Category: Activities

Amazing adventures FREE from entrance fees

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Mugdock Country Park, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland

One of Scotland’s most popular tourist attractions, Mugdock Country Park is a fantastic place to bring the family. The area is steeped in history, with buildings dating as far back as the 1300’s! Be sure to stop by the visitor centre nestled within the estate, which has plenty of information about the local area and the semi-natural countryside of the park.

The Glasgow Botanical Gardens

The Glasgow Botanical Gardens are beautiful and make a great place to take the family for an autumnal walk. As you walk through the gardens, you’ll marvel at the gorgeous designs and plant collections. The restored Kibble Palace was designed by John Kibble and is a stunning sight. There’s an array of plant collections, and even some tropical ponds.

Royal Armouries Leeds

Bring the kids here for a fun and educational day out! You’ll find over 8,500 objects displayed throughout the 5 galleries of War, Tournament, Oriental, Self Defence and Hunting. Expect to see ancient weapons from many different cultures and learn about how they were used, all set by the canal in Leeds.

Museum Of Science & Industry, Manchester

MOSI is an exciting museum full of interactive displays and an ever changing variety of exhibitions exploring science and industries. You’ll find exhibitions about how tornadoes are made, a 4D cinema, how the human body works, the history of communications in Manchester and more. You’ll also walk through a recreation of a Victorian sewer (smells included), air and space hall, animation exhibition and a hall dedicated to locomotives.

Royal Air Force Museum, Cosford, Shropshire

Visit the Royal Air Force Museum for an action packed day out with over 70 aircraft housed in three wartime hangars! There’s also a National Cold War Museum Exhibition, which is located right next to an active airfield! Throughout the museum the fascinating exhibitions bring to life the history of aviation for all ages and there’s even a Fun ‘n’ Flight hands on kids zone!

BBC Birmingham Public Space

The kids will absolutely love a day here as there’s plenty of exciting children’s activities to get stuck into, including having a go at  presenting Newsround and getting their photo taken with Dr Who’s TARDIS and an old Dalek!  The parents can take a touch-screen-tour of the radio drama studio and look through the windows into radio studios used by the Asian Network and BBC WM.

Berkhamsted Castle, Hertfordshire

Come and explore this motte-and-bailey castle, which was built in the 11th century and was occupied by key figures of the Middle Ages, such as Thomas Becket, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, and the Black Prince!

St Fagan’s National History Museum, Cardiff

Voted as one of the top free attractions to visit, this museum is set within beautiful gardens and woodland. Children will learn how Welsh families lived, worked and played through time! They can even take a tractor ride in the grounds!

 

Autumn adventures with kids

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Devil’s Dyke, West Sussex

Five miles north of Brighton, Devil’s Dyke offers stunning views, from a working farm nestled among rolling hills to old chalk pits, and is vibrant and colourful all year round. In autumn the hills are transformed into a breath-taking haze of purple.

Stourhead, Wiltshire

The house has some stunning interiors and interesting history, being one of the first houses built in the fashionable Palladian style. The Walled-Garden is a fabulous place where you and the kids can explore the selection of plants and statues on display. The world famous 18th century landscape garden is truly breathtaking with a beautiful lake at its centre and fascinating temples and grottoes to explore.

Moors Valley Country Park, Ringwood

Located in the New Forest, by Ashley Heath and covering 1000 acres, there is something for everyone at Moors Valley Country Park. You can walk, cycle, go on the authentic narrow-gauge steam train or even “Go Ape” on the fantastic tree top adventure! There is plenty of fun to be had in the children’s play areas and you can relax in the restaurant.

Burley, New Forest

What better way to experience autumn than by exploring this vast forest? It used to be the home of white witch Sybil Leek in the 1950’s… perfect for Halloween visits! There are plenty of walks in Burley, meaning you can take in autumn’s changing leaves, and pay a visit to their tea rooms for any rumbling tums!

Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire

The gardens and estate are world famous at Stourhead. In autumn it’s a great place to see the huge range of colours on the trees and crunch through the mountains of leaves. There’s lots of fun children’s activities that the family can try including Tree Climbing Experiences.

