Author: kiddy@admin

Family beaches

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If you’re thinking of escaping to the coast soon, Kiddie Zone has pulled together a list of favourite family friendly beaches.

West Wittering, West Sussex
This beautiful sandy beach is a firm favourite with Kiddie Zone and is a great option if you’re looking for family friendly beaches. Near to Chichester, there’s ample parking and a long stretch of untainted sand. You won’t find much here in the way of shops, restaurants and activities, but that’s part of its beauty. So, pack a picnic, bring a kite, buckets and spades and settle in for a day of beach perfection.

Swanage Beach, Dorset
A gorgeous beach that have fantastic walks in the surrounding area. You can come across to Swanage on the little chain ferry from Sandbank which the kiddies will love. The beach itself is a calm and sheltered sand and shingle beach making it perfect for families. There’s a Victorian pier where you can go crabbing and loads to keep little ones entertained as well as a great selection of places to eat and traditional fish and chip restaurants.

Just across the road from the main beach you’ll find a little amusement park which makes for a good hour or so. You can also get the quaint Swanage Railway Steam Train from Swanage 6 miles up through the Purbeck Valley and past the stunning ruins of Corfe Castle. Corfe Castle is National Trust and well worth a visit, the kiddies will love exploring the castle ruins and the views from the top are stunning.

Highcliffe & Avon Beaches and Mudeford, Dorset
A must-do for families is this lovely stretch of beach, partnered with crabbing at Mudeford. You can park up at Highcliffe Castle and walk down to the huge sand and shingle beach where there’s plenty of space and a relaxed atmosphere. There’s also a nice tea room at the castle if you fancy a little stop on the way back. Closer to Mudeford you’ll find a small car park at Avon Beach with space for 100 cars, here the beach tends to be busier and stonier but plenty of fun for the kiddies and a short stroll along the promenade takes you right into Mudeford.

Famous for its fantastic crabbing, Mudeford is a great place to spend an afternoon. There’s a shop selling buckets, spades and all the crabbing gear, plus a café and toilets. You’ll also find a great fish shop, just about as fresh as it gets.

Brighton, East Sussex
Brighton has been Londoners favourite beach escape for years, and it’s easy to see why. There’s so much to do here you’ll need more than just a day. For starters, there’s a long stretch of stony beach great for walks and no better sitting when eating fish and chips straight out of the paper.

For children, there’s plenty at the beach to keep them entertained. There’s the Brighton Aquarium, the world-famous Brighton Pier with its numerous rides and attractions, the Lanes for even the fussiest of shoppers and loads of restaurants to boot. The sea can be rough and the pebbles don’t make for the most comfortable of sunbathing, but for many this is the quintessential British beach, and one that needs to be experienced.

Bournemouth Beach, Dorset
With 7 miles of golden sand this is renowned as one of the best city beaches in the UK and has long been one of the south coast’s most popular family beach destinations, and with so much to offer it’s easy to see why. The soft sand beach and tonnes of space make it the perfect destination for families, even if it can get pretty busy in the peak of summer.

Away from the sand, Bournemouth has plenty to shout about. Last time we went we had a go on the adrenaline fuelled PierZip, the world’s first pier to shore zip wire! Also at Rock Reef there’s loads for kids to do including indoor climbing walls, indoor caving and high ropes – perfect for adventurous little ones!

Littlehampton, West Sussex
Littlehampton consists of two award-winning, sand and shingle beaches which are a great spot for families to set up camp on a summer’s day, specifically East Beach is great for kiddies. As the tide goes out the perfect sandcastle making sand will be revealed! Littlehampton is probably best known for its entertainment off the beach though and has a great child-friendly funfair, the world’s longest bench, Stage by the Sea and a miniature railway.

Fun for all ages

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Waterparks, Zoos, festivals and many more, there’s plenty of fun for all ages in store!

