World of Wonder in Carrickfergus is Northern Ireland's newest kids' play and party centre. The global adventure themed soft play has one of the country's largest main play frame & one of the biggest areas for under 4's including the ever popular ball pit, and a baby only section.

We went along this morning to check out World of Wonder, as Smix is plane and airport mad right now, and I knew they had a plane as part of the play area. The adventure centre is part of the Loughshore Hotel complex, so I had pictured a modest size soft play, but we were blown away when we got there.

The World of Wonder section is located in its own building, with the entry marked 'Arrivals' and a plane to begin your child's adventure from the moment they get out of the car. You 'check in' and go through to the large, bright, open play area. There are three frames, the main one for ages 4 and above, the toddler magic castle for under 4's, and a separate sports section for basket ball & football.

There has been no expense spared in making this a really special day out. The attention to detail and themeing is the best I've seen anywhere. The walls are painted with landmarks from all the corners of the world, including Belfast City Hall and the cranes! At kids' eye height along the walls are illustrations of children from around the world in traditional dress saying 'hello' in their native language.

The main frame, one of the largest in Northern Ireland, is decorated with huge 3D models of the leaning tower of Pisa, the Eiffel Tower, a giant hot air balloon, and the worldwide sights continue with panels decorated with penguins, camels and the Statue of Liberty. Your child will have been around the world in ninety minutes in Carrick!

There is plenty of seating for adults with tables and chairs filling the remaining space. The Market Cafe offers coffee, tea, snacks, slush puppies, juice and all the usual food and drink you would expect at a soft play area. There are large TVs for adults to watch, and of course free wifi.

To get all the information you need in one place, you can visit World of Wonder website, or download the app from Podium apps on your iPhone or Android phone. They offer party packages at different tiers for four different themed party rooms, complete with mascot visits from characters like Pikachu, Paw Patrol, Minions and Olaf. Parties include themed invitations for whichever room you choose, beach, superhero, animal or princess.

Smix declared it the best soft play place ever, and I have to agree, it is pretty darn impressive.

Let me know if you visit World of Wonder this half term. My Twitter is @rudedoodle and you can get in touch with World of Wonder @WorldofWonderNI

A bit of a local blog post today, but for all my North Down readers, this could be a useful one.

Happy Town, Newtownards' biggest & best soft play area is offering a super package of unlimited visits through out July and August for a set cost of £50, and £40 for each additional child. When I saw this on their Facebook page I breathed a sigh of relief, as that's my summer sorted.
My son is an only child, and I'm a stay-at-home blogger. The eight weeks' holiday we get from school here in Northern Ireland is an awfully long time to fill with entertainment for one child who hasn't siblings to get up to no good with.

My plan is to use the unlimited pass not just for his enjoyment, but with Happy Town's free wifi and delicious cafe, I can get my normal amount of blogging done while he's busy with new friends. It's the ideal set up. Happy Town is very spacious, even on a Saturday visit you'll always get a seat and table. Uniquely for a soft play area they also have a stage set up, and the enthusiastic employees are more like a Butlins' troop. They have the children gathering to the stage with dance demos, talent contests and games.

So that's my summer plans sorted out, anyone else local joining me for a Happy Town time throughout July and August? Email Lauren@HappyTown.uk.com for more details, otherwise simply sign up for your pass on your next visit.