They've enjoyed a glorious break away from school for the summer holidays. But much to the chagrin of many kids across Swansea, the clock is officially ticking until they return to their classes once again.
Depending on which school your child attends, youngsters will be heading back into lessons between September 5 and 7, accounting for inset days. That means that there's only a couple of weeks left to make the most of their time off.
And there's plenty of new fun and exciting things to do in the city to maximise that time and do something they may not have done before. Here, we've put together a list of some of the main new attractions and places to visit with your young family to give them a new memory or two before they have to get their pencil cases and stationary sets out once again. Get Swansea stories straight to your inbox with our newsletter.
Ninja Warrior UK
If your child has a penchant for climbing and adventure activities, a place for them has opened up to put them through their paces. Ninja Warrior UK is now operating within part of the old Toys R' Us at Parc Tawe, and is a 24,000 square foot facility.
Inside, you'll see the familiar sight of the popular ITV show, which this year returns for a sixth series. Just like the primetime favourite it has obstacles to climb, balance, jump and swing across. There's an inflatable section with tunnels and battle towers and, of course, there is the famous warped wall – three of them in fact at different heights, catered for different age groups. We interviewed Chris Kamara, who presents the TV show, at the official opening of the Swansea park. You can find out what he thought of it by clicking here.
Ninja Warrior is open:
Monday - Friday: 12PM - 9PM
Saturday & Sunday: 10AM - 9PM
School Holidays: 10AM - 9PM
Lumberjack Axe Throwing
You have to be aged 13 and over for this one, but located beneath Sin City nightclub in Dillwyn Street is a brand new independent business which will let you try your hand at throwing axes at wooden target boards.
Lumberjack Axe Throwing has been set up by Matthew Griffin, a 24-year-old carpenter from Llantrisant, following the success of his first axe-throwing business in Cardiff. The Swansea city centre site, which was once occupied by Peter Alan estate agency, has been transformed into a rustic, specialist venue with 12 wooden target boards for axe-throwing, organised into six double-lanes, and a "rage room" which will open later in the year. We went to try out the new attraction. You can find out what we thought by clicking here.
Lumberjack Axe Throwing is at 17-19 Dillwyn Street and to book and for more information - go here.
Flashpoint and Crazy Climb Swansea
Flashpoint Swansea is a new bouldering centre in Parc Tawe that offers climbing sessions for adults, families and children looking to give it a try or find a new sport.
Crazy Climb Swansea is run by the same team, sharing a reception and café. The difference being, Crazy Climb uses automatic safety cords and harnesses to let you climb up into the rafters in an exciting, immersive climbing experience where you get to climb Octopus Tentacles, Jenga style towers, Beanstalks, and lots more. You can read more about the new adventure experience by clicking here.
Crazy Climb is open from 10am-4pm, Monday-Friday and 10am-7pm on Saturdays, during school holidays. In term time, the opening hours in the week are extended to 5.30pm.
Flashpoint Swansea is open 10am-10pm Monday to Friday, closing at 7pm on weekends.
Swansea Coastal Park
Located next to the new Swansea Arena and raised up above the surrounding area, as well as offering great views, the coastal park is also a great place to visit.
You'll find lots of relaxing greenery, benches to perch on, soft play areas and water features. There are also lots of fun activities for the kids, and when you've all soaked up everything the park has to offer, you can always visit The Green Room Bar & kitchen, run by the same people who operate The Secret, further along the bay.
It serves breakfast, brunch and lunch in the day, and a kids' menu is available. It's open 10am-5pm, Tuesday to Sunday.
Jurassic Live
Being performed at Swansea Arena over two days, Jurassic Live is a full 90 minute stage production featuring the UK's most realistic, life-sized moving dinosaurs operated by a team of highly trained professional and hidden puppeteers. They are said to feature the latest ground breaking technology ensuring Jurassic Live is the best place to see the most realistic dinosaurs on stage anywhere in the UK.
Along with live actors and special effects, this unique story-driven show features a huge production, sets, backdrops and a unique soundtrack created specifically for Jurassic Live. It is said to be suitable for the whole family and features the T-Rex, Velociraptor, Triceratops, Stegosaurus and Apatosaurus!
It will be on Friday, August 26 and Saturday, August 27. Tickets cost £19.90 and a £1.95 transaction fee and can be booked by clicking here.
Nerdware
Comic book fans will be in their element at a new shop which has opened up in the market. It is called Nerdware, and has everything from video games to comic books, Manga and Anime.
It has been opened by 23-year-old Game Design graduate Connor Hale, from Swansea. You can read his full story by clicking here. Swansea Market is open Mon-Sat 8am-5pm.
FrozziYo
If there's one thing that's definitely a winner with kids of all ages it's dessert - and a new frozen yoghurt business has opened up near Swansea Arena that'll appeal to many. FrozziYo sells frozen yoghurt with a handful of toppings and sauces with options of sweets, fruits and chocolate available alongside more flavours of frozen yoghurt never before seen in Swansea.
It is a family-operated business run by Katharine Partner and 18-year-old daughter Jess who had a "love" for the frozen alternative to ice cream from their visits to America. Fans of a cold treat can get tubs ranging from small to extra large (£2.50 to £6.95) but there is a no-holds-barred approach from the owners meaning users can "fill as high as their tub will allow with toppings included".
Visitors can choose between a handful of sweet and chocolate toppings, a wide array of sauces and sprinkles to go with their flavoured frozen yoghurt. The business is currently operating in temporary premises right outside the arena entrance, but will eventually move to Cupid Way, just a stroll away over the new bridge over Oystermouth Road. You can find out what we thought of it by clicking here.
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