If there’s one thing that pleases parents and carers on Christmas days out , it’s a trail! Any type of trail will do, so long as there are simple clues to jot down and a prize at the end.
Sea Life Manchester has ticked the Christmas trail box this year with Christmas conundrums hidden around the aquarium all based on Octonauts, the popular children’s TV show all about the ocean and sea creatures. While it’s not a grotto, light show or another obvious festive event, there are plenty of magical Christmas moments around the centre that make it very seasonal and a welcome mix for all ages.
It’s on until December 31 and costs from £15. Here’s everything you need to know…
READ MORE: Children's TV and family films to watch this Christmas 2022 - our day-by-day guide
What's on the Octonauts trail?
Upon entry, children are handed two small trail sheets. One is a simple quiz for the Octonauts hunt, which is ideal for preschoolers and offers a chocolate coin or candy cane prize at the end, while the other is a slightly harder quiz based on facts about the ocean that would suit slightly older children who can read well. The latter offers a prize of a small magnifying glass.
Answers are dotted around the centre and the Octonauts questions mainly get children counting, for example, the number of baubles on a picture of a Christmas tree. Pencils are supposed to be at every stage of the trail although these have a tendency to go missing with little ones so it’s worth bringing your own.
Is there much Christmas magic at Sea Life?
The centre has merged Octonauts with Christmas by setting up a Christmas display in an area of the aquarium, just after the VR experience area. Octonauts character Peso, the medical officer for the Octonauts, makes a special guest appearance once very hour so children can have a Christmas photo with him.
There is a handy bench for you to sit on whilst you wait and it’s cleverly located next to the Playzone which is Sea Life’s designated soft play area. More on that below.
Another addition that will definitely leave under fives mesmerised is the snowman hologram. This belts out Christmas classics such as ‘Up on the housetop’ as you walk by.
Is there anything else to do?
Sea Life is a fantastic day out and one of Manchester’s top attractions. The centre is home to some of the world's most incredible animals, including sharks, clownfish, sea turtles and thousands of tropical fish.
The giant Japanese spider crabs are a highlight with claws that measure 3m (claw to claw) which is big enough to stand over a Mini Cooper car. There are all sorts of different zones to keep kids engaged and plenty of tunnels and other opportunities to interact with the ocean.
The Playzone is for children up to 1.4m tall and considering it’s a bonus to the centre that’s part of your ticket (no extra charge) children can easily spend an hour in there alone. There is all the usual soft play activities for them to explore, plus enough space for parents and carers to sit and watch them while having a well-earned rest.
There are vending machines in this area containing ice lollies, sweets, chocolates and drinks so expect to be pestered! The vending machines take card payments.
Can the kids meet Santa?
No, but they can meet thousands of magnified fish throughout the huge aquarium, hug a giant penguin (Peso from Octonauts) and even touch tiny crabs in the rockpool area with guidance, so Santa won’t be missed!
How much are tickets and parking?
Tickets are from £17.50 per adult and £15 per child. Octonauts at Sea Life Manchester is on until December 31. Sea Life has a free car park as part of Trafford Palazzo in TraffordCity next to The Trafford Centre. For more information and to book tickets visit Sea Life - A Very Merry Octonauts Christmas .
Get the latest What's On news - from food and drink to music and nightlife - straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter .
READ MORE:
- Morrisons and Tesco giving away free carrots to ‘feed Rudolph’
- We made the Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate House and it's a game changer
- Dangerous children's toys seized off shelves as Manchester director appears in court
- How to 'film' a reindeer in your home this Christmas with McDonald's app
- I compared cheap mulled wine from Aldi, M&S, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Asda
