Cub Hub

In 2026, Sam at Cub Hub approached Play Creations to design, manufacture and install a bespoke nature themed indoor soft play in Sowerby Bridge. His vision detailed a soft play that would catch the eye of every family walking through the door, yet still blend seamlessly into the venue's natural cafe setting. With a 1,700 sq.ft footprint, our soft play design had to pack in maximum play value for children aged 0-11 without overwhelming the calm, earthy feel of the space.

To achieve this, our soft play design team worked closely with Cub Hub to create three dedicated zones: a sports area with Astroturf, a main multi-level soft play structure and a separate baby area. We then brought the nature theme to life with bespoke timber panels, custom signage and lush foliage, giving families a woodland adventure right next to their coffee.

Behind the scenes, we build all of our soft play equipment is built around a robust steel frame, with timber framing inside our voluminous blocks and commercial grade foam on the outside. Because foam can sink over time with intense use, the timber helps each block hold its shape for longer. As a result, operators only need to replace the outer padding in the long run, which keeps maintenance costs down and makes our soft play as sustainable as possible. We collaborated with Sam at Cub Hub to develop a soft play layout that met safety and standard compliance, while making the most of every square foot. Above all, the design focused on clear zoning. Older children can burn off energy in the sports area and main softplay, while toddlers and babies explore safely in their own space.

For an extra thrill, we positioned a climbing wall above polycarbonate floors, letting children feel like they're climbing high while staying safe inside of the soft play. Meanwhile, polycarbonate dome windows at the top of the structure encourage kids to wave down to their parents and stay in sight.

When it came to colour, we chose a palette that sits comfortably alongside the neutral cafe interior, then added bespoke timber and foliage features for texture and warmth. Consequently, the soft play feels like part of the venue rather than an add on, while stilll delivering the bold play features children love.

Overall, the Cub Hub project came in at approximately £110,000, covering the bespoke soft play design, manufacturing and installation. For a more detailed breakdown of commercial soft play costs, take a look at our commercial soft play cost guide. The finished soft play is packed with features for every age. For thrill-seekers, the 540 degree tube slide and 2 lane astra slide steal the show. The daring aerial glide with custom splat pad might also be of interest. Between the slides, children can climb, crawl and bounce their way through cargo nets, horizontal rollers and mirror chicanes. Before testing their bravery with the climbing wall positioned over polycarbonate floor panels.

Younger children, on the other hand, get to enjoy their own gentle adventure in the dedicated baby area. Here, a dizzy disc, toddler slide and interactive games panel sit alongside our soft play favourites such as the ball spinner.

However, the installation came with real challenges. Our team worked to a tight timeframe ahead of the October half term, coordinating around the other contractors on site. On top of that, the slide didn't fit as planned, so our installers reworked it on site, which caused critical time setbacks. Determind to hit the deadline, our expert soft play installation team worked around the clock to fix the issue and finished the soft play in time for Cub Hub's opening day. Cub Hub opened its doors just before the October half term, and families flocked in. In its first week alone, the soft play welcomed approximately 3,000 visitors, and many customers returned the following week. Visibly showcasing that a well-designed soft play, that works for both children and parents, keeps families coming back.

Since opening, Play Creations continues to support Cub Hub with ongoing soft play maintenance and aftercare, backed by our lifetime warranty on steel frameworks and key structural components. That way, the team at Cub Hub can focus on running their venue, knowing their soft play is built to last.

Ultimately, this project shows Play Creations' ability to deliver a bespoke, nature-themed soft play on a tight deadline without compromising on quality or design. In turn, it has helped Cub Hub establish themselves as the go-to family destination in Sowerby Bridge.