Mad Hatter's Tea Party comes to shopping centre

During the spring half-term, youngsters at the Viking Shopping Centre, in Jarrow, can take part in a range of family activities themed around the novel’s famous Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

On April 7, the Mad Hatter, Alice and Queen of Hearts, will transform the centre into a garden to entertain children with a tea party and various activities, including crafts and games.

Youngsters can go along to any of the free family-fun sessions, which run between 11am and 1pm, and 2pm and 4pm on the day.

Centre manager Lee Kimber said the events were inspired by the upcoming release of the new film, Alice Through the Looking Glass, which sees Alice return to the whimsical world of Underland and travels back in time to save the Mad Hatter.

Mr Kimber said: “On Good Friday the Easter Rabbit visited the centre and while he was here he handed children a special Mad Hatter’s Tea Party playing card.

“Children returning to the centre with their playing card on April 7, can present this to the Queen of Hearts to find out whether they have won a prize or have to pay a forfeit.

“With the new Alice Through the Looking Glass movie to be launched in May, we thought it was a great opportunity to have family entertainment over the half-term break, themed around Lewis Carroll’s adventures with Alice.

“The Ting Tang Theatre Company will invite children to join them with activities which capture the feel of a spring garden and the magic of Alice’s Wonderland.”

The is part of a series of activities the centre has held throughout the school holidays, which has previously seen children enjoying a petting zoo.

For more information, visit: http://www.thevikingcentre.co.uk