Families visiting Ninja Warrior UK Sheffield this February half term will be asked to trade their touchscreens for the Warped Wall as the venue introduces one of the first ever No Phone Zones. From 16th to 22nd February, the site will encourage guests to swap screen time for game time in a bid to help families make real memories rather than digital ones.
The initiative from operator Adventure Leisure follows a warning from the Princess of Wales regarding the troubling role screen time plays in the current epidemic of disconnection. In a recent essay, she noted that undivided attention is the most precious gift we can give others, yet it is often disrupted by our devices. To combat this, Sheffield guests will be asked to switch their phones to aeroplane mode upon arrival to prevent distractions from emails, social media, and notifications.
To ensure everyone stays present, Ninja Warrior UK team members will be on Phone Patrol throughout the week. The goal is to allow both children and parents to reap the benefits of uninterrupted time together while tackling the park’s famous obstacles and giant inflatables.
Stephen Brown, Chief Operating Officer at Adventure Leisure, said: “We know how important spending quality time with your family is, so we wanted to create the best environment where our guests can make their memories. We’re really proud to be the first leisure operator to introduce an official ‘No Phone Zone’, and we hope to see others following suit in the future.”
The move aims to help children burn more energy and give parents the choice to either join in the action or watch their kids without digital distractions. During the half-term break, sessions are priced at £13 for one hour, £16 for 90 minutes, and £18 for two hours. Visitors arriving for 9 am sessions can also take advantage of early bird discounts of up to 40%.
