This is one of my favourite places to take the children and if you know how fussy I am with them ,…read moreyou would know that this is high praise indeed. Snakes and Ladders is huge, with an indoor football pitch, toddlers area, party rooms, motorised car racing track and 'the largest play frame in Northern Ireland'. I think this claim is in fact true - it's massive! My kids can disappear into it for ages and climb, jump, swing etc. As an over anxious mother I go and check on them from time to time as you can't see them if they go right to the middle or top of it. The cars are £1 extra but you can make two kids go on each one if you're feeling miserable, sorry thrifty. What really pleases me is the standard of the food served up in the cafe. Proper fresh chicken gougons, butchers style sausages and Heinz beans for the nippers and a deli style sandwich bar, panninis and baked potatoes for the adults. Not a frozen chicken nugget in site so all good. My only gripe is that at busy times there aren't enough seats for the adults and you may have to stand for a while until you can shame a child into letting you sit down or glare at an adult until they go away. I have it down perfectly. Entry is £4.95 eachwith a loyalty scheme where the eleventh visit is free.

I think this playground is one of the best playgrounds in the area and it really brightens up this…read morestreet. The equipment is modern, bright and safe - not like the rusty metal excuses for swings and slides I had when I was a child. This park is safe as although it is one the main street it has a gate and high fence around it - a very busy park on a good day. We are reminded of Holywood's best kept town by the plaque on the wall outside and the children are watched over by the sculpture of 'Johny the Jig' who was designed and made by a local artist and now sits proud of punch near the parks entrance. When I see modern parks like this surrounded in blooming flowers and filled with colour and laughter I always wish I was a kid again.

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 I were a little rug rat living in Donaghadee I would be really grateful to my local council and…read morecouncilors for building me such an AWESOME park. The little buggers are spoiled rotten with the features of the park as well as the setting. I remember when we were kids we used the local dump as our play park - how times have changed. The park is situated just above the beach - enough said already I feel! There are loads of new play equipment including swings that are so modern they look almost space age. All the items have a nautical theme and this means there is of course a pirate ship complete with flag and plank so you can make your mates walk it. There are various other things to climb on and things to ride and things to move and it is all placed on that extra safe sponge matting with lovely patterns of dolphins and anchors and life rings - these kids don't know hoe good they are getting it. You wanna see the scars I have on my knees from playing on supposed play areas that were teaming with glass and from falling off broken swings onto the hardest and sorest gravel God ever put on this earth! Anyhow, some one stop me having a moan - the park is great, it is walled in and safe from the traffic, there are park benches the entire circumference for mummy and daddy to watch from and the beach is literally a pebble chuck away. What child could ask for more?

If you don't have children you may be baffled by my enthusiasm here, but if you do have children,…read moreyou'll understand. If your kids are anything like mine, there aren't that many places you can go for more than half an hour without the brattish distress call of 'I'm BORED'. I love them dearly really. But Stormont Park is one of those places and then some. It's a massive children's play park with the added advantage of being slap bang in the middle of Stormont grounds which you can also explore. This is a well equipped and well maintained park. The super efficient park wardens see to that. 'Jobsworth' is a very cruel term, they just take their responsibilities seriously. There is something to amuse and tire out every age of child from toddlers right up to teens. Slides, monkey bars, tyre swings, zip line, large and small climbing frames and more. There are also picnic tables and portable BBQ stands so that you can 'make a day of it' as they say in Norn Iron. There are toilets too, not always clean at the busy times in summer, but any port in a storm. Just take your tissues and hand sanitiser and you'll be good. Even if you have to travel a few miles, Stormont Park is well worth a visit.

Gosh, it seems like only yesterday this place was built, and I was a mad, boisterous little thing…read moredesperate to try out the coolest play park in town. How time flies, yet so much remains the same... This was the park of parks. I mean, you really couldn't get much better than Stormont play park. It always reminded me of the really cool park up in Portrush that cost a couple of pounds to get into, except Stormont is free (parents can breathe a sigh of relief at this point...), and superior. The setting is a beautiful one - the park is nestled in amongst the trees at the edge of the estate, yet at the same time it's safely separate from the forest...so no missing little ones! As the two previous reviewers commented, there are a huge variety of different activities to keep the kids entertained for hours, plus a number of benches dotted around the place for mum and dad to chill. My favourite aspect of Stormont play park is the ever popular zip-line, which had a never-ending queue and was always surrounded by those cheeky wee louts who kept stealing everyone else's turn. Once you got on, you didn't want to get off, but unfortunately that had to be the way of it. Climbing ropes, swings, slides, frames and the rest are all there. And they're all so well maintained, which is lovely to see. If I was ten years younger, I'd be back in an instant...

I loved this place when I was younger. It was simply the most exciting place in the world as far as…read moreI was concerned and now I am older I see how great it must have been for my parents too. Let your kid run wild for 45 minutes and then watch as he sleeps like an angel for the rest of the day. The playground is an eclectic mix of rope swings and climbing frames, with the big net climber in the centre as the hub for childhood adventuring. I still have memories of racing friends to the top and back down again. Overall this is a great place to bring the under 12's in your life. It is a fun and exciting place for them to run around and tire themselves out.

I used to go here as a younger, more athletic....oh God lets face it, I was never bloody athletic…read more But I did go here with friends and family when I was younger and could run for longer than ten seconds without getting out of puff. I blame the 90s. Anyway, this is a great place for little ones and young people to blow off some steam, get some fresh air, and have fun. It's like a Peter-Pan-Esque playground, with treehouse type structures and slides and climbing frames and even a zip wire, which always scared me - I was never brave enough. It's got handy parking and it's in the environs of the gorgeous Cavehill, so if it's a nice day, and you have sprogs - get them up here for a day of fun.

