Reviews Archives - Mummy & Moose

We received gifted tickets in exchange for writing this review of the Sea Life centre but all opinions are honest and our own.

I have always been a massive fan of the Sea Life Centre and have been lucky enough to visit them all around the country. Of course, the conservation of sea creatures is absolutely vital and knowing that I have contributed a few pounds (ok quite a few, more about this later) gives me a case of the warm and fuzzy feelings. Even after so many visits there is always something new to marvel at and new Sea Life facts to learn!

2 children in a green circle looking at jellyfish

I really admire how interactive the Sea Life Centre is for children. I think that the new Peppa Pig Mission Pack is a fantastic idea and Moose really loved finding all of the facts.

Another highlight was definitely the rockpooling area where the (brave) smaller ones could get their hands in and feel some of the creatures. I was worried that post-Covid this might not be an option anymore but it was as popular as ever!

Where is the Sea Life Centre and how can I book?

The Sea Life Centre is located right on the seafront in Great Yarmouth, a short walk from The Pleasure Beach. Pre booking your tickets is essential at the time of writing (June 2022) but it is possible to re-validate your tickets should you become unable to attend.

They are a cashless attraction which is worth baring in mind for on-site purchases.

Any hidden costs?

Not exactly hidden but once inside the attraction you will have the option to purchase a photograph (available in a lot of different packages). There is also a VR ride and my kids favourite, the souvenir penny machines!

The Sea Life centre is not exactly a cheap day out BUT there are bargains to be had. You can pay for your tickets using Tesco Clubcard vouchers and there are loads of 2 for 1 offers – make sure you search online before booking. It is comforting to know that money from your ticket is going to such a great cause too.

Is it open on bank holidays?

Currently the Sea Life Centre is open everyday except Christmas and Boxing Day.

Can I park there?

There is no parking onsite but there are plenty of car parks on the seafront. You can expect to pay around £9.60 for the day or if you fancy hunting them down I am told there is free parking down the side streets nearby. If you have a blue badge you can park for free (if you can find a space of course).

Did it feel crowded?

For the most part, no. I would say that the penguin exhibit and the hands on rockpool exhibit would be the exception to this. Both of those did full up with people but there were sanitising stations available.

At the moment pre booking is essential which is really helping the Sea Life Centre to ensure a sensible amount of visitors at any particular time.

Are there toilets on site?

Yes there are toilets and also baby change facilities on site.

What age group is it suitable for?

This is one of the few places I can truly say would be suitable for any age. Having a big age gap family these gems are tough to find! Every single member of our party was captivated by something at the Sea Life Centre.

Can I bring a picnic?

No, you cannot bring food or drink and there is no suitable space for a picnic. There is a café onsite which looked very clean.

Can my dog come to the Sea Life Centre?

No dogs, except guide dogs, can be admitted to the Sea Life Centre.

What shouldn’t be missed?

Noah and the Penguins. It sounds like a hipster band but they are far, far cooler in reality. Noah is a magnificent Green Sea Turtle and seeing him swim is just breath taking.

The Humboldt Penguins are so cute and fun to watch – either from above on a sun trap terrace or from below where you can see them at their most graceful, in the water.

Special mention to to the Sharks, the Seahorses and one of my favourites, the Jellyfish!

But arguably the focal point of any Sea Life Centre is always the tunnel, isn’t it?*

happy family with grumpy looking man

*This is actually MrG’s happy face. It just hides well behind his stoic exterior and his beard.

There are so many choices when it comes to travelling. You could be forgiven for thinking that these choices would be diminished when travelling with tiny humans – but you would be wrong. One of the best destinations to visit as a family is Canada and fortunately there are lots of flights to Canada from the UK that you can book

With so many destinations to choose from it can be a little overwhelming. No matter what you love to do during your time away, we have put together a few ideas to help you plan your next trip!

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, Ontario

With more than 15000 animals including sea turtles (my personal favourite), Jellyfish, Sharks and Stingrays. Ripley’s Aquarium is the largest in all of Canada. This place is a must see for sea life fans of all ages!

CN Tower

Right next door to Ripley’s Aquarium is the CN Tower. Holding the title of the world’s tallest freestanding structure for 30 years, this is a great way to get a wonderful view of Toronto!

The queues to get into the CN Tower can be pretty long but don’t worry, there is plenty to do along the way including a great big Moose! As well as the Moose there is the Skyquest cinema and even a magician to entertain those waiting to see the stunning views over Toronto from the top of the tower.

