Category: Activities

Fun Summer Days out

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Bear Grylls Wild Survival Academy – ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable
29th July 2017 – 3rd Sep 2017

Kids will love joining in with this brilliant, fun, exciting Summer Academy, where they can become real life explorers and learn survival skills, attempt challenges and have a go at an assault course! There will be live shows demonstrating how animals and humans can survive in extreme conditions.

AirSpace Trampoline Park, Various Locations

Spend a session bouncing, flipping and jumping at Air Space! This brand new attraction has over 100 interconnected trampolines all waiting for you to spring about on. As well as freestyle sessions you can join in with games such as dodgeball, football and basketball – just bouncier!

Thames River Services, London

Take the family on a cruise from Westminster Pier to Greenwich Pier and back! The River Thames has a long and interesting history to be explored, as do all the fantastic landmarks along the way! You’ll get to see the likes of Cutty Sark, The O2 Arena, Tower Bridge, The Shard and more!

Longleat Safari and Adventure Park, Warminster

There is so much to see and do at this amazing safari and adventure park! Take a ride on the wild side with their Safari Drive, as well as walk with penguins, visit the meerkats and hop on a cruise to see the gorillas on Gorilla Island. You’ll be given the chance to feed some Rainbow Lorikeets, deer and even giraffes!

Dinomania! – Bristol Zoo Gardens, Bristol
27th May 2017 – 3rd Sep 2017

This magnificent dinosaur exhibition is the perfect entertainment for kids and it’s at the Zoo gardens until September if you don’t get chance over the half-term holiday! Follow the dino trail, dig for fossils and chat to experts who will be able to answer all your questions!

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth

Come and learn all about the Royal Navy as it is today and get an insight into what the future holds! Step on board historic ships such as HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860. You won’t want to miss the new‐look Mary Rose museum, which gives insight into Tudor life!

ArcelorMittal Orbit General Access and Slide, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London

Climb the UK’s tallest sculpture and ride the world’s tallest, longest and fastest tunnel slide. Enjoy the twists and turns as you take in London’s skyline at speed thought the ‘clear sections’. This is without a doubt, the best place to see the city from above, allowing you to discover a beautiful view of some of the country’s most famous landmarks!

The London Bridge Experience, London

Experience London’s gruesome history first hand with this interactive character led adventure tour! Be prepared for thrills, laughs and frights as you are regaled with stories from the past. Meet some of London’s most horrifying characters as they lurk in the ‘lanes’ including Jack the Ripper and Ben

Kensington Palace Family Fantastical! – Kensington Palace
18th Aug 2017 – 20th Aug 2017

Once upon a time amazing performers and brilliant minds visited this palace to entertain the princesses that one lived there. Families can visit and be entertained watching the magnificent English National Ballet perform ‘Sleeping Beauty’ while the Science Museum will perform one of their fab shows guaranteeing plenty of fun and laughter!

Oxygen Freejumping, Various Locations

Kids will be jumping for joy after a visit to this brilliant indoor trampoline park! They’ll get to bounce sky high in open jump sessions and burn off lots of excess energy!

Cheddar Gorge, Somerset

Come and explore stunning stalactite caverns and see the dramatic cliffs which rise 450 ft above the ground. There are two very different caves to explore, a museum, cliff top walk and lookout tower!

Fleet Air Arm Museum, Ilchester

Get up close to Europe’s largest Naval Aviation Collection, featuring some of the most powerful and interesting naval aircraft to have taken to the skies! With the museum being located on a working naval air station there is even the chance of spotting real naval aircraft taking flight!

The Gruffalo and Friends: The Art of Axel Scheffler Family Trail – Mottisfont Abbey & Garden, Hampshire
15th July 2017 – 3rd Sep 2017

This Summer don’t miss the opportunity to bring the family here to explore the wonderful grounds and follow a fun family trail looking out for the Gruffalo in his den! Along the way there are puzzles and activities to join in with as well as a Stick Man climbing area the kids will love!

Breathe in the sea air

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Camber Sands, East Sussex
At just over an hour away from St. Pancras International and offering a five mile stretch of unspoiled sands and grass fringed dunes, Camber Sands is the perfect quick escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. If you’re after a challenge and the chance to learn a new skill, why not try kite surfing lessons? If you get permission in advance from Rother Council you can bring along your own BBQ, or pop into the The Gallivant restaurant behind the dunes which serves up locally sourced meat and fish dishes.

Canvey Island, Sussex
Located in the Thames Estuary just off the coast of Essex, this lovely beach offers views of Kent coast and of ships heading towards the Thames. Kids will love the separate tidal pool that overlooks the sea! Stop by the renovated 1930’s Labworth Cafe for a bite to eat and their amusement arcade for some seaside fun.

