Children's Express experience W5, Belfast newest interactive playground.
| Keeping quiet and walking tiptoe around exhibitions is certainly not part of the W5 ethos. |
Expect the unexpected at W5 - modern, spacious building where none of the exhibitions are off limits.
Spread over six levels there is ample room for the high volume of visitors. So far the city's newest attraction has drawn in more than 50,000 visitors since opening its doors at the end of March.
The main exhibits are spread over levels W2 and W4. As soon as you enter the building the actions starts from creating large rings of smoke on the bottom floor to composing your own tune on the musical stairs.
The main areas of interest are "get ready to go", "see things differently" and "do something new". If you are fortunate to have a child of eight or under there is a special area just for them entitled "start discovering".
Pulleys, magnets and wheel chair races are just a few of the exhibits in the ready steady go area. The wheelchair races although exhausting are very popular and you may have to be prepared to wait. Don't think that these areas are 'just for the kids,' many of the adults seemed to be having more fun than the children. Two old age pensioners were seen trying to come to grips with operating a propeller.
Those with aspirations to design a formula one racing car create an award winning animation or compose the next top ten tunes will certainly be inspired on this truly interactive journey.
Level W4, known as the "see and do" area is truly impressive. Hours could be spent in here, there's just so much to do. If you are interested in optical illusions try the hypnosis wheel for a new perspective. If you think you can fool your friends test out the lie detector. For those who want to take things a little easier, make music with the laser harp. These are just a few of the highlights. Not to mention the vast array of construction materials available to create electric circuits, bridges and robots.
The familiar keeping quiet and walking tiptoe around museum exhibitions is certainly not part of the W5 ethos. As soon as you walk in the door you have permission to be excited about learning, which is at the top of W5's list, next to having fun.
Staff do not watch your every move unlike many museums and exhibitions, which young people sometimes visit. W5 staff make sure you have fun and understand the science behind the computer or contraption you are working on; they want you to have a good time - museums could definitely learn from this! During a visit you may even pick up a few tips from the resident wacky scientist in the demonstration area - but do watch out you may get a little wet!
As far as Children's Express reporters are concerned W5 certainly get the thumbs up. The £45 million attraction built with the assistance from the Millennium Commission and Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure is part of the Belfast's Odyssey Complex which has become a landmark set to attract both local and foreign visitors.
Young people said, "Our only complaint is that the queue moved slowly because there were only two people at the cash desk. The wait is too long especially for very small, eager visitors."
It is good value for money, with spacious areas to eat and you can even bring your own lunch.
If you've still got some energy left you can always check out the new Warner's Brother Village or Belfast's own Hard Rock Café.
W5 is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 6pm and costs £3 for children and £5 for adults. A family ticket including 2 adults and 2 children costs £14.
About the team
This article was produced by Mark Luney, 13, Amy Magowan Greene, 12 and Daniel McCrisken, 11. It was published in Fortnight.
