As part of the Milton Keynes International Festival 2016 outside John Lewis in the Centre MK you’ll discover that the floor now looks rather different. Middleton Hall is all lit up with bright coloured shapes that are constantly changing in design. It’s an art installation by Miguel Chevalier who is a digital artist who has presented installations and immersive projects across the world. You can also carry a silver sphere created by artist Ray Lee that generates sound that reacts to changes in the projections  Having seen the artists impressions we were very excited to try it out.

Magic Carpets Miguel Chevalier
Magic Carpets Miguel Chevalier

Visually it’s stunning. You can stand around the edges and watch it for free. Seeing the floor change constantly with wonderful patterns and colours is rather captivating – like nothing we’ve ever seen in a shopping centre before. You do however have to pay to walk on it. It costs £3 for an adult, £2 for a child, under 2s are free, and it’s £8 for a family of four. I can understand why there is a charge because if loads of people were all walking on it at once you probably wouldn’t see much and it wouldn’t be much of an experience. The computer systems were down when we went and so we paid by cash. The assistant was most insistent I give my surname and address for ‘marketing purposes’ which was rather annoying. So is it worth it?

Well my toddler LOVED it. He loves running in open spaces so to do so in such a visually stimulating place was great fun for him. He also liked laying on the floor doing ‘shape angels’ or something. You can take buggies and wheelchairs on there. I took my baby boy out of the buggy. He liked sitting on the floor reaching for the shapes. It must have been an incredible sensory experience for him. We got one of the spheres. My 3 year old liked carrying it. It made noises. We spent about half an hour on there – after then your eyes start to go a bit funny but you could spend longer if you wanted to as there’s no time limit. If I hadn’t have had the children with me I probably would have been reluctant to part with £3 and would have just watched it from the side. Definitely go and watch it for free when you’re next shopping. And if you have young children who seem excited at the sight of it then it’s likely they’ll enjoy walking around or sitting on it. It’s there until 24th July. Do comment below and let me know what you think about it and whether you think it’s worth the money. You can pre-book tickets and read more information on the Milton Keynes International Festival website. The pictures don’t really do it justice – do check out the videos on my new Milton Keynes Kids YouTube Channel.

Magic Carpets Miguel Chevalier

I'm Laura, mum of two boys - aged six and four. I started this website at the end of Sept 2015 whilst on maternity leave. I now work four days a week and do this blog late at night once the little boys are sleeping. It's won several awards over the last four years and I continue to run it for free and mostly focus on free, cheap, and good value days out. Do drop me an email laura@miltonkeyneskids.com if you want to contact me. Don't forget to follow all of our latest adventures on facebook, instagram and twitter and have a look at all of the videos of the places we visit on the Milton Keynes Kids YouTube Channel - subscribe to it for notifications every time I add a new place. And remember... you may been reading this post months after we visited, do check with the destination you're visiting for up to date opening times and prices. If you find this blog useful then please do comment on my posts and leave me a Facebook review - it makes doing this all the more worthwhile.

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