This was a PR visit, which means our entry was kindly gifted. However, as always, this review is sprinkled generously with my honest opinion, mum maths, toddler chaos and the kind of truth that only comes after watching three children launch themselves across a trampoline park like they have just discovered gravity is optional.

Quick Verdict

Worth it?

Absolutely. This was easily a 10/10 for us.

Best for:

Toddlers, younger kids, energetic families, birthday parties, and parents who need their children to burn off approximately 4,000 units of chaos.

Watch out for:

Your kids will not want to leave. Emotionally prepare yourself.

Parent win:

The cafe, the coffee refills and the chance to sit down while the children live their best bouncy lives.

Would we go back?

100%. Now that I know what Oxygen Derby is, I am mildly offended nobody told me sooner.

Ssali Explorers kid rating:

‘Can we come back tomorrow?’ – which is basically five stars and a direct debit request.

So… What Is Oxygen Derby?

Well, it has been a minute since I said yes to a freebie, but yes my people, this one is a PR review. And when the email dropped into my inbox inviting us to Oxygen Derby, I had one thought:

Oxygen Derby?

For the years I have lived in Derby, how had this place just been quietly existing without me knowing?

Was everyone else keeping it secret?

Was there a Derby parents’ group chat I had somehow been excluded from?

Because rude.

Of course I was curious. And yes, I also knew this was about to be one of those moments where I become that mum in my kids’ eyes.

The cool mum.

The ‘wow, you actually came through’ mum.

The mum who walks into a trampoline park on a weekday morning and suddenly gets promoted to hero status.

So for anyone else asking, ‘What is this Oxygen you are talking about?’ – Oxygen Derby is an indoor active play and trampoline park with trampolines, soft play, a giant airbag, interactive games, a cafe, party options and toddler-friendly sessions.

Basically, it is one big indoor energy release centre, which, as any parent knows, is worth its weight in gold.

Or coffee.

Preferably coffee.

The Toddler Session

We went along to the toddler session, which runs during term-time weekdays from 9:30am to 12:30pm.

That gave us a nice long window to arrive, settle in and let the kids burn through every ounce of energy they had somehow generated before breakfast.

We arrived caffeinated – well, I was caffeinated – and the kids were already high off life and excitement.

You know when children can sense fun before they even see it?

That was the vibe.

They had the look in their eyes.

That tiny wild sparkle that says, ‘Mum, we are about to act like we have never been taken anywhere before.’

Cue P!nk’s Get the Party Started playing in my head, because honestly, that was the energy.

Signing in & getting ready

First stop was the desk to sign in. Nice and straightforward.

No shoes allowed, so you are given socks at the desk, and then you can either pop your valuables into lockers or do what most parents do – head to the cafe, secure a table like it is prime real estate in London, and leave your bits there while keeping one eye on everything.

Then it was into the briefing room for a quick run-through of the rules.

Now, I would love to tell you my children listened carefully, absorbed every instruction and nodded responsibly like tiny health and safety officers.

They did not.

Mentally, they were already gone.

Their bodies were in the briefing room, but their souls were bouncing on trampolines, throwing themselves onto airbags and planning Olympic-level moves that nobody asked for.

The staff gave the blessing, the gates opened, and let the carnage begin.

The Moment They Were Released

Before I could even say ‘play nice,’ I had lost all three kids in three different directions.

One went left.

One went right.

One vanished into the soft play like Batman disappearing into the night.

Honestly, if you ever want to test your reaction speed as a parent, take multiple children to a trampoline park and watch them scatter like confetti in a wind tunnel.

But this is where Oxygen really came into its own. From the kids’ point of view, this place is basically everything they dream about.

Trampolines everywhere. A soft play area. A giant airbag. A cardio wall. Space to jump, climb, run, bounce and fling themselves around in ways that would have me needing a physiotherapist by lunchtime.

The trampolines were the main event, obviously.

The boys were bouncing from one to another with that kind of dramatic confidence children have when they have absolutely no fear and very questionable coordination.

Then there was the soft play, which gave them another whole area to explore.

A lovely little bonus because sometimes kids need to go from bouncing like popcorn to climbing through tunnels like they are on a secret mission.

The giant airbag was a big hit too. There is something about launching yourself onto a huge inflatable landing zone that makes children feel like stunt performers.

Meanwhile, I am standing there like, ‘Please land normally. Please land normally. Please land normally.’

Spoiler: they rarely land normally.

The Games & Sticker Situation

One thing I really liked was that the session was not just ‘here is a massive space, off you go.’ The team also ran little games and activities during the session, and the kids could earn stickers.

Now listen, stickers may seem small to adults, but to children?

Stickers are currency.

You would think they were being handed Olympic medals.

Suddenly the boys were fully invested.

Running, jumping, joining in, trying to win stickers like their entire reputation depended on it.

And from a parent’s point of view, it was lovely because it gave the session a bit of structure without making it feel too organised or pressured.

They could join in when they wanted, or carry on bouncing around in their own little world.

Which, for toddlers and younger kids, is perfect because we all know their attention span can go from ‘I love this game’ to ‘I am now a dinosaur’ in 0.3 seconds.

The Playlist Was a Vibe

Also, can we talk about the playlist?

Because the music was giving.

You know when you are at a kids’ place and you hear the same songs you have heard approximately one billion times, but somehow in that environment it works?

That was this.

We had the classics. The Disney-style bangers.

The songs that make every child stop mid-bounce and shout:

‘MUM! I KNOW THIS SONG!’

Yes, babe. We all know this song. The whole nation knows this song.

