Author: kiddy@admin

Teenager ideas for Halloween

Posted on by

Halloween party games for teenagers are super to add to any teen party or even just a family party where teens will be present. Though teenagers can be easily bored, these Halloween games for teens will keep them entertained all night long! Games that require preparation are also fun to plan and think up! If you need a few ideas for Halloween party games for teens, take a look at the list below:

Bob for apples: That’s right—though this classic game may seem childish, it’s actually fun for people of all ages! Just set up a big barrel full of water and apples to challenge your teenagers to see if they can pick the apples up without using their hands!

Costume dance contest: This is a quick and easy way to get everyone on their feet. You can do contests such as the limbo or just award funny prizes for guests’ costumes. Make sure to have prizes on hand!

Murder mystery: This game requires a lot of thought and planning, but it is well worth it! It’s similar to a live action version of clue. For this game, you’ll have to create a story, character list and solution to a murder mystery. Just be sure not to tell any guests about it! Assign everyone at the party a “part” and hide clues around the house. Have them act out the story as they figure out who’s the murderer together!

Halloween night sweet hunt: Plant sweets around the outside of your home. Once it’s dark out, have guests go on a night-time sweet hunt. Give them bags for the sweets and flashlights and split them up into groups of 3-4. See how daring they’ll be on Halloween night!

Halloween Fear Factor: For this game, play a guessing game! Blindfold guests and have them put their hand into a bowl or jar filled with something horrible to the touch. Then have them guess what they just touched. Some ideas include Jelly, peanut butter and crushed biscuits. Award prizes for the people who have the most accurate guesses

Halloween trivia: Before the party, make up Halloween movie, TV show and history trivia cards. During the party, host a trivia session complete with prizes!

These Halloween games for teenagers parties are just a few ideas to get you started. These ideas are also Halloween party games for tweens too, so feel free to get as many people in the family involved as you can!

Top Zoos for the summer holidays

Posted on by

The zoo has long been a favourite place to visit for both kids and adults and with over 60 to choose from spread around the country, there is always one within travelling distance.  But when you are wanting serious, full on animal exposure, then the big zoos offer the most critter for your cash and here are the top 7 zoo’s in the UK.

Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo comes consistently top of the rankings for UK zoos, for the most visited wildlife attraction and even the top attraction outside London in various polls and surveys.  The zoo is located in Upton, Chester and is one of the largest in the country cover 125 acres and being home to around 400 species.  Travelling around the zoo is easy with a public bridleway, called Flag Lane, bisecting the park as well as a monorail system with three stops around the park and even a circular boat rides on the Lazy River.

But it is the animals that are the real attraction and there plenty of them.  Over half the species at the zoo are currently on the IUCN red list for endangered and threatened species and around 130 of these are part of captive breeding programs to boost numbers.  There are 79 species of mammal and 150 bird species as well as reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and fish.  The latest addition to the zoo is the Islands at Chester Zoo exhibit, adding 15 acres to the site and showcasing conservation programs from Madagascar to the Philippines.

Paignton Zoo

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is in Paignton, Devon and is a combination of a zoo and a botanic garden that sees over half a million visitors every year.  There are over 2,000 animals in the zoo covering some 300 species and even 1600 species of plant.  The animals are divided up by the habitats they are native to such as the Desert House with real plants, free-flying birds and pancake tortoises.  The Tropical Forest House displays everything from Burmese pythons to poison dart frogs from the tropical rainforests while the Forest Animals area is home to lions, tigers, orang-utans, owls and doves.  The Wetlands Birds occupies the moats around the monkey islands and sees pelican’s storks as well as plenty of ducks and geese while for zebras, cheetahs, giraffes and elephants, head to the Savannah Animals area.

Dudley Zoo

Dudley Zoo is a 40-acre site within the grounds of Dudley Castle in the West Midlands.  It combines a zoo with a host of listed and important buildings associated with the castle.  There are over 900 animals at the zoo from 160 species and include some notable animals.  These include giraffes, tigers, lions and three snow leopards.  Many of the animals are from endangered species and are involved in captive breeding programs to help boost numbers.  As well as the large animals, there are plenty of cute, smaller ones for the kids to see including meerkats, lemur, wallabies, monkeys and even kangaroos.  A favourite attraction is the Monkey Tails where you can have a close up encounter with a number of monkey species.

Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo is an 82-acre site in the Scottish capital that was founded in 1913 by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.  The zoo sees over 600,000 visitors each year, has over 1000 animals within its walls covering over 170 species.  It was the first zoo in the world to both house and breed penguins and is currently the only one to house koalas and giant pandas.

The pandas, Yang Guang and Tian, are currently one of the biggest hits at the zoo, with a special enclosure having been built for their arrival from China.  Other important exhibits include the Brilliant Birds, a walk through aviary with a number of exotic species free flying within, including the only Andean cock of the rock in the UK.  The Budongo Trail is a new facility that is home to a troop of monkeys and features a viewing gallery and interactive displays to educate kids about these fascinating creatures.

London Zoo

London Zoo is the oldest scientific zoo in the world, opening in 1828 and welcoming the public from 1847.  There are over 19,000 animals in residence today, making it one of the largest in the country and over 800 species can be seen.  These include over 70 species of mammal and over 110 species of birds.

Notable sights include the into Africa themed area with African animals including giraffe, hippopotamus, zebras and wild dogs.  The Rainforest Life and Nightlife is a glimpse of the rainforest with sloths, marmosets and armadillos on show while the Gorilla Kingdom is home to five western lowland gorillas as well as smaller monkeys and birds.  There is also an aquarium within then zoo, opened in 1853 so the world’s first public aquarium.

Twycross Zoo

Twycross Zoo is near Norton Juxta Twycross in Leicestershire and is known for the largest collection of monkeys and apes in the Western World.  It sees over 500,000 visitors each year and has 900 animals covering over 150 species.  Most of these are endangered and the zoo operates a number of conservation programs.

The zoo is separated into eight different zones, each with a theme.  These include Elephant Creek, home to five elephants as well as the World of Small Monkeys, tortoises, foxes, and three types of owl.  The Kingdom of the Apes is the only zoo in the UK to have all four of the great ape species in one place while the Himalaya section houses the snow leopards.

Banham Zoo

Banham Zoo is found in the town of the same name in Norfolk and is home to over 2,000 animals.  It receives some 200,000 visitors each year and is voted as the Top Attraction in Norfolk.  It has humble origins, started out with a collection of pheasants and parrots when it opened in 1968.  Now there are over 100 species represented in the various enclosures.

Notable sights include the Province of the Snow Cat, the home of the breeding pair of snow leopards, who produced three cubs in 2010.  There is also a Giraffe House, a Bird Garden and a Lemur Enclosure, with two different species of lemur running around.

Spend less on your children’s party

Posted on by

Gone are the days when a sandwich, bowl of jelly and a game of pass-the-parcel were enough for a jolly children’s party. Social media bragging and peer pressure have upped the ante.

Some parents admit to spending £800 on their little one’s birthday bash, with £300 being the average cost, according to a poll by Mums Show Live!

Extravagant parties include an entertainer for three hours at £435 (£145 an hour); catered food and drink for 30 at £3.95 a child (£118.50); hire of a hall at around £100; birthday cake £64.90 and party bags for everyone at £3.25 each add up to £97.50. Grand total: £815.90.

One mum recently moaned she had to do it three times over – goody bags at school for the 30 pupils in her daughter’s class, a children’s birthday party, and another for adult friends and family.

Here are simple ways to stop your party parting you from your money.

Invites

Email invitations or download them for free from websites.

  • A fun idea from is to write the details on an inflated balloon, let the air out and ask the nursery or school to hand them out after class.
  • Share the party with one of your children’s friends with a birthday around the same time and keep it short, say two hours rather than three. Keep numbers down by making it clear that guests’ brothers and sisters aren’t invited.
  • If you can’t face having it at home, or don’t have enough space, summer parties can be held in a local park or free outdoor play area with a picnic and energetic party games.
  • If you don’t want to take a risk with the weather, get a quote from a soft play centre or local hall. Avoid peak times – weekends, school holidays and half terms – when admission charges are higher. Babies often get in for free. Ask if you can bring your own food.

