This just proves why first impressions aren’t always right
As a mum of an energetic toddler I am always looking for different days out in and around the Liverpool area. So when I was told about Imagine That in Wavertree I booked tickets immediately.
I’ll be honest, when we pulled on to the car park at the technology park where it is located, I was slightly underwhelmed. There isn’t any giveaway from the outside what is in store inside and for a fleeting second I genuinely thought we could be in the wrong place. However my doubts completely disappeared from the moment we stepped inside.
It’s hard to explain what Imagine That is, as it isn’t a play centre, a museum or a science centre – it’s literally all three rolled into one at the same time.
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One of my biggest bug bearers is paying over the odds for a play centre or activity and it being over before your child has even really realised what it going on. However, at Imagine That it is advertised as a three-hour visit and it really is. It’s divided into 45 minute zones, and the first one we explored was the “imagination village”.
My son absolutely loved all the different role play sections, including being a vet, shopkeeper and builder and I couldn’t help myself when I saw the opportunity to be a TV news presenter – living the dream.
When our 45 minutes were up in this section we were guided to the next which was the ‘Art Beatz’ zone – the perfect opportunity for a toddler to do what they do best – be messy. I’d advise putting your child in clothes you don’t mind getting covered in paint because in this zone there were paints and crafts galore.
Aprons are offered but my son got stuck straight in with the paintbrush and took to painting his own fridge magnet and the life sized car that there is in this section. Older children can also make art on the pedal power spin art bike.
There is also an outdoor part to this section but this wasn’t something we explored on our trip, however we did sit in the food area and had our packed lunches we brought with us, which was allowed and obviously helps to keep costs down.
Once suitably covered in paint and full from our lunch we moved on to the last and final zone which is the “science area”. This area is better for slightly older children but what I liked best about Imagine That is there is literally something for all ages between 1-10.
My son’s favourite part of this area was definitely exploring one of the many science experiments, such as being put inside a huge bubble and also the making of his own slime. I hand on heart loved Imagine That and although the prices are obviously higher than your average play centre, you get so much more for your money.
There is currently a Midweek Toddler Hangout deal, from 10am-2pm on certain dates in October, at a reduced price, and this is definitely something I will be booking.
Imagine That is located on 26-32 Faraday Road, Wavertree Technology Park, Liverpool, L13 1EH. Booking beforehand is necessary.
