“Leave parents alone!” Parents divided over soft play phone ban trial

A Greater Manchester play centre is asking parents to go phone-free this half-term – and not everyone is happy.

Published: February 16, 2026 at 11:46 AM

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“Ugh. Leave parents alone. My god.”

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That was just one of the strong reactions from mums after a Greater Manchester play centre announced it will trial a no phone zone for parents this February half-term.

Total Ninja in Trafford Park is asking mums and dads to switch their phones to airplane mode while their children tackle the inflatable assault courses and climbing walls. The idea is simple, fewer scrolls, more memories.

When we asked MadeForMums readers if they could survive a phone-free play session, 71% said yes. But nearly a third were firmly against the idea.

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What is the no phone zone?

From 16 to 22 February, Total Ninja, which is part of the Adventure Leisure group, will introduce what it calls an “official no phone zone” policy.

Team members will be on “Phone Patrol”, encouraging families to “switch phones to airplane mode” and “concentrate on time together”.

Stephen Brown, Chief Operating Officer at Adventure Leisure and a dad of four, explained the thinking behind the move. He said: “Normally while children play adults are checking their emails or clicking through Instagram... that's part of what seems to be normal life. But we're encouraging people for one visit to keep the phone away.”

He added: “The point is to concentrate on each other and enjoy making memories and spending that quality time.”

According to Brown, the idea came after guest feedback suggested digital devices were “distracting” during visits.

“We believe this is a good move, we are responding to what our guests have already been telling us,” he said.

No confiscations, but encouragement

If the thought of handing over your mobile makes you panic, there is some reassurance.

Brown was clear that staff will not be “ruling with an iron fist”. He said: “We don't want to take it too far. Phones will absolutely not be confiscated.”

He also acknowledged that some parents may need to stay connected. “There may be very valid reasons. They might be medical. They might be carers. They might have people relying on them outside of our venue. If they need to keep their phone for that, of course, we're never going to stand in the way of that.”

For everyone else, the expectation is that phones stay tucked away for the session, with photo opportunities available on entry or exit.

“For the sake of a couple of hours visit... there are worse things to do than just actually enjoy each other's company,” Brown said.

Mums say: “That’s so controlling”

While a clear majority of our Instagram followers, 71%, said they would welcome or manage a phone-free session, the reaction from others was swift.

One mum wrote: “Oh stop it.”

Another said: “Ugh. Leave parents alone. My god.”

A third commented: “No, why should it be banned? I'm the parent that doesnt use my phone at soft play, but that doesn't mean I will be judging another who does. This sounds so controlling.”

For some, soft play is a rare window to reply to messages, scroll in peace or simply zone out with a coffee while the kids burn off energy.

For others, it is about cheering from the sidelines, joining in or chatting to other parents.

A bold idea for half-term

Brown admits the trial is “bold”, but says he is “sure people, will enter into the spirit of it beautifully”.

He described the initiative as a chance to “dip a first toe in the water” and see how families respond.

Whether you see it as supportive or overstepping, the Trafford Park experiment has clearly struck a nerve.

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So, would you switch to airplane mode for a couple of hours, or is your phone an essential part of your soft play survival kit?

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