PODS Help Centre

Everything you need to know about PODS, Adventure Jackets and the PODS Play app, in one place. Can't find your answer? Email hello@podsplay.com.

The PODS range

What is a POD?

Every POD is an adventure portal: a personal space for imaginative play and calm, with remote-controlled sensory lighting, switchable Adventure Jackets, soundscapes, audio stories and eBooks. PODS are British designed.

What is PODSgo?

PODSgo is our newest range and our most compact POD, at 90 cm x 90 cm x 115 cm. It has a sturdy frame and arrives as a flat pack adventure. It is not inflatable and does not fold. It is easy to take with you, for example for a weekend at the grandparents'. PODSgo is our most popular POD for families and homes.

What is PODS?

PODS is our inflatable POD, 1.8 m wide and 1.8 m tall with a domed roof. It is soft and roomy and packs into an included backpack. PODS is our most popular POD for schools and organisations.

What is Therapy PODS?

Therapy PODS is our largest POD, at 2.3 m x 2.3 m x 2.3 m. It is inflatable and designed for sensory and therapy settings, and uses inner jackets. Therapy PODS is our most popular POD for adults and for settings with multiple users.

What are Fundamentals PODS?

Fundamentals versions are the plain POD without themed graphics, for children who find busy graphics overwhelming.

What is PODSpop?

PODSpop has a fast-fold frame that pops up like a pop-up tent. It measures 120 cm x 120 cm x 130 cm.

Which POD is right for me?

See our comparison page at podsplay.com/pages/which-pods, or watch our range comparison video: short version or long version.

Can PODS be used outdoors?

No. No POD is designed for outdoor use, because they all need electricity, for the lighting or the inflation.

Where can PODS be used?

Every POD can be used in any indoor setting: homes, schools, nurseries, therapy rooms, hospitals and more.

What ages are PODS for?

PODS are designed for children from roughly 18 months to 8 years, and for anyone of any ability who needs a calm space of their own.

Do PODS treat any condition?

PODS are a calm space to reset. We don't make medical claims.

Adventure Jackets

What are Adventure Jackets?

Adventure Jackets are interchangeable themes that change your POD's world, inside and out. Take the submarine off, put a jungle on. We have a growing range of themes, including Sub Aqua Quest, Galactic Space Adventure, Rumble in the Jungle, Sunset Savanna Safari, Walking With Dinosaurs, Magical Princess Palace, Polar Ice Igloo, Blackout and Whiteout. New adventures are added regularly.

What are the newest Adventure Jackets?

Blackout and Whiteout, for PODSgo.

Which themes are most popular?

In order: 1 Sub Aqua Quest, 2 Galactic Space Adventure, 3 Sunset Savanna Safari, 4 Rumble in the Jungle, 5 Polar Ice Igloo, 6 Magical Princess Palace, 7 Blackout, 8 Walking With Dinosaurs, 9 Whiteout, 10 Manchester City. The most popular Therapy PODS inner jacket theme is Scuba Ocean Floor.

What comes with a jacket?

A themed PODSgo or PODS jacket comes with a free Chapter 1 story from its world in the PODS Play app, including that world's sound effects. A Therapy PODS jacket comes with its soundscape only, with no stories.

Where to buy

Where can I buy PODS?

The quickest lead times and best offers are direct, at podsplay.com or right here in the PODS Play app. The PODS range is also sold by independent online stores including The Glow Company and Playtents.co.uk, by The Range online, and on Amazon.

We're a school or organisation. Where can we buy?

Schools and education organisations can also buy through educational suppliers such as Findel Education, Rompa, Seated Furniture and The Dyslexia Shop. Buying direct from podsplay.com is still the quickest and best value.

How much do PODS cost?

Live prices are always shown at podsplay.com.

Delivery, returns and care

How long does delivery take, and what does it cost?

In-stock items are usually delivered in the UK within 2 to 4 working days. Some products are made to order or available on pre-order, and the product page always shows the expected date. UK delivery is free on orders over £150.

What is your returns policy?

You can return a product within 14 days of purchase, in the same condition and original packaging. If it isn't faulty, the return postage is paid by you. Refunds go back to the card or account you paid with, within 48 hours of us approving the return. Full details are on our Shipping and Returns page.

Is there a warranty? What if something breaks?

Every POD comes with a 12 month warranty. If anything arrives faulty or stops working, email hello@podsplay.com with a photo or short video and we'll put it right. Spare parts such as replacement fans and power supplies are also available.

How do I clean my POD and Adventure Jackets?

Wipe the POD and jackets with a damp cloth and a little mild soapy water, then let everything dry fully before packing it away. Please don't put jackets in the washing machine.

Safety and how it works

Are PODS safe?

Yes. PODS are CE marked and meet EN71 toy safety and EN62115 electrical toy safety standards. They are designed and finished in the UK, and safety test reports and declarations of conformity are available on request.

How does the lighting work, and what power does it need?

Every POD has remote-controlled sensory lighting and needs just one standard UK mains socket. The power lead is about 1 m long. The inflatable PODS and Therapy PODS run from a 24V power supply that powers the fan and the lighting. On PODSgo the lighting can be set by remote, or through Alexa and Google Home. The remote controls take batteries: AAA batteries for PODS and Therapy PODS, and a coin battery for PODSgo.

How many children fit inside?

