ONE of the UK’s biggest shopping centres is also home to a Nickelodeon-themed attraction, where kids can help the Paw Patrol on their next mission and learn to drive with SpongeBob SquarePants.

While Nickelodeon has been airing kids’ shows since the 1970s, some of its biggest hits have featured on the small screen over the last decade.

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And British schoolchildren who want to let their imaginations run wild alongside their favourite TV characters can at Nickelodeon Adventure Lakeside in Essex.

Located inside Lakeside Shopping Centre, the adventure attraction has six different zones themed around some of the TV network’s most well-known shows.

In the SpongeBob SquarePants area, kids can learn to drive on the Bikini Bottom Boating School ride or play the interactive Chum Bucket game.

Dora the Explorer fans can create magical star constellations, while kids obsessed with Paw Patrol will get the chance to help on the next mission at the command centre.

The command centre features a climbing frame and a slide.

There’s also a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-inspired zone where kids can jump through the streets of New York City on assault courses.

Character meet and greets also take place.

There’s also a 4D cinema and a Rugrats City soft play area just for toddlers.

Other features include an on-site cafe where guests can purchase burgers, chips, wraps and sweets and a shop that sells clothes and merchandise.

Reviews of the Nickelodeon Adventure Lakeside are mixed with some families praising the facilities and others leaving disappointed.

The attraction has a 3/5 star rating on TripAdvisor, with one parent writing: “Our first visit and our son loved the Paw Patrol area”.

Another added: “Good for kids up to five, some of the mascots were amazing”.

A third wrote: “It’s good value for money and it was so quiet for a school holiday with almost no queues”.

Other visitors weren’t as impressed with one adding: “It does look good on arrival but as soon as you get in you quickly realise how rubbish it is, with just two very poor rides and the worst 4D cinema I’ve ever been to.

Another added: “I’ve seen better play areas in McDonald’s. 

Nickelodeon Adventure Lakeside is open from 10am to 3pm during the term time, with hours extending to 6pm on weekends and school holidays.

Entry starts from £8.99 for a full-paying adult and £16.99 for kids under 12, while kids under 90cm go free.

Meanwhile, Bluewater shopping centre has a dinosaur-themed adventure park spread across three levels.

Dinotropolis a giant animatronic T-rex, a huge climbing frame and pedal go-karts.

And here are seven of the best indoor attractions for rainy days – from go-kart tracks to massive arcades.

Meanwhile, here’s a first look at Alton Towers’ new Toxicator ride and its opening next month

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