ted's runs a breakfast club and an after-school club with cooking, arts and crafts, and games. Birthday parties are available with food, drinks, and exclusive play area hire. Sessions run up to 2 hours. A well-loved, award-winning option.
Best for: Award-winning, pirate-themed, after-school clubs, birthday parties.
Round the Twist
Round the Twist in Benton is the largest indoor soft play centre in the North East. The purpose-built facility has a massive multilevel play frame with high-level rope bridges, a drop slide, and a 9-hole crazy golf course included in the price. There are separate areas for babies, toddlers, and older children up to age 12.
It is around 10 minutes from Jesmond by car (or take the Metro to Four Lane Ends and walk). Sessions last up to 2.5 hours on weekends and school holidays. It is bigger and louder than the Gosforth options, but if the children want a proper play frame adventure, this is the place.
Best for: The North East's biggest soft play, crazy golf included, ages 0-12.
Pizza Dough Co — The Playhouse
Pizza Dough Co at the Three Mile on Great North Road combines soft play with proper New York-style pizza — a winning formula for families. The Playhouse features a soft play area, sensory zone, and a Netflix corner, designed for children up to 148cm. Admission is around five pounds per child for 90 minutes.
Soft play is walk-in only before 3pm. From 3pm you can pre-book dinner and soft play together. The Feed the Family deal is excellent value. A practical option that keeps everyone happy: children play, parents eat pizza.
Best for: Soft play plus pizza, good value family deals.
Know of another soft play near Jesmond we should include? Let us know via our contact page.