Niagara Falls

Top of the list of must see’s for a lot of visitors to Canada. Known for it’s waterfalls of the same name, Niagara Falls is a city with lots to offer. See the falls from a different angle by taking the Journey Behind The Falls or if you have older kids do The White Water Walk. Go and check out the Butterfly Conservatory or have fun on the Cosmic coaster at Clifton Hills Amusement park!

West Edmonton Mall, Alberta

The biggest mall in North America (spanning the size of 48 city blocks), West Edmonton Mall is a destination in itself. As well as a plethora of shops, the space also features an indoor amusement park, waterpark, bowling alley, mini golf course and ice rink, on top of the over 800 stores and services found on site. With more attractions than you could enjoy in one day, a stay at one of the two on-site hotels makes this an ideal weekend destination for families looking for a range of fun to be enjoyed all in one spot – without ever having to step outside.

Did I mention there is also a zoo!

Stanley Park, Vancouver

Stanley Park is Vancouver’s premier spot to get up close and personal with nature and animals. The grassy expanse offers outdoor teahouses and stunning views, beachfront hideaways and splash parks. It is a typical getaway spot for friends and families, especially as it is home to Vancouver’s aquarium, and some of its best equestrian outlets.

Something to know, before you go

Children who are traveling to Canada without both parents need authorization from the non-accompanying parent. Sometimes this is enforced and other times not, but to play it safe you’re better off with a notarized letter. Divorced parents should carry copies of legal custody documents. Find out more about the rules here.

Ad. We were sent this product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions remain our own.

As well as having my own 3 children I am also Aunt to over a dozen nieces and nephews! It wasn’t difficult though to know which of my nieces would love to try out the Crystalina Fairy dolls.

Em is the same age as Moose and she and he have been inseparable since they were very small. Being really close in age (just shy of 3 weeks between them) they have grown up to be best friends and close cousins.

Em is the sort of child who very much believes in magic and is fascinated by the world around her. I knew right away that the Crystalina Fairy Dolls would be something she would absolutely adore.

What’s in the box?

The Crystalina Fairy dolls stand at approx 10cm tall and come in a range of 4 to choose from. Each one is supplied in clear, plastic packaging and includes a magical colour changing Sprite, who comes with a very special amulet necklace and display stand.

The Sprites all have their own positivity aura superpower. Rose Quartz is for love, Turquoise is for healing, Amethyst is for Wisdom and Aventurine is for luck.

Of course the amulets work with the Sprite Fairy dolls and I am happy to note that the clasp on the amulet is quick release which is a great plus point from a safety point of view.

Each Sprite Fairy doll has 10 auras to cycle through and then 1 special superpower which can be activated by simply shaking the doll.

Another cool aspect of play is that when 2 Crystalina Fairy dolls ‘meet’, they can bond and share an aura colour! The shared power is remembered by the doll until they meet another.

The Fairy Sprites also come with a cool moon shaped display stand which has a space in the back for the amulet and one in the front for the doll to stand. They look awesome lit up in the childs bedroom!

What did we think?

Em loved the concept of the magical crystals and Fairy Sprites and to be honest I thought they were kinda cool too. If there is one thing that kids can never have enough of it’s positive reinforcement of their feelings and emotions. I like that the Crystalina Fairy dolls offer exactly that

As well as helping the child to understand their emotions and helping them to feel empowered the Crystalina dolls also have a friendship aspect while being clear that each one has different and equally awesome gifts to bring. I like that about them.

The Crystalina Fairy dolls are marketed as being for girls aged 4+ but to be honest I think they are missing a trick because Moose loved the dolls too! I would say though that most 4 year olds might struggle to understand how to use the dolls – I am sure they would be fine with help and would most certainly love the colours!

Available from Tesco, B&M and other good toy retailers.

Mallorca belongs to a group of islands in Spain, the Balearic Islands, in the Western Mediterranean, such as Ibiza, Minorca and Formentera. Mallorca is the largest of the four islands of the complex. 2nd is Menorca. 3rd is Ibiza and 4th in Formentera. In 1983 Palma de Mallorca became the capital of the Autonomous Region of the Balearic Islands as these islands have their own Parliament. They are mainly suitable for summer holidays and are the favourite destination of Europeans for their holidays.

Accommodation in Mallorca

Once you arrive in Mallorca, you will have to choose which area to stay in. The most interesting and busiest location is the coastal El Arenal, with a length of 5 km, which is a continuation of the coastal front of Palma de Mallorca. Part of this is Playa de Palma, which has many hotels, cafes, restaurants and bars for all tastes. The beach is clean, sandy, shallow, organized with umbrellas, sunbeds, lifeguards, showers, ideal for water sports. In Mallorca, there is a biological treatment system for this, and all the beaches are crystal clear. It also has a very well organized material recycling system.

