Meet the Creator
London
Our Arrival & First Impressions
On Thursday 18th January, I took my three children — aged 8, 4, and 3 — to the brand-new Flip Out in Canary Wharf. The venue is tucked inside the Canary Wharf shopping centre, which I thought was a smart location, especially with how well it was signposted from outside. We booked the Afterschool Club deal, which gave us an hour of play plus a meal and drink for each child — all for £13 each including tax. We chose a weekday slot at 5pm to avoid weekend crowds, and that was definitely the right call — there were no queues at all.
We arrived five minutes early and joined a short queue at reception. The entrance area was a little dark and not particularly exciting, but once we were through, the maze-like entryway built real suspense for the kids. The venue is dimly lit overall, which felt a little confusing at first, but my three kids didn't hesitate — they ran straight for the bike track. Despite their age differences, there was very little they couldn't all enjoy together, which was a pleasant surprise.
Activities Breakdown
From the moment we got through the maze-like entrance, it was nonstop action. The venue offers an impressive variety of activities that catered to all three of my children despite their age gaps. My youngest couldn't quite reach the bike pedals, but a steward stepped in to help her join in — she even managed to shimmy up onto a bike herself, which was a lovely moment. The dimly lit atmosphere added to the sense of adventure as the kids dashed between zones, and the whole layout felt like a giant playground maze waiting to be explored.
- 1
Laser Quest
The standout favourite of the entire visit. The laser quest was immersive, exciting, and just the right length to feel like a real battle. All three kids were completely absorbed, and it had them talking about it well into the next day. - 2
Bike Track
The very first thing the kids bolted towards. Despite the age differences, they all had a blast — even my 3-year-old managed to join in with a little help from the attentive staff. It was a great warm-up activity for the rest of the visit. - 3
Spinning Bumper Cars
Short but absolutely full of giggles. The spinning bumper cars were a hit with all three children and gave us one of the best laughing moments of the evening. A fun, high-energy ride the whole family enjoyed together. - 4
Donut Slide
A thrilling slide that the kids loved racing down on the inflatables. The only downside was carrying the inflatable donut back up to the top each time, which got tiring — but the kids didn't seem to mind one bit. - 5
Interactive Football Pitch
A brilliant tech-enhanced football experience that had the kids running around competing with each other. It was a nice change of pace from the more physical rides and kept them entertained between the bigger attractions. - 6
Roller Skating
My eldest had a go at roller skating while the younger two headed back to the bikes. It was great to see an activity that specifically appealed to the older kids and added variety to the overall experience.
Food & Drink
The Afterschool Club deal included a hot dog, a packet of crisps, and a Fruit Shoot for each child — a solid meal for younger kids and great value for the price. We were pleasantly surprised by the portion size, and the kids wolfed everything down after an hour of nonstop activity.
The dining area gave us a much-needed breather after our hour of play. It wasn't busy at all, so we had plenty of space to sit and enjoy the food without any pressure to move on quickly. The kids were still buzzing from all the activities, so having a moment to debrief and refuel really helped them wind down before heading home.
There's also the option to buy extras like coffee, slushes, and additional snacks, which is handy for parents waiting nearby. I spotted other parents grabbing drinks while spectating, and it's nice to have that option. From a practical point of view, having food included in the ticket price makes the whole experience feel more like an event and less like a quick trip out — and if you're staying longer than an hour, having food on-site definitely helps extend the visit and keep everyone going.
Money-Saving Tip
Book the Afterschool Club deal for just £13 per child — you get a full hour of play plus a hot dog, crisps, and a drink included. It's significantly cheaper than paying for play and food separately, and visiting on a weekday evening means you'll avoid the weekend premium and get the run of the place with virtually no queues.
Pros & Cons Summary
What We Loved
Epic, immersive laser quest that had the kids talking about it the next day.- All-inclusive access to every activity zone — no extra charges once inside.
- Absolutely no queues on a weekday evening — we had the run of the place.
- Fantastic value Afterschool Club deal at just £13 per child including food and drink.
- Suitable for a wide age range — all three kids (aged 3, 4, and 8) found plenty to enjoy.
- Attentive, helpful staff who went out of their way to include younger children.
- Conveniently located inside Canary Wharf shopping centre with clear signposting.
- Food included in the ticket price makes it feel like a complete experience.
Could Be Better
The venue is very cold — spectators and parents will need an extra layer.- Limited signage inside makes navigation confusing, especially on first visit.
- One hour isn't enough to try everything — budget for at least two hours.
- The entrance and reception area is dark and uninviting.
- Carrying the donut slide inflatables back up to the top gets tiring for little ones.
Overall Verdict & Ratings
The venue felt generally clean and safe, though the entrance and reception area was a bit dark and uninviting. All the activity zones were well-staffed, and stewards were attentive — especially when helping younger children participate safely.
Laser quest was a standout, bumper cars were fun for the whole family, and there was something for every age group. The bike track, donut slide, interactive football pitch, and roller skating rounded out an impressive offering. No trampolines, but honestly, they weren't missed.
The included meal of a hot dog, crisps, and Fruit Shoot was great value and a solid portion for kids. Extra treats like coffee and slushes were available for purchase. A practical, budget-friendly option that kept the kids fuelled up.
There were none! We didn't have to wait for a single thing — the benefit of visiting midweek on a school night. Every activity was immediately accessible, making the most of our limited time.
My children were beaming all evening and still talking about it the next day. There was laughter, excitement, and a real sense of adventure from start to finish — what more can you ask for from an afterschool outing?
At £13 per child for an hour of play, a hot dog, crisps, and drinks, it's incredibly hard to beat. We'd definitely book a longer slot next time to get even more from it, but even the one-hour deal felt like excellent value.
The Final Verdict:
Our visit to Flip Out Canary Wharf exceeded expectations, blending active play with a satisfying meal — all under one roof. The kids loved the freedom to explore various activities, from the bike track to roller skating, which catered brilliantly to their different ages and interests. The venue's dim lighting initially puzzled us, but it soon became part of the charm, heightening the adventure for the little ones as they dashed through the maze-like entrance. The standout favourite? Laser quest! It was immersive and just the right length to feel like a true battle. The meal deal was a winner — a practical, budget-friendly choice that kept everyone energised. The included hot dog, crisps, and drink were more than ample for the kids and allowed us to relax in the dining area afterward. While the venue could be a bit warmer, we found layering up kept us cosy enough. Visiting midweek was perfect, avoiding crowds and making the most of our hour. Next time, we'd definitely book longer to soak up more fun. Flip Out Canary Wharf delivered fantastic family fun, and we left with smiles and stories to share. We'd absolutely recommend it to friends and family, and we'll be back for sure!
"On a chilly evening, we explored a maze of excitement with my three kids, racing from bike tracks to thrilling laser quests. The Afterschool Club deal was fantastic — affordable fun with a tasty meal to boot!"Daniel Avery
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