Carrickfergus play centre celebrates three years of growth offering 'children an escape from today’s technology-driven world'
Mini Ville has expanded its offering since opening in 2023, adding a nursery alongside its imaginative play village, parties and learning activities
A Carrickfergus early years play and learning centre is continuing to go from strength to strength after celebrating its third anniversary.
Mini Ville, an imaginative role-play village designed to encourage children to learn through play, opened three years ago and has since expanded its offering to include private hire, birthday parties, tutoring and a nursery.
The centre was designed and built by owner Lee Garrett, who created a miniature version of Carrickfergus town where children can explore different settings, including a veterinary surgery, construction zone, shop, post office and café, as well as its very own castle.
Aimed at children aged up to eight, the play centre offers an alternative to today’s technology-driven world, with wooden toys, books, puppets, dressing-up costumes and other activities encouraging imagination and discovery.
The business expanded in September 2025 with the opening of The Duckling Den, a private nursery offering play-based early years learning.
Lee explained: “Mini Ville is an early years development play and learning hub that offers children an escape from today’s technology-driven world.
“We just celebrated our third birthday in August and we are very grateful to our local community for supporting us and visiting Mini Ville Play with their little ones.”
The nursery operates Monday to Thursday during term time and provides activities including water play, mark-making, science experiments, arts and crafts, sand and messy play, construction, storytelling, music and movement.
Children benefit from the guidance of an award winning teacher with more than 13 years’ experience and a postgraduate certificate in education from Ulster University, alongside a team of dedicated staff.
Mini Ville also offers a range of birthday party packages, including play parties, pamper parties, Mini Mess Fest and painting parties.
The business said it was grateful for the support of the local community since opening in August 2023, with its third birthday marking an important milestone in its development.