Entertainment

Professional children’s party entertainers are expensive. There are horror stories of the family pet savaging the magician’s rabbit and little ones being left in tears by grumpy clowns. Keep the stress and cost down by doing it yourself.

You can always organise traditional games such as blind man’s bluff, pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey and musical chairs.

Catering

Young ones typically don’t eat much, so don’t go overboard. Sandwiches, crisps and ice cream with a flake should be enough. Or ask family and friends to bring a dish and bake your own cake.

If you’re not a baker, and don’t know an enthusiastic amateur, buy plain fairy cakes and get the kids to decorate them.

Borrow a tablecloth and decorations from a friend. Or get a plain white paper cloth, scatter crayons and stickers on it and get the children to draw on it. Balloons are always popular, especially if you customise with glitter.

Party bags

These are a real bone of contention and thinking up what to put in them can be stressful. Even if you buy loads of plastic toys from a pound shop this can quickly add up.

One idea is to buy a set of books such as the Mr Men series and let the children choose one to take away. A book will last far longer than a tatty toy that will be broken by bedtime. Or do a lucky dip.

If you must have a going-home gift, decorate brown paper bags and buy seeds, multipacks of sweets and stickers to fill them and a slice of cake. Or fill a jar with sweets and tie a ribbon round it.

There are lots of ideas on the internet on how to throw a great party on the cheap. We are sure if you stretch your imagination it will be a real success!!

Planning Children’s Parties

Posted on by

Children’s party entertainment is something that many parents lose sleep over. Where do you find something that will keep your kids busy and engaged for the whole duration of the party, and something that they haven’t already seen before? It’s a challenge most parents would gladly forgo, so Red Masque is here to help. We have access to an eclectic mix of party games, party entertainers and a fund of children’s birthday party ideas that are new and different.

It’s quite challenging thinking up every year of something ‘special’ and different for the right reasons for your child’s/teenagers birthday this is why Red Masque hold the key to taking the stress out of trying to think of something unique.

Why not look on an entertainment directory, where you can hire only the best children’s party entertainment, for any age group, which can thrill, enthral and astound the audience; from balloon modellers to magicians, street dancers to caricaturists and even green screen photography entertainments, plus a whole series of indoor and outdoor games which include:

Indoor –

Dance Machines, 

Photo Booths, 

Table Football, 

Air Hockey and Skittles.

Bubble and Smoke machines

Karaoke

Balloon Modellers

Face Painters

Outdoor – 

Funfair Stalls, 

Giant outdoor games Connect 4, Kerplunk etc.

Giant Scalextrics.

Bouncy Castles

Fairground rides

Make sure you check out the entertainer’s policies so everything runs as smoothly as possible.  Looking on an entertainment directory, you will be spoilt for choice and it will definitely give you ‘food for thought’ there will be something for everybody’s tastes!!

Seasides to visit this Summer Holiday

Posted on by

At one time, going to the coast was the normal weekend or holiday venue for families.  Then the foreign holiday craze came along with cheap flights and cheap hotels and the seaside resorts saw a decline. However, in recent years, people have begun to return to the UK coastal towns and are once again appreciating all they have to offer. They are the perfect place for keeping the children entertained, with plenty of kids activities on offer and family things to do. Here we look at ten coastal towns you must visit – although not all in the same holiday!

Blackpool

Blackpool has a lot to offer holidaymakers and has something for all tastes.  The town is a major seaside resort on the Irish Sea between the estuaries of the Ribble and the Wyre and is most famous for its Illuminations and the Pleasure Beach.  But this isn’t all the town offers – there is a zoo for the kids to see, the world-famous Blackpool Tower to climb and the Sandcastle Water Park, to name just a few.  Many of the major attractions now take part in a Blackpool Resort Pass so costs can be combined to make the most out of a trip.

