Quick answer
Xplore is an indoor soft play centre upstairs in Xscape Yorkshire, Castleford, next to Glasshoughton station, so it works on rainy days. The play frame is for children under 12 and under 1.45m, with a tots area for under 4s. Monday to Friday online prices are £7 for ages 4 and over, £6 for under 4s and £1 for adults. Child prices are higher at weekends and on public holidays. Parents must stay in the secure area and supervise, and everyone on the frame must wear socks. A Christmas Party runs on Wednesday 9 December 2026, 4.30pm to 6.30pm, with tickets sold online before the day.
Is it right for my child?
- Age and height: Xplore’s FAQs say children must be under 12 and less than 1.45 metres tall to use the play frame.
- Toddlers: the tots area is strictly for under 4s, and they should not use the main frame without parental supervision. The Under 4s area has a staff help button.
- What children love: the soft play frame, plus Tag & Play, a digital treasure hunt added to a session for £3.50. Its pods are only in the over 4s play area.
- Extras under one roof: the Teddy Town make-a-bear shop, the ShakeStop milkshake bar and 4D Golf, with individual tickets from £5.
- 4D Golf sensory note: both glow-in-the-dark courses use strobe lighting, so they may not suit people with photosensitive epilepsy. Floors are uneven. Xplore recommends a minimum age of 3. Some younger children may find the Curse of the Mummy course a little scary.
- Honest safety note: the Rules of Play warn of tripping, falling and bumping into fixed objects and other children. Unwell children should not use the facilities.
Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist
- Book a session. Walk-ins are accepted, but Xplore strongly recommends pre-booking because capacity is limited and ticket holders have priority.
- Pack socks for everyone on the frame, adults included. The front desk sells socks, and long sleeve tops are advised.
- Leave things out of the play area: no shoes, ties, jewellery, glasses unless shatterproof, or sharp objects such as badges and loose change.
- Plan to stay with your child. Xplore does not provide supervision.
- Leave your own snacks at home. Only food and drink bought in Xplore may be eaten on the premises.
Prices and tickets
Paid standard soft play tickets are 50p cheaper online than walk-in. Prices below are online, with walk-in in brackets.
- Monday to Friday: adults £1.00 (£1.50), infants aged 3 to 12 months £2.00 (£2.50), under 4s £6.00 (£6.50), ages 4 and over £7.00 (£7.50).
- Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: adults £1.00 (£1.50), infants £2.50 (£3.00), under 4s £7.00 (£7.50), ages 4 and over £8.00 (£8.50).
- Babies under 3 months are free. The 4 and over ticket is for a maximum age of 11 and under 145cm. On 13 November 2026 each soft play booking type we checked online needed at least one adult ticket.
- Play & Eat, £9: on weekdays from the 1.30pm session, soft play entry plus a kids’ menu meal. It is not valid in published school holidays, or on public holidays apart from summer.
- Baby Weigh & Play: a self-weigh service for babies up to 18 months on term-time weekdays. Booked in advance, the first visit is £5, then £2. Walk-in prices are higher, and adult entry is not included.
Pushchairs, babies and toilets
Xplore is upstairs in Xscape, next to LaserZone. Xscape’s access page says Xplore has two disabled toilets and a platform lift to its first floor. The official pages do not mention baby changing or pushchair storage. Call Xplore on 01977 553355 to ask.
Food and drink
Xplore has a café, and its kids’ menu includes chicken nuggets and fries, pasta bolognaise and half a jacket potato. Food is cooked fresh to order, so allow time. Speak to the team about allergies before you order. The ShakeStop milkshake bar is under the same roof. No food, drink or gum is allowed in the play area.
Getting there and parking
Xplore’s contact page gives the address as Xscape, Castleford, WF10 4TA. Leave the M62 at junction 32 and follow the brown signs for Xscape.
- Parking: Xscape says parking is free for visitors using its shops, restaurants and leisure attractions. No vehicles may stay overnight.
- Overflow car park: postcode WF10 4PR, a short walk over the railway bridge.
- Blue Badge: the Main Car Park has 88 free spaces for customers who meet the Blue Badge criteria, plus parent and toddler bays.
- Train: Glasshoughton station is next to Xscape, on the Pontefract Line from Leeds.
When to visit
Xplore’s term-time session tables give these start times:
- Monday to Friday: 9.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm, with the last session ending at 6pm.
- Saturday and Sunday: 9am, 10.45am, 12.30pm, 2.15pm and 4pm, plus 5.45pm on Saturdays only.
- October to February school holidays and bank holidays: the weekday 3.30pm session ends at 5.15pm, and a 5.30pm to 7.15pm session is added. The page does not list school holiday dates.
- Session length: on 13 November 2026 the booking system said daytime sessions last up to 1 hour 45 minutes. After-school sessions last up to 2.5 hours, and weekend peak sessions up to 1.5 hours.
Christmas Party, Wednesday 9 December 2026, 4.30pm to 6.30pm. Children under 12 are £12 online (£14 on the door). Infants under 12 months are £4 (£5 on the door), and babies under 3 months are free. Accompanying adults are £1, with a maximum of 2 per child admission. On 13 November the booking page limited its Over 4 ticket to 11 years and under 145cm. Children write Santa a letter for a very special visitor to collect, and receive a gift.
Tickets are sold online only and are non-refundable. Door tickets may be available after the start, subject to space. Promotional photos will be taken and flashing lights may be in use. Tell staff on arrival if your family should not be photographed. On 13 November the calendar showed no after-school play session on 9 December.
Additional needs and disability support
Xplore offers a carer discount, and Xscape lists Xplore’s accessible features.
- Carer offer: one free adult with a paid child soft play admission (over 4 or under 4 tickets only). Use the code CARER once and show a valid Carer ID.
- Access: two disabled toilets, a platform lift to the first floor and a lowered section on every counter.
- At Xscape: wheelchairs can be requested on 01977 664 799. Support dogs are welcome in the centre, but check Xplore’s own policy.
- Changing Places: Xscape says one is a short distance away at Junction 32 Outlet, behind the GAP store.
- Sensory notes: 4D Golf uses strobe lighting. The café TVs usually show news. Tell staff about unsuitable content and they will change the channel.
- Not mentioned: Xplore’s pages do not mention relaxed or SEN sessions, so ask Xplore directly. On 13 November the booking site’s Accessibility link showed a page not found message.
Frequently asked questions
What age is Xplore soft play for?
Children under 12 and under 1.45 metres tall can use the play frame. There is a separate tots area for under 4s.
Do adults have to pay at Xplore?
Yes. Standard adult tickets are £1.00 online or £1.50 walk-in, every day. Some offers and passes include or discount adult entry. Adults must stay and supervise.
Do you need socks at Xplore Castleford?
Yes. Children and adults on the play frame must wear socks, and the front desk sells them.
Can you take your own food to Xplore?
No. Only food and drink bought in Xplore may be eaten on the premises.
Do you need to book Xplore soft play?
Places are not guaranteed without a booking. Pre-booked groups get priority entry at the session start, so walk-ins may queue longer.
Is parking free at Xscape for Xplore?
Yes. Xscape says parking is free for visitors using its shops, restaurants and leisure attractions.
Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official Xplore pages for times and prices, rules, FAQs, Christmas and bookings, plus Xscape’s parking and access pages. Prices can change, so check before you travel.
