AD - This is an advert for August 2024. All thoughts are our own. Any shares / edits beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. As always, please check with venue direct for the most up-to-date information as info can change. You can do that here: https://stellarcreates.co.uk/product/happy-rooms/
Happy Rooms is a fun, inclusive and colourful self-led indoor trail designed to bring joy and happiness to all. Located in Middlesbrough Town Centre, it's £5 per child and £7 per adult (under 2s are free but still require a ticket) and needs to be booked in advance.
You visit 12 'Happy Rooms' in your own time and order and can stay as long/little as you like (well, until closing). We spent 90 minutes there but think with younger children, a visit will probably last around 2 hours.
Happy Rooms is only here until 22 September 2024 (open Wed-Sun 10am-4pm) so catch it while you can! You can book tickets here: https://stellarcreates.co.uk/product/happy-rooms/
Why We Recommend Happy Rooms
- It's suitable for all ages from babies and children up to teens and adults
- The experience is inclusive and is accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Ear defenders, fidget toys and a quiet space is available as well as seating throughout. There's an accessible toilet on site and and quieter time slots are available to book if required
- It's very easy to get to - we parked in the shopping centre next door and it's a 5 minute walk from Middlesbrough Bus or Train Station
- You get FREE ice cream as part of the experience (Ve option available)
- It's really chilled and relaxed - just join in with the activities you fancy
- It's indoors so suitable for the ever-changing British weather
- There is so much fun to be had alongside mindfulness activities. Our highlights were the giant marble run, the silent disco and confetti room
- You genuinely leave feeling a little lighter, full of hope and smiles
Practical Stuff
Happy Rooms Entrance |
- Address: 25 Linthorpe Road. Middlesbrough. TS1 1RH (old M&S building)
- The entrance is opposite Newcastle Building Society
- We parked at Hill Street Car Park which is a multi-story joined onto a shopping centre (see here for postcode and charges). Head into the shopping centre the pass Primark, Superdrug, Smiggle, Tresspass and finally exit next to Ernst Jones). Once you have left the shopping centre, walk forward for 10 seconds then turn left. You will see the Happy Rooms entrance opposite Yorkshire Building Society
- Tickets should be booked in advance here: https://stellarcreates.co.uk/product/happy-rooms/ You can book online on the day if required
- Tickets are £5 per child and £7 per adult. Family / group tickets are available at a discount and under 2s go free (but still require a ticket). Carer/Companion tickets are free of charge
- There are toilets on site plus a baby change area
- Timeslots are every 15 minutes, the designated quieter slots are 10am and 10:15am which have reduced numbers and lower sound levels
- The building is accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs and a buggy store area is required
- There is a good value tuck shop with hot drinks, juice, sweets and crisps for sale. You can pay by cash or card. It was less than £4 for four of us to buy some sweets and a drink each.
- Happy Rooms takes place on two levels - there are stairs or a lift between floors
- You can watch our Happy Rooms Video Review here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C-Zemc9ukPm/
Happy Rooms Review
I visited with my husband, our 15 year old daughter and her best friend. We had a brill time and I would recommend to families with teens. Equally, there were toddlers, babies and younger children enjoying Happy Rooms and it's something grown ups will enjoy too. Basically - suitable for everyone.
Prefer a video? You can watch our video review here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C-Zemc9ukPm/
You can walk through and visit these rooms in any order you wish and spend as little or as long in each space as you please.
I loved how everything was so filled with colour and positivity.
Here's what to expect:
Flutter of Joy by Alice Humphreys
This was the first room we visited and we loved it! Feed the arrows with the colourful confetti, press the button and watch as the room is filled with colour! Such a simple but effective joyful moment. We filled and pressed the button several times.
A Line Florist by Anna Bruder
Step into this florist with a difference and get creative as you colour / design your own flower to gift to a loved one. This is a lovely mindful activity for all ages in a beautiful space.
