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Earlier this year, we were chosen as blogger ambassadors for the National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham. Following that, we were invited to attend on Saturday to experience the Mister Maker event and be among the first people to watch their new film, Octonauts: Amazon Adventure 4D.

As always, the girls were so excited to be going to the Sea Life Centre. Libby was particularly excited because Mr Maker and the Octonauts are two of her favourite television programmes. Lia isn’t quite old enough to be as engrossed in television as Libby, but she is always delighted to go and see the penguins, fish and other fabulous sea creatures.

When we arrived at the Sea Life Centre, we were given a little bag for each of the girls, so we could collect treasure on our way around. The treasure was craft goodies that they could take home to make their very own Mister Maker crab. They loved collecting everything, with Libby making sure that Lia had all the bits she needed as well. We haven’t made our crabs yet, but will be doing so this weekend.

As always, we had a really good look around the whole centre, paying particular attention to the rock pool area where we were able to touch the creatures. Lia didn’t want to touch them this time, but Libby was delighted to be allowed to touch a star fish. This interactive zone is something she looks forward to every time she goes.

It is a credit to the National Sea Life Centre’s 4D cinema that both girls always love watching a film in there. This is despite Lia being so small and generally having a short attention span – the 4D films always keep her engaged throughout. Libby is equally happy to watch them, despite not being able to see in 3D at all.

At the moment, the Octonauts: Amazon Adventure 4D is showing. This is a lovely story about the Amazon river and its creatures, including a pink dolphin who helps the Octonauts on their mission to follow a treasure map and find a hidden city. There was one little part that frightened the girls, when they thought one of the characters was going to get eaten by a crocodile. This was only brief though, and calm was resumed when the crocodile was thwarted in his attempts at catching an Octonaut for lunch.

Fish underfoot

Towards the end of our day out at the Sea Life Centre, we walked through the new and improved tunnel. This is where you get the best view of the fish, sharks and Molokai the turtle. Since the last time we visited, the tunnel has been altered and you can now watch the creatures swimming below your feet! Both girls were thrilled by this experience, as was I!

Mister Maker Event

After the tunnel, we headed over to the Mister Maker craft table. We went and sat down and the staff put on a video of Mister Maker giving instructions on how to make a shark using tin foil, tissue paper and a few other bits and pieces. I can’t say we created a masterpiece, but that was definitely due to my lack of craft skills rather than lack of opportunity. Both girls loved trying anyway! 

Upcoming events

As I was browsing through the National Sea Life Centre website, I noticed that there are some really exciting things coming up there over the next few months. The Mister Maker event is on until 12th June and children can make their own creations both at the Sea Life Centre and at home afterwards.

On 26th June is the sponsored Walk for Whales, a five mile sponsored walk starting and ending at the Sea Life Centre. The event takes place to raise both awareness and money to resolve the problem with commercial whaling by certain countries. Participants then get free entry into the Sea Life Centre.

From 10th to 18th September is Turtle Fest, which aims to raise awareness of the plight of turtles, which are increasingly vulnerable as a species. Following that, Halloween and Christmas activities start to kick in. More information can be found on the events page on their website.

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