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I bundled my little buccaneers onto one of Thames Rockets iconic red RIB boats for a high-speed tour as part of an event to celebrate the release of LEGO Ninjago: Destiny's Bounty Adventures - an exciting new family board game.
After pulling on our lifejackets, we hopped on board at London Eye Pier for a quick-fire tour along the Thames, led by our pirate captain - an actor/comedian, who delivered jokes: Hook, line and absolute sinkers! But we lapped up the cheesy pirate-punned gags, which brought a smile to everyone's face.
As we cruised towards Tower Bridge, we took in all the sights and iconic landmarks - The Houses of Parliament, St Paul's Cathedral, Shakespeare's Globe and Tower of London to name a few. Then, we held on tight, as our red rocket picked up speed and we blasted along at 35mph across the famous docklands of London - twisting, turning and rolling over the waves.
There were squeals of absolute delight from my son Reuben, 8, as the spray hit his face. His brother Odhran, 10, waved his hands in the air and threw some shapes, as he sang along to Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now' and other high-energy tracks that blared as we ripped along the water.
After the rush of excitement, our crew headed back towards the London Eye, where we disembarked. The whole experience lasted 50 minutes. The pirate-themed tour is a private charter at £675 for a group of 12 passengers - perfect if you want to push the boat out (pardon the pun) for a child's birthday party. But Thames Rockets operate a range of experiences for all ages, and it's a must-do for thrill-seeking kids, teens and adults visiting London. I previously took my 18-year-old niece out on a Thames Rocket, and she also loved it!
The company run all kinds of special themed rides, such as Thames Lates, and seasonal events, such as Meet Santa! and it's a unique way to catch London's New Year's Eve fireworks display. Or you could choose a combined ticket experience, such as Rocket Up at The O2, where you can ride a speedboat before doubling up on the thrills by also climbing the roof of The O2 Arena. Thames Rockets prices start at £59.95 for an adult and from £49.95 for a child (14 years or under). But it's worth keeping an eye on the company's socials and on websites such as lovetovisit, Buyagift and Red Letter Days to try and secure the best price. Also, look out for Blue Light Card discounts and partnerships with National Rail. Arrive 15 minutes before departure and remember to bring warm layers, as it can get nippy out on the water.
But the fun wasn't over for me and my mateys as we disembarked. We strolled across to Draughts in Waterloo. This board game café and bar, is located in Leake Street Arches - a pedestrian railway tunnel that's famous for being London's largest legal graffiti space, where anyone can spray paint freely within the law. Draughts has a library of more than 1,000 board games to choose from, but we were there to try out the brand new LEGO Ninjago: Destiny's Bounty Adventures by asmodee, a leader in tabletop games and The LEGO GROUP.
Rather than family games night competition - adventure and teamwork are the anchor to this new board game that's suitable for kids aged 8+. Two to four players team up as ninjas to move around the board and go on adventures facing serpents, pirates and even a postman! The ninja warriors Nya, Zane, Cole and Kai are under attack from some of their most dangerous villains, so kids must triumph in this board game that features four minifigures, LEGO bricks and sets of cards. Can the ninja's ship be saved? To defeat the villains, players must unlock their ninja potential, upgrade their skills and work together using their unique abilities to thwart the villains' plans.
Odhran and Reuben enjoyed the story element to this game. As LEGO minifigure collectors, they were thrilled with the exclusive Nya that's unique to Destiny's Bounty Adventures and unavailable anywhere else. They loved the little box of accessories that came with each minifigure in the game - allowing you to upgrade the character's skills. We had great fun playing LEGO Ninjago: Destiny's Bounty Adventures, as we sipped on tea and ate breakfast baps. It'll take another few gos before the rules of the game fully sink in and I find 'How to Play' instructions on YouTube easier to follow than written guides, but this is a engaging game that sparks the imagination and is perfect for LEGO fans. It offers up something a bit different for family games night. LEGO Ninjago: Destiny's Bounty Adventures is available from Amazon, Very, The Entertainer and other retailers, priced £34.99.