Camp Bestival, Lulworth Estate

Family fun is at the very heart of this festival and there’s a whole boatload of activities for everyone young and old(er!) to enjoy. Large areas of the festival site are dedicated to kids, including BigTop Mania in the ‘Upper Kids Garden’, where they can learn a circus skill or two, or burn off some steam on bikes and go-karts! For parents, Simple Minds, Rick Astley, and Clean Bandit top the lineup, and here are a whole host of comedians and other attractions on offer.
Longleat, Warminster

You really won’t be short of fun when you visit Longleat. Explore the stunning house and grounds and come up close to lions, monkeys and more on the safari drive through! Over 100 hand-painted panda statues have also taken over the park so you can discover the beautiful designs while you explore!

Disneyland Paris, France

Who doesn’t love a bit of magic at Disneyland Paris? Marvel is taking over the park with their Summer of Super Heroes so you can see your favourite heroes. Take on some of the rides too, such as Big Thunder Mountain and the Tower of Terror!
Zip World, Betws-y-Coed, Wales

For adventurers, head to Zip World in North Wales for exhilarating experiences on the ground and in the air! Bounce up in the sky on the Treetop Nets, or whizz through the forest on the Fforest Coaster. You can even slide and bounce around underground at Bounce Below! BOOK NOW.
The Monster Tour, various locations

The World’s biggest bouncy castle is travelling around the UK throughout summer along with live DJs, the mega ball pit, and delicious food and drinks. Kids hour runs from 10-11am for those aged 11-15 years. Afterwards, adults can enjoy the fun-fest for themselves!

Siam Park, Tenerife

No trip to Tenerife is complete without a visit to Siam Park! Voted the number 1 water park in the world by Tripadvisor, the park offers a fun-filled, action-packed day for the whole family. From the Mai Thai lazy river and the sandy beach to the adrenaline pumping Tower of Power and Kinnaree, there’s literally something for everyone.

ArcelorMittal Orbit, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London

Take in breathtaking views of London from the 360-degree viewing platform before riding the world’s tallest, longest and fastest tunnel slide! Enjoy 178 metres of twists and turns as you take in London’s skyline at speed going down the slide.

The Medieval Banquet, London

One of London’s most exciting interactive experiences and a great family must-do in London at any time of year. As a royal guest, you will be led down to the Great Hall to mingle with medieval and mystical characters and be treated to a 4-course banquet with drinks and a fantastic array of entertainment. Including professionally trained fighting knights, acrobats, musicians, dancers and court jesters.

Up at the O2, London

Reach new heights and take in a stunning view of London when you enjoy this exhilarating guided expedition over the roof of the O2! This is a thrilling 90 minute experience over the 380m long O2 walkway, which, at the steepest point, has a 28° incline on the way up and 30° on the way back down!

Try KidZania London

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With the weather being unpredictable in the UK, that doesn’t have to stop you this half term! KidZania London is a mini-city that kids can explore for themselves. They can try their hand at being a firefighter, fashionista, and even flying a Starship model through the Atlas Star System!

1. New: Starlink Space Station
Pilots will learn how to build their own modular Starship model before embarking on a journey through the Atlas Star System, testing and navigating their ship with Nintendo Switch. Kids will learn lots about the solar system as they adventure through space!

2. Nintendo Labo Workshop
Kids can use the Nintendo Labo kits to create their own RC car. They can take their decorated car home with them after the session. This is then used with the Nintendo Switch consoles to bring the games to life! Discover other models too including a fishing rod, piano, and even a robot!

3. Shop till you drop in Westfield London!
If your kids are 8 years or older, they can explore KidZania independently and you can enjoy 4 hours of shopping!

4. Adults can enjoy the fun too!
KidZania is so cool that Mum’s and Dad’s will want to get stuck in too! Although most of KidZania’s activities are especially for kids where adults can supervise through the viewing windows, There are a few activities where adults can join in too! Grown-ups will love the Alder Hey Hospital A&E, TV Studio, Stadium, City Tour Bus and British Airways aviation academy! Go on, you know you want to!

What have you been up to? We’d really love to know! Someone else might love it, and really want a go! If you’ve got ideas, suggestions or reviews, you can shout all about it on whatever channel you choose!

