Our day out at Sea Life Centre Birmingham with Kwazii and Peso from Octonauts

From a young age, I have enjoyed day trips out to museums, castles, galleries and animal attractions but it still took me 10 years of living in Birmingham before I first visited the Sea Life Centre.We went last year when Ethan was just two months old as it was my birthday and we wanted to have a family day out but obviously Ethan was too young to take it all in.

When we went last weekend, however, it was a different story altogether.

Maybe it had something to do with two familiar characters we met during our visit...

You see, the Octonauts have come to Sea Life Centre Birmingham on a very special mission this autumn. If you are a parent of a pre-schooler, then you'll almost definitely know who the Octonauts are. In a nutshell, the Octonauts are an eight-member team of underwater heroes who rescue sea creatures, explore underwater worlds and save the day before returning safely to their home base, the octopod. Based on the original books by Meomi, Octonauts is animated by Brown Bag Films, the cartoon is incredibly popular with little ones, including Ethan, and big ones, like my husband and I. I admit it, I often watch Octonauts with Ethan with genuine interest and not just because it's happens to be on. 

So, when I heard that the Octonauts were coming to the Sea Life Centre, I knew it was time for a return visit - and I don't know who was more excited, me or Ethan (probably me).

A collaboration with the Sea Life Centre is an obvious link and one which has been used to great advantage. During their special Sea Life Centre mission, children can meet with Kwazii (the cat with the eye-patch) and Peso (the penguin) and have their photos taken whilst enjoying various activities; including a new quiz trail, activity books, stickers and more.

The Octonauts are only at Sea Life Centre Birmingham until Saturday 30th November so you'd best be quick and book tickets if you have a fan in your house. It's a great time to take your children along and to give them another way to engage with the educational element of the Sea Life Centre and it's the perfect place to go if the weather is less than great.

We thoroughly enjoyed our day and although Ethan is still quite young, we know he really enjoyed it too. He was fascinated by the 'tish' (read: fish), pointed with great excitement at the turtles (one of the words he learnt a few weeks ago) and was mesmerised when he saw the jellyfish.

But it was definitely the penguins that captured our hearts this time. The Penguin IceAdventure, which is a home to a colony of Gentoo penguins, is the latest feature at the Sea Life Centre and I think they're one of my favourite animals now, they're just so amazing to watch. 

They are the first area you come to when you arrive and they are captivating to watch. The way the installation is designed, you can watch the penguins diving under water and when you come to the end of your trail around the centre, there's another underwater viewpoint to enjoy.

Although Ethan was interested in watching the penguins, it was the rather large penguin, Peso, standing at the end that really caught his attention and he clearly recognised him from the cartoon.

We enjoyed having our photos taken at several stages around the Sea Life Centre and bought a package of photos and keyrings as the results were just hilarious...

Nice family photo...

"Pretend your toes are being eaten by piranhas..."

The Sea Life Centre is somewhere I know we will come back to every couple of years. There's lots to see and lots for children to learn and it can be great value too, if you look out for special offers or book online.

When will you go on an Octonautical adventure?

* Thank you to Sea Life Centre Birmingham for inviting us along to experience the Octonauts mission - we had a brilliant time.