Botany Bay, Kent
This Blue Flag beach offers amazing views of the white cliffs and impressive chalk stacks! When the tide is out, it’s perfect for fossil hunting and rock pool exploring. There are kiosks on site selling ice creams, or you can pay a visit to nearby cafes offering hot food and drinks. Dogs are not permitted on this beach from 10am to 6pm from May 1st until 30th September.

Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex
This beach, located in the lovely traditional seaside town of Walton, is known more commonly for it’s pier (the second largest in the country!), yacht club and marina. Pay a visit to The Naze for panoramic views on the beach and for its art gallery and tea room. Walk along this Site of Special Scientific Interest to discover some fascinating wildlife and fossils within the Red Flag cliffs.

Mersea, Essex
At eight miles square and a causeway to venture through, getting to Mersea Beach is a fun family adventure in itself! With nearby shops, restaurants and guesthouses, this beach is buzzing with fun activity to keep your children occupied. Go crabbing on a pontoon, take a fun boat tour around the island or pay a visit to the famous Company Shed restaurant!

Margate Beach
Margate Beach, located in Thanet alongside Broadstairs and Ramsgate, is only a 90 minute journey away from St. Pancras International via high speed rail. With 7 Blue Flag beaches and 3 Seaside Awards, Thanet offers some of the best beaches… without the need to pack an overnight bag! Come along to surf, swim and sail, or explore some rock pools and cycle along the glorious shoreline.

Best UK Water Parks

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Calypso Cove Waterpark; Barnsley, South Yorkshire

All the family will be thoroughly entertained at this brilliant pirate themed water park which is home to some seriously cool slides and flumes! Check out Terror Torrent which is one of the UK’s fastest indoor flumes, or how about the family friendly Kraken which lets you choose your own music to slide down to – how cool!

Alton Towers Waterpark; Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire

Often forgotten about whilst everyone explores the theme park, the waterpark at Alton Towers is equally as incredible! With rides to keep the adrenaline junkies happy such as the Master Blaster Water Coaster, there is also plenty on offer for the little ones. So if your legs are feeling tired from walking around the theme park or you need to cool down, pay the waterpark a visit! .

Wet n Wild; North Shields, Tyne and Wear

Your little adrenaline junkies will love trying out the wild rides having fun with the wave machine. For the braver visitors there is The Kamikaze which has an 80 foot drop!! There is lots on offer for littler visitors too and check the website for parent and toddler swimming sessions.

The Time Capsule Waterpark; Coatbridge, Scotland

Located within a complex which has an Ice Rink and Sports Centre, this waterpark has exhilarating colourful water slides including the Tornado Tantrum, Tsunami, Riptide River and Coral Cove which thrill seekers will love! It’s not all slides though, there is also a 25 metre long pool for the little ones to practise their swimming.

WaterWorld; Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire

A visit to this fantastic indoor tropical aqua park is a must during the school holidays and you’ll be guaranteed a splashing good time! Race your friends down the slides, swing on the lily pads and enjoy the wave machine. There is also an aqua disco held on a Friday night for all the family which includes use of the water rides and slides too!

The Rapids; Romsey, Hampshire

This fantastic leisure pool is a real hit with children and adults of all ages and offers plenty of family fun. Ride the rapids, enjoy the flume and for the little ones there is a pirate ship to explore. There are also bubble seats and a huuuuge bucket which tips water so dodge it if you can!

Sandcastle Waterpark; South Beach, Blackpool

This large indoor waterpark is one of Blackpool’s leading tourist attractions. Great for water babies of all ages you’ll find waterslides, fun pools, a wave machine, a lazy river, water shoots and much more. There are also a range of dining options so you can relax with a coffee whilst the children play.

Thrill Seeking Kids

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Alton Towers

With over 50 awesome rides to explore, Alton Towers is the perfect fun day out for the family adrenaline junkies. With thrill rides such as “Rita” Queen of speed- which catapults riders from 0-100kph in 2.5 seconds and “The Smiler” the world’s first 14 loop roller coaster you are sure to come away having had your adrenaline fix! New for 2018 is Alton Towers latest addition- “Wicker man” coaster which promises to be one of the world’s most immersive coaster experiences and one of the first wooden coasters built in over 20 years!

Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is home to a whole host of amazing rides and attractions including some fantastic thrill rides, From Hyperspace mountain which catapults you through the dark space themed dome to ‘The twilight Zone Tower of Terror’ which drops guests 199 ft in a lift! Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril is sure to get the heart racing along with many other fantastic rides in both the Disneyland main park and Walt Disney Studios.

Zip World, Betws-y-Coed, Wales

Fancy a high-speed zip wire along the longest zip wire in Europe? Or perhaps you would like to ride the traditional toboggan ‘Fforest coaster’ through the welsh woodland? You can ride alone or in pairs and reach speeds of up to 23 mph!