Active fun for the whole family

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Here’s some active fun the whole family can share!
1. Jump for joy at Oxygen Freejumping

Whatever the weather burn off some energy on over 100 interconnected trampolines, dodgeball courts, giant airbags, walk-the-wall trampolines and more! The UK’s ultimate trampoline park playground has locations all around the country.
2. Monkey around in the trees!

Swing, zip, balance and jump your way through the trees on the Tree Top Adventure courses at GoApe! Younger adventurers will love Tree Top Junior, a lower and easier version. Explore the rugged trails along the forest floor with the awesome Segway experiences, or if you love to Zipwire then the Zip Trekking will definitely be on your bucket list!

3. Make Household Chores Fun

Whilst it’s easy for the kids to dismiss chores as boring, why not try and turn them into a fun game to get them moving? Challenge them to see how many toys they can put away in a minute… A bit of competition might be all it takes to get them running around the house!
2. Sneak in More Steps

This is a super easy way to make sure you’re moving as much as possible. There are lots of ways to sneak in some more steps, from parking the car a few roads away, taking the stairs instead of the lift and more!
3. Go on a Weekend Walk

Get outside this weekend as a family. See if you can get little ones naming what wildlife and flowers they can spot on their travels! It doesn’t have to be far, as there’s sure to be something interesting at every corner. Our Wintery Walks blog may inspire you!

4. Music Motivation

If you’re looking for a way to get your little ones active and ready for school in record time, why not throw on an upbeat playlist that they love and see if they can get ready before the songs are over. Shameless dancing around the kitchen is optional.
5. Gardening with Kids

Prepping the garden for spring and summer is the perfect (yet deceiving) way to get your little ones eager to move. Get them weeding, plant-potting and watering flowers to give them some TV-free time.
6. Weekly Sports Night

This one is great for getting the family together and being active. Whether it’s football in the park, bike riding or going for a swim, there are lots of options available to keep things interesting each week!

Family Weekends

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If you are at work all week, the main problem with weekends is that you use them to catch up on all your household chores, life ends up getting in the way and that 48-hour window just passes by in a blur of washing and cleaning.

Take back control of your weekends for some good old family fun. Doing at least one fun children’s activity together as a family can bring you closer, whether it be playing a board game indoors on a rainy day, jumping in the biggest, muddiest puddle you can find or taking a walk through the forest or along the beach.

Round the kids up and get them helping out with the chores, with the promise of some outdoor fun when you have finished. Give the kids a duster and the vacuum cleaner and make them enjoy your least favourite job – pairing socks!!

Once you have finished it is time to get out and have some fun…

So get out and have a fun family outdoor adventure and if it’s Autumn there’s nothing more better than crunching through fallen leaves and hunting for conkers that have fallen from a giant tree.

If it’s that time of year give the kids a plastic tub and get picking, promising them the chance to make and eat a scrummy blackberry and apple crumble with lashings of custard as a reward when you get home.

Why not marvel at the spectacle of green leaves turning rich reds and yellows, making it the perfect time to be out and about with a camera. Let the kids get behind the lens or take some fun videos of them throwing leaves into the air or rolling down a really big hill.

The gardens and colours at National Trust sites are at their best in the autumn season and they also run activities to keep the kids interested. Autumn is also the perfect time to visit the beach, which we avoid like the plague in the summer as it is far too busy, but often get lovely warm weather in September and are always surprised by how quiet the beaches are. If there is a nip in the air, take your bike or scooter for a ride along the promenade instead.

Kids Golf days-out

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Ready for the challenge and wondering where the best mini golf near you is located? We’ve teed up some of the best mini golf courses in the UK, so all that’s left to do is grab a club and set off in search of that elusive hole-in-one…

Birmingham Mini Golf, Birmingham
Found within the popular Cannon Hill Park in Moseley, Golden Putter Mini Golf is filled with putting islands, bridges and wild waterfalls to put you to the test. Choose from 18 or 36 outdoor holes and see if you can make it on to their ultimate leaderboard. After, make sure you check out the rest of the park too!