Whitby

Whitby is a seaside town near Scarborough in North Yorkshire at the mouth of the River Esk.  The town combines seaside attractions with beautiful scenery and history including the Whitby Abbey, home of the earliest recognised English poet, Caedmon.  The town was a vital fishing port since the Middle Ages and is the place where Captain Cook learned about sailing.  It later became famous through its connection with Bram Stoker’s Dracula.  As well as grabbing some great fish and chips, the town is also a major water sports area while the annual Regatta takes place in August.

Newquay

Newquay is on the Atlantic coast of Cornwall, 12 miles north of Truro.  It is a natural harbour that has been exploited by man going back to pre-historic times, though the town has now expanded inland as well.  There are nine great beaches in the Newquay area and this is one of the reasons it has become a major tourist location.  Other attractions include the Trenance Leisure Gardens and the Newquay Zoo and the area is a surfing hotspot.  Due to its location, it is also a great place to use as a base to explore the rest of Cornwall.

Great Yarmouth

Great Yarmouth is a coastal town on the River Yare in Norfolk, 20 miles to the east of Norwich.  It became a coastal resort back in the mid-1700s when people began visiting the Norfolk Broads.  As well as the beach and two piers at the report, the market place is one of the biggest in the country and has been open for business since the 13th century.  There is also the Tollhouse, believed to be the oldest civic building in the country with its spooky dungeons to visit between spells on the beach.

Worthing

Worthing is along the coast of West Sussex, just 10 miles from another famous coastal town, Brighton.  It was a mere fishing port until the late 18th century when it became a popular Georgian tourist spot and was the chosen spot of the rich of the time.  It is now home to a thriving artist community as well as having seen regeneration in recent years to the pier, museum and the Dome cinema.  A state of the art swimming centre has added to the attractions that now sees it as one of the best performing seaside towns in the country.

Whitehaven

Whitehaven is on the Cumbrian coast between Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness and wasn’t a traditional coastal resort.  In recent times, however, development has seen the town become a more popular place to visit with millennium developments to the harbour being important.  It now has a bi-annual maritime festival that includes tall ships and a flying display from the Red Arrows.  It is also within travelling distance of the Lake District and its many attractions.

Mablethorpe

Mablethorpe is a small seaside town that has made itself into an appealing location for families to visit.  On the coast of Lincolnshire, the town is noted for its Seal Sanctuary, taking in injured animals since 1974, as well as Spanish City Complex, theme park and an attractive promenade.  The town also has plenty of long sandy beaches for some traditional seaside sandcastle building and sand-based sports competitions.  It is even home to the only beach hut festival in the country, where every September owners decorate and display their huts amid music, poetry and drama.

Barry

Barry is a coastal town on the northern coast of the Bristol Channel, only seven miles from Cardiff.  It is noted for its beaches as well as the Barry Island Pleasure Park.  This is a complex of shops, restaurants and bars as well as attractions

How to deal with Hayfever

Posted on by

When the summer sun is high in the sky, we all feel better and have more energy.  That is, of course, unless you are one of those unfortunate people for whom summer means just one thing – hayfever.  For kids, it can be even worse as all they want to do is play outside and enjoy the warm weather but their own bodies work against them.  So what can be done to help children with hay fever during a children’s party?

Symptoms

Hayfever typically started when kids are around seven years old and is worst from this age until they are in their teens.  Others retain the sensitivity into their adult years.  The symptoms are familiar to all of us, whether as suffers ourselves or seeing someone who is – sore and itchy eyes and a runny nose, sometimes the eyes, as well as lots of sneezing.  Nose bleeds are a common symptom as the lining of the nose is scratched and rubbed.

Hayfever season can start as early as March and finish as late as October and the symptoms are easy to confuse with a virus – the main way to tell the different is the length of time involved.  Normally a virus will last a week or two but if symptoms continue longer than this, it is more likely that the child is suffering from hayfever.

