HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – Soft Play, a global leader in indoor playground equipment, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a monumental project: the “Mountain America Jurassic Jungle.” this multimillion-dollar, six-story dinosaur-themed play area is set to open in December at Thanksgiving Point, a popular indoor and outdoor learning center in Lehi, Utah.
This highly interactive and immersive playground is the result of a collaboration between Soft Play and thanksgiving Point. It promises to transport visitors back to the prehistoric world, allowing them to learn, play, and imagine life alongside dinosaurs.
Equipped with digital wristbands, children will embark on a thrilling adventure through the “Jurassic Jungle.” They’ll traverse lava chambers, solve puzzles, and climb through a towering volcano, all while being mindful of the dinosaurs lurking nearby. Highlights include blasting food into a T-RexS mouth, sliding down a giant Titanoboa snake, and finding safe pathways to avoid other prehistoric creatures.
This ambitious project marks a significant milestone for Soft Play, which was founded in September 1984. Over the past four decades, the company has revolutionized the concept of indoor play, setting new standards for safety, design, and customer engagement. With over 40,000 playground installations worldwide, Soft Play estimates that over 2.6 billion children have experienced the joy of their creations.
“The introduction of the Thanksgiving Point build, our largest single site project to date, is the perfect one to celebrate how far our company has come in the past four decades,” said Rich Albright, soft Play’s vice president and general manager. “when completed, it will be among the most technologically advanced, creatively envisioned, daringly safe playgrounds ever constructed, becoming a must-visit destination for kids and families from around the region.”
The Soft Play Journey
Soft Play’s journey began in Charlotte, North Carolina, with entrepreneurs Grant Strawcutter and Neal Crites. Their vision was to create indoor play spaces where children could enjoy slides, tunnels, and climbers with the added safety of padded surfaces.
Their early designs, focused on minimizing falls and injuries, led to the development of unique “play-in” equipment, a revolutionary approach that has become an industry standard. The success of their modular play units, installed in locations like McDonald’s, Chuck E. Cheese, and others, solidified Soft Play’s reputation for delivering safe and engaging play experiences.
Today, Soft Play’s equipment can be found in a diverse range of businesses, including Simon Properties, Merlin Entertainment, SeaWorld, and Chick-fil-A.
“I’m filled with pride knowing that the vision we had back in the early 1980s when we had a lot of ambition grew into something much larger and more enduring than we ever imagined,” said Strawcutter. “I’m a kid at heart and love to play, so I had a lot of fun building and growing Soft Play. It’s an honor being part of the foundation that still influences play spaces around the globe where some of the best childhood memories are made.”
In 1996,Soft Play was acquired by PlayPower,the world’s largest commercial playground company.
Soft Play, a renowned name in the world of play equipment, is celebrating a remarkable milestone: 40 years of igniting imaginations and fostering fun. From its humble beginnings as a small startup, the company has evolved into a global leader, crafting captivating play environments for children of all ages.
The journey began with two resolute founders who, despite facing initial rejections, persevered in their vision to bring innovative play experiences to life. Their persistence paid off when they secured a contract with McDonald’s, marking the start of Soft Play’s ascent.
“Soft Play has a remarkable origin story,” said Albright.”Two persistent founders with a great idea who refused to take no for an answer, eventually talking McDonald’s into giving them a shot. Now look where we are 40 years later,designing imaginative play experiences not just for restaurants and retail environments,but for major tourist destinations like the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and – soon – The Mountain America Jurassic Jungle at Thanksgiving Point.”
Today, Soft Play’s creations are synonymous with excitement and safety. Their adventure-oriented, enclosed play spaces offer a welcome option to screen time, providing children with thrilling experiences while giving parents peace of mind.
Looking ahead, Soft Play is poised for continued growth and innovation. The company is expanding its reach into emerging markets like healthcare, themed venues, and multi-family developments. They are also pioneering new frontiers in play, developing solutions that integrate STEM and STEAM learning, and creating immersive “Phygital” experiences that blend technology with physical activity.
Recognizing the need for adaptable solutions, Soft Play offers products designed to fit any space, ensuring that the joy of play is accessible to everyone.
“The future is radiant at Soft Play, where we’ve always been about more than just selling play equipment,” said Albright. “We truly believe in creating environments and experiences where families can come together, children can enjoy themselves and businesses can thrive. We plan to lead the way in the play business for the next 40 years and beyond.”
Soft Play, a PlayPower brand, is a global leader in the creation of unique, adventurous towers and sculpted play structures, gamified and immersive entertainment environments for indoor, outdoor and waterplay locations. Serving shopping destinations, restaurants, family entertainment centers, museums, amusement parks and attractions, recreation facilities, child-watch areas and much more, we craft customized worlds of fun that stir imaginations and drive loyalty-building brand extensions. With a collaborative, turnkey design process, safety-first engineering and hassle-free installation, we ensure visitors won’t just see your brand; They will experience it. for more details, see SoftPlay.com.
## Expert Interview: Soft Play Celebrates 40 years of Playful Innovation
**World Today News:** We’re here today with [Expert Name], a childhood development specialist and expert on play-based learning, to discuss Soft Play’s 40th anniversary and their latest ambitious project, Mountain America Jurassic Jungle.
**World Today News:** [Expert Name], Soft Play is celebrating a significant milestone this year. What do you think makes them stand out in the world of playground equipment?
**[Expert Name]:** Firstly, congratulations to Soft play on their 40th anniversary! I’ve always admired their commitment to safety and innovative design. Thay were pioneers in introducing padded surfaces, minimizing the risk of injuries and revolutionizing indoor play spaces. Beyond safety, their focus on imaginative and interactive play is crucial. Children learn best through engaging experiences, and Soft play environments encourage creativity, problem-solving, and social interaction.
**World Today News:** Their new project, “Mountain America Jurassic Jungle,” sounds extraordinary. How do you think this immersive experience will benefit children?
**[Expert Name]:** This project is a testament to Soft Play’s understanding of how children learn. By incorporating dinosaurs and interactive elements, they’re tapping into children’s natural curiosity about the world. Imagine experiencing a prehistoric world, solving puzzles, and even escaping a T-Rex!
This kind of play fosters a love for learning, encourages active exploration, and develops vital social and emotional skills.
**World Today News:** soft Play has grown tremendously over four decades. How has the concept of play evolved during this time?
**[Expert Name]:** Play has always been essential for child development, but our understanding of its benefits has grown significantly. We now recognize that play is not just about fun; it’s essential for cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
Soft Play has kept pace with these developments, constantly innovating to create playgrounds that are not only safe and stimulating but also cater to the diverse needs of children.
**World Today News:** Looking ahead, what do you foresee for the future of play and companies like Soft Play?
**[Expert Name]:** I believe we’ll see an even greater emphasis on technology and immersive experiences in playgrounds.
Soft Play’s “Jurassic Jungle” is a prime example of this trend. I’m excited to see how future playgrounds will continue to captivate children’s imaginations and provide valuable learning opportunities.
**World Today News:** Thank you so much for your insights, [Expert Name].
**[Expert Name]:** My pleasure. It’s inspiring to see companies like Soft Play prioritizing play and making such a positive impact on children’s lives.
