Travelling from London to Sheffield was so worth it. Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience is great fun.
Our journey began on a train from King’s Cross London to Sheffield, a decision made to avoid the hassle of driving a long distance. Using the handy trainsplit.com website and our trusty family and friends railcard, we managed to snag return tickets for just £46.36. The train ride, consisting of two legs from King’s Cross to Doncaster and then Doncaster to Meadowhall, was surprisingly smooth, even with the transfer.
Meadowhall station is conveniently located just outside the Meadowhall shopping centre where the Barbie experience is located.
What made this experience truly great was the warm welcome from the friendly staff. They provided us with two essential items: wristbands featuring QR codes for green screen pictures and a fun booklet for kids to explore the various activities and collect stamps as they completed each one.
Before ascending to the main event, we seized the opportunity for some adorable photo ops. As we ventured upstairs, we discovered the heart of the experience, with different zones that allowed children to step into various roles – coder, zoologist, athlete, fashion designer, marine biologist, artist, pilot, and doctor.
The athlete zone was a hit, where my daughter and I enjoyed some football and basketball fun, supported by encouraging and delightful staff. Next up was the coding section, which resembled a memory game with three progressively challenging levels, providing endless enjoyment for kids.
In the zoologist zone, we played an animal-themed version of Guess Who, explored maps with spot-the-difference games, and enjoyed interactive elements and dressing up opportunities. The aviation segment allowed my daughter to pilot a flight to Australia, complete with realistic pink seatbelts, while I played the role of a passenger and air traffic controller.
The artist’s corner offered creative activities, and the marine biologist experience provided a chance to learn fascinating facts in a captivating, realistic rockpool setting.
Having a blast as a doctor was a delightful part of our experience. My daughter had the chance to “drive” an ambulance, examine a hand X-ray, use a microscope, and even assemble a skeleton.
The fashion design section was a highlight for my little girl, with paper Barbie models and tables for tracing and creating unique outfits. Afterward, we scanned our designs and dressed mannequins with the provided fabrics, which my daughter loved.
The experience ended with green screen photos in various settings (you get to pick 3), where my daughter transformed into a fashion designer, doctor, and artist. You can purchase these photos at the gift shop.
One word of caution: the gift shop at the end is predictably filled with some pricey Barbie merchandise. Prices included a £25 kids’ jumper, a £15 kids’ T-shirt, a £10 bag, £6.99 bath visors, an activity set for £6.99, and a crystal ballgown kit for £6.99. Green screen photos, offered as photo sleeves or keyrings, ranged from £10 to £15.
The experience is supposed to last for 90 minutes, but we ended up staying for a full two hours. No one asked us to leave, and it wasn’t overly crowded. I believe we could have stayed a little longer, but our hunger prompted us to leave.
We wisely booked the 9:30 am session, granting us almost 45 minutes of private enjoyment. Tickets start at just £12.50, and I paid £15 each for myself and my daughter. It was well worth it, and they offer additional SEND sessions options, which you can find on their website. Under 2s are free, and I recommend this experience for children aged 4 and older.
All in all, the Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience in Sheffield was a fantastic outing, worth the trip from London. I can only hope they’ll bring this wonderful experience to London one day. It’s something I would happily book again.
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