There's also a little poetry corner where you can read messages others have left for loved ones or create your own. I was finished first in our group so added a little poem of my own as the others finished up.
The Marble Run by Wild Rumpus
I mean who doesn't love a marble run? This one is on a giant scale and there are different places to start and finish. Part of the joy is finding them all and watching where the marble will run to next. Definitely an activity to really immerse yourself in.
Animal Party by Kat Lynas and Hollie Notman
This room is probably designed for younger children in mind but actually, we all enjoyed it too. It's like stepping inside a children's book. There are different activities such as a little treasure hunt, dress up, hoop-la and chalk drawing.
The Stars Come Out at Night by Stellar Creates
This installation is so chilled and like watching a giant music box. It's beautiful as it slowly turns around and you see the projections around the room.
You Light Up the Room by NewAngle and Jamie Webb, Finlay Henderson, Tycho Jones and Violet Berlin
This room is so much fun. You can dance around to the music and make colourful and creative shadows using the lights.
Happy as the Day is Long (Silent Disco) by Stellar Creates
Definitely one of our favourite rooms. A giant mirrorball takes centre stage and it does make the room feel as if you're spinning around.
Collect a pair of headphones and pick a playlist from a choice of three then get your groove on. We danced away to Cyndi Lauper and Queen. Wearing headphones and dancing around feels so freeing!
Definitely one of our favourite rooms. A giant mirrorball takes centre stage and it does make the room feel as if you're spinning around.
Collect a pair of headphones and pick a playlist from a choice of three then get your groove on. We danced away to Cyndi Lauper and Queen. Wearing headphones and dancing around feels so freeing!
Dreaming of You by Studio Tine Bech
This is a room focussed on dreams and is literally a growing work of art. Add your own dreams then sit back and relax as you immerse yourself in the dreamworld. This room is super relaxing.
Campfire Tales by Stellar Creates
Everyone loves a campfire story right? In this room you can take a seat on a camping chair or snuggle up in a tent, watch the digital campfire projection on the room walls and listen to storyteller Ian Douglas as he shares some short campfire stories with you.
Touch and Glow by MakeAmplify
Another chance to get creative in this room. Get comfy on a beanbag and use iPads to colour in the artwork and you'll see your masterpiece projected onto the wall in front of you.
Quiet Space
Happy Rooms provide a complimentary Quiet Space for anyone who needs it. This space has dimmed lighting, ear defenders, a range of seating and fidget toys. What a fantastic facility!
Tuck Shop
If you need a break, there's a tuck shop serving pocket money sweets, crisps and juice (prices are super reasonable) as well as complimentary hot drinks for adults (donations appreciated). Cash or card accepted and there are chairs and tables next to the tuck shop for you to take a seat.
Other Stuff
As you walk around Happy Rooms, do take the time to look at the walls as there are several activities dotted about including a chance to leave a message for your 10 year old self and a letter wall which definitely transported us back to being kids again as we re-arranged the letters to make words.
Pass it On by Carole Keating
And quite possibly, we saved the best to last and I do recommend saving this one until the end. In this room, leave a little pledge to pass on joy to someone and pin it to the wall. In return, you'll be rewarded with a free ice cream. How cool! Vegan options are available too.
Ice cream in hand, it's lovely walking around and reading everyone else's pledges and you do leave Happy Rooms floating on air and filled with hope.
What a place! I'm so pleased we visited. We loved it and really want to spread the message far and wide that everyone should visit for a proper mood boost this summer.
Find out more and book: https://stellarcreates.co.uk/product/happy-rooms/
Looking for other things to do nearby? Check out the following options:
- Dorman Museum
- MIMA
- Albert Park
- Stewart Park
- Teessaurus Dinosaur Park
- Captain Cook Birthplace Museum
- Air Trail Tees Barrage
- Climb Roseberry Topping
- Preston Park Museum & Grounds +/or Butterfly World
- Ormesby Hall
- Hatchett Harrys
- Newham Grange Farm
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