Not All Soft Play Is the Same - and Soft Brick Is Bringing the Proof to IAAPA Expo Europe!

Information

UK indoor play specialists The Soft Brick Company return to IAAPA Expo Europe (ExCeL London, 22-24 September) with two world debuts: Puzzle Rooms, a concept blending soft play with the excitement of an escape room, and PlaySense, set to change how venues understand how children play.
Press Release
The Soft Brick Company, the UK's most experienced indoor play designers and manufacturers, will exhibit at IAAPA Expo Europe 2026 (ExCeL London, 22–24 September) on stand S2941, presenting a portfolio of products designed to help operators build high-performing, future-proof play destinations. At the heart of the company's offer is traditional soft play – and nobody does it better. Bespoke multi-level structures, toddler zones, sensory rooms and role play environments form the commercial backbone of any great venue. Designed with the pre-school market firmly in mind, these spaces drive consistent weekday footfall during term time, ensuring operators aren't reliant on weekends and school holidays alone. Built around this foundation is a wider portfolio that extends the age range and keeps families on site for longer. TAG-X, the company's RFID-powered gamification platform, targets older children and early teens, while APE-X delivers ninja-style agility challenges that push energy and excitement levels higher. The team will be introducing Puzzle Rooms – a first-of-its-kind concept blending traditional puzzle-based soft play with the excitement of an escape room, engaging everyone from toddlers to parents in a true shared family experience. Visitors will also get a first look at PlaySense – making its debut at the event and set to redefine how venues understand their visitors and how children play. "IAAPA Expo Europe is the biggest stage in our industry, and this year we have more to show than ever," said Graham Robinson, Managing Director. "From the traditional soft play we built our name on, to two products nobody has seen before – not all soft play is the same, and this is the show where we prove it." Find The Soft Brick Company on stand S2941 – and with Experience UK – 22–24 September 2026, ExCeL London.
Press Release Link
The Soft Brick CompanyS2941Since 1988, The Soft Brick Company has been designing, manufacturing and installing soft play environments that sit at the heart of successful family attractions. From our North of England factory, our designers, engineers, artists and manufacturing teams work side by side, allowing us to control quality, creativity and delivery from concept through to installation. Soft play remains the cornerstone of our work. When designed properly, it is one of the most reliable ways to attract families, extend dwell time and encourage repeat visits. We work with operators, developers and consultants from the earliest stages of new projects, shaping play environments that balance commercial performance with inclusive, family-led experiences. Those experiences often begin with younger children. Through Role Play environments and our Neighbourhood Narratives approach, we create spaces inspired by local stories, landmarks and community character. These early-years zones help attractions feel rooted in place, providing welcoming first-play experiences that set the tone for the wider destination. As families move through the attraction together, play evolves. Our Puzzle Rooms introduce shared, thinking-based challenges that encourage teamwork, communication and problem solving. By engaging adults and children equally, these spaces support longer, more balanced visits that go beyond purely physical play. For older children and higher-energy activity, physical challenge becomes more prominent. APE-X brings ninja-style movement together with route planning and decision-making, creating play that rewards agility, coordination and skill. Positioned alongside soft play, it allows attractions to extend appeal without fragmenting the overall experience. Interaction and replay-ability are enhanced through TAG-X, our wireless RFID gamification system. Featuring an industry-leading six games, with more in development, TAG-X introduces structure, friendly competition and teamwork to physical play. Designed to be retro-fittable as well as integrated into new builds, its battery-powered, cable-free system allows operators to evolve their offer over time without fixed location constraints. Underpinning the environment is PlaySense, a passive play awareness system designed to support supervision while encouraging active play. By understanding presence and movement, PlaySense helps operators manage play area entry, exit and session flow, while also demonstrating how children stay active through distance travelled and overall physical engagement. Alongside bespoke theming, including the accurate recreation of recognised intellectual property (IP), our work spans shopping centres, airports, farm parks, dedicated FECs and more. With nearly 40 years of experience, we continue to evolve soft play as a commercial attraction, demonstrating that not all soft play is the same!

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