Giant red ball pit in city centre proves fun has no age limit as adults dive in

A gigantic red ball pit sprang up in Manchester, proving that age is just a number when it comes to having a good time, as grown-ups revelled in childlike play.

Measuring 10m by 5m and filled to the brim with 65,000 vibrant red balls, the ‘Babybel-ball pit’ was an irresistible draw for passers-by, many of whom couldn’t help but dive in and indulge in some well-deserved downtime.

Conceived by Babybel in the lead-up to Red Nose Day on 21st March, the ball pit featured specially branded balls, with an additional £1 donated for every one discovered. TV personality Chloe Burrows was also on hand to coax the public into joining the fun.

This initiative follows a study commissioned by Babybel, which revealed that a staggering 42% of adults feel they’ve lost touch with how to have fun, with the average age of “fun” coming to an end at 42. The research also found that 77% of adults yearn for the carefree days of their youth.

A spokesperson for Babybel explained: “As life gets busier, fun can sometimes take a backseat to responsibilities, routines and expectations. “But having fun isn’t something we should outgrow – it’s something worth holding onto.”

The study highlighted that one in five adults struggles to fit fun into their weekly routines due to lack of time, energy, and work commitments. While 85% want to reconnect with their sense of fun, 60% feel pressured to act maturely.

“This giant ball pit – with its ‘Find It. Drop It. Donate It’ donation mechanic – is a playful reminder that fun has a place at every stage of life, and a little bit of fun can do a lot of good,” the spokesperson elaborated.

The research also revealed that 26% of adults feel they need to disregard others’ opinions to rekindle their sense of fun, while 41% crave more leisure time.

Interestingly, 41% said they would be more likely to participate in charitable or community events if they incorporated an element of fun.

Babybel, a long-standing ally of Comic Relief, has contributed over £1.7 million to the charity and pledges an additional £150,000 this year. These funds will aid families impacted by conflict both in the UK and worldwide.

The spokesperson concluded: “We believe that doing good can and should be fun – which is why our partnership of over 25-years with Comic Relief is so special to us.

“Together, we’ve shown how laughter and joy not only make us feel good but also inspire meaningful change.”