“Don’t ever say Knights don’t have any fun” warned the lead knight, as the first notes of ‘The Hokey Pokey’ begin to play and the arena erupts into a rousing routine of left and right limbs shaking about.
The boys are taking part in a Medieval Times Junior Knight Training session at Toronto Castle, and The Hokey Pokey is serving as both an ice breaker for some nervous little ones, like my 6 year old, and a reminder of left and right for others. Offered free of charge, before the 4:30pm performance on select days, little ones aged 5-12 can enter the knights arena and take part in a special training course to learn what it takes to be a great knight.
The group of youngsters, are addressed by the King himself, who overseas the training from his balcony above. Next, the knights take over, leading the kids through sword fighting routines and helping them to perfect their battle cry!
Each child has use of a small wooden sword, to try their skills out, and then become privy to an exclusive weapons demonstration by the knights and weapons master.
When the knights feel like the troops have mastered their new skills and the grueling training is complete, His Majesty King Carltos begins the group knighting ceremony.
I’m not sure who was having more fun actually, the kids taking part, the knights interacting with the little ones or the parents watching from the sidelines. Everyone had smiles plastered on their faces! It was pretty special event and one that makes a visit to the castle, that much more memorable!
Note that space is limited and knight training is available on a first come first served basis for the first 100 kids, so be sure to arrive by 3pm. The session will begin at 3:15 for children aged 5-12, however, they are flexible on the age and mentioned that if your child is a confident under 5 that is able to be away from their parent and take part, than they are welcome to join in. My youngest is 5 and loved every single minute of it! Only junior knights are allowed onto the sand, and parents are welcome to watch and take pictures from the front row of the stadium. It’s unlikely, that your youngster will have open toed shoes at this time of year, but for future reference, closed toed shoes are a must to take part.
Knights Training is not to be missed! Any trip the Medieval Times is fabulous, but taking part is Knight Training is really outstanding! Plus, it’s available to your family at no cost! I highly recommend it!
Upcoming dates for Knight Training at Toronto Castle are as follows, plan your next visit!
February 22, 2015
April 12, 2015
April 19, 2015
April 26, 2015
For more information visit the Medieval Times, Toronto Castle website
Junior Knight Training at Medieval Times
That looks SO AWESOME. My kids would love this. So I need to know, where there girls out there on the field? Or were they off having some kind of lame princess tea party?
Definitely not! If you look there is a girl in a huge white dress right out there on the field! lol I tried to keep other kids out of the photos as much as possible, but girls are definitely encouraged to attend! Your girls would love it, it was very cool!
Oh wow! My son would love to do this.
I’m so bummed that we don’t have a Medieval Times in Vancouver. My girl would be so into this!
I’m surprised there aren’t more in Canada!
OMG what an exciting experience! My boys loved seeing the show, but to be a part of it and TRAIN with the knights would be an AMAZING experience!
omgosh!! This looks like so much fun! Your boys are adorable and you can see in their faces they had a wonderful experience!!
Come on… they are OVER THE TOP cute. I just love that they can go and get training. I love the demonstration, everything. so fun.
I didn’t know that they had this at Medieval Times! It looks like a blast!