One of my favourite spots for a walk. Seapark is great as it offers a lovely park in and of itself…read morewith play facilities for kids as well as parking (limited when it gets really busy) and can also be used as the starting point for long costal walks. it also offers one of the best seaside views of Belfast Loch and it is good to see the big ships coming and going from the Harbour. On warmer days there is often a decent ice-cream van there too.

Seapark is a hidden jewel in the North Down crown. The North Down coast is not lacking beauty spots…read morebut Seapark is right up there with the best. On a sunny the day the views over Belfast Lough are unbeatable. The park itself is a 5 minute walk from Holywood High Street and local amenities but you'd think it was a million miles away due to its tranquility. The park facilities include a huge grassy area ideal for summer BBQ's and walking dogs. There's also a refurbished play park, which is always a hit with kids. On a summers day an ice cream van will park up in Seapark and you'll be able to grab yourself a snack in between playing. Seapark is also the beginning of the National Trust North Down Coastal Path that snakes along the coast all the way to Groomsport. If you fancy a walk or cycle on a nice day then look no further than the coastal path. At every corner you'll be hit with stunning beauty and culture (Grey Point Lookout). This is a popular route for dog walkers and you'll often see friendly pooches off their leads, so if you have little ones with you keep them close especially if they are a little bit sheepish around dogs.

Cairnburn park is my second fav park - see Stormont Park review for my number one!…read more This one comes in at a very respectable number two for several reaons: - it is fully enclosed, making it harder for the rugrats to go AWOL. Although not impossible I as found out the hard way. - the ground is completely covered in those safe wood bark chipping thingies. No, I'm not that outdoorsy. - it has a wide range of stuff to jump on, swing off, climb up, slide down and bounce on which saves my furniture from all of the above. There is plenty to keep my 4 and 9 year olds amused and some benches for me to park myself on. No public toilets though but I have boys and there are plenty of trees. But be warned. Another tick in the 'convenient' box is the large car park right beside the park. The only negative? The sheer amount of dog poop on the short walk between the park and the car. Dog owners of Belmont be ashamed.

Belmont gets 5 stars from me. Such a peaceful and natural place for a dander. Half an hour will…read moretake you around the main park, although you will probably want to stay for longer. It has been voted the best small park for the past couple of years. I used to take my dog here at least once per week and he knew the way around. There are lots of other dog walkers and areas to play fetch. I have seen people jogging around and the occasional cyclist possibly cutting through from Parkway to the Old Holywood road. Starting from the car park on Massey ave/ Upper Belmont road you can follow the path accross the carriageway bridge follow this around to the right will bring you to the kids play area. The play area is enclosed and dogs are not permitted. It has baby swings, a flying saucer swing, slides, rockers and cool climbing frames. The paths are always clear and the grounds are well kept. Summer events take place in Belmont park occasionally.

Mookie world now known as the famous "Funky Monkeys" is superb for kids and of course adults who…read morelike to act like kids!! It is adult supervision at all times so its great if you love slides and climbing if not its too bad! There are two areas which include a baby area and a bigger play area from ages 2+. The baby area is brilliant for tiny toes who are not yet completely on their feet yet as it gives them room to explore without being flung to side by a wrecking ball (older child). This area has a tinier climbing frame, 2 slides, soft blocks and musical instruments...Let's face it who doesn't love the sound of drums :/ Funky monkeys has its own cafe so its strictly no outside food and drink and they are quite strict with these rules. This isn't suitable if you have a child with special dietary requirements i.e lactose intolerant as majority of the staff are reluctant to allow you to feed your child with your own food. Some of the staff are brilliant and completely understand and in most circumstances allow this to happen so thumbs up to them! The cafe is also quite expensive for example a tiny carton of apple/orange juice is £1! They have great facilities including a disabled toilet and a lift down to the main toilets. The staff are always on hand to make sure that child play is safe and secure which is great if you are the panic mum or dad. Overall Funky Monkeys is a great family outing! The kids all appear to love it as they run about beetroot red with tons of energy. Also don't forget that if you would like to join your kids make sure to bring an extra pair of clean socks :)

Mookie World has only recently opened its technicolour doors and so is still fresh, clean and…read morebright. Everything is in tip top condition and I think this place is completely brilliant. It has none of that hell factor that some indoor play areas have - it is as much a pleasure for the adults as it is for the over excited kids. Just one caveat - Mookie World describes itself as being suitable for kids up to age 11. I would have to disagree with that - my nine year old wouldn't choose to go as the equipment is too young for him. I think 7 or 8 is a more realistic cut off age. Having said that, the nine year old was delighted with the free internet access and a huge chocolate brownie from the cafe. Mookie World has the usual slides, ball pits and swings etc but it is really beautifully done - the theme seems to be Mookie the Cow who appears everywhere. For adults there are comfy seats and a really good cafe - Yum Yums. Actually it is yum yum. The tray bakes, brownies, muffins and scones are excellent and resaonably priced. For the kids there's plenty of sweets, crisps, drinks and fruit. They also do organic baby food and hot meals made with local ingredients. Another big tick for the fact that Mookie World opens at 10am on Sundays and we have been a couple of times for playtime for the kids and breakfast bagels and the papers for us. Result. There is plently of parking and the cinema and another couple of restaurants next door, so could be a good choice for a birthday day out. It's £4.95 per child and this is good value for money given the excellent facilities. I will keep going to Mookie World until even the 5 year old outgrows it.