We take our children to Imagine That! in Liverpool to discover why it is so popular with families
Read our family review of Imagine That! for children in Liverpool
What is it?
Imagine That! is an indoor, imaginative children’s play centre in Liverpool. It opened at the start of 2017. It was previously known as Underwater Street and was based in the city centre.
Where is it?
It is in Wavertree and is easily accessible from the end of the M62.
What did we think?
Imagine That! is nondescript from the outside, in adjoining, low industrial units with minimal signing.
Part of the exterior
Step inside and your senses are assaulted by sights and sounds.
It’s fun, it sparks children’s imaginations and it is educational. It also feels very safe, with lots of staff about.
Our highlights
Imagination Village
Reading the news
This role play area includes a pizza restaurant, veterinary centre, hair salon, supermarket, car wash and American diner. Children can pretend to read the news on TV and practise crossing the road with a pedestrian crossing (the constant beeping of this must surely drive staff mad)!
Pedestrian crossing
There are plenty of dressing up clothes and a small stage, plus buttons to press for sound effects and stage lighting.
In charge of the stage sounds and lights
Construction Site
Entertaining for younger children with mini cranes and soft bricks, plus a popular pulley system.
Art Arena
Lots of space for children to get arty, you can even paint a car – thankfully aprons are provided!
Science Area
Our two children enjoyed an alarm tunnel where you had to jump and crawl to avoid setting off an alarm. And you can envelope yourself in a giant bubble using soap and a rope. There is also a water play area to have a splash about.
Big bubble fun
It’s a learning environment, especially a section about electricity where you have to pedal a static bike to make power.
The overwhelming favourite activity for our youngsters involved putting silk scarves in an wind-filled hole, which then raced around see-through tubes, before being ejected at the end, floating down to be caught.
Scarf fun
Workshops and shows
Science and design shows and workshops run throughout the day. We enjoyed a bubble show which ended with a bottle filled with water, lemon and baking powder shooting water over the ceiling and a slime making lesson.
Conclusion
A lovely, different place to take younger children, to spark their imaginations.
Our top tips
*As this is indoors, it is much quieter when the weather is good.
*Go straight to the shows and workshops you are interested in when they are announced, it is a fairly small venue so you can easily go back where you were to carry on exploring afterwards.
*It caters for school trips and birthday parties.
Imagine That! information
Food: Picnics are not allowed. There are two cafes, one with sandwiches and hot meals, the other specialising in cakes, ice creams, sundaes, waffles and crepes.
Opening hours: Open 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Friday and 10am to 5pm weekends and bank holidays. Closed Mondays except in school holidays and bank holidays.
Cost: Peak prices (weekends and bank holidays), children aged 2+ £13.95, children aged one £8.95, babies free with a paying sibling. One free adult per paying child, additional adults £5.95. Family of four would be £27.90. Off-peak (Tuesday to Friday in term time) prices are cheaper.
Best for: Ages two to seven
Time needed: At least two or three hours
Access and restrictions: This all-inclusive attraction has something for everybody regardless of ability and says individuals with a wide range of special needs are regular visitors.
Address: 26-32 Faraday Road, Wavertree Technology Park, Liverpool , L13 1EH. Parking is free.
Have you been? What did you think? Tell us below!