Go Ape with Kids UK: The Complete Family Guide for 2026

Last reviewed 28 September 2026. Ages, heights, supervision ratios and prices checked against the Go Ape adventure pages on goape.co.uk that day.

Go Ape is one of those days out that children talk about for months afterwards. Zip lines through treetops, rope bridges, Tarzan swings, and giant bouncy nets strung between trees. It’s the kind of outdoor adventure that makes screens feel boring by comparison. But it’s not cheap, and choosing the wrong experience for your child’s age can turn an exciting day into a tearful one.

Here’s everything you need to know before you book.

What age can children do Go Ape?

Nets Adventure (recommended age 3 to 11): Giant bouncy nets suspended between trees, with slides, and no harness. Go Ape says it is open to children over 1 who can walk unaided, and suggests the first and last sessions of the day for toddlers because they tend to be quietest. Sessions run about 2 hours. One adult can supervise two children aged 6 and under and must take part; one adult can supervise five children aged 6 to 15, from the nets or the ground. This is the one for younger kids and the one that gets the least attention online, but it might be the most fun for the money.

Treetop Adventure (recommended age 4 to 10, minimum height 1m): The entry-level high ropes course, with crossings and zip lines on a continuous belay, so children stay clipped on throughout. It takes 60 to 90 minutes. Under 6s need an adult up on the course with them (one adult to two children), and Go Ape recommends an adult on the course for any child under 1.2m. One adult can supervise up to eight children aged 6 to 15 from the course or the ground.

Treetop Adventure Plus (minimum age 6, minimum height 1.2m): A step up for 6 to 10 year olds (up to 12 at some sites), with longer zips. Same continuous belay and the same one adult to eight children ratio for ages 6 to 15.

Treetop Challenge (minimum height 1.4m, age 10+): The full experience you see on social media: high ropes, Tarzan swings and long zip wires, with platforms up to 26.5m. It takes 1 to 3 hours and is physically demanding. At self belay sites the minimum age is 10 and one adult must take part for every two children aged 10 to 15. At continuous belay sites one adult who takes part can supervise four children aged 12 and under, or eight aged 13 to 15. An adult cannot supervise children on Treetop Challenge and another course at the same time. Not recommended as a first visit.

Is Go Ape safe for children and beginners?

It is built for them, as long as you pick the right course and follow the supervision rules. Every high ropes session starts with a safety briefing from trained instructors. Treetop Adventure and Treetop Adventure Plus use a continuous belay, so children cannot unclip, and Treetop Challenge uses continuous belay at some sites and self belay at others, which is why its age and supervision rules differ by location. The maximum weight on every course is 130kg. Go Ape has held the RoSPA Gold Leisure Safety Award for eight years running.

How to Save Money

Book online before you go, because popular sessions sell out. Prices change with the course, the location and the date, so compare a few dates on the Go Ape website before you pick one. If you home educate, look at Go Ape’s group bookings page, as a few families can book together. And sign up to the Go Ape newsletter to hear about offers when they run.

What to Bring

Closed-toe shoes with grip (trainers, not sandals or slip-ons). Hair tied back. No dangling jewellery, scarves, or drawstrings. Layers. It’s colder in the tree canopy than on the ground, even in summer. Sun cream in summer (you’re exposed up there). A change of clothes in the car, especially for Nets Adventure (they get sweaty and muddy). Water bottles. A packed lunch, as food options vary a lot between sites.

Is It Worth the Price?

Prices on Go Ape’s adventure pages start from £18.95 per person and change with the course, the location and the date, so check your nearest site. For a family it adds up, and it is not a cheap day out. But the experience-to-cost ratio is excellent. Your children will be physically active for hours, completely engaged, building confidence, and making memories that genuinely last. That’s worth more than another afternoon at soft play.

For more family day out ideas, see our Days Out Hub and our free days out guide for when the budget is tight.

More From Darling Mellow

For more honest reviews and recommendations, explore our Family Life Hub. For practical parenting tools, visit our Shop. And for weekly support delivered to your inbox, join The Mellow Post.