The company has decided to ban phones to encourage families to spend screen-free time together
Family attraction near Trafford Centre becomes first to ban mobile phones for parents and kids (Image: Total Ninja)
A family attraction in Greater Manchester has become the first to ban parents and kids from using mobile phones.
In a bid to ‘encourage families to spend screen-free time together and make real memories rather than digital ones’, Total Ninja in Trafford Park will become a ‘no phone zone’ during February half term.
The park tests visitors’ Ninja skills while climbing, balancing and swinging across obstacles or bouncing across the inflatable, with more than 25 challenges to suit all ages and abilities.
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As well as introducing the policy there from February 16 to 22, company Adventure Leisure will also enforce it at the four Ninja Warrior UK venues it runs in Sheffield, Southampton, Milton Keynes and Swansea, as well as its 13 Mulligans and Bunkers Crazy Golf and Games venues.
Total Ninja will be a no phone zone(Image: Total Ninja)
It says the decision to ban mobile phones follows a warning from The Princess of Wales that screen time plays a troubling role in the current ‘epidemic of disconnection’ and disrupts giving another person undivided attention, which she dubbed the ‘most precious gift’.
Guests with phones will be asked to put their devices on airplane mode when they arrive to ensure there aren’t any distractions during ninja-time, whether it’s quickly glancing at emails, playing a mobile game or flicking through stories on social media.
Team members at Total Ninja, where singer Pink celebrated her daughter Willow’s 12th birthday when her tour stopped off in Bolton back in 2023, will be on ‘phone patrol’, to make sure ‘guests are living in the moment, device-free’.
Bosses say children will burn more energy than ever, and parents ‘can choose to get stuck in or sit back and watch the kids before enjoying a quiet journey home’.
The park tests visitors’ Ninja skills while climbing, balancing and swinging across obstacles or bouncing across the inflatable(Image: Total Ninja)
Adventure Leisure’s chief operating officer Stephen Brown 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.”
Asked whether the park will insist on the rule for parents who aren’t taking part in the activities, a spokesperson said: “The no phone zone applies to our venues in the spirit of parents, children, families and groups making memories together.
“There will always be exceptions to the rules based on caring responsibilities and life demands. But we would hope anyone coming to join us this half term will join us in the spirit of togetherness.”
Tickets for Total Ninja cost £13 for an hour or £18 for two hours. Visit at 9am for up to 40% off.
What do you think about the no phone policy? Do you think this policy should be in place at other venues? Let us know your views in the comments here.