I went to the brand new Gruffalo attraction in the UK with all the characters and live dance parties – my kids loved it

“OH no, too slow, Gruffalo,” guffaws my little boy, delighted at his personal gag.

Watching my cheeky three- nager supply the Gruffalo a excessive 5, solely to go away his new furry buddy’s paw hanging, is strictly the type of magic second Merlin is hoping to conjure up at its new Blackpool attraction.

We have been invited to be a part of­­ ­former Corrie actor Helen Flanagan, contemporary from her look in I’m A Celebrity South Africa, and her two-year-old son Charlie at the opening of the Gruffalo & Friends Clubhouse.

It’s set in the identical constructing as Sea Life, only a stone’s throw from the Blackpool Tower.

The indoor playground for under-tens brings to life six of the tales created by creator Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler.

Tiny tots have a devoted Room On The Broom tender play space, whereas anybody with sensory wants can sit back in the Gruffalo Child’s cave.

There’s even a Snail and the Whale ballpit that pulls inspiration from the ocean waves.

The star attraction, although, is the Deep Dark Wood journey play space the place little bookworms can climb, crawl and slide whereas listening to much-loved strains from the story.

Personally I’m a fan of numerous pure gentle when it comes to indoor play areas, however I guess that was by no means on the playing cards when it got here to recreating the forest that’s house to the ­Gruffalo. Instead there’s numerous alternatives to create the proper ambiance utilizing gentle and sound results.

My little boy most loved getting his groove on at the live dance social gathering with songs impressed by the animals who encounter the Gruffalo, earlier than assembly and greeting characters, together with Zog and the Highway Rat.

And whereas the kids burn off steam, there are many cozy chairs for drained mother and father in want of a espresso and a relaxation from Blackpool’s vibrant lights.

Bubbly gentle tubes and tender rock-shaped cushions in the Gruffalo’s Child sensory room welcome guests who would possibly profit from a chilled area and there are plans for a quiet hour so visitors with additional wants shall be ready to get pleasure from the attraction too.

Greater growl

And a Changing Places ­rest room with additional area, hoist and grownup altering desk provides to the handful of locations in the seaside city that cater for these needing help when going to the lavatory.

 Helen tells me she’s simply happy her household can go to the Gruffalo and mates proper on her doorstep as an alternative of getting to head down south to the likes of Warwick Castle, at present internet hosting Zog, or Chessington World of Adventures.

There’s a lot to hold tots energetic all day at the Gruffalo Clubhouse, however whilst you’re in this neck of the woods, Peter Rabbit Play and Explore, an indoor attraction that solely opened final 12 months, is effectively value a go to too.

Heading house, my toddler didn’t even make it out of Blackpool earlier than he was spark out in the again of the automobile clutching his new cuddly toy.

There couldn’t be a higher growl of approval for the new Gruffalo attraction than that.

• The Gruffalo indoor play space prices from £12 per little one aged three to 12 and £4.50 for adults or toddlers aged one and two. Or purchase a bundle that offers entry to multiple of the seven Merlin sights now on the seafront. See gruffaloclubhouse.com.

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