If you’re on the hunt for a birthday party that kids will genuinely talk about for weeks, an Xplore Teddy Town party might just be the one. Set inside Xplore at Xscape Yorkshire in Castleford, this bear-building bash combines the magic of making your very own cuddly friend with soft play fun and a proper sit-down meal. It’s hands-on, it’s memorable, and every single guest goes home with something to cuddle.
TL;DR: Xplore Teddy Town parties last around 2 hours, cost from £22 per child on weekdays (£24 at weekends), and include bear-making, soft play time, a meal, balloons, and your child’s name projected onto the party room wall. Available for children up to 11 years and under 145cm. Book at least 7 days in advance with a 50% deposit.
What Is a Teddy Town Party at Xplore?
Teddy Town is Xplore’s very own bear-building experience, located on the first floor of Xscape Yorkshire. It’s a bit like those well-known build-a-bear concepts, but with a brilliant birthday party twist built right in.
When you book a Teddy Town party, every child at the party gets to:
- Choose their own bear from hundreds of options
- Stuff it at the stuffing station and fill it with love (and fluff!)
- Wish upon its heart before it’s sealed up
- Dress it up in an outfit of their choice
- Take it home with its very own birth certificate
The birthday child gets the extra special treatment too, with the chance to choose a bear outfit as part of the package. It’s a wonderfully personal activity that gives every little guest something genuinely unique to treasure.
After the bear-making fun, the party moves to Xplore’s colourful Party Area, where the team sets up and decorates a table, sings Happy Birthday, and beams your child’s name in huge letters onto the wall. Talk about feeling like a little celebrity!
What’s Included in the Teddy Town Party Package?
Here’s everything you get with a Teddy Town party at Xplore, all wrapped up in one package:
| What’s Included | Details |
|---|---|
| Bear-making for every child | Each guest chooses, stuffs, and takes home a full-sized bear with birth certificate |
| Birthday child’s bear outfit | The birthday star gets to pick an outfit for their bear |
| Soft play time | Remaining party time on the main multi-level play frame |
| Meal choice | Hot meal from the children’s menu (plus choc-ice) OR buffet-style sandwiches, crisps, pizza, sausage roll and chocolate bun |
| Unlimited squash | Orange and blackcurrant squash throughout the party |
| Xplore balloons | To take home as a memento |
| Printable invitations | Ready to send to guests before the big day |
| Birthday candles | For the cake moment |
| Party table setup | Decorated by the Xplore team in the Party Area |
| Name on the wall | Your child’s name projected in lights during Happy Birthday |
The party lasts approximately 2 hours in total, giving plenty of time for bear-making and soft play before settling in for food and cake.
One thing to note: party bookings don’t guarantee exclusive use of the play frame or party area, so you’ll be sharing the space with other visitors. The Xplore attraction is a parentally supervised venue, so grown-ups stay responsible for the little ones throughout.
Teddy Town Party Prices
The Xplore Teddy Town party is priced per child, and it’s worth noting the weekday vs weekend difference when you’re planning:
| Day | Price Per Child |
|---|---|
| Weekdays | £22.00 |
| Weekends and Public Holidays | £24.00 |
Every child in the party is included in this price, covering the bear, the outfit for the birthday child, soft play, food, and all the extras listed above.
If you want to go all out, you can add a visit from Xplorasaurus to any party package for just £15. It’s a fun extra that tends to go down a treat with younger guests!
How Does It Compare to Other Xplore Party Packages?
Xplore offers four party options in total. Here’s how the Teddy Town party stacks up:
| Party Type | Duration | Price (Weekday) | Price (Weekend) | Key Extra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Party | ~1.5 hrs | £10.50 | £12.50 | Simple buffet and soft play |
| Soft Play Party | ~2 hrs | £13.00 | £15.00 | Party bags, choc-ices, free return ticket |
| Teddy Town Party | ~2 hrs | £22.00 | £24.00 | Every child gets a bear to take home |
| Play & Golf Party | ~2 hrs | £15.00 | £17.00 | 4D Golf plus soft play, party bags |
The Teddy Town party is the most premium option, and for good reason. Every child leaves with a personalised keepsake, which means no need for separate party bags. Think of it as the party favour built right into the experience!
How to Book an Xplore Teddy Town Party
Booking is straightforward, but there are a few key things to know before you go ahead:
- Give at least 7 days’ notice before the party date
- A minimum 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking
- Parties are available for children aged up to 11 years and with a maximum height of 145cm
- Packages cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer
- You can book directly via the Xplore website
It’s worth booking well in advance, especially for weekend dates, as popular time slots can fill up quickly. A weekday party is a great option if you have the flexibility, not just for the lower price but also because the venue tends to be a little quieter.
What About Teddy Town Outside of Parties?
You don’t have to book a party to enjoy Teddy Town! The bear-building shop is open any time Xplore is open, so it’s a brilliant add-on to a regular family visit too.
Walk-in prices for Teddy Town are:
- Full size bear (16″): £14.99
- Outfits (16″): £9.99
- Footwear: £6.00
- Skirts/Jeans: £5.50
- Jackets/Tops: £5.50
- T-Shirts: £3.99
- Sunglasses: £3.50
- Boxer shorts: £3.99
Gift vouchers are also available if you’d like to treat someone to a bear-building experience as a present!
Getting to Xplore at Xscape Yorkshire
Xplore is located on the first floor of Xscape Yorkshire in Castleford, West Yorkshire. It’s easy to reach by car, just off the M62, with free parking on site (plus an overflow car park on Whistler Drive).
If you’re coming by public transport, there’s a dedicated train station at the complex called Glasshoughton Station, served by the Pontefract Line from Leeds and Wakefield. Bus services also run from Leeds, Castleford, and Pontefract directly to Junction 32/Xscape.
Address: Xscape Yorkshire, Colorado Way, Castleford, WF10 4TA
Once you’re inside, head up the escalators or take the lift to the first floor. Xplore is situated next door to LaserZone.
Opening times:
- Monday to Friday: 09:30 to 18:00
- Saturday: 09:00 to 19:00
- Sunday: 09:00 to 17:30
Holiday hours may vary slightly, so it’s always worth checking the Xplore listing page for the latest information before you travel.
Is a Teddy Town Party Worth It?
Honestly? We think it’s one of the most thoughtful birthday party options for younger children in Yorkshire right now. Here’s why it stands out:
The bear goes home with every guest. That means no need to spend extra on party bags, and every child has a keepsake that actually means something to them. For the price, that’s genuinely great value.
It’s a proper activity, not just a venue hire. The bear-making takes time and focus, which means kids are engaged and entertained from the moment they arrive. There’s no awkward standing around waiting for things to happen!
The soft play adds energy. After the calm creativity of bear-making, burning off steam on the multi-level play frame is the perfect balance. The two activities complement each other really well.
The venue does the hard work. The Xplore team sets up the party table, decorates it, and projects your child’s name onto the wall. For parents, that’s one less thing to stress about on the big day.
Is it the cheapest party option? No. But when you factor in the bear each child takes home, the food, the play time, and the birthday moment in the party room, it offers brilliant bang for your buck. Whether you’re planning a small gathering or a bigger celebration, a Teddy Town party at Xplore is a genuinely special way to mark the occasion.
Ready to get the party started? Head over to the Xplore attraction page for more details, or book directly at xploreplay.com.