{Storybook Glen, Aberdeen}

I loved Storybook Glen when I was a wee girl.

I have very fond memories of days out there, and have always been keen to take my kids there for a visit.

If you haven't heard of it, Storybook Glen is a "magical world of make-believe" (their words, not mine) just outside Aberdeen with around 100 nursery rhyme and fairytale characters amidst its 28 acres of parklands.

Next door to Storybook Glen is 'The Den" which is an indoor soft play area and cafe. At the moment, visitors to "The Glen" get free access to "The Den" for a session (not sure if this is an ongoing offer or not). I'd advise that you go into "The Den" first if you're arriving at 10am for the park opening, as apparently the soft play soon gets busy (it's not that big compared to the Glasgow soft plays that I'm used to!).

We had a bite to eat at the cafe before we went into the park itself. (The food was alright, I've had better lunches as soft plays elsewhere and I thought it was a bit pricey. But it filled a hole and the kids seemed to enjoy it.). The facilities at the soft play and cafe were lovely... it's clearly new and everything was spacious and clean. My two absolutely loved the racing slides!!

Auntie Ali at the Cafe

I have to admit that I was slightly disappointed with the Storybook Glen itself though. A lot of the buildings were locked and the kids were unable to explore the houses, which I remember doing as a youngster. I think the park has loads of potential, but for me it just wasn't cutting the mustard (as a 32 year old grown up I appreciate that I'm not the target market, but I didn't enjoy the morning as much as I had thought I would). The kids however did love it (which was the point of our visit). 

My sister and I found the characters to be a bit more like drag queens than Cinderella princesses! I know, you'd think I was expecting Aberdeen's version of Disneyland... which I understand is totally unrealistic, but seriously I do think there is so much more potential to be had here. I'm assuming the lack of upgrades at the park is down to the admission prices, which I think are reasonable (given that entry to "The Den" was included) but I'd have happily paid a slightly higher entry fee for a more magical experience.

There was plenty of space for the kids to run around, and lots of chutes, swings etc for them to play on and our four hour visit at the soft play, cafe and Storybook Glen certainly tired them out! I'm not sure I was convinced with the safety of all of the climbing frames etc., so be sure to keep an eye on your little ones whilst they're playing. 

Admission Prices (correct at time of publishing):

Adult - £5.60

Child - £3.85

OAP - £4.30

If I was to go back to park, I think we'd go elsewhere for lunch (or take a picnic which is permitted on the grass area outside the park's front entrance) and I'd put together some kind of tick box scavenger hunt to make it more interactive for the little ones... maybe a prize of some sort if they can find all of the characters on my list!

Little Miss Muffet

The castle


Cinderella and her carriage


The leopard


Tellytubbies


Sitting on the fairy toadstools


The climbing frame


Humpty Dumpty!

Shrek

Old MacDonald's Farm

Pirate Ship

Have you been to Storybook Glen before - what were your thoughts?

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{Wonder World, Kinning Park}

Last week I took the kids to Wonder World for the first time (99 Middlesex Street, Kinning Park). Turns out they were pro's as their dad has taken them here before, but it was all new to me!

We were there on a Thursday afternoon, and parking wasn't an issue - I found a space easily right outside. I can imagine though that when it's busy that it could be an issue as it's on-street parking rather than a car park. I paid just under £10 for entry for the kids, which I think is ok given all the activities inside.

I literally couldn't believe the size of the place when we walked in - it's gigantic (just checked their website, and it's apparently the biggest soft play in Glasgow). The ceilings are so high and the space is immense. This is the type of venue that would panic me if it was busy - I'd be terrified of losing them (I know it's got a locked exit, but you just never know!).

Thankfully it was quiet and my friends and I picked a table that gave us quite a good view of the area.

Littlest enjoying the Moon Crater

My friends and their little ones in the Baby & Toddler Zone (just in case you think I'm taking photos of random strangers and their kids!)

The toilet facilities were clean enough...lots of cubicles and sinks with stools for the little ones!

Dora the Explorer even came out to say Hello! 

Can you see the yellow slide in the middle...I went down it with my eldest and it's steep when you're at the top!!! My heart was absolutely racing by the time I got to the bottom (I did do it a couple more times though!!).

Eek!!

There's one other drop slide which was an even steeper gradient, but thankfully it was shut!

I didn't have any food at the soft play, but spotted a family with a pizza, chips and nachos and it looked & smelt decent. You can have a look at the menu here. They also serve Starbucks coffee.

I really don't think I'd like to come here if it was busy and would make a point of avoiding it at the weekend. We timed our visit quite well and the children that were in the soft play were all of a similar age, but I can imagine it would be rougher if there were older ones about.

One negative point was the music. I heard the song Icona Pop, I Love It at least twice whilst I was there and it wasn't a radio edit. With lyrics including 'You're from the seventies, but I'm a nineties bitch' and 'I threw your shit into a bag and pushed it down the stairs', I just don't think it was appropriate for the age of the children that were there.

Have you been to Wonder World before, what were your thoughts?