Memories of crazy days at Wacky Warehouse as it turns 30

TV Gladiators newcomer, Rebel, has been put through her paces by Liverpool youngsters, at the new Wacky Warehouse in the Kingsman pub, on Aigburth Road, Aigburth. Rebel was opening the play den after the pub had been shut for five weeks to build it. November 1996
-Credit: (Image: Mirrorpix)


It's been 30 years since a generation were first introduced to legendary days out at Wacky Warehouse. Loved by children across Merseyside and beyond since 1994, it's long been a place to spend summer holidays, weekends or celebrate a birthday,

A household name in the world of soft play and indoor entertainment, today the brand has over 70 venues nationwide - but it is still thought of fondly by those who went there in the 90s and 00s. It’s an odd mix, having a soft play centre within a pub, but it’s a merger that works and for years kids have experienced the steep slides, jumping in the ball pit and all the fun the venues have to offer.

It was also the perfect place for children to celebrate their birthdays and burn off their excess energy from all the jelly and ice cream. But unlike other ball pit centres, Wacky Warehouse had an elevated, more adventurous feel to it, the ECHO previously reported.

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This year, marks 30 years of Wacky Warehouse and to celebrate, they are holding a free weekend of soft play this weekend, October 12 and October 13. In Merseyside, there are currently two Wacky Warehouse sites. Families can head to Wacky Corner at the Royal Oak pub on High Street in Bromborough, Wirral, or Wacky Warehouse at the Game Bird pub on East Lancashire Road in Eccleston, St Helens.

To celebrate 30 years of Wacky Warehouse, we've taken another look back at memories of crazy days at Wacky Warehouse in the 90s and 00s. This list isn't intended to be comprehensive, but you can see what you remember in our list below.

Running for your life when a buoy ball was swung at you

The purpose of the big red heavy buoy balls was to jump on top and pretend you were a pirate sailing across stormy seas. But as we all know, kids are intelligent and don’t always use things for their supposed function.

And the red buoy balls may have looked innocent, but you had to be very careful. Rather than the balls being used as a sit-top swing, you’d be lucky if you didn’t have one launched at your head with force.

And if the ball hit you, you knew about it….

The rope bridge of pain

If you were making an impromptu visit to Wacky Warehouse, you’d pray that you wore thick socks that day. As part of the Wacky Warehouse maze, you’d have to cross rope bridges.

The bridges had small cushions in which you’d have to take a big stride to get to each one. But if you missed your step or if someone was sitting on one of the cushions, you'd have to take to the rope and sacrifice the soles of your feet.

Someone’s stomach not making it through the rollers

For parents, having a soft play centre within a pub is a brilliant idea. But food and drink don’t tend to mix well with slides and obstacle courses.

And when it came to the vertical rollers, kids had to be cautious. Squeezing through the tight gap was never a good idea when you were full of birthday cake and chips.

And by the end of the day, you could guarantee someone’s dinner had made a reappearance.

Sliding into darkness

One of the main differences between Wacky Warehouse and other play centres were the slides. No longer were they slow and sweeping, but rather steep and fast.

And if you weren’t scared of the slide, then you would be by what waited for you at the bottom. Wacky Warehouses’ slides always ended in a dark ball pit.

And though you may have been alone when you went down, someone was likely waiting for you at the bottom, ready to attack you with plastic balls.

Stealing someone's balls from their pocket

The first real clue of someone’s competitive nature was shown through the ball pockets. Attached to the side of the play structure were around 36 multi-coloured plastic bags.

Often, the game was to try and gather as many balls, the same colour as your pocket, within a certain amount of time. But you’d have to be careful as when your back was turned, you’d often find someone stealing your balls and putting them in their pocket.

30 years of Wacky Warehouse

This year, marks 30 years of Wacky Warehouse and to celebrate, they are holding a free weekend of soft play this weekend, October 12 and October 13. On the Wacky Warehouse website, it reads: "It only feels right that we have a little celebration – for the kids who grew up with Wacky, and the kids who love it now. Speaking of which... what are you doing this October?

"2024 marks our 30th birthday! We know, we don't look it – thanks for saying so. But what a 30 years it's been! We're pleased as punch to have spent three whole decades giving you ball pits, brightly-coloured crafts and brilliant soft play."

It continues: "To celebrate a massive 30 years of Wacky Warehouse, we're holding a FREE weekend of soft play on the 12th and 13th October. That's right – your little ones can go wild at Wacky, and it won't cost you a penny.

"Our Bookings are NOW OPEN! You've only got a few days to book, so click below to find your nearest Wacky Warehouse and secure your spot. And, if you want to celebrate with a slice of cake, we're not going to stop you – wink, wink."

In Merseyside, there are currently two Wacky Warehouse sites. Families can head to Wacky Corner at the Royal Oak pub on High Street in Bromborough, Wirral, or Wacky Warehouse at the Game Bird pub on East Lancashire Road in Eccleston, St Helens.

You can also venture further afield to Wacky Warehouse venues in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire. Free soft play is available and bookings are now open for this weekend, Saturday, October 12 and Sunday, October 13. To find out more, click here.