Madame Tussauds Blackpool review – day out with kids

I’d wondered for a while about the best age to visit Madame Tussauds with kids, but as you’ll see from this Madame Tussauds Blackpool review, there’s something here to appeal to all families.

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We’d already walked across the famous sprung floor of the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, so getting to pose with the judges and hosts an instant hit for my 10-year-old Strictly fan.

But as we discovered during our visit to Madame Tussauds Blackpool with kids, there are so many different themed areas, as well as interactive fun, that if one section doesn’t appeal to your children, there’ll be another one in a few minutes which will.

For more of the best things to do in Blackpool with kids, check out my top picks

Review: Madame Tussauds Blackpool

If you think that a visit to the famous waxwork museum is simply going to be a case of trudging past figure after figure, think again.

The family attraction has more chances to get hands on, places to pose for photos, even some videos along the way.

But you start by going back to… well, the start. Welcomed by a figure of Madame Tussaud herself, who opened her museum in Baker Street back in 1835, including the infamous Chamber of Horrors, which featured victims of the French Revolution as well as murderers and criminals.

You can still visit Madame Tussauds London near Baker Street today – Chamber of Horrors optional!

While the history is fun to read (and kids can pose with their head in an original poster advertising the waxworks), you’re quickly on to the real attractions for families.

Starting with plenty of glitter in the Strictly Come Dancing section. There’s a chance to lift the glitterball (nearly), sit behind the judge’s desk and give your own scores, as well as posing with Tess and Claudia.

Add in the chance to see a costume, some video and other highlights for Strictly fans, and I did wonder if we might spend half our visit in this section alone.

Because although the sections are often relatively small, there’s lots of detail to explore if you want – but if you don’t, then it’s also quick to bypass one area and head straight on to the next.

In the case of Madame Tussauds Blackpool, that’s on to Doctor Who.

While my daughter has never watched it, and I haven’t seen it since I was a child myself, both of us have come across the terrifying Weeping Angels… and definitely felt a shiver down my own spine seeing one in front of me!

Jodie Whittaker, born in Skelmanthorpe (around a two-hour drive from Blackpool, which practically makes her a local girl) also features, alongside the TARDIS.

And there’s a lot more to discover than just the big name shows as well – although you’ll find plenty more of those.

I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! is one of them, with a chance to sit next to Ant and Dec (and plate of bugs) as well as to cross the rope bridge, plus if you’re feeling brave, you can virtually take part in a few Bush Tucker trials.

But you can also spot Professor Brian Cox, with displays sharing information about the solar system.

While my daughter had never come across him before, she was fascinated and stood watching the video for a long while before deciding to move on – proof that even if you couldn’t pick the wax figure out of a line-up, there’s still plenty to entertain.

And although neither of us is a big fan of Alan Carr (sorry Alan), the comedian was also used as a great demonstration of just how the wax figures are made.

The plain wax mould is only the beginning; once the facial features have been sculpted, you still need eyes, hair and paint to bring the face to life – not to mention a body, of course.

Learning more about what’s involved to bring the wax figures to ‘life’ makes it all the more impressive, watching step by step as the blank (and slightly spooky) face is transformed into a recognisable person.

Did you know that before the sculptors even get to the wax, they create a clay figure – and making the head alone can take up to six weeks. You need around 5kg of wax to then create the head, before adding the details and the whole process can take a whopping 800 hours of work over around four months, with as many as 20 different artists working on it!

If you fancy having yourself immortalised in wax, you can get a recreation of your hand made while you’re there – during our visit, Madame Tussauds Blackpool was running an offer of two wax hands for £20.

From the world of entertainment (including a chance to ride the famous flying bike with ET), it’s on to the world of sport.

Being completely honest, this definitely wasn’t the part my daughter and I were looking forward to most – but it actually ended up being a lot of fun, with most of the interactive displays in this part.

So even if you wouldn’t know one goalkeeper from another, there are some great games to keep kids (and adults!) entertained in the Sporting Heroes Academy.

And it’s not all football either, with Olympic medallists and other world-beating champions, including Mo Farah, Nicola Adams and Lewis Hamilton.

There are more great interactive elements in the Marvel Comics section too – I’m better at superheroes than goalkeepers admittedly, as long as you don’t quiz me too closely!

I won’t spoil the surprise by telling you what happens if you do try to lift Thor’s hammer, but let’s just say that my daughter jumped out of her skin!

And this section includes some clever spots to pose with the figures here – obviously you’ll take photos galore as you walk around, posing with various different people – but a couple of the Marvel superheroes give you a slightly different experience when you do.

How about hanging from a ledge while Spiderman rescues you or trying to lift a taxi Hulk-style as the green menace crashes through a brick wall? If you want the real life view, check out some of the photos below… and for the alternate superhero reality, you can buy photos while you’re there.

You’ll also find something for all ages as you explore Madame Tussauds Blackpool, which makes it a fantastic family experience.