Best for: A jam-packed day out

The Lost City, Nottingham
Delve into the deepest rainforest to uncover the Lost City Adventure Golf, home to two 18-hole indoor courses designed to put you to the test. Follow the Temple Trail where you can try and get a hole in one at Stone Face Rock, spot lucky parrots and slither past the 23 ft long snake, all aiming to reach the Temple. Intrepid explorers should opt for the Sacred Skull course, navigating alligators, Bengal Tigers and dragons, before tackling the challenging 17th and 18th holes.

Best for: The bravest of little explorers

Congo River Crazy Golf, Leicester
Giving a little taste of the sunshine state, this Florida-style adventure golf course is the ultimate n family fun. Putt your way through Congo River Crazy Golf 18 outdoor holes, navigating tunnels, inclines and even a broken-down plane – how close can you get to par? With no need to book in advance, it’s the ideal spontaneous family fun day out in the East Midlands. This mini golf course is indoors, like many others on the list, which makes it a good day out when the weather isn’t great – it’s a good choice for winter school breaks.

Best for:Last-minute family fun

Paradise Island, Manchester
There’s much more than just shopping at intu Trafford Centre, including two tropical adventure golf courses! Choose the Tiki Hut Trail or Temple Runs Adventure course, or combine both for a whopping 36-hole adventure, all under one roof. With two levels of paradise-themed golf fun, this is sure to bring out your competitive edge!

Best for: When 18 crazy golf holes just aren’t enough…

Dinosaur Safari, Barnet
Setting the scene for adventure in North London, you’ll find this crazy dinosaur golf course under the watchful eye of nine prehistoric dinosaurs! Compete for glory around the 18-hole outdoor course for adventure golf with plenty of bite, but be sure not to blame the roaring dinosaurs for any wayward putts…

Best for:
Dinosaur loving little ‘uns

Space kids

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Get ready to reach for the stars, as we share the six best fun planetariums in the UK. Great family days out. Which one will you be heading to first?

Thinktank, Birmingham

You’ll need your thinking caps on for a visit to Thinktank, Birmingham’s science museum. Guaranteed to have your brain buzzing with curiosity across 200 hands-on displays, don’t miss the planetarium on Level 3 for just £1.50 on top of your ticket price. With a range of shows and special events throughout the year, it’s a great way to see the magic of space from here in the UK.

Armagh Planetarium, County Armagh, Northern Ireland
Pay a visit to Ireland’s leading centre for astronomical education and uncover a whole host of space secrets at Armagh Planetarium. Learn about the cosmos through interactive displays and catch up with the latest space news in real time, plus design, build and launch your own rocket in the exciting crafts zone. With lots of shows suitable for family audiences, as well as some with age restrictions, the digital theatre is the ultimate planetarium experience.

We The Curious (formerly At-Bristol), Bristol
Curiosity is key at this recently relaunched attraction, which is also home to the UK’s first 3D planetarium. Experience what it’s like to have planets, stars and galaxies all within reach at We The Curious, as you sit back and enjoy this stunning immersive experience. Elsewhere in the attraction, let your curiosity run free through a range of fun and hands-on displays, it’s the perfect family escape.

Winchester Science Centre
Lie back and enjoy the 360° show taking place right above your head, as the huge domed screen at Winchester Science Centre places you right in the heart of the action. There are both pre-recorded films and live presenter-led shows each day, where you can be completely immersed in a wide range of topics, from blasting off into space, to tours of the night sky. With plenty more to explore too, and lots of hands-on activities, this is a great day out for the whole family!

National Space Centre, Leicester
Your journey into space starts here, as the National Space Centre in Leicester is home to six interactive galleries, the iconic Rocket Tower and the UK’s largest planetarium! In the Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium, named after the prominent astronomer, journey through time and space in We Are Stars, or take a Tour of the Night Sky, all from the comfort of your seat! This award-winning attraction also regularly hosts some exciting events, so be sure to check those out for your visit

Planetarium at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, London
Pay a visit to the home of Greenwich Mean Time and the prime meridian of the world, the Royal Observatory in Greenwich! Stand on the iconic meridian line with one foot in the west and one in the east, marvel at the seventh biggest telescope in the world and see the clocks that changed the world, all before taking a tour of the universe from London’s only planetarium. With a range of shows for the whole family, fly into the heart of the sun, see the birth of a star or land on Mars in the impressive dome.