Dinefwr Park, South Wales

Dinefwr’s historic parkland is famed for its abundance of wildlife and stunning valley views, making it a fab place to take in some stunning views during autumn. This is a great location for spotting wildlife, as well as a seventeenth-century mansion and medieval castle. There’s also a kid’s woodland play area where they can let off some steam and the adults can relax (or join in!).

Carding Mall Valley and the Shropshire Hills, Shropshire

This area, which covers around 2000 hectares, is renowned for having outstanding natural beauty and is hugely important for wildlife, as well as landscape, geology and archaeology. Follow the stream up to the dark-blue reservoir, and you will finish at the beautiful Lightspout waterfall.

The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland

Throughout the year these lovely gardens are full of life and colour. There’s also a magical giant treehouse that the kids will love exploring, which is one of the largest in the world! Cross the wobbly rope bridges (suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs) to find a tree tops restaurant.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan; St Austell, Cornwall

The Lost Gardens of Heligan cover over 200 acres. You can walk through the jungle where there are tropical trees, colourful plants and vibrant foliage creating an exotic oasis; it’s hard to believe you’re still in Cornwall!

 

Fun party for a 10-year-old boy

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Boys around the age of 10 are sometimes difficult to entertain because they are no longer “little kids” and they aren’t yet teenagers either. If you want to throw a fun birthday party for a 10-year-old boy, plan some children’s activities that are suitable to this age group. By engaging the kids who come to the party, you will make the experience fun for everyone, including the birthday boy.

Mummy Race

This game works especially well for children’s birthday parties that fall close to Halloween. Divide your partygoers into groups of two to four people. Give each group a few rolls of toilet paper. Instruct the teams to choose one person to be the “mummy.” When you give the signal to begin, the teams race to see which can wrap its mummy from head to toe within a certain time limit. Give the groups three to five minutes to wrap their mummies. When the time is up, let the birthday boy choose which team’s mummy is most thoroughly wrapped.

Gummy Worm Bobbing

This game offers a chilly twist on the traditional bobbing-for-apples activity. Fill a metal tub or similar container with water and ice. Sprinkle in a pack of gummy worms. Have the boys take turns sticking their heads into the icy water to grab a gummy worm with their mouths. Make sure the water isn’t too deep, since the gummy worms will sink to the bottom of the container. You can turn this into a competition by giving each player 30 seconds to see how many worms he can retrieve. The player who gets the most worms wins.

Backwards Relay

This activity gives your partygoers a chance to race each other in a non-typical relay game. Set up two obstacle courses before the game. Draw a starting line on the ground with spray paint. Place cones in a line extending from the starting point, being sure to leave about three feet of space between the cones. Use at least 10 cones for each line.

Divide the kids into two teams. Explain to the teams that each runner must race through the cones, alternating in and out of the cones in a zigzag fashion, until he reaches the last cone. When he circles the last cone, he must go back through the cones in the same manner until he comes back to the starting line. Upon crossing the starting line at the end of the course, he tags the next person in line to go. The catch is that everyone must complete the course by running or walking backward. If a cone is knocked over, the person must start over. The first team who moves all of its players through the course successfully, wins.

 

Birthday Parties for tweens

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Birthday parties are fun at any age, but selecting a theme for a tween can present an interesting challenge. Children this age are no longer interested in “little kid” stuff, and yet they still might enjoy some young activities like going to the zoo and watching cartoons. Planning a birthday party for a tween should include age-appropriate things that are enjoyable and fun to do.

Mall Scavenger Hunt

For a girl’s party, choose activities that you know she and her friends would enjoy. For example, you can set up a scavenger hunt at a local mall. Some items to include on the hunt list might be a picture of a woman in red heels, a receipt for one pound and a stranger’s autograph. Make sure each team has an adult supervisor as a safety precaution. Top off the girls’ day with a jewelry-making party, where the girls can put themselves in custom-made necklaces and bracelets.

 

Sports Parties

If your child likes to play sports, consider centering the theme around a favoured sport. You can take the group to a party at a local sports centre. There, your child and friends will be able to play basketball, tennis and other indoor sports. Some sports centres also include a pool. Another sports theme involves taking your tween and a friend to watch their favourite team play. These fun sporty children activities sure to be something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.