We have lived through this song in the car, in the kitchen, at bedtime, on repeat, against our will and yet somehow with love.

There was a bit of You’ve Got a Friend in Me energy, a sprinkle of Aladdin, a touch of Moana – basically enough to keep the kids happy and the parents secretly humming along while pretending we were not enjoying it.

Cafe Break: The Parent Reset Button

After a decent amount of jumping, running and me pretending I was calm while tracking three children with my eyes like airport security cameras, we had a breather at the cafe.

And let me tell you – the cafe is a parent win.

There were plenty of food and drink options, and the prices were actually reasonable, which is always a nice surprise because family venues can sometimes have you paying luxury-hotel prices for a sandwich and a carton of juice.

The kids went for pizza, because of course they did.

I do not know what it is about kids and pizza, but if pizza is on a menu, the decision has already been made.

They also had slushies, because apparently children view slushies as an essential food group.

Do not ask me why.

It is just part of the kids’ diet pyramid: pizza, slushies, snacks, and whatever they refused to eat at home but suddenly love in public.

The kids’ meal deal menu looked really decent too, with options like chicken skewers with waffles, vegan tenders with waffles, hot dogs, spaghetti bolognese and pepperoni pizza, plus a drink and dessert option.

There were also breakfast bits, sharers, sides, burgers, hotdogs, snack boxes and family feast-style options, so it is not one of those places where you feel like you have only got two choices and both involve disappointment.

And then – my personal highlight – refillable coffee.

I repeat.

Refillable coffee.

I do not think I have ever been to a kids’ venue with refillable coffee before, and honestly, this felt heaven-sent.

Because after watching your children bounce, sprint, climb, snack, negotiate, demand slushies and ask ‘are we staying forever?’ you need support.

Some people need emotional support animals.

Parents need refillable coffee.

What About Prices?

At the time of writing, Oxygen Derby lists Open Play from £14.95pp for 60 minutes, £19.95pp for 90 minutes and £21.95pp for 120 minutes, with a booking service fee.

The website also lists Family Play at £12.95pp for parent and toddler, with additional adult or toddler tickets listed separately.

For toddler families, the toddler membership also caught my eye. The flyer in the venue listed toddler membership from £15.95 per month, including unlimited entry to toddler sessions, 10% off in the cafe and toddler parties, plus a bring-a-friend-for-free perk once a month.

And honestly? If you live nearby and you have a toddler who wakes up every morning ready to audition for Gladiators, that membership could be worth looking into.

As always, check the official website before booking because prices and sessions can change, and nobody wants to be the parent confidently quoting old prices at the desk.

We have enough going on.

Birthday Parties at Oxygen Derby

They also host birthday parties, and from what I saw, this could be a really strong option for parents who want a party that does not involve turning their own house into a war zone.

The party flyer mentioned packages with around 60 minutes of bouncing, 45 minutes in a VIP party area, a dedicated party host – or ‘Party Hero,’ which frankly sounds much more exciting – and food included.

The website also lists different party packages, including Toddler, Classic, Jump-Up and Big-Time options, with prices varying by package and minimum guest numbers.

I can see the appeal straight away.

You pick the package.

They help run the show.

The kids bounce, eat, celebrate and leave tired.

You do not have to clean cake out of your carpet.

Everybody wins.

And if your child is the kind who wants a big, active, high-energy birthday, this is definitely worth considering.

Especially because the whole place already feels like a party.

Bright colours, music, trampolines, slushies, stickers, food – basically a child’s dream with a waiver form.

The Staff

A big mention has to go to the staff, because they were brilliant.

Friendly, helpful, patient and very understanding – which, when you are dealing with excited children bouncing around like tiny caffeinated kangaroos, is not a small thing.

They seemed used to the chaos in the best possible way.

Not overwhelmed. Not stressed. Just calm, cheerful and ready to help.

And as a parent, that matters. Because when staff are relaxed and friendly, you feel more relaxed too.

You can actually enjoy the session instead of feeling like you are constantly in someone’s way.

Final Verdict: Would We Go Back?

Absolutely.

This was by far a 10/10 for me.

Now that I know what Oxygen Derby is, I would definitely go back.

From the kids’ perspective, it is everything they probably dream about: trampolines, soft play, music, games, stickers, slushies and enough space to run around without someone saying, ‘Stop jumping on the sofa.’

And from the adult perspective, it works too.

There is a cafe, the food options are decent, the coffee situation is strong, the staff are lovely and the whole place feels well set up for families.

Also, I will not lie – after a few coffees, you may start thinking you too could be a gymnast.

You cannot.

But the confidence will be there.

And honestly, that is the Oxygen Derby effect.

You walk in as a normal parent.

You leave with tired kids, a slight glow of victory, and the dangerous belief that maybe next time you will try the giant airbag yourself.

Would we go again?

Yes.

Would the kids go again?

They would move in if allowed.

Would I recommend it?

Absolutely – especially for toddler sessions, rainy days, birthday parties, and any parent who needs their children to burn off enough energy to make bedtime less of a courtroom negotiation.

Oxygen Derby, you were a hit.

And Derby parents, why did nobody tell me sooner?

View this post on Instagram

• Oxygen Derby Review: Toddler Chaos, Trampolines & Coffee Refills
• Lagos, Portugal: We Ditched the City Breaks for Sun, Sea… and Sidewalk Protests
• A Family Visit to Claw Kingdom Leicester: Human Claw, Arcade Games and Honest Thoughts
• Hollywood Bowl Derbion Derby Review: A Fun Family Day Out With Kids
• Warwick Castle with Kids: Honest Family Day Out Review