The Oxford Playhouse Dick Whittington Pantomime

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Many Christmas traditions fall by the wayside as the kids get older. Goodbye nativity plays, school Christmas fairs, visits to Santa and the yearly panto. Wait! Goodbye panto? Oh no, we don’t!

The Oxford Playhouse version of Dick Whittington is a loosely adapted version of the original tale. With added panto scenes. Think mice in remote controlled cars, a monkey called Brian and a Brexit bus. Exactly how you’d imagine it.

The first half is a musical extravaganza. From the opening ‘Don’t stop believin’ to Nirvana’s ‘Smells like teen spirit and John Legend’s ‘All of me’ the songs and choreography are brilliant. An early bakery scene produces the first big laughs. In Generation Game style, Dick and his cat decorate cream cakes as they move along a conveyor belt. Slowly, then a bit faster. You know what’s going to happen. It’s still funny.

Sarah the Cook plays the Dame. In time honoured tradition she is in love with Mr Fitzwarren and wears a variety of colourful and wacky costumes. Despite some strategically placed buns on her cook’s dress she wasn’t as smutty as expected. Whilst there were a few quips around Dick’s name most of the adult jokes were references to Brexit.

The panto action moved swiftly from life on board Shippy McShipface en route to Timbuktu (via the Titanic) to a surreal under the water scene. In complete darkness the cast swam amongst jellyfish and a mermaid. I might have guessed that blooming song, Baby Shark, would follow.

But how else would the characters end up on a tropical island? Subsequently imprisoned, with the help of Brian the monkey. Although not before cat and the Dame had a calypso moment on the beach.

Add in a Spice Girls medley, lots of dancing and a bee hating Queen. There was hardly room for Dick Whittington in the second half. And they wonder why panto is a peculiarly British institution!

Wait. Slow down. Back to the original tale, and the mayoral election. In a nod to political incorrectness King Rat announces that only middle class boys can vote. Of course, he doesn’t win. But does Dick?

All works out well in the end. Rat gets his comeuppance, Dick and Alice fall in love and Katy Perry’s Firework provides a fitting finale with added pyrotechnics.

Dick Whittington and his cat is on until Sunday 6 January 2019. Purchase tickets direct from the Oxford Playhouse.

A winter walk for all the family

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A winter walk gets all the family out and about…

Mottisfont Abbey and Gardens, Hampshire

Wrap up warm and get outdoors exploring the grounds of this fantastic house and grounds. There are always lots of seasonal trails to enjoy along the way and a delightful Wild Play area.

Formby Red Squirrel Walk, Liverpool
This easy walking trail will suit all the family this Boxing Day and as the woodlands are home to the red squirrel, hopefully, you will get to see one or two!

St James’ Park, London
If you are in the capital this November, why not take a walk around St James’ Park? It offers a lovely walking route starting from the park towards The Mall, along Victoria Embankment and returns via Birdcage Walk and Buckingham Palace.

Brownsea Bird Boats, Poole
During November families can hop on board a boat on Poole Quay and sail to the delightful Brownsea Island for an exclusive guided tour around the lagoon. The island is home to a wide variety of wildlife including the red squirrel.

Beatrix Potter’s Garden, Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent
Exploring a wonderful exhibition in the gardens of this famous castle sounds a perfect day out for all the family! Here you can find out what inspired her to create her characters and stories.

Stourhead, Wiltshire
You won’t be disappointed with a visit to one of this country’s finest landscape garden and in the autumn it comes alive with riotous rustic colours as leaves turn to gold, red and bronze hues that reflect gloriously onto the lake.

Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey
During autumn the magnificent maple trees end their year by bursting into a blaze of rich autumnal colours. Enjoy a 2.5-mile walk with the family through spectacular woodland and amazing views of the Surrey landscape.

Deer Feeding at Attingham Park, Shropshire
It’s time for the fallow deer at this park to receive their winter rations! Visit at the weekend and not only see them being fed but also enjoy the pretty changing colours of the park landscape on a walk towards the river.

