Underwater Street Liverpool

Things to do in Liverpool, an Enjoyable Family Day Out

Feb 24, 2010
Jane Hodgson

Paint a Mini at Underwater Street - J. Hodgson

Of the many things to do in Liverpool, a visit to the family attraction of Underwater Street, a hands on activity centre for kids, provides an enjoyable family day out.

For an enjoyable family outing, one of the best things to do in Liverpool is to pay a visit to Underwater Street. A hands on activity based play area, the family attraction of Underwater Street is suitable for toddlers and children up to 10 years old. The emphasis is very much on hands on play, there are no high tech gizmos in sight.

Underwater Street is one large open plan room split into six play sections:

Art area
Sensory area
Construction
Physical zone
Imagination village
The Lab

Highlights at Underwater Street

Amongst the many activities at Underwater Street, some of the highlights are:

Painting the Mini Car. An attraction that almost none of the small visitors can resist, the opportunity to paint on a real mini car. Aprons and overshoes provided but most youngsters seem to find a chink and still get covered in paint. Dress for mess!

Climbing Wall. A small climbing wall with sea shell holds is in the imagination area. The easiest side has clambering that all but the smallest toddler will enjoy.

Panning for Gold. Take a pan and prospect for gold, when the child has finished get it weighed and be presented with a sticker.

Craft Activities. There are always several tables with different craft activities to enjoy. Making plaster of paris fridge magnets is a favourite. It's worth starting this early in the visit to allow enough time for the plaster to dry before being painted.

Imagination Village. Dress up in Mr. Ben's empire, work or shop in the supermarket, pizza takeaway or pooch parlour.

Visiting Liverpool's Hands On Activity Centre for Kids

Unlike many other children's play areas, Underwater Street is clean. Parents will also be reassured by the security. The area is open and on one level, so even when losing sight of a child a parent can be reassured that he is not too far away. No adult is allowed to enter unless accompanied by a child, the door is kept locked with the release button above a child's reach, and there are plenty of staff around.

Although the entry fee to Underwater Street at first seems a little steep, once in there are no hidden extras. All the art and craft activities and materials are included, and even the shop is small and unobtrusive so the nag factor, with which all parents are familiar, is minimal.

Underwater Street has its own cafe. Unfortunately for visitors there is no where inside to eat food which has not been purchased on the premises. There is a picnic area for groups, but the only option for families looking to minimise cost by providing their own food, is to take advantage of the free re-entry and picnic on the nearby waterfront, a pleasant option in summer, but not so appealing in mid winter.

Family Activities: How to Find Underwater Street

Underwater Street is situated in the basement of the Cunard Building on Water Street in central Liverpool. Adjacent to the water front at Pier head the attraction is convenient for city centre car parking and is only a few minutes of walk from the James Street railway station.

Open Tuesday to Sunday in term times and all week during the Liverpool school holidays, the Underwater Street website gives full details of opening times and prices.