Indoor Activities in Harlow (Essex): A Review of Skratch18

Looking for family activities to have fun with your teens? Check out Skratch18

Why Skratch18 is a Great Place to Visit:

• Variety of Activities: Book individual activities or combine several for a diverse experience.
• Indoor Entertainment: Perfect for any weather.
• Ample Parking: Skratch18 is conveniently located within the leisure centre which has plenty of parking (chargeable).
• Family Friendly Fun: Activities perfect for tweens, teens and adults to enjoy together.

What Is On Offer At Skratch18?

Virtual Golf and Football

Play a range of fairground games in the football and golf booths

Practice your golf skills or play games controlled by the golf ball

Skratch18 features three interactive booths where you can play virtual golf or football games. When I say virtual, the balls (and clubs) are very real, but you hit them towards a screen to take place in virtual games. We tried both the football and golf and found the golf much easier. I was impressed by the range of clubs available, accommodating all ages that want to play golf.

Up to 4 people can play at one time in each booth, although only one person is allowed on the green at a time (well out of the reach of those golf clubs). 

You can easily switch between games and between golf and football, but the staff are happy to help if you need guidance.

The golf/ football bays are the only activity where you pay per player rather than for the time. 

 
Tip: Ask the staff for game recommendations. They suggested 'Bowling' and 'Putt Skee' for beginners, which were perfect for our group. These games require minimal skill and are great for getting started.

 

Formula 1 Simulator

Tackle popular Formula 1 circuits in this F1 simulator

Experience the thrill of F1 racing in a realistic simulator with a choice of popular grand prix circuits.  The simulator offers a 3D experience with seat movement, enhancing the realism. Currently only one person races at a time, but they said they are adding more cars to allow competing against friends (currently you can only compete against the computer).

You can have 4 people in the booth, but I would suggest a maximum of 2 at a time so people don't get bored while waiting (only one person drives at a time). 

We also found it challenging to stay on track, which impacted lap times. If you are competitive and care about who gets the fastest time, might sure you ask about the best option. 

Potential Drawbacks: Motion sickness may be an issue for some. The simulator has an 18 stone weight limit, but the seat is pretty snug (I'm size 14, well under the weight limit and it felt tight). You also need to be able to climb into the seat and tall enough to reach the pedals (my 9 year old was ok).

Augmented Reality Darts

Augmented Reality Darts takes darts to a new level

Skratch18's darts area features four interactive lanes. Two of these have what looks like a normal dartboard, with the added bonus that it tracks scores for you, the other two lanes are augmented reality lanes, enhancing the traditional game. We played on an augmented reality lane and I recommend this option, especially if playing with children. 

There is a touchscreen for each lane where you add your players names (choosing an emoji or photo for each) and then choose your game. You can have up to 6 players per game.

We started with 'Disco Wall,' a simple game perfect for beginners. We also tried a more challenging game where you have to hit particular sections of the board. If you don’t hit the right sections (which change each round) your score gets halved. This is a fun game for adults, but not so much for children who will not be happy to see their hard earned score shrink.

If you miss the board when you are playing you hit the miss button on the controller screen so it knows you have had that go. We relaxed the game for my children and allowed them to rethrow these misses, which made for them learning how to throw better faster.

Tip: Ask for game recommendations to find suitable options for your group.

Note: The darts provided were of average quality, totally fine for us and our skill level. Serious players might prefer bringing their own (I believe they need to be steel tipped so check what is required).

Shuffleboard

The Shuffleboard option provides a fun, casual experience. It's a great addition to other activities but might not be a standalone attraction. Unlike the other activities it's not virtual or electronic in anyway. 

Up to 6 players can play, 2 at a time, so you can set up your own tournament. 60 minutes is probably a little long. My children found this less engaging with the other activities.  

Important Note: The wax used on the shuffleboard contains peanut oil, posing a potential allergy risk.

Table Tennis and Pool

There is also a pool table (in the darts area) and a table tennis area (in the reception area) which can be hired for £10 each (for an hour).

Food and Drink

You can enjoy a range of hot and cold drinks while you play games at Skratch18. These include posh milkshakes, coffee, beer and spirits. They also have some sharing bags of chocolate and bar snacks available. A limited menu of hot food is available including pizza, chips, chicken pieces and more. These are ordered in so there can be a wait and they might not be available at all times.

Pricing

The currently advertised prices of the games are:

Golf/Football Bay: £15 per person (up to 2 players), £10 per person (3-4 players) for 55 minutes.
Darts: Per lane for 55 minutes (up to 6 players).
Formula 1 Simulator: £25 (30 minutes), £35 (60 minutes) for up to 4 players (one at a time).
Shuffleboard: £25 (60 minutes) for up to 6 players.
Pool or Table Tennis: £10 per hour.
Party Packages: Consider party bookings for larger groups, such as the darts/golf party for 8 (£195), which includes games, pizza and drinks.

Fun activities for tweens, teens and adults

What Age Is Skratch18 Suitable For?

While there are no fixed minimum age recommendations given on the website I would recommend the activities for tweens upwards (roughly age 8). I booked my 6 year old into a soft play session downstairs at Kidzz Kingdom while we did the golf/ football and F1. He joined us for shuffleboard and darts and was able to play these, but he got bored between turns. With so many great activities for younger children, I would save this for older children and adult to enjoy. 

Conclusion

Skratch18 in Harlow Leisurezone offers an entertaining experience for all (well most) ages. With a variety of virtual sports and activities, it's a perfect destination for family outings, parties or a fun day out in Harlow, Essex. Remember to ask for game recommendations and consider party packages for larger groups. We highly recommend checking it out.