Moshi Monsters Arrive at Sea Life, Manchester

Blogging can give you some great experiences, and we've been really lucky - and busy - over the last couple of weeks having a look at some of the events running over Summer in the North West. One of the things we've really enjoyed is meeting the Moshi Monsters who have taken up residence at Manchester Trafford Centre Sea Life this Summer.

We were lucky enough to be given a preview visit to the Sea Life centre in Manchester before it first opened, and last week it was lovely to go back to see how it has matured and changed.

As soon as we arrived we were handed a Sea Life Log Book and a special Moshi Monsters activity book to use as we went through the attraction - searching for not only the different sea creatures, but also Moshi Monsters hiding in the tanks.

Sea Life activity booklet

Moshi Monsters activity booklet

The Sea Life tanks are beautiful, and very relaxing. I took some amazing photo's last time we visited, so I won't bore you with all of them, just a few...

 

Moshi Monsters are hidden in tanks all around the centre - they are really hard to spot, but we managed to spy a couple! 

 

If you find all of the hidden Moshi Monsters then you will be able to unlock Lubber The Whimsical Whale for next time you visit MoshiMonsters.com

There's also a chance to get your photo taken with a Moshi Monster! They're housed in the Ray tank room and a bit gigantic, so smaller children especially might be a bit wary, but they're very friendly....

We bumped into Katsuma! 

 

Then we reached the Moshi Monster Swap Zone - exactly as you'd expect, you can bring your Moshi Monster doubles and swap them! 

Laura from Tired Mummy Of Two spent ages getting her favourites....

Well, okay, maybe they were more for her daughters...

Towards the end of the attraction are things we weren't able to see last time we visited, including the soft play equipment, and some interesting hands-on educational games and activities- some of which are more amusing for spectators than others....here are my partner, Pippa from Red Rose Mummy and our children waving...

Why would they be waving like this?

Because they're catching rubbish that's been dumped in the sea!

The 'touch pools' are now also fully open, with an array of crabs and other interesting sea creatures for children (and adults) to meet and learn about...

Also new to us are the jellyfish and sea horses. They hadn't arrived last time we visited, and they really were incredibly beautiful....

The Starfish were also new to us, including this fantastic viewing tunnel for small people to walk through...

I love visiting Sea Life and it's a great place to take children of all ages. The inclusion of the soft play and Moshi Monsters means that you can extend your visit considerably, and have a sit down and relax for a moment.

My youngest still tends to wander off when he spots anything that catches his eye, and I like the Sea Life for the linear nature, so I can go and find him straightaway, rather than losing him in a maze. The soft play is next to the Moshi Monster swap zone, so it's perfect for entertaining all of the children at once.

Moshi Monsters will be in residence at the Sea Life, Trafford Centre, Manchester until August 31st. Buster Bumblechops, Katsuma and Poppet will be available for photo opportunities, and each visitor can swap up to 6 Moshi Monsters in the Swap Zone each day - please ring ahead or ask on arrival for times.

Manchester Sea Life is open from 10am-7pm every day (except Christmas Day). Although it's rare to turn anyone away, they are strict about not overcrowding, so it's best to book ahead and guarantee your visit - book online and save money, or ring 0871 221 2483. Allow around 2 hours per visit, the Sea Life is fully accessible for people using wheelchairs or pushchairs.