Take a trip back in time to explore a world of dinosaurs, no DeLorean, green screen or wormholes required. Dino Kingdom invites you on an adventure into a prehistoric wilderness, where you’ll find life-size animatronic dinosaurs, 9D virtual reality pods, thrilling fairground rides and even a giant fossil tunnel. The dino-mite experience will be taking over Leicester’s Abbey Park from August 12 to 29 and promises an unforgettable family day out.
There’s no amber-preserved mosquitos or convoluted cloning science at work here, just amazing roaring and moving animatronics that will have you thinking dinosaurs have been brought back to life. Grab the kids and steel your nerves as you embark on a trail that has all the ancient reptilian favourites: stroll past the swaying tail of a Triceratops, take in the toothy, bone-crunching grin of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and peer up in wonder at the sky-high head of a Brachiosaurus (while doing your best awe-struck Alan Grant impression).
To navigate the Jurassic experience there is a special Dino Kingdom app. As well as receiving rewards when you find hidden dinosaurs, the app is full of in-depth information that will shed some totally safe, non-meteoric light on how they lived all those millions of years ago.
Elsewhere, any aspiring young palaeontologists will be in their element at the excavation site – where you can dig for fossils – and gearing up with a dino kit to hunt for hidden eggs and even win a free gift. Not only that but the little ones can also get their thrills on fun fairground rides and even tee (rex) off for a spot of dinosaur-themed mini golf. Plus, if you’re looking for a unique photo op, why not swing by the fossil tunnel and snap some shots of your kids peeking out from inside the larger than life dinosaur rib cage (all totally fake of course).
To fuel this exciting plunge into the prehistoric there will be a selection of food and drink vendors at hand. Meat-eaters can channel their inner raptor devouring delicious festival favourites, while there are vegan options available for the plant-eaters. There’s also alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as, unsurprisingly, exploring a dinosaur-filled kingdom with your kids can be thirsty work.