Bricklive’s The Ocean Show – giant brick sea creatures at Mermaid Quay Cardiff this half term

Paid collaboration with Mermaid Quay

Cardiff’s Mermaid Quay has once again been taken over by giant brick sculptures, with 13 ocean creatures to find this half term.

We headed along to today’s official launch where we were among the first to view the brick models, as well as getting to make our own Lego fish, turtles and sharks, and going on a tour of the sculptures with two pirate characters.

We’ve been to the previous Bricklive exhibitions in Mermaid Quay, featuring safari animals and mythical creatures, and given the location overlooking the waters of Cardiff Bay, the sea theme fitted perfectly.

This time, the Lego models aren’t located in one central location as in previous years but are dotted around Mermaid Quay for visitors to find.

View our Instagram video Reel of The Ocean Show here.

Highlights for us included the 10ft Mako shark, the 7ft green sea turtle and the octopus. Each of the sculptures is accompanied by a fact sheet detailing the building process – the moray eel for example is made of 46,919 bricks and took 4 builder 42 hours to create and weighs a whopping 191.5KG.

As part of today’s launch, we were given a tour of the trail by two charismatic pirates (how refreshing that these were female pirates too!). They showed us the sculptures as well as helping us to find the various sea creature facts hidden in the windows of shops and restaurants of Mermaid Quay.

You can pick up a trail map in Unit 13 of Mermaid Quay (next to Pavers Shoes and open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 12-4pm). Fill in the answers plus your details and then post your entry in the post box outside the Glee Club and you could win an Aquabus 45-minute cruise voucher for a family of four.

Unit 13 is also filled with smaller sea creature creations and even a Lego boat with an ocean background, perfect for photo opportunities.

Also head here for details of a colouring competition with two £10 Cadwaladers gift vouchers up for grabs, as well as craft activities throughout the week. We were lucky to visit today when children were being given small Lego sea creatures to make, but later this week sees free face painting on Tuesday 1, Thursday 3 and Saturday 5 November, plus free craft activities on Tuesday 1 November where you can create a scallop shell character and Tuesday 3 November where you can create a sand art magnet.

Bricklive The Ocean Show is at Mermaid Quay, Cardiff from Saturday 29 October to Sunday 6 November and is free to visit.

Free activities take place at Unit 13 Mermaid Quay (next to Pavers Shoes) from 12pm-4pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday as follows:

Free face painting, Tuesday 1, Thursday 3 and Saturday 5 November, 12pm-4pm. Character interactions, Saturday 5 November

Free craft activities, Tuesday 1 November – create a scallop shell character; Tuesday 3 November, create a sand art magnet

Visit Unit 13 to pick up trail map and to take part in the colouring competition.

For more information see the Mermaid Quay website.

Visit this post for more family-friendly events and activities in and around Cardiff this Halloween and half term.

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