Around two thirds of sufferers of hayfever also experience problems sleeping due to the condition.  Nicknamed ‘insneezia’ this is the symptoms normally experienced during the day breaking up sleep on a night as the allergens settle in the cooling air. This can range from itchy eyes and a blocked nose to waking up sneezing.

Diagnosing

Having the hayfever diagnosed by your doctor is an important step to dealing with the condition.  This is primarily in case the cause of the condition isn’t hayfever but an allergy to something else the child is encountering.

It is also important to find out whether the child has the seasonal or perennial type of the condition.  This is because there are some other nasty symptoms that can accompany the perennial version that need to be watched out for.  These include sinusitis, where the cavities within the skull fill with fluid and cause pain and infection.  Younger kids can also get glue ear from this that can result in temporary hearing loss.

Usually, diagnosis by a doctor will involve a few tests such as an examination of the nose to see what is causing the allergy and if hayfever is to blame.  On occasions, an in-depth examination may be needed.

Triggers

The most common trigger of hayfever is allergens from grass, trees and plants.  This seems to effect kids while at school, due to the proximity to school fields.  Some sufferers are affected by a certain type of pollen and have a ‘season’ during which they suffer.  Others can be sensitive to a range of allergens and therefore have the symptoms during the entire year.

People with an allergy to tree pollen such as birch trees tend to find their conditions are worst in the spring while those allergic to grass pollens are worst in the summer.  Others can be effected by moulds, which result in symptoms all year around.

Treatment

Treatment for hayfever is crucial for kids to be able to make the most of spring and summer and minimalize their suffering from the allergens. If left untreated, it can even lead to other serious conditions such as asthma and could lead to the child being afraid to go outside due to the discomfort they experience

Treatment starts with medication.  These include nasal steroid sprays and drops that treat the inflammation caused by the condition without absorbing very much of the drug into the system.  Eye drops are also an important part of treating kids with hayfever.  It is best to administered these when kids are lying down, adding a drop to each eye and letting the blink reflex do the rest.

Of the medication normally given, antihistamines are the most well-known and can be bought from shops and pharmacies without prescription.  Some can make users drowsy but most will state on the packaging if they are non-drowsy.  There is tablet form but also liquids or syrups for younger kids and a pharmacist can offer their advice if you are unsure which type is right for your child.

Advice for preventing symptoms

Over the years, hayfever sufferers have tried all sorts of ways to ease the symptoms of the condition and some have proven to be quite effective.  These include staying indoors until after noon where possible to reduce the exposure to the allergen and wearing sunglasses to help protect the eyes.  Many people avoid going outside when grass is being cut, particularly in their own garden and avoiding being outside on windy days or in the aftermath of a thunderstorm when there is a higher amount of allergens in the air.  When your kids come home, consider either bathing their eyes with a wet washer or even having a shower to clear away any pollen that may have adhered to them while travelling home.

Some families have planted low allergen plants in their gardens while others have found and removed any plants that their child is particularly sensitive to.  Keep the windows closed in their bedroom and when driving in the car and use re-circulating options on the air conditioning to stop the allergen getting into the car in the first place. Parents have also found that hanging clothes up to dry in the house stops pollen from collecting on them to then be worn or put on the bed of a hayfever sufferer.

Home Schooling – Is it better or worse?

Posted on by

One of the biggest growth areas in terms of education in the last six years has been that of the home schooled child.  In fact, the number of kids now receiving their education at home has increased by some 65% over the period and the reasons given for the decision are very varied – from lifestyle and special needs to bullying, religion and a dissatisfaction with either the school or the school authority.  But is this method schooling better or worse for the children?

Providing education

Legally, parents are not obligated to send their children to school but they do have to provide what is termed a ‘suitable education’ for them at home.  The current school age population stands at 9.5 million currently and around 37,000 of these are now schooled at home.  This figure may even be an underestimate as children who never start school are not recorded in the figures, only those that start and are then withdrawn from the system.

Parents don’t have to provide a reason for withdrawing their kids from school but 41 council areas across the country do ask and the information given provides a cross-section of the reasons behind the move.  Top of the list of reasons given is philosophy or lifestyle reasons, around 13% of those who answered.  Some areas of the country see a higher number for this area.

