I attentended my daughters class mates 5th birthday party at World of Wonder (WOW) this morning…read more WOW opened before Christmas and was the idea of the owners of the Loughshore Hotel. It's a big indoor soft play area which has four private party rooms and different packages for parties as well as single use entry fees. It can accommodate upto 200 kids and adults with ample seating and eating facilities. It's also in a prime location. After the kids played the cake was cut and the kids were ready for cocktail sausages, fresh chicken nuggets, chips, sandwiches, pizza and crisps, with water and juice to wash it down. I would have liked to have seen some fruit and carrot sticks also. That being said both kids and adults were well satisfied-it would be great if there was something like this for adults only!!!!

I have a somewhat strange soft spot for seals so the Exploris Aquarium is one of my favourite…read moreplaces to go for a family day out. The experts at Exploris take in and care for seals which have been rescued from the coast suffering from injury or illness. Mind you, sometimes there are no seals in the seal sanctuary which is obviously good news for the seal population but not for the selfish visitors who want to see them. Check the website before you go to see how many seals are being cared for. The aquarium has loads of other stuff to see and learn about. The first thing you see when you go in is a huge touch tank where there are frequent talks from the expert staff who encourage visitors to touch the fish and rays which is great fun. There are lots of tanks and pools as you make your way through the aquarium, including one which has a wave splashing too and fro. The most exciting bit is the largest tank which has sharks in it. Only little ones but still very exciting nonetheless and throughout the day divers go into the tank to feed the sharks. There are loads of fish and rays in this tank too to really give you an idea of how the species interact in the open sea. You can view this tank from the side through the glass walls or from above as a bridge is suspended above it. Exploris is relatively pricey to get in - £22 for a ticket for a family of 4 and even if you take a break in the café and visit the shop (both of which will see you forking out more cash), I think the most you will spend there is a couple of hours. Stretch out your visit by taking a picnic and going to the park right next door.

Jaw dropping, awe inspiring, beautiful marine creatures…read more Take a trip to Exploris Aquarium and witness the amazing spectacle of what life is like in our local waters. I'm a water baby, always have been, always will be and sea life fascinates me. Lucky mites get to live in the water all day every day, why can't I! They don't even get wrinkles! Bah! Jealousy aside, this attraction is a fascinating peek in to the marine world. It's educational and fun; a great day out for the family or there's a tour/workshop facility available for school trips. You can watch in amazement as the divers hand feed the sharks, even walk across the murky depths on the bridge above the shark tank! Make sure you visit the discovery pool where you get hands on action with the flat fish! The staff give regular presentations and talks throughout the day about an interesting range of topics, so if you're a sea geek, don't miss this! The aquarium is also home to The Seal Rescue Centre *arf arf* where sick pups are nursed back to health before being released into the wild. This is a great programme which ensures the rehabilitation and ongoing care of our local seal population. Yay! There are regular exhibitions held on location so contact them before you come to see whats on. For example, this year there is; shark week, seal week, a puppet theatre and art / photography exhibitions. This year seal week is 6 - 14 Nov ...See you there! As of August 2010 - Prices: Adult £7.00 Junior (16 years and under) £4.50 Family (2 adults and 4 children) £22.00 Family (1 adult and 4 children) £19.50 60 years +, Disabled and unemployed £4.50 Under Fours Free Opening Hours: April - August: Mon - Fri 10am - 6pm Sat 11am - 6pm Sun 12noon - 6pm September - March: Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm Sat 11am - 5pm Sun 1pm - 5pm For such an interesting, informative day, Portaferry is only about an hour away from Belfast so if you're stuck on a rainy day don't miss it! Or do as we used to and pack the kids away, hook up the caravan and come stay in the caravan site next door and make a weekend of it!

Snakes and Ladders, Bangor…read more Great place to come generally with kids, though not if you are looking piece and quiet! Reasonably priced and a nice selection of food and drinks for the young ones and adults alike. Definately worth mentioning too how great they are will allergies - my daughter has a severe egg allergy and everytime we're here they couldn't be any more helpful and caring. I am currently at a private party too which is a great option for kids party's outside the usual opening hours - so they can have the full run of the place with their nearest and dearest - just ring up and ask for Michelle for more info about this. Great place!!