Gibside, Tyne and Wear
The skyline walk is a must and you are sure to see plenty of varied wildlife along the way. See the colours change for autumn and enjoy amazing views. There is even a lovely pub to stop at for family refreshments!

New Forest National Park, Hampshire
The New Forest has so many wonderful walks and stunning landscape to explore. There is a range of different routes that you can choose from that vary in length and difficulty. The children can try to spot some of the adorable New Forest ponies and other wildlife that call the New Forest home. The walk from Beaulieu to Buckler’s Hard and back is especially lovely and follows the Beaulieu River on a nice gentle walk.

Horsey Beach, Norfolk
During the winter months, this unspoilt beach is home to hundreds of seals. Depending on where you park it’s about a 1-mile walk to find them. The kids will adore seeing the seals and messing around on the sandy beach.

Bute Park, Cardiff
Walking around Bute Park is enjoyable all year round with plenty to see all around the park. Follow the sculpture trail to find all the hidden pieces all over the park and the children will enjoy the woodland play trail with its interpretive sculptures, seats and fallen trees that are just waiting to be clambered over and under.

Festive Movies for the family

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Here are some classic festive Movies for the whole family to enjoy..

1. Elf

This classic from 2003 is a staple in our household. Buddy (Will Ferrell) is different from all of Santa’s other elves: he’s “a cotton-headed ninny muggins” when it comes to making toys, he’s 6’3″, and he’s human! So one special December, he sets off on an adventure to New York City in search of his real dad. A funny, sweet-as-a-candy-cane Christmas film for all the family.

2. Home Alone

Another classic family Christmas film featuring Macaulay Culkin. When Kevin’s family leave for vacation, they forget one minor detail: Kevin! Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister takes on two bumbling burglars who are trying to break in. Written and produced by John Hughes, this slapstick adventure is an entertaining watch for all the family.

3. The Nightmare Before Christmas

Delve into this animated musical fantasy set in a parallel world where different lands represent different holiday periods. Jack Skellington, a man from Halloween, becomes converted to Christmas and sets out to spread joy in the world! However, Jack’s new mission leads him to kidnap Santa and it becomes clear that he’s not really in tune with the Yuletide spirit. This was the first full-length feature to use stop-motion animation throughout.

4. The Grinch

Benedict Cumberbatch is the voice of The Grinch in this 2018 remake. The Grinch lives alone in a cave, and he likes peace and quiet. When his neighbours’ Christmas celebrations threaten to disrupt his tranquillity, there’s only one option: to steal Christmas. They’re going to make this Christmas three times bigger than usual, so the Grinch’s only choice is to be even nastier to teach them a lesson. And so he disguises himself as Father Christmas to carry out his scheme… Head to your local cinema to catch this Christmas classic!

5. The Muppet Christmas Carol

Join Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and all the hilarious Muppets in this merry, magical version of the classic Charles Dickens tale. Michael Caine plays Ebenezer Scrooge in a performance that’s anything but “bah, humbug!” One fateful Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. The Spirits open Scrooge’s eyes and heart to the true meaning of Christmas. A heartwarming tale everyone will enjoy.

6. Toy Story

Cowboy Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) is Andy’s favourite toy. He tries to calm the other toys during Andy’s birthday party, who are worried that newer toys may replace them! Sure enough, Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear is the new toy that takes over the throne. Kids of all ages will love this film if they haven’t already seen it. To see you right the way through the Christmas period.

7. Shrek The Halls

The Christmas edition Shrek adventure hit screens in 2008 and is a short hilarious film that will get everyone in the festive spirit. Follow Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and all the gang as they prepare for Christmas Day.

8. The Polar Express

Tom Hanks lends his voice to another magical family classic in The Polar Express. Late on Christmas Eve night, a boy lies in bed hoping to hear the sound of reindeer bells from Santa’s sleigh. To his surprise, he hears a steam engine’s roar and whistle outside his window instead! The conductor (Hanks) invites him on board to take an extraordinary journey to the North Pole with many other pyjama-clad children. There, he receives an extraordinary gift only those who still believe in Santa can experience.