Reasons for the change

Dissatisfaction with the school, council or a conflict come in second while cultural or religious practises is the third most common reason.  Bullying and special needs/medical issues come in fourth and fifth.  Lastly, around 3% of people take their children out of the system because they couldn’t get the school they wanted and were unhappy with the one they could.

Another reason that parents cite for keeping children away from the schools is the emphasis currently placed on testing and school league tables.  Many parents feel that this does little for the children and those inclined to home school find it another reason to go with their own style of education.

The style of education itself is an issue for many kids as a classroom simply cannot accommodate all learning styles at once.  For example, boys are shown to poorly in literacy subjects because they don’t naturally take to the long periods of inactive study.  The formal nature of the learning doesn’t suit many kids whereas home schooling allows parents to focus lessons specifically on the way their children learn.

The positive of home schooling

For parents who have successfully home schooled their kids, the system has huge benefits.  As one mother put it, her bright seven-year-old was complaining about school. But it wasn’t the normal complaints – the intelligent child said he hated learning and that ‘learning is boring’.  This prompted her and her husband to research on home schooling.  She was able to dedicate her time to schooling the children in a way that may not be possible for all parents.

The growth of online facilities to help with kids education has corresponded to the growing number of people who home school their kids. Online tutoring organisations, kids sports and cultural activities, these are all being organised around children who don’t attend normal schools.

The wealth of information available online to aid parents in home schooling means that there is no reason why they can’t receive as well rounded an education as other students – perhaps more so given the lack of time constraints placed on the school day.

The worrying side of home schooling

While quality of education and variation of subjects taught is a concern with regards to home schooling, there are other, more worrying sides to the subject.  Some parents have resorted to home schooling have been forced into it by the school themselves, particularly if their child has problems that reflect ‘poorly’ on the school and its league table position.

However, the single biggest concern is that children are not being monitored when they are home schooled.  A case such as a young boy of 8 who died from scurvy and was being home schooled, is an example of the very worst case scenario.  While the boy’s parents were charged with neglect, the case was dropped.  A leaked report showed that the mother had mental health issues that raises the issue of whether she was fit to home school the child.

Others worry that children are being listed as home schooled but are actually attending illegal, unlicensed schools and these could include extremist teachings such as radical Islam.  As no-one currently checks these kids, no-one knows what is happening to them or if they are even alive and the numbers of those never attending school are a black hole the depth of which is completely unknown.

Handy information in a blog

Posted on by

Sometimes when you are looking for ideas about where to go on holiday or for a weekend break, inspiration can be hard to come by.  Of course, travel agents will give you plenty of information but sometimes you want something unbiased, neutral and personal.  One of the best ways to find this type of inspiration is to look at blogs and here are a few blogs to help you on your way.

What is a blog?

In case you missed it, a blog is a bit like a diary, only written for the world to read.  People write about what they know, what they like and what they don’t and this allows readers to get a wider viewpoint on a location or venue than offers through traditional means.  Blog are often written un a fun, casual way that makes reading them amusing and relaxing and there is none of the pressure to ‘buy’ that can be found on major travel websites.  You may even be inspired to start your own!

The Family Adventure Project

The Family Adventure Project is the blog of husband and wife team Stuart and Kirstie who have three children. Their aim is to spend time together as a family doing interesting and exciting things and getting out and about. As well as locations, their blog also deals with different adventure ideas and also action – in other words sports and activities for children.

A Modern Mother

A Modern Mother is a blog by just that – a former corporate lady who left her job to have three children and is now a full-time mum as well as the founder of BritMums.  Her blog covers a range of destinations and ideas for things to do as well as places to visit and offers advice on places to stay, all from a family perspective.

Mums Do Travel

Mums Do Travel is the blog of a former journalist turned mother who looks at places from a family point of view.  Her blogs include room reports and interviews with other family travellers for their ideas and views.  There is also advice around the type of trip as well as where to go.