Something like Strictly or sport could easily appeal to grandparents as much as grandchildren, but if you’ve got older relatives who aren’t quite so fascinated by the Marvel universe, next stop is a lot closer to home – Coronation Street.

As well as spotting a few iconic characters, from Hilda Ogden to Vera and Jack Duckworth, you can wander through the Rovers Return and even pop behind the bar next to Bet Lynch to pretend to pull a pint. Not a real one, sadly (although you can buy food and drink, including alcohol, there).

The same went for one of our favourite sections, the music heroes zone, where you could find Shirley Bassey, Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury alongside Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga.

There’s a constant soundtrack as you wander round and, as well as pulling your own pop star poses, you could see yourself as Lady Gaga, or take a walk with the Beatles.

That’s all just to name a few of the big name highlights at Madame Tussauds Blackpool with kids, not forgetting a chance to have tea with the Queen, meet the new King and spot Prime Ministers.

You can even take your place at the Downing Street podium (I couldn’t help thinking my daughter would do a better job half the time). Not to mention regular changing exhibits, so you can often discover something different when you visit.

Throw in a fun festival-themed area, where you can get behind the decks, some glamorous A-listers and some traditional Blackpool fun too – including the genuinely mind-bending mirror maze.

While I was trying to explain why Tommy Cooper was so funny, hum Bring Me Sunshine as we passed Morecambe & Wise, and point out Bruce Forsyth to my slightly nonplussed daughter, there was one big name that made her all but squeal with excitement.

Sooty! She may have been striking a pose and looking unexpectedly grown-up alongside Ariana Grande shortly before, but who doesn’t love a bit of Sooty and Sweep? (And I’m counting myself in there too)

It just goes to show that whatever age you are, and whatever you’re into, there’ll be someone – let’s face it, quite a few someones – to get you smiling, wowing, laughing and posing at Madame Tussauds Blackpool.

Book tickets to Madame Tussauds Blackpool here

Madame Tussauds Blackpool review: Need to know

If you’re tempted by a visit to Madame Tussauds Blackpool, here’s everything you need to know before you book.

Where is Madame Tussauds Blackpool?

The attraction is right on the seafront between the Central Pier and Sea Life Blackpool, and around a five-minute walk from Blackpool Tower.

It’s around a five-minute drive from Blackpool Pleasure Beach (or a 40 minute walk if you’re in Blackpool on a sunny day!)

Can I park near Madame Tussauds Blackpool?

There’s no dedicated car park for Madame Tussauds – the closest is Central Car Park, or there are various other public car parks in Blackpool if you’re planning to drive.

Otherwise it’s easy to reach by tram (to the Central Pier stop) and by bus (routes 1, 10 and 11 all stop nearby).

How can I get a discount on tickets to Madame Tussauds Blackpool?

Keep an eye out for the special offers on the Madame Tussauds Blackpool site – if you’re visiting with younger kids, there are sometimes weekday offers if you’re planning a trip outside school holidays.

Check out what my review of Sea Life Blackpool to see what we thought

Can I buy my tickets on the day?

No, prebooking is essential and you choose a timeslot for entry, so you’ll need to buy your tickets online before arriving at Madame Tussauds Blackpool.

It’s also worth knowing that the attraction is now cashless, so you’ll need a card for any purchases on site.

When is Madame Tussauds Blackpool open?

The attraction is open year-round but only at weekends during some of the winter months, except for school holidays when it’s usually open daily.

There are also sometimes extra activities and events taking place during school holidays.

How long should I spend at Madame Tussauds Blackpool?

You can stay for as long as you want once you’re inside, but it’s best to allow around 90 minutes to explore.

If you’re short of time, you could see everything in around an hour, although you might need to skip or rush through a couple of areas.

What age is Madame Tussauds Blackpool best for?

It’s suitable for all ages, although realistically toddlers aren’t going to get much from the experience (or babies, obviously!). For younger school age children, it depends what your kids are into – if you’ve got a young Marvel fan or a wannabe Strictly judge, there’s still lots to enjoy at Madame Tussauds Blackpool, for example.

Definitely don’t rule it out if you’ve got a five-year-old but I’d say that age 7-8+ is best though as there’s more chance of your kids recognising some of the famous faces – my daughter was 10 (almost 11), when we visited, and recognised (or knew of) the majority of the different figures.

It’s fun being able to explain some of the characters they might not know though, and share your own memories, but it’s not going to be such a great day out if your kids are too young to recognise a single person.

If you are visiting Madame Tussauds Blackpool with little ones, it’s worth knowing that you can’t take pushchairs, prams and buggies inside – there is a buggy park to store them near the entrance for free, but make sure to bring a carrier if you’ve got a snoozing baby. There is baby changing inside though.

Is there a cafe at Madame Tussauds Blackpool

You can buy food and drink in the Rovers Return. Otherwise, there are plenty of places to eat, drink and buy ice cream along the Promenade in Blackpool.

Disclosure: Paid collaboration – my visit was free for the purposes of review. This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. All opinions remain my own (and my daughter’s)

Images copyright MummyTravels

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