I heard about a new ‘fitness / soft play / indoor’ place that was due to come to York – it was a little vague at first and it seems like it’s been a long time coming… I didn’t really know what to expect… we have a soft play, we have indoor fitness in the way of trampoline parks… what could this offer that was different? We found out that it opened this week in York so I was keen to get down and see. I can confirm that this really is something different to York’s current offering for children and adults – and a great addition to our already fantastic city!
I suppose the way I’d describe it is a kind of obstacle course for both children and adults, but that wouldn’t really be doing it justice as it’s so much more than that. I’ve taken loads of photographs so you can see for yourself! But first…
Wednesday to Saturday – 9:45am to 9:30pm
Sunday to Monday 9:45am to 6:30pm
Open Tuesdays during school holidays 9:45am to 6:00pm
Babies to 4 years
Mini Agility Course (Under 6 months free, 1-3 year olds £5.95)
Agility Tots Monday to Friday 10am to 11:30am (£7.95, parent access free)
5-11 year olds
Ninja Warrior Park after school 4pm to 6pm (2 hour session (£9.95)
Add a combo meal for only £2 (Ninja Warrior 120 combo deal must book online)
Ninja Warrior Park 90 minute sessions peak times (£13.95)
Ninja Warrior Park Wednesday to Saturday 6pm to 7pm (£10.95)
Adults
Ninja Warrior After Hours 60 minute sessions Wednesday to Saturday 6pm to 8:30pm (£12.95)
Adult group sessions and team building packages (from £12.95)
Café on ground floor, licensed bar and restaurant on first floor. Spectators and public welcome free of charge.
Parties
Toddler Parties (12.95 per child)
Ninja Warrior Parties (from £16.95 per child)
Teen Parties (from £16.95 per child)
Kids Group Packages (from £10.95)
Agility Classes
5-11 years Ninja Obstacle Training – Great for beginners and younger children
11-17 years Warrior Obstacle Training – more challenging obstacle techniques and parkour style movements
See the Agility Website HERE for full details.
This area includes loads of brilliant things to climb up and slide down – plus a climbing wall and a fabulous dark sensory room for your minist mumblers…
This area is designed for 5 – 11-year-olds but is also used for the toddler sessions from 10am – 11am each ‘off-peak’ day.
Mumbler Dad Ben went along to the toddler session today with 3-year-old Ivy and he said:
“Ivy had a GREAT time. The staff were lovely and helpful. The toddler ninja session was perfect for any energetic monkey to burn off some steam! There’s a BIG slide suitable for the braver ones. Really reasonably priced session. The childrens free play area was great and has a sensory area for babies too, Ivy played in there while I had a quick drink. The cafe looked yummy too for another time and easy parking outside.”
The Agility Ninja area is a structured obstacle course and primary school-aged children are welcome to go through without parents (there are always staff on hand to help) whereas toddlers are likely to need the help of their grown-ups (warning – it’s a work out for you too.. but guaranteed that you’ll all have loads of fun and need a rest after!)
It can all be viewed from the cafe – so for those of you with children of an ‘independent’ age – you can have a relax while the kids go and burn off their energy. There is also a GENIUS idea, in that there is a massive slide that takes the kids from the upstairs cafe straight down to the play area… so you don’t need to lose your table while you’re watching them get back downstairs or worry about them crashing into someone with a hot drink… parents are also welcome to use this slide if you’re feeling childlike too 😀.
This area is just next to the Agility Ninja area and it’s designed for older children (recommended 12+) and adults. It is a tougher course and reminds me of the 1990’s Gladiator style course – great for a real work out or if your teenagers want more of a challenge!
One of the owners – Vikki – has a background in nutrition and it really shows when it comes to the menus here. They, of course, have all the favourite options of Pizza, Burgers (including Veggie) and Mac n Cheese etc. but it was refreshing to see some healthier and tasty options like noodles, rice bowls and things like ‘Chicken Katsu’ on the kid’s menu too, as well as salads and soup of the day. So whether you and your kids love the old favourites – or whether you would like to try something new – it looks like all needs will be catered for here!
As well as yummy looking cakes, They also have a very impressive Ice-cream counter from York’s very own Luxury Ice Cream Company (LICC) so there will be some very tasty options to cool you and the kids down after your energetic work out on the courses.
The seating areas have been thought through so well – really spacious – with both high tables, low dining tables, benches to sit at that overlook the courses and comfy sofas both upstairs and down – plus of course plenty of high chairs for the little ones. It’s really obvious that the owners of this place are parents and have designed the place to make it as enjoyable for parents as children here too – of course, the jewel in the crown is the slide down to the park from the upstairs cafe – an absolute winning idea! See more details about The Shack HERE