Family Travel Times

Family Travel Times is co-written by couple Sarah and Brian with their two kids to offer a viewpoint from the younger mind.  They review the places that they visit as well as guest pieces from other family bloggers on their experiences and include plenty of their own fun photography to inspire others.

The Mum Blog

The Mum Blog features sections on travel and family travel to offer a range of tips and hints.  As well as information about where to go and where to stay, there is also information about matters that make travelling easier.  It is written by journalist and mum Liz Jarvis.

Mum on the Brink

Mum on the Brink is a blog covering travel and outdoor fun as well as other matters such as technology, written by mother of three Monika.  The blog looks at locations to visit and places to stay as well as new ways to travel such as reviewing motorhomes and information about activities to keep the kids occupied

How about camping?

Posted on by

Cornwall is a hugely popular spot for fans of both camping and glamping during the summer holidays and the good news is that there are a large number of sites spread around the county.  The bad news is that by this time of the year, not all of them will have availability left for the school holiday period.  So here we look at 5 Camping and Glamping sites in Cornwall that still have availability for the coming period to help inspire your camping holiday and keep the children entertained.

Cottage Holidays Cornwall

Cottage Holidays Cornwall has a number of different accommodation options within one site.  For those who like a nice firm foundation under foot, they offer Albion Cottage, a grade II listed Tudor house on the edge of the village of Mylor.  The cottage has its own courtyard, barbecue, gardens, swings, trampolines and even a tennis court!

For an environmentally friendly alternative, why not try a spot of glamping in their yurt?  Just outside the village, the Yurt offers a back to nature experience with fully opening walls, a roof light and a wood burning stove just outside.  It is 16 feet in diameter and 10 feet tall, so is no tiny little tepee style tent and there are carpets and rugs on the floor while the bed stands on a low wooden platform and even has an orthopaedic mattress.

Both of these options make for a great base to explore the village of Mylor with its historic harbour as well as travelling slightly further afield to the beautiful resort of St Ives or the amazing attraction that is the Eden Project.

Classic Glamping

Classic Glamping have a number of sites spread across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset offering a range of different glamping options.  Jinka’s Wagon is a unique experience – a gypsy caravan located just five miles from Looe that offers the charm of a bygone era.  As well as the caravan, there is a barbecue and patio furniture to enjoy a meal under the stars and a multi-burner as well.

If you ever fancied sleeping in a safari tent but didn’t want to travel to Africa, then simply head to a spot just two miles from Launceston for a safari tent location.  One tent is called Honeysuckle, another Celandine and the third Campion.  Each are located in a secluded spot near a river great for wildlife spotting and relaxing in peace and quiet as well as being a short distance from a pub.  They are also a small distance apart so no overlooking neighbours.

Other options offered by the company include a shepherd’s hut near Praa Sands, a meadow cabin near Fowey and even airstream trailers straight from the US based just outside St Agnes.

St Tinney Farm

St Tinney Farm is a small, family run business with 34 acres of land and a range of different accommodation options including cabins, caravans and tent.  The site is just a mile from the main A39 Atlantic Highway near the hamlet of Otterham.  The farm has its own heated outdoor swimming pool to enjoy and there is a licensed club bar on the site called the St Tinney Arms, serving drinks and simple pub food, so there is no need to leave the site if you don’t want to.

There are two cottages at St Tinney Farm each accommodating up to four people and a cot if needed.  These are fully equipped with all the modern conveniences including free Wi-Fi.  There are also three 3 bed lodges overlooking the lakes and three 2 bedroom lodges in the Orchard area behind the farmhouse.  Caravans number six, are connected to the mains for electricity, and gas as well as toilets inside each.  Finally, there are grass camping pitches so camping fans can bring along their own tents. 

Cottage Farm Touring Park

Cottage Farm Touring Park is located near the small village of Treworgans, not too far from Newquay.  The site can offer different accommodation options and is also in close proximity to a number of leisure and sports facilities.  There are three self-catering holiday homes on the site as well as static caravan accommodation. There are 45 pitches for camping and caravans, almost all of which have electricity hook-ups, spread over a 2-acre site close to a number of countryside walks.  There is a small shop near the site and the local village shop is just one mile away. There is also a facility block that includes free showers and hot water basins, hairdryer and shaving points and a family-baby room. There are washing up facilities and a laundry room to use as well as a manned reception to help with local information.