 

Sleepover Parties

Having friends sleep over is a fun way to spend a birthday, and you can help make the night extra special by selecting activities that you know your child is going to love. Make it a movie night by renting films. For snacks, order pizza, or cheeseburgers and hot dogs. You could also make a sundae bar for the kids to dress up their ice cream treats with a variety of sauces, sprinkles and other toppings. Other activities may include board games and rounds of karaoke.

 

Roller disco Parties

Roller disco parties can accommodate both large and small groups. Many rinks offer special birthday party packages that include group discounts for pizza, drinks and skate rental. Many skating birthday parties also feature games on skates, like a limbo contest and a variation of musical chairs in which participants must skate to a particular area of the rink when the music stops playing. For those who do not like to skate, many rinks also have an arcade. These parties allow your birthday kid to skate and socialize with friends in a fun and safe environment.

 

5 yr old party ideas

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Around the age of 5-6 is when kids start to reveal their true personalities. They absorb so much information, are super opinionated and they know what they want. It’s usually the year they transition into Reception and go from being a “baby” to a little person with attitude. When it’s time to celebrate their birthday, now is when you can include them in the party plans to make their birthday party one they will talk about for years.
Pizza Party

 

Celebrate the birthday at school by offering to bring in pizza for your child’s classroom. Replacing ham and cheese sandwiches with pizza will make you the superhero of the day, and your child will enjoy the excitement of having you appear for lunch. Bring balloons and a cake to accompany your special visit. Use this in-class party to kick start the birthday bash over the weekend

Pyjama parties

 

Pyjama parties at this age are full of energy and fun and you’re likely to be worn out after a night of rambunctious 6-year-olds. Invite a few friends from your child’s class over for a sleepover. Set up plenty of arts and crafts activities for the kids to move from station to station as they are likely to bore easily. Use one station for colouring and creating, another for watching a show or movie and another for something active like pavement chalk writing, blowing bubbles or making water balloons.
Museum Madness
Explore a museum for an afternoon children’s entertainment. Book one of your local museum’s kids’ party packages to allow the kids to play and learn about the exhibits. Most museums that are equipped for children’s parties and entertainment and also include an activity room where the kids can draw, color or paint and may include a storyteller to discuss some of the cool displays in detail. Since these are the growing stages of the inquisitive years, this is a great opportunity for the kids to ask questions about what they are shown to get a better understanding of what makes things work.
Talent Show
Host a talent show for the kids to showcase their favourite talents. No matter if it’s singing, dancing or creating a masterpiece, allow each kid a chance in the spotlight. End your talent portion by bringing out the ice cream and cake and allow everyone to salute the birthday boy or girl before the party ends.

 

Birthday Party Ideas Aged 10

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As your child grows older, kids birthday ideas also need change. At the age of 10, your child has their own ideas and preferences which you need to be sensitive about and incorporate. The child may want to have a more sophisticated and less kiddy party than what he or she has had in the past. Be supportive of their ideas and offer guidance. Here are some tips for 10 year old birthday party ideas.

1. Choose the Right Location

Location is important and you need to find a location that is not only fun, but highlights the child’s personality as well. While your home is a good location, your 10 year old might want to have a different children’s party venue. The local cinema, park, café and tea house are just some of the locations you can consider. If you have a bigger budget, the zoo, skating rink and miniature golf facility are all good locations. Find out what your child wants and choose a fitting location.

Prepare Food and Birthday Cake

10 year olds are at an age when they are craving for independence and they might have their own food ideas. The party can be turned into a fun activity where the kids make their own pizzas and decorate their own cupcakes with different toppings. You can also bake cakes and have the kids involved in cutting out the shapes. Make sure that the snacks are healthy and always ask the parents about allergies.

1. Artist’s Party

If your child is interested in art, you can plan for an art themed children’s party. Have the kids create individual projects or come up with a group project. When creating the invitation, make sure that you highlight that the theme so your guests will be appropriately dressed.

