Play Tunnels

What a play tunnel is

A play tunnel is a tube of fabric held open by a wire frame, long enough for a child to crawl right through. It folds flat into a disc for storage and springs back to full length when you let it go. Children crawl through it, hide in it, race through it and build it into obstacle courses, and it works in a living room, a hall, a nursery or the garden. Some tunnels here are sold on their own, and some join a play tent or a ball pit to make a set.

Rainbow tunnels, obstacle tunnels and tunnel sets

• Rainbow crawl tunnels in 3m, 5m and 8m lengths, one in smooth cloth fabric. See children's tents.
• Obstacle course tunnels made for sensory play and group play at home or in a nursery, also in 3m, 5m and 8m. See children's indoor tents.
• A tunnel tent with a ball pit in an ocean design, packing to 120 by 90 by 80cm. The balls are not included. See ball pit tents.
• 3-in-1 tent and tunnel sets that join a play tent with a connecting tunnel, in ocean, dinosaur and pink castle designs, some with 100 play balls of 5.5cm as an option. See play teepees for a den on its own.

Length and space

Choose the length for the room. A 3m tunnel fits along a living room or hall, while an 8m tunnel needs a big room, a nursery hall or the garden. Lay it out on the floor where it will go before the children arrive, leave clear space at each end for them to come out, and keep it away from stairs, doors and furniture with sharp corners. A long tunnel can curve round a corner, which children love, but a straight run is easier to watch.

Outdoors, a tunnel on dry grass is fine on a fine day. Shake out the grass and bring it in afterwards, as none gives a waterproof rating.

Age guidance and supervision

Where a maker gives an age it is on the product page: the rainbow crawling tunnel says over 36 months, and the ocean tunnel and ball pit over 3 years. A child in the middle of a tunnel is out of sight, so stay close, keep an eye on both ends, and send children through one at a time in the same direction so nobody meets head on.

Questions people ask about play tunnels

Can a tunnel join onto a play tent?

The 3-in-1 sets are made to do that. A tunnel bought on its own may not match another tent's doorway, so check the product page.

Are play tunnels for indoors or outdoors?

All of the tunnels here say both. Indoors they need a clear floor; outdoors, dry grass and a fine day.

How long does delivery take?

Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when that tent usually arrives, so check it before ordering for a set date.

More to look at

• Ball pit tents
• Children's indoor tents
• Children's tents
• Play teepees
• All kids' tents
• Guide: Kids' tents and indoor play tents