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!!!!

If you like a challenge this place is a must. My daughter recently had her 7th birthday party here,…read moreshe had been so excited after spending many hours viewing from the ice bowls cafe and it certainly didn't disappoint. Clip 'N Climb is located inside Dundonald Ice Bowl complex. As you enter the building take a left into the ice rink and they have their own reception just in front of you. Once you have your details confirmed you are brought into a training room where you undergo thorough training and have your harness fitted for the climbing walls. This was quite a long process so for younger kids can be a bit boring but it is a must for safety and as a parent and in charge of others kids I wasn't complaining. Once this is complete the group is led through secure doors into the climbing arena and the fun begins. You get an hour to try as many of the walls as you like, there must be at least 20 each one being different and you can time yourself for the serious climbers. There are plenty of staff to assist with hooking the harnesses on for the abseil down and adults are allowed to accompany kids in to assist as well but must wear like a high via jacket. For the very brave there are a few extra activities including 'the leap of faith' or 'the drop slide' but these come at an extra cost. Unfortunately I didn't get to participate this time as I was pregnant but I will definitely be back when able as I love a challenge. Even though i wasn't able to take part I was able to spectate from a very comfortable balcony viewing area which had lovely comfy sofas and along with a coffee from their own coffee bar it wasn't a boring wait. This was a birthday to remember for my daughter and the feed back from her friends parents was that everyone had a ball. We will be back.....

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!

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!

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE OPENING HOURS DETAILED HERE ARE FOR JULY AND AUGUST…read more My family has a love-hate relationship with Waterworld. The kids love it and the husband and I hate it. Honestly, I find it almost physically painful to go there but my children get so much unadulterated pleasure from it that I grit my teeth and go. They don't see the heaving crowds, the film of god knows what on the top of the water and the toddlers with dangerously loose swim nappies. They don't hear the ear splitting noise or feel the cold blasts of cold air. What they see is the large pool with a Jacuzzi along one side, the water slides and best of all the huge pirate ship in the middle of the second pool, complete with water blasters, slides and rope climbs. When I describe it like that I can see why they love it so much. If your kids can swim, they will just love this place. You could still take non swimmers but you'll have to be very vigilant and follow them the whole time as they can go under the pirate ship where the water is about 4 feet deep. If your kids can be left unattended, you can have a rest in one of the Jacuzzis which are for adults only. Tinies can also enjoy the paddling pool. I am a bit of a germ phobe and thought the changing rooms and toilets could have been cleaner on our last 2 visits. Here's my top tip - if you are going during the summer hols, ring ahead and ask if they have a summer scheme booked in that day. If they say yes, then don't go as it will be unbearably busy. Ask which days there are no summer schemes expected and go then instead. You'll spend a couple of hours there so at about £16 for a family of four, it's pretty good value for money and will totally exhaust the kids for the rest of the day.

Waterworld in situated on the Harbour in Portrush and run by Coleraine Borough Council. It provides…read morea greatand safe environment for a day out for all the family with the slides and water fun for the kids and the jacuzzi and sauna for the adults. Just a pity it doesn't offer a bigger swimming area. There is a small cafe with a limited selection but ok for a snack. Children will have a great day out no matter what age they are. You will probably have a bit to walk as parking is not close by.

It's away now from here, very good place then the (Ballymena council) stopped it from opening again…read morebecause it wasn't making money a big £180000 a year does the tourism not help with it people who are coming from another country (shame on you no were for the children to go..)

We spent an enjoyable 'wet weather' day out with the kids. The soft play area is good and the kids…read morehad a fantastic time in it. The 4D Film show was excellent, albeit on the short side. Cost for a combined activities (ie soft play/Turbo Tours 4D film/ Treasure Fortress) family ticket could have been a little better than it was, and it would have been good to have been warned before hand that some activities in the Fortress were not working properly as it spoiled or enjoyment a bit when we discovered this for ourselves).One major gripe was, if a bit lacking in seating and also supervision from staff (yes, I know parents/carers are responsible for their own kids, but I still think there should also be an adequate staff presence and that they should rotate around areas regularly so as not to become bored/complacent in their duties). Oh and just remembered another gripe. Children had to leave the area the soft play was in and go across the main entrance/foyer area of the centre to access the toilets - not ideal. Also, after paying at the main reception, there wasn't actually any control system at the combined entrance/exit to the play area and anyone, children or adults, could come or go as they please - very, very, risky! That said, with a bit more attention to these safety/security issues, this could be an excellent place. Food available on site, some gift shops, and other activities all add to its plus points. Well worth taking the climb up the tower for lovely views from the top too.