Game: Pictionary is a good game which allows the kids to show off their artistic side. You can arrange the kids into groups and play artful charades.

2. Dress Up Party

Kids are always mimicking adults and characters so a dress up party is a fantastic children’s birthday party theme. These are still kids so make the party simple. You can also have the kids come to the party as different characters. This way you have less of a headache planning for foods that you can serve. Coming up with a theme makes it easier for the other mums to pick appropriate outfits for their young ones.

Game: You can come up with a game where the kids can come up  plays based on the theme of the party.

3. Movie Night

Movie night is a good idea for a birthday party. Kids this age are feeling more grown up and want to have a less childish party. Make sure that the movie is age appropriate and you can ask the child to pick the movie. Also include the movie in your invitation so the parents are aware. During the party, serve junior mints and popcorn.

Game: Movie Trivial Pursuit is a good game and you can divide the kids into two teams. Keep the game simple and select current movies as well.

4. Silly Science

If your kid is into science, you can have a science themed party. The party still needs to be cool and fun since children can get bored easily. You can come up with a chemistry theme and serve foods such as test tube sweets, Oreo molecules, smoky cupcakes, an exploding desert fountain and much more.

Game: Science Facts. Divide the kids into two groups and quiz them about fun science facts. You can also make the party more exciting by allowing the kids to wear lab coats and experiment.

 

How to be safe at Halloween

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Halloween is a lot of fun but beware of some dangers which will help to keep our kids safe…

Treats

Warn kids not to eat any treats before an adult has carefully examined them for evidence of tampering

Flame Resistant Costumes

When purchasing a kids halloween costume, masks, beards, and wigs, look for the label Flame Resistant. Although this label does not mean these items won’t catch fire, it does indicate the items will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source. To minimize the risk of contact with candles or other sources of ignition, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts

Costume Designs

Purchase or make costumes that are light and bright enough to be clearly visible to motorists.

For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car’s headlights. Bags or sacks should also be light colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle, and sporting goods stores.

 

  • To easily see and be seen, kids should also carry flashlights.

 

  • Costumes should be short enough to prevent children from tripping and falling.

 

  • Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes . Mother’ s high heels are not a good idea for safe walking.

 

  • Hats and scarfs should be tied securely to prevent them from slipping over children’s eyes.

 

Apply a natural mask of cosmetics rather than have a kid wear a loose-fitting mask that might restrict breathing or obscure vision. If a mask is used, however, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough to allow full vision.

Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be of soft and flexible material.

Pedestrian Safety

Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible child. All children should WALK, not run from house to house and use the pavement if available, rather than walk in the street. Children should be cautioned against running out from between parked cars, or across lawns and yards where ornaments, furniture, or clotheslines present dangers.

Choosing Safe Houses

Children should go only to homes where the residents are known and have outside lights on as a sign of welcome.

Children should not enter homes or apartments unless they are accompanied by an adult.

People expecting trick-or-treaters should remove anything that could be an obstacle from lawns, steps and porches. Candlelit jack-o’-lanterns should be kept away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame. Indoor jack-o’-lanterns should be kept away from curtains, decorations, and other furnishings that could be ignited.

That being said, keep safe and have fun!!!

 

Halloween Party Games

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These halloween games have become very traditional over years, but if you are stuck for fun ideas for the kids and all the family to play, then here are some ideas..

Apple Bobbing

A large bowl of water is placed on the floor (a baby bath is ideal for this if you have one). Without using their hands, they have to try and lift an apple out of the water using their teeth. Children can wear aprons if you have them and spread plenty of newspaper over the floor as this can get quite messy!

Dangling Doughnuts

Tie some doughnuts with holes in the centre using a length of elastic or string and hang them from a pole in a row. Without using their hands AND without licking their lips, the kids must munch through their doughnut. The first to eat the whole doughnut is the winner.

Watch out – this game can get quite messy!

Witches’ Cauldron

Fill a bowl or ‘cauldron’ with items that represent different body parts. Put things like peeled grapes in the box and pretend they are feeling eyeballs, linked sausages for intestines, cauliflower for brains, a balloon filled with water for a heart, liquorice laces for veins or jelly for liver.

