Little Sparks Southport, Southport

Inside, Scandinavian means pale wood, small scale role play stations and no ball pit the size of a swimming pool. Small is the whole idea. Under fives only, and the top of that age range is enforced. An adult has to come in with the child, so you are booking at least two places, with additional adults at £2 and non walking babies under twelve months free.

The model is booked sessions: three start times Tuesday to Friday, two on Saturday, nothing at all on Sunday or Monday. The cafe is not an afterthought, which matters when you are the one sitting down, and there is a first floor room running music, storytelling and baby massage classes. The price of a plain play session is buried in the booking calendar and appears nowhere else on the site. Seasonal events are clearer, start around £22, and sell out.

Know before you go

Sessions start at set times: 9.30am, 12.15pm and 3pm Tuesday to Friday, 10am and 1pm on Saturday. Turn up at half ten on a Wednesday and you get a locked door. Closed all day Sunday and Monday too, which catches out anyone planning a weekend round Churchtown.
The Botanic Gardens are next door, so a session here plus the park makes a genuine morning of it.

Worth knowing: Strictly 0 to 5. Older siblings will be bored inside ten minutes.

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