The Beach, Bluewater opens for the summer

Shhhh mums - let me let you into a secret.

I think I've just found the answer to hours of uninterrupted child-free shopping.

Where you might stand a chance of getting a (hot) coffee in peace, looking around the breakables section of a department store without having the words 'don't touch' on repeat, trying on clothes FOR YOU without nagging in surround sound and where you might, just might, be able to grab a bite to eat without having to share. Yes really.

We were lucky enough to be given a sneak peak of Bluewater's The Beach a few days ago shortly before it opened to the public at the weekend.

Oscar, Liv and their friends had the best evening playing in the splash pool, riding the fairground attractions and larking about in the sand.

They were also desperate to rush home and tell their dads all about it and how they positively absolutely must come with them next time.

On their own perhaps?!?

Because at £3 per person I think it's a great price worth paying to send the shopping-haters -big and small - off for some fun in the sun while mums get a bit of time-out inside.

But all joking (and hints!) aside, The Beach is a brilliant place for a fun day out.

Now we were blessed with gorgeous summer weather which of course can help, particularly if you need to watch what you are spending and are coming to The Beach primarily for the sand and sea (well splash pool) and wish to avoid oodles of rides.

But either way, I think there is plenty to do.

Here are our five tips for enjoying Bluewater's The Beach this summer:

1 Take a good look round when you get there.

There is so much to do.

The rides are scattered across all areas of The Beach, alongside a number of traditional seaside games, so if you're limiting your youngsters to one or two goes on something it'd be a really good idea to take a good walk around first so they pick the best ones for them.

Tokens, bought from a kiosk, are required for each ride and you are probably looking at roughly £2 per child for each go they have.

2 Eat something before you come

There are oodles of refreshments: sweets, candy floss, slushies, popcorn, drinks, crisps, crepes...you name it. They sell it.

There is also a German sausage stall selling hot dogs and chip cones but that's about it in terms of actual meals.

If your kids are fussy or are far happier with just a sandwich it might be best to eat before you come and then let them rot their teeth on seaside sweets!

3 Bring towels, swimmers and changes of clothes!

It's the beach after all.

The splash pool is big enough and deep enough to need swimwear, they'd soon be pretty drenched if they went for a paddle in their clothes.

And even if they choose not to go in the water - spare shorts would be a good idea - as some of the rides are in water and we did have some wet little bottoms!

4 Sun protection

Having been built on the car park outside Pizza Express there is very little in the way of shade from the sun if it were to be a scorching hot day.

Bring hats and sun cream if you're planning to spend a good few hours at the beach as you may need it.

5 Look out for the mermaids!

Despite the sweets, the popcorn, the rides, the sand, and the water - two of my girlies were most excited to meet real mermaids. Yes real ones.

It's what they've talked about so many times since.

Look out for the character meet and greets - they are magical!

The Beach is open until September. Click here for more details and to book.