This is probably one of the nicest children's play parks in Carrickfergus, and strangely, a lot of…read morepeople don't know about it, as it is quite secluded! There are two entrances to Legg Park, one along the main Belfast Road, just up from the Model Primary School, and another entrance facing the Windrose. The park is fully fenced off and really well equipped with soft flooring, swings, slides and climbing frames. The park is also really nicely landscaped with lots of benches making it pleasant to sit around on a sunny day.

If you havnt been here before its defo worth the visit. ..been here a few times with the family…read morethe last time we wnt it had new things added to it Pay a pound at the shoo and can get a cup of food so that u can feed the animals which the kids love. Goats were out walkin about the last time we were here came to us to get food and a pet Theres a peting part were they bring aniamls and u can hold and feed them Kids love it The cafe is good Good picnic areas Park Lake to feed ducks Big boucing thing for kids And an ark Ive put sum pics up wel worth the visit

I have now been to The Ark three times in the last two years. I think this should tell you that I…read morereally like it. The first time, we had some visitors staying and we thought it would be a nice day out. We had a great time feeding and stroking the animals -it was like being kids again! The second time my fiancé took me to visit as part of my birthday fun things to do. It was raining but we still had a great time as many areas are enclosed. There was a school trip there and we lingered by the petting farm area to watch the kids feed the kids (baby goats) using a bottle and to listen in on the educational talk given by the guide. The third time I took my nephew - what a hoot that was - one of the enclosures houses a really big goat who can almost stretch out of his pen - he took a rather large lick of my nephews ice cream which then had to be chucked even though Niall protested by screaming his head off. The farm is well run with a shop selling farm themed toys, animal food as well as farm produce. There are many different types of farm creature that you would expect to find on any farm- pigs, horses, sheep and, rather randomly, a wallaby. For a few quid it's well worth a visit. Apart from the farm animals there is also a really great playground for the (human) kids to enjoy. With a café on site as well as a large indoor area full of toy tractors for the younger ones to ride about on you can have a nice time in the sun or the rain. The owners also offer pony and horseback rides for a few pounds more. Most of the animals have a lot of space and are in pens with just one other of their species - I did notice that some chickens who were locked away did look a little cramped but in fairness most of the chickens are free to wander around the land. A great day out!

This is another one of Northern Irelands hidden treasures, I know it is a bit of a cliché but this…read moreminiature railway will have small children and grown up Thomas the Tank Engine fans mesmerized. The railway operates steam, petrol, hydraulic and diesel locomotives on the longest miniture railway track in Ireland. The ride itself is around 12 minutes long but you could easily spend a day at Drumawhey miniature railway marvelling at the engineering. The railway line includes a station, signal cabin, engine shed, steep gradients, rail crossing and two bridges, it is just like the island of Sodor where Thomas hales from. This is a great day out for youngsters and older railway enthusiasts. The location of the miniature railway is not very well advertised and it as if they want to keep the place hidden for fear of it getting overcrowded. Because I assure you this place could attract visitors all year round. It is cheap as well at only £2.50 for adults and 50p less for kids you will not break the bank on this day trip. There are no real facilities to talk of at the railway apart from a burger van. A sit down café would go down a storm and with a little bit of investment this place could become as big as Kings Cross. The only real trouble with the Miniature railway is that its opening hours are very erratic and it is difficult to know if you will turn up at the gates and the site will be closed. I would advise potential visitors to call ahead.

I have brought my kids here numerous times and they have enjoyed it every time from the pony…read moretrekking to the old houses, to the play park, really worth a visit and is a must for any trip up the Antrim coast. Wee tip is to take the tour of the site it is very bumpy but it's really interesting to see and hear about the farm and its history!

Brought my daughter here on Sunday for the first time and I have to say I was shocked, it's so…read morebig!!!!! The place was completely packed out with people (which put me of abit) but my daughter loved every minute of it. They have a good range of food on offer from burgers to sandwiches to cakes, also a good kids range and lovely teas and coffee's. The place is double the size of places like funky monkeys and it's staff are a lot better with kids in my opinion. They also have party packages and 4 individual party rooms which are a good size. I'll definitely be back even though it's abit of a drive for me but it's worth it. My daughter hasn't shut up about it since lol. The only thing I will say is stay away from it Saturday and Sunday and go during the week if you can because it's less busy.

I Visited here this morning with the nursery school I work for. It's been our third visit here as…read moreour end of term treat. Each visit we as a team have been very impressed by the professionalism shown by Noel and his staff. Friendly and extremely efficient. All the Children all had a ball, many thanks. Looking forward to returning.