In Playa de Palma, most hotels are very close to the sea, so you do not need a car. You can go for a swim on foot. There is a large boulevard that separates the houses from the beach. Cars are not allowed on the main avenue, but bicycles are permitted. You can rent bikes, which are for many people and enjoy your ride. The roads are quiet, and you can walk safely. Tourist police patrol the main streets 24 hours a day and do not allow drunken tourists to make a fuss.

The beach at night ceases to be in use as a workshop of the Municipality, collects all the sunbeds, one on top of the other and with a special vehicle cleans and straightens the sand. The morning you wake up, everything will be in place. To find a sunbed, you have to go around 11 a.m. Because most hotels are very close to the beach, many people leave their belongings on the sunbeds, go for lunch and return for the afternoon swim.

Tour of the island

To the west of the island, to the towns of Valldemossa, Deia and Soller. The mountain town of Valldemossa is 17 km from Palma. It became famous in 1838. Composer Chopin and his mistress George Sand rented rooms in the former convent, Cartuja de Valldemossa and stayed there for one year.

The old town has high walls built by the Moors 1000 years ago. There are many cafes and restaurants, an open-air market near the parking lot and the Costa Nord cultural and ecological centre founded by the famous actor Michael Douglas. The place has a restaurant, with amazing views and allows you to enter and photograph it.

If you want to go down to Port de Valldemossa (7 km), and you should. You will take a winding road. After this you will reach a rocky cove where there are few houses and a restaurant.

Farther afield

Deia is a mountain village with old wineries that have been turned into expensive houses. It is the favourite place of many artists, and you will find many bars, expensive restaurants and shopping shops.

Then at the end of the route, you will meet the town of Soller and the Port de Soller. To get here, you have to choose either a winding road, unknown to the tourist, or enter the tunnel (you pay entrance). The tunnel passes through the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range to get there faster and safer.

To return to Palma de Mallorca, you will have to go through the tunnel again. The town of Soller has nothing tremendous but the Placa de la Constitution and the gothic church, Esglesia Parroquial de San Bartolome (16th) by Antonio Gaud. This is where the Palma – Soller Railway ends. Descending to the port of the city, Port de Soller, you will see a large beach, with fine sand, organized, with umbrellas and sunbeds, a boat marina, many hotels and shopping shops. A small train makes the route between Soller and Port de Soller, but you can, of course, go all the way with your car to enjoy the magnificent scenery at the time you desire. If you do not have your own vehicle, you can choose a car hire from the company Enjoy Travel, which can offer you a quality and economical offer.

We all know how vital it is to keep cool and spend some time out of the sun in summer. But this can be a challenge when you have a little one to think of. Follow these steps for some of the best ways to look after your baby and keep them from overheating.

Hydration is essential

Preventing dehydration is so important for babies and young infants as they do not sweat or perspire the same as we do. This means they can have temperature spikes and suffer heat stroke very quickly and easily. Follow guidelines to what liquids you can offer your baby depending on their age, as they should not be drinking water before 6 months.

Clothing to wear

Dress your baby in light weight clothes that are made from natural fibres such as organic cotton and bamboo. These materials are more ‘breathable’, meaning they can absorb perspiration well compared to synthetic fabrics. You might find it useful to have to hand plenty of items that provide shade, such as a sunhat, sunglasses, visor, umbrella, mesh screen and a canopy. You can even find parasol’s that can be attached to your baby’s pushchair.

At night, avoid blankets and use a baby zip sleepsuit made of breathable cotton fabric which can help regulate body temperature. If it is a very hot night and your baby seems restless, consider putting them to sleep in just a nappy.

Keeping cool in the sun

As well as shading your baby from the sun for protection, it is also important to use SPF. Again, use this with caution depending on your baby’s age.

Less than 6 months – when they are so young, their skin doesn’t produce enough of the pigment melanin for protection. For this reason, you should keep your baby out of direct sunlight. On occasion you can thinly apply sun cream if they are, for example, going in the swimming pool with you.

Above 6 months – the guideline is more relaxed and you can apply sun cream more liberally. This should protect against UVA and UVB rays, and be a minimum of SPF 30. Opt for a brand that makes sun cream for children with less additives and ingredients that might irritate the skin.

How to cool down

In the event that your baby is overheating, uncomfortable or even getting a heat rash, run a cool bath to help them cool down. Create shade in the room and keep the blinds or curtain closed during the hottest time of the day, and use a fan to circulate. If all else fails, you should NEVER feel like you are overreacting. If you are worried about your little one call 111 for further help and advice.

Sea Life centre – Great Yarmouth