A Guide to Safely Setting Up Soft Play and Bouncy Castles Indoors

Last Reviewed August 2025

Ensuring a safe play environment for children is the most important thing when you hire soft play and other mobile play equipment from us at Dancing Cubs for indoor use.

While most indoor venues are likely to meet HSE and legal requirements for safety, it's essential to be aware of potential hazards and take steps to prevent injuries. This guide covers key considerations for a safe setup in indoor spaces like halls, offices, hotels, community centres, homes, nurseries, schools, or any other indoor venue. Contact us with any questions.

To ensure a smooth and efficient setup, please ensure the designated area is clean and clear of all furniture, fixtures, fittings and other obstructions before we arrive. Reviewing the space layout with the points below will help us create the safest possible environment for children at play.

The Right Location

  • Choose an open space: The ideal setup location is in the centre of a room, away from walls, radiators, pillars, or other rigid structures. This creates a buffer zone to prevent children from hitting hard surfaces if they fall.

  • Allow for supervision: Leave enough space around the perimeter of the play area for supervising adults to walk freely and maintain a clear view of all children. This ensures no child is left unsupervised in a blind spot.

  • Remove or secure furniture: Move tables, chairs, and other furniture away from the play area. This prevents children from bumping into them and discourages them from climbing on furniture to jump onto the play equipment, which is dangerous.

Avoiding Obstacles and Hazards

  • Doors and fire exits: Where possible, we avoid setting up play equipment near constantly-used doors or fire exits. This prevents finger entrapment, avoids adults with shoes from walking onto the play mats, prevents children from wandering out of view and keeps emergency exits completely clear and accessible at all times.

  • Kitchens and food: Where possible, we prefer to set up play equipment away from kitchens and food tables. This helps prevent food and drinks from spilling onto the equipment, which can be messy and create a slipping, allergic reaction or choking hazard for young children. All food and drinks should be consumed away from the play equipment.

  • Electrical outlets and wires: Ensure that all electrical outlets near the play area are safely covered.

  • Uneven surfaces: We avoid having play areas on stairs, platforms, or stages, as a crawling baby or child could easily fall and get hurt. Any nearby steps or drops should be clearly marked or blocked off.

  • Disused fireplaces: Cover or block off any disused fireplaces. Children may be curious and attempt to explore inside of them.

Related Pages

0