Get the kids to sit blindfolded in a circle and take it in turns to pull out each item and guess what it is.

Pumpkin Lanterns

To create a true kids Halloween atmosphere you really need a pumpkin lantern, put it near a window or outside your front door or have it as centerpiece on your table. They are easy to make and pumpkins are cheap and plentiful at this time of year.

Mummy Wrap

Take your party and divide them into partners. You will need a lot of toilet paper. One person will be the mummy, and the other will be the wrapper. The object of the game is for the wrapper to cover toilet paper around his or her mummy, including their arms which are held out. The winner is the first person to be wrapped like a mummy in toilet paper.

 

Winter family fun adventures

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It doesn’t always have to be gloomy in the winter, there are many things that can keep the kids entertained.  Just use a bit of imagination!!!

These fun things to do are for kids and all the family to get involved with!!

Go outdoors and find a frosty spider’s web (then make your own using PVA glue and silver glitter)

Make a puppet theatre using leftover Christmas cardboard.

Create a bird feeder using a pine cone, lard and bird seed then take pictures of the birds as they feed in your garden!

Create your own puzzles. Stick a family photo, or a child drawn picture to card and cut it into shapes

Go bowling, it’s a great indoor activity for the whole family.

Go to a castle and be a knight. Don’t forget to make a shield out of card and foil before you go!

Create a campfire and toast some marshmallows

Collect shells and create fun pictures on the beach, or in the forest with stones and twigs.

Teach your kid to thread or sew, for younger children use cardboard with holes punched in it and string as thread.

Go on a scavenger hunt. Give kids photos of things to find or set up written clues to help older children find items outside.

Visit a pottery café and create your very own masterpiece.

 

Kids attractions for under £25

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  1. The Guards Museum, London

Adult: £6, Children: Free 

Everyday around 11.30am the Changing of the Guards ceremony happens outside Buckingham Palace (this is FREE to watch!!). The guards who protect the Sovereign have carried out this duty since 1660 and during the ceremony you will see a regiment march from Wellington Barracks to Buckingham Palace to take over the guard. This ceremony takes place every day from April- July and on alternate days throughout the rest of the year (weather permitting). Afterwards pay a visit to the Guards Museum for an enjoyable and educational visit. You can learn all about the various regiments and at the end you might even get to try on a bear skin!

2. Illuminasia, Blackpool

Visit the world’s largest indoor illuminations and see wonders from around the globe light up before your very eyes! Combining traditional Chinese lantern methods with the latest in lighting technology, Illuminasia creates a family friendly, educational and awe-inspiring day out.

3. The Clink Prison, London

Family £18, Adult: £7.50, Child: £5.50 

This museum is built on the original site of a medieval prison. The kids will love the hands on educational experience where you are able to handle original artefacts including torture devices. You will also hear lots of amazing stories about the prison’s past, the inmates and the notorious South Bank.

4. Liberty’s Owl, Raptor & Reptile Centre, Ringwood

Discover one of the South’s largest collection of bird of prey, reptiles, creepy crawlies and more at the Liberty Centre near Ringwood. The flying displays with take your breath away and we can almost guarantee that you’ll learn something exciting and new about the animals you meet. After you’ve looked around, why not stop for a bite to eat at the cafe and the kids can blow off some steam in the play area and sandpit.

5. Windmill Hill City Farm – Bedminster, Bristol

FREE ENTRY

 This small community farm has loads to offer and is a great day out for kids of all ages. You’ll be able to meet loads of animals, such as goats, sheep, pigs and chickens, and learn all about farming. There’s also a kids play area when they can run around while you refuel with a coffee.

6. Ludlow Castle, Shropshire

Family: £13.50, Adult: £5, Child: £2.50, Under 6: Free

 Explore this medieval ruin and your little ones can play at being princes and princesses for the day!

 They often have loads of special events on from kids workshops to food festivals and on Monday the 29th of August they’ve got a family entertainment spectacular taking place. Watch the knights battle for the Heritage Cup, listen to the Jester’s jokes and listen to exciting talks about medieval weaponry. Please note that prices are higher for this event – £20 for a family ticket.