PODSgo seats one to two children, depending on age, and is roomy enough for a child and a grown-up to share story time. PODS comfortably fits 2 to 3 children, or an adult and a child. Therapy PODS fits 1 to 6 children or 1 to 4 adults.

Is the fan noisy, and does it stay on?

On the inflatable PODS and Therapy PODS, a small fan stays on while the POD is in use to keep it inflated. It makes a low background white noise that doesn't get in the way of conversation, even whispering inside the POD. PODSgo has a sturdy frame, so it has no fan at all.

Will a jacket from one POD fit another?

Adventure Jackets are made for each POD in the range, so PODSgo jackets fit PODSgo, PODS jackets fit PODS, and Therapy PODS inner jackets fit Therapy PODS.

How much space do I need?

PODSgo needs a floor space of 90 cm x 90 cm and is 115 cm tall. PODS needs 1.8 m x 1.8 m and is 1.8 m tall. Therapy PODS needs 2.3 m x 2.3 m and is 2.3 m tall. For the inflatable PODS and Therapy PODS, we recommend about 0.5 m of clear space all round while it inflates, so nothing gets knocked off the walls.

How heavy is it, and how does it store?

PODSgo weighs 4.5 kg and arrives as a flat pack. PODS weighs about 10 kg and Therapy PODS about 11 kg, and both pack away in about 90 seconds into their own backpack.

The PODS Play app

Where is my QR code?

Look inside your Important Travel Documents envelope for a padlock-shaped card. That's your unique, personal activation QR code. Open the scanner in the PODS Play app and scan it to unlock Chapter 1 of the theme you bought (or its soundscape, for Therapy PODS). Can't use the scanner? Type in the 8-character code printed below the QR code instead.

What does the QR code unlock?

For story adventures, the QR code unlocks Chapter 1 of that adventure, plus its sound effects. It does not unlock every chapter. Therapy PODS jackets unlock a soundscape only.

How do I get more chapters?

Individual chapters can be bought inside the app: open the adventure and each locked chapter has a buy option, with its price shown. Buying one chapter unlocks that chapter only. The full adventure bundle covers the remaining chapters in one go. Chapters don't unlock automatically when a child finishes the previous one.

Are the chapters one long story?

No. Each chapter is a complete, standalone Professor PODS story, so children can enjoy them in any order.

What else is in the app?

The Adventures tab (story adventures and Therapy PODS soundscapes), the PODS Passport (adventure stamps, ranks from Cadet to Legend, badges and streaks), Family Profiles with PIN protection, Sleep and Calm Mode for screen-free bedtime audio, the Adventure Journal, the Explore tab and the Control Room for account settings.

Which digital adventures are most popular?

Galactic Space Adventure and Walking With Dinosaurs.

Does the app cost anything?

The PODS Play app is free. Each themed PODSgo or PODS jacket unlocks a free Chapter 1 story, and extra chapters are £3 each, bought inside the app.

Does the app need Wi-Fi?

Only to download. Stories and sound effects can be downloaded over Wi-Fi, and once downloaded you can enjoy them offline.

Can several children use the app?

Yes. Family Profiles let you add several children to one account, each with their own progress, and a PIN keeps grown-up settings safe.

What information does the app collect about children?

We collect as little as possible. Children's names are never shared with third parties. If you choose to add a child's birthday, only the day and month are used, so we can send a birthday treat in the run-up to their big day.

Professor PODS and the stories

Who is Professor PODS?

Professor PODS is an inventor who travels with his sidekick Bea the Badger in the PODS teleportation device. He's quintessentially British and never travels without a flask of tea.

Who is Bea the Badger?

Bea is Professor PODS' sidekick and voice of reason, his banter buddy and adventure co-pilot.

Who made the stories?

PODS designer and founder Alex Ford wrote all the stories, apart from a couple of chapters written by Bailey Grosvenor and Katie Michaels. Alex Ford performed and recorded every track and character.

What is Professor PODS' favourite story?

"Rex and Rosie's Race to the Rainbow", because of the really funny rap at the end.

Schools and organisations

Do you accept purchase orders and invoices?

Yes. Add what you need to the basket and choose "Request an invoice or quote" at checkout. We'll email a VAT invoice, add your purchase order number, and dispatch once payment clears. See Schools and Organisations.

Do you offer discounts for schools or bulk orders?

Bulk discounts may be possible, depending on quantity. Ordering several units or applying for a grant? Get in touch and we'll send a formal quote.

Can we get a risk assessment or safety documents?

Yes. Safety test reports and declarations of conformity are available on request, and we're happy to complete supplier forms. Email hello@podsplay.com.

Are PODS suitable for children with SEND or sensory needs?

Yes. PODS give children a calm space of their own to reset, with lighting and sound they can adjust. Fundamentals versions have plain graphics for children who find busy designs overwhelming, and Therapy PODS are made for sensory rooms and therapy settings, with room for an adult and a roof access point for ceiling hoists. Watch Therapy PODS for special educational needs.

Can we try a POD before we buy?

We're happy to talk you through the range by video call. Demos of PODS and Therapy PODS are usually offered for larger orders, or for settings in the South East. Get in touch to ask.

Can you make a custom or personalised POD?

Yes. We can add a personalised name to many PODS, and we design custom Therapy PODS to fit your space, made to order in about 8 weeks. We can also create custom graphics, audio and soundscapes. Get in touch for a quote.

Helpful videos

Contact us

Email hello@podsplay.com and the PODS team will help.