Mattel has teamed up with Sheffield’s Meadowhall shopping centre and theatrical events company Bakehouse Factory to launch a new Barbie experience this autumn.
‘Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience’ will be a colourful and interactive attraction where children can try out various careers in interactive zones, from piloting the Barbie Dreamplane to designing a Barbie outfit.
Julie Freeland, senior director of location-based entertainment (LBE) at Mattel, said: “For generations, Barbie has been at the forefront of fostering imagination and encouraging children to dream big by exploring various career paths.
Interactive Barbie-themed zones
“With a multitude of innovative, interactive zones showcasing numerous career options, Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience will serve as another example of Barbie’s commitment to inspiring the limitless potential in us all.”
Meadowhall will be the first venue in the UK to host the Barbie attraction, which opens on 30 September and runs through 7 January 2024.
“We’re always looking for new experiences to bring to the centre that will continue to enhance our existing offering for visitors and look forward to welcoming the world’s best-known doll brand to Meadowhall,” said Darren Pearce, centre director at Meadhowhall
“We hope it will entertain, inspire and educate families throughout Sheffield and beyond, and we cannot wait to see it come to life.”
Kate Statham, managing director of Bakehouse, added: “The Barbie brand is so much fun and so inspirational for young girls and boys – we’ve had a great time bringing this attraction to life.”
The upcoming Barbie experience follows the release of 2023 film Barbie, one of the top 100 highest-grossing films of all time and the highest film grossing ever made by a female director.
It also comes after last year’s launch of World of Barbie, an immersive attraction inspired by Barbie’s luxurious lifestyle.
Elsewhere, a new Mattel theme park is due to open in Arizona in 2024 with rides and attractions inspired by toy brands including Hot Wheels, Thomas & Friends and Barbie.
