Visiting as a group · Ages
Visiting as a group in Hermitage: is it right for a 5 year old?
Same room, completely different visit depending on how old the child is.
Tell the centre the numbers in advance and the day runs better for everyone, staff included.
For a Hermitage family the trip works best folded into something else - the shopping that was happening anyway, a birthday that needed a venue, a Saturday that needed a plan.
How it lands at this age
Split a group by what they want rather than by age. The child who wants to watch is having a good time too.
Four machines and one big crate spread a group out. So does a rink - there is no single queue for the whole party to stand in.
What to plan for
Any adult who has taken six children anywhere knows the failure mode: five occupied, one bored, and the bored one setting the tone.
Two shorter visits teach a child more than one long one. The second time they already know what they want to try, and that is when the good part starts.
What parents notice
Tell the centre the numbers in advance and the day runs better for everyone, staff included.
Split a group by what they want rather than by age. The child who wants to watch is having a good time too.
Worth knowing
Four machines and one big crate spread a group out. So does a rink - there is no single queue for the whole party to stand in.
If two adults are coming, split up rather than shadowing the same child. One at the rail, one free, and everybody has a better hour.
Questions parents ask
How many children can come at once?
Call ahead with your numbers and arrange it: +1 (615) 968-4925.
How do I get in touch?
By phone on +1 (424) 387-6232 or +1 (615) 968-4925, or by e-mail at info@newlife-entertainment.com.
Where is New Life Entertainment?
Two centres: 433 Opry Mills Drive, Nashville TN 37214, and 8111 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord NC 28027.
Planning your visit in Hermitage
Weekends bring more of Hermitage out at once. If the schedule allows a weekday, take it; the same visit is quieter and the machines wait for nobody in particular.
A short visit that ends while they still want more beats a long one that ends in a meltdown, every time.
Agree the leaving time before you walk in, out loud, to the child. Announcing it later sounds like a punishment; agreeing it first sounds like a plan.
Plenty of the families in the room on a weekday morning have come from somewhere like Hermitage. Nobody is local to a mall attraction; everybody has driven.
The practical details
- XCAV ZONE — 433 Opry Mills Drive, Nashville TN 37214: four child-operated machines over a ball pit.
- ICE PARK — 8111 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord NC 28027: a real rink with bumper cars on the ice.
- Opening hours — 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday to Saturday, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday.
- Phone — +1 (424) 387-6232 · +1 (615) 968-4925
- E-mail — info@newlife-entertainment.com
Questions about a specific day, a group or a party are best asked directly - info@newlife-entertainment.com, or either of the numbers on the contacts page.