The site is great to use as a base for exploring the Newquay area, which is just five miles away.  In fact, if you like a walk, it is only 20 minutes’ walk to the beach. Other close activities including surfing, fishing, diving, horse riding, golf and mountain biking as well as plenty of places to go for a walk.

Silver Sands Holiday Park

Silver Sands Holiday Park has static caravan holiday homes, a lodge as well as both touring and camping pitches available for holidaymakers. It is set amid the dramatic scenery of Lizard Peninsula, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and one of the most popular spots to visit in Cornwall.  Both Kynance Cover, the most southerly point in Cornwall, and the Helford River are just a short distance away.

The caravan homes come in two grades with standard having two bedrooms and the superior option having either two or three bedrooms. The superior plus caravan can sleep up to six people so ideal for slightly larger families. The camping area is beside the main field and all emplacements are around a triangular perimeter. The field has its own water supply and there is a play area for under fourteens as well as a toilet and shower block in the nearby field.  Watch out at night as possible visitors include bats and badgers, both who live nearby!

Outdoor party ideas for children

Posted on by

1. Kids Olympics Party

Cabin fever may be setting in after all the April showers and being stuck in school, so get the kids outside and burn off some energy! Tap into their competitive side and set up a Kids Olympics party! “Active” is the name of the game with this theme. Discus throws (using Frisbees), obstacle courses, balance beams, or hula hoop contests are great choices for a children’s Olympics Party. You can also encourage teamwork with relay races or a team sport like whiffle ball or kickball. At the end of the party, give away small prizes or even have a medal ceremony to bring the festivities to a close!

2. Sensory Party

Younger children are always curious about the world around them. Why not embrace it and host a Sensory Party? Tell your guests to wear some “play clothes” or provide souvenir T-shirts. Then, prepare to get messy! Set up stations that help kids explore all five senses. For example, a sand creation table will let kids make art out of brightly-coloured sand. It also helps them use their visual creativity to make something unique! Auditory stations can include simple instruments like drums or recorders. Since it’s outside, the sound won’t drive you as crazy! Or, make some Rainbow Foam for a tactile station. It’s easy to make and allows children to get messy while exploring a fun texture.  Just remember, the messier the better for your outdoor kid’s party ideas!

 3. Just Add Water Party

Looking for a way to cool off in the summer heat? Just add water! Have your guests bring their swimsuits, towels, and sunscreen for a day of fun in the sun. Activities like Slip n’ Slides or sprinklers are easy ways to add a little H2O to your outdoor party. 

4. Animal Party

While we’re all fans of furry creatures, sometimes the thought of having them inside is a little daunting. That’s why animals are the perfect addition to an outdoor party! Does your child dream of riding a pony or holding a hedgehog? An animal party can deliver! Most petting zoos or pony parties only need a small amount of space outside, like your garden. Reptile shows are great for Jurassic Park or jungle-themed parties. The animals are usually enough to hold the kids’ attention, but animal games can be a just as fun! 

Musical Chairs. Each time the music stops and a child is out, designate them as “it” and let them choose their favourite animal. If they say “horse,” the remaining kids can gallop around the circle of chairs until the music stops. Kids love animals, so this party should be a hit!

Top of Form

5. Outdoor Movie Night Party 

Bring the movies to your garden! Your kids and their friends of all ages will love being able to pile onto blankets in the grass and watch a family-friendly film. Rent your own outdoor movie screen or make your own by stringing up a white painter’s canvas. Most rented screens come with a projector, or you can buy a decent one for around £100. Not a bad investment if you plan to use it a few times throughout the summer! Set up a movie snack bar with popcorn and classic sweet choices. Set up tin buckets filled with ice and bottled pop to bring out the nostalgic vibe. Outdoor kids party ideas don’t have to be complicated; sometimes it’s just about spending time together