Toddler Activities That Do More Than Tire Them Out
There is a particular joy in watching a toddler encounter a bouncy surface for the first time. The tentative first step. The realisation that the floor moves. The absolute, uncontained delight that follows. Innoflate’s Innotots sessions were built around exactly that moment and everything that comes after it.
Run at all seven Innoflate venues across Scotland, South Wales, and Grimsby, Innotots is a dedicated session for children aged five and under. It’s calmer, quieter, and paced completely differently to a standard Open Bounce and for toddlers and their grown-ups, it tends to be something of a revelation.
Why Inflatable Play Is Genuinely Good for Under-5s
It’s easy to think of bouncing as pure fun – which it absolutely is – but what’s happening developmentally during an Innotots session is worth understanding. Every time a toddler negotiates a soft obstacle, attempts a gentle slide, or simply tries to walk across an uneven inflatable surface, they’re building proprioceptive awareness: the body’s understanding of where it is in space. It’s the same foundation that underpins balance, coordination, and physical confidence later in childhood.
The tactile experience matters too. Different textures, the give of the inflatable surface underfoot, the sensation of sliding – these are forms of sensory input that support nervous system development in early childhood. Which is a technical way of saying: toddlers thrive in this environment, and it shows.
What Innotots Sessions Look Like
Innotots runs during a dedicated morning timeslot, with the inflatable park to themselves – no older children, no Open Bounce energy. The atmosphere is noticeably calmer, which makes a real difference for smaller children who can find busy environments overwhelming.
Supervising adults are required for children aged five and under, and their entry is included in the ticket price – so parents, grandparents, and carers can get right in there alongside their little ones. At Innoflate Inverness and Newport, the session also incorporates the dedicated soft play area alongside the inflatables, giving younger visitors more to explore at their own pace.
All Innoflate locations run Innotots sessions on weekend mornings, giving families a regular opportunity for little ones to bounce, play, and explore. At Innoflate Inverness, families can also enjoy a midweek Stay & Play option, offering even more flexibility during the week. Check your nearest venue’s session page for the current schedule, as holiday periods can bring additional slots.
For families who visit regularly, Innotots is included in our Gold Innoflate membership. Gold membership starts from £10.50 per month and includes a 60-minute Innotots session every Saturday and Sunday as well as our daily 60-minute Open Bounce sessions – a brilliant option if your little one has discovered they love it.
The Innotots Birthday Party
For children turning one, two, three, four, or five, the Innotots birthday party package offers something that standard party venues simply can’t: a genuinely age-appropriate inflatable experience, at a calm pace, without the sensory overload of a louder session.
The party follows the same format as other Innoflate packages – inflatable fun followed by time in the dedicated party area for food, cake, and celebration – but it’s timed to the Innotots session so the environment stays right for the youngest guests. Party hosts are included, invitations are available to download, and add-ons like character visits are available at most venues. View Innotots party packages at Aberdeen, Cumbernauld, Dundee, Grimsby, Inverness, Livingston, and Newport.
It’s worth noting that these party slots are some of the quickest to go – partly because the Innotots sessions run less frequently than Open Bounce, and partly because a lot of families have discovered how well they work. Booking six to eight weeks ahead is advisable for a specific date.
First Visit? Here’s What to Know
Dress little ones in comfortable, moveable clothing – the inflatables can be warm. Grip socks are mandatory for the park; Innoflate socks cost £2.50 and are reusable, so they become a fixture in the change bag. Complete your safety waiver online before you arrive to save time at check-in, and if it’s your toddler’s first time on inflatables, arriving a few minutes before the session starts gives them a chance to acclimatise before it gets going.
Book at innoflate.co.uk – select your venue, find the Innotots session, and go from there. Come ready for a very happy, very tired toddler on the way home.
