Activities

Exploring GAST Entertainment Center: A Full-On Family Adventure in the City

If you’re looking for a place in Addis where kids can burn off energy, try new challenges, and have a blast—all under one roof—GAST Entertainment Center is definitely worth checking out. Located inside a bustling mall, it offers a wide range of fun-packed activities for children (and grown-ups who like to join in).

We recently spent an afternoon there with my 8-year-old son and his cousins (ages 9 and 10), opting for the multi-zone adventure package at 2,000 ETB per person. It gave us access to several areas for around 2.5 hours—an exciting, active experience that kept the kids fully engaged the entire time.

What to Expect at GAST

The center is spread across multiple levels and includes zones like:

  • A trampoline park with mini games
  • A ninja parcours and climbing walls
  • Laser tag
  • A mirror maze
  • Escape rooms (with a spooky twist)
  • A PS5 gaming area
  • A classic arcade floor
  • A playground for younger kids

You’ll also find a snack and cashier area, as well as several food and ice cream spots downstairs in the mall—making it easy to make a full day of it.

Getting There: A Quick Tip

If it’s your first visit, finding the right entrance might be a little confusing. The mall elevator closest to the main entrance gets you to the arcade and movie levels, but it’s usually quite busy. A second elevator (or nearby staircase) down the hall takes you to the fourth floor, where the entertainment center itself begins. It was a bit crowded too, but moved faster in our case.

Our Experience: Fun, Fast-Paced, and Full of Energy

The kids dove into the trampoline area first, which they loved. While I didn’t jump myself, I had purchased the full ticket to be able to support them throughout the different zones. In the ninja parcours, I was especially glad to be there to cheer them on and help them navigate some of the trickier obstacles.

The staff in that section were encouraging and kind—though the music in the background was so loud it made communication a bit tricky at times. The climbing wall was another favorite, though we would’ve appreciated more guidance from staff, especially to help the kids pick a wall suited to their level.

Without a doubt, laser tag was the highlight. It’s energetic, interactive, and something all four of us (yes, I played too!) enjoyed together. It made the all-inclusive ticket feel like a great value—especially when compared to paying per activity.

After that, we tried the mirror maze, which was both fascinating and a little spooky for the kids. If your child is sensitive to scary themes, it’s something to be aware of. We skipped the escape rooms for the same reason—all the available themes leaned heavily into the spooky side. Fortunately, we were able to swap that time slot for a round of PS5 gaming, which was an unexpected win for the kids.

Other Things to Know

One thing I appreciated as a parent was that the arcade zone is on a different floor, so it wasn’t a constant temptation. That helped us stick to the activities in our package without constant negotiations. There’s also a separate playground area for younger kids, which we didn’t explore but could be perfect for families with a wider age range.

The snack and cashier area was quite busy and cramped, and the snack options were limited—something to keep in mind if you’re planning to be there for several hours.

Final Thoughts

GAST Entertainment Center offers a fun, high-energy outing for families with active kids. The adventure package is a good value if you’re planning to try multiple zones, and there’s enough variety to keep kids entertained for hours. While the setup could benefit from a bit more structure and calmer transitions between activities, the kids had an amazing time—and that’s what matters most.

If you’re planning a visit, try to go during off-peak hours to avoid the biggest crowds and give yourself plenty of time to explore all the fun options available. It’s definitely a place we’ll be coming back to.

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