REVIEW - ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND | Z-ARTS | 11/04/2025

Sarah Monaghan
Apr 14
4 min read

Purple background with pink "ALL ABOUT THEATRE" text and five purple stars below. Bold and vibrant theater-themed design.

“We’re all mad here… mad about this magical immersive experience!”

After falling in love with Z-arts' previous immersive hit The 100 Story Hotel, my children—Alice (7) and Leo (5)—were thrilled to tumble down the rabbit hole once again into Z-arts’ brand-new play experience: Adventures in Wonderland. Inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and created in partnership with Macmillan Children’s Books, this enchanting new world celebrates 160 years of Lewis Carroll’s much-loved tale. With high expectations and two very eager little explorers, we headed to Hulme, Manchester, to see what surprises Wonderland had in store.

Two kids smiling in front of a colorful "Adventures in Wonderland" display with a white rabbit and mushrooms, reflecting a fun mood.

First Impressions and Getting Ready to Tumble

Even arriving early was a joy. The ever-welcoming Z-arts team had thought of everything to keep little hands and minds busy. From the cute play corner and Alice-themed activity sheets to the shelves of books in the children’s library, Alice and Leo were entertained before the adventure even began. The on-site café was the perfect spot to settle in, and we even browsed the charming gift shop, where you can grab a Wonderland activity book for just £2.50 – great for extending the fun at home.

Fantasy-themed room with large trees, leafy murals, a bridge, and a bench. Cloud sign reads "Was beginning to get very tired of...".

When it was time to begin, we were greeted by a friendly member of the Z-arts team who led us to the first room: a tranquil Riverbank space, beautifully decorated and packed with anticipation. After a short introduction, the White Rabbit hopped in to get things started—and from there, the magic really began!

Man with bunny ears and whiskers reads onstage, wearing a blue vest. Forest-themed backdrop with green leaves, purple lights above.

The Experience: Welcome to Wonderland!

Our journey began with a short interactive story session with the White Rabbit, who delighted the children with riddles before guiding us down the rabbit hole—literally! Leo and Alice couldn’t wait to scramble through the tunnel, which even had a climbing wall. Naturally, Leo had to climb his way into Wonderland.

Child climbs a rock wall in a dimly lit tunnel with glowing blue accents and textured patterns. Text on walls reads "Which way, Which way."

Once we were through the tunnel, we were suddenly in a vibrant, whimsical world full of surprises around every corner. What followed was an hour of joyful free play across one of the most beautifully designed immersive spaces I’ve ever seen. Wonderland is broken into interactive zones, each bursting with creativity and attention to detail.

Table set with colorful hats, teacups, and treats on a checkered cloth. Background has cottage, windows, and playful signs.

What’s Inside Wonderland?

The Hall of Mirrors – A dazzling corridor of distorted reflections that had the kids giggling and striking silly poses as they made their way through.

The Pool of Tears – A shimmering ball pond with a slide and umbrellas overhead. Alice couldn’t get enough of this one!

The Card Maze – A twisty, turny trail surrounded by oversized playing cards.

The Jam Tart Kitchen – Where kids can ‘bake’ and serve their own pretend treats.

The Rose Garden – Let the children “paint” roses red for the Queen of Hearts.

The Royal Garden – Dress like a king or queen, sit on a golden throne, and play croquet with flamingo mallets—Leo was in his element!

The Giant Mushroom Forest – This glowing wonderland features fairy lights, giant mushrooms, and steel-drum-style mushroom instruments.

The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party – A long, colourful table set up with little tea sets and mad Hatter hats. There were mouse costumes and hare ears for the children to dress up in—it was chaos in the best possible way!

The March Hare’s House – A cosy little nook the kids could go inside and explore.

The Chess Room – A life-sized board with oversized chess pieces made this a fun stop for little minds.

The Caucus Race – Inspired by the book’s famous nonsense race, this miniature race track invites children to dress up in bird costumes and run around in circles, just like the Dodo recommends when trying to dry everyone off after swimming in Alice's tears.

Alice Exhibition Area – Featuring beautiful prints of the original book illustrations by John Tenniel, with colour by Harry G. Theaker and Diz Wallis, contributed by Macmillan Children’s Books.

Child smiling on a large black and white chessboard, sitting on a cat-faced seat. Pink and green lights with bubbles create a playful atmosphere.

The Cheshire Cat Hunt

Woven into the experience is a brilliant treasure hunt. Children can collect an activity sheet and clipboard to search for nine cheeky Cheshire Cats hidden throughout the space. Leo loved the sense of mission this gave him, while Alice preferred to freestyle her way through Wonderland—both approaches were equally magical.

The attention to detail in every room is absolutely stunning. From the lighting and props to the interactive elements and sound effects, every inch of Wonderland feels thoughtfully designed and totally immersive.

Glowing giant mushrooms in vibrant purple, red, and yellow under string lights. People are sitting around, creating a whimsical atmosphere.

The White Rabbit Wrap-Up

Towards the end of the hour-long experience, the White Rabbit gathered everyone back at the Riverbank to reflect on their adventures. Children were invited to share their favourite parts, which added a sweet, community feel to the whole session.

For our family, the highlights were clear: Alice adored the Pool of Tears, and Leo couldn’t get enough of the climbing wall and his successful Cheshire Cat spotting!

Indoor play area with blue and white ball pit, slide, and lifebuoy. Woman and child sit nearby on green turf, colorful decor in background.

Accessibility and Thoughtfulness

As a parent of two children on the autistic pathway, I really appreciated Z-arts' attention to accessibility and sensory consideration. The experience is flexible and child-led—there’s no pressure to follow every activity or room, and children are free to explore at their own pace. For those needing quieter sessions, relaxed performances are available with reduced noise, fewer people, and experienced Story Explorers trained in SEND.

Child walks through oversized playing card maze with heart and club symbols. Colorful lights cast vibrant reflections on patterned floor.

Conclusion

Adventures in Wonderland is a dream come true for families. With a perfect blend of play, imagination, and storytelling, Z-arts has once again created an enchanting space where children can step right into their favourite tales. It's imaginative, inclusive, and absolutely packed with things to do. The design is exceptional, the characters are engaging, and the atmosphere is pure magic.

Alice and Leo didn’t want to leave—and honestly, neither did I!

A truly unmissable family day out. You’ll be grinning like the Cheshire Cat long after you’ve left! 🐰🎩🌹

Colorful, whimsical hallway with playing card doors, red roses, and grassy floor. Blue umbrella overhead. No people visible.

If you’re looking for a wonder-full day out this spring or summer – don’t be late for this very important date!

✨ Need-to-Know Info:

🎟 Tickets: £12 per person or £40 for a family of four

📅 Runs until July – sessions available on selected weekdays, Saturdays, and during school holidays

📍 Z-arts, Hulme, Manchester

👶 Recommended for ages 1–8

Adventures in Wonderland is running at Z-arts until 19th July 2025 – so there’s still plenty of time to tumble down the rabbit hole! To book your tickets, just click the button below and get ready for a truly wonder-full day out.

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Photo Credit - Sarah Monaghan

*Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.