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Scream if you want to go faster! Blackpool pleasure beach is one of the most well known UK amusement parks home to thrilling rides such as “The big one” the UK’s tallest roller coaster and the world’s first suspended looping coaster completely over water- “Infusion” and many more! Coming soon.. ICON the UK’s first double launch roller coaster – which cost a staggering 16.25 million to build!

Up at the 02 – The Original Climb

If you have a head for heights why not climb the roof of one of London’s most iconic landmarks? Take in a stunning view of London from 52m above the ground 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 its steepest point, has a 28° incline on the way up and 30° on the way back down!

Lightwater Valley, Ripon

Action packed excitement and adventure for the whole family! Amongst 35 rides and attractions you can ride Europe’s longest roller coaster ‘The Ultimate’, spin above the treetops on Apollo, discover the mysterious subterranean world of Raptor Attack and take to the skies in the powerful grip of the Eagles Claw! Lightwater Valley has something for everyone and is a fantastic day out for all the family to enjoy. New for 2018 – don’t miss a chance to meet the Prairie Marmots in the animal encounters section.

Go Ape! Various Locations

Have fun in the forest, swinging, jumping, zipping, soaring and more! Across the various locations you can find a selection of children’s fun activities including zip lines, tree top trampolines, forest segways and of course the assault courses. You can choose the activities to suit your ability too. Adrenaline Junkies will love the ‘leap of faith’ or the Zipwire!

Thorpe Park, Chertsey, Surrey

Thorpe park is the perfect theme park for the thrill-seekers in the family, From ‘Colossus’ – the first 10 looping roller-coaster to the ‘Stealth’ which reaches speeds 80 mph in just under 2 seconds and sends you up to dizzy heights of 205ft, this ride is not for the faint- hearted! New for 2018, ‘The Walking Dead: The Ride’ this coaster is sure to make you jump as you travel through the dark avoiding the zombies at every corner.

National Trust days out

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Hinton Ampner – Alresford

With a beautifully crafted manor house, set amongst a stunning garden, this is the perfect setting for a wonderful family day out. Stop for afternoon tea in the lovely little tea room and don’t miss the 19th century pear and apple trees in the walled-garden. The grounds offer the perfect location for a picturesque picnic!

Mottisfont Abbey & Garden – Romsey

This stunning house and gallery is surrounded by picturesque riverside gardens, the historic house is full of beauty from paintings, photographs and interior design. There is a lovely wild play area for kids and great trails to follow making this a special place for a day out with family and friends.

Smallhythe Place – Kent

Smallhythe Place is a sixteenth century building, that was once a Tudor harbour master’s house. It was also home to Victorian actress, Ellen Terry and is now a museum of memorabilia. There are many events, which take place in the Barn Theatre and the cottage garden contains roses, an orchard and spring garden.

Studland Bay – Swanage

Visit this popular beach to take in the beautiful Purbeck coastline with views of Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Wight, discover dragons and take the dune trail challenge! There’s no shortage of water sports to get involved in, making this the perfect day out for families!   

Morden Hall Park

Morden Hall Park offers you and your family that perfect getaway from the hustle & bustle with 125 acres of gorgeous parkland, meadows, wetlands and waterways. There are temporary exhibitions held so you will always find something new to discover.  

Ham House & Garden

Filled with history and atmosphere, Ham House & Gardens is a great place to bring the family. This 17th century house is located on the banks of the River Thames and has a fabulous collection of textiles, furniture and paintings, some dating back almost 400 years. The garden is set out beautifully and offers a fantastic selection of plants and flowers to discover. You can also follow a family trail that will help you explore the house and there are children’s trails to entertain the kids in the gardens.

Osterley Park and House

Have fun and get active with friends and family by trying out lots of free sports and activities within the beautiful surroundings of Osterley Park! You can also explore the middle lake on a canoe, test your cycling skills around a portable BMX track and more!

Sutton House and Breaker’s Yard

Bring the family to here to see this house built in 1535 and retains much of the atmosphere of a Tudor home. See the ornate carved fireplaces and windows and Each room has something for visitors to get their hands on and get a feel for how a prominent Tudor family lived, ate and played. There are action packed family days held here throughout the year.

Discover Longleat

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Enter a land of adventure. Where lions roam. Tigers stalk. And monkeys swing. Travel through time in a grand stately home. Lose yourself in one of our magical mazes. Hold exotic creatures from the ends of the Earth. Fun and adventure for all the family.

Predators

See some of the biggest, fastest, strangest predators come to life with Longleat’s animatronic exhibition. Featuring modern day predators as well as those that roamed the world thousands of years ago, you can come face to face with a giant cobra and stand near the terrifying jaws of the anglerfish!

Pop-Up Pandas

More than 50 cute panda statues have taken over the Wiltshire estate – with some even popping up within the Safari Park! The pandas have been designed by artists in China and are each one has been hand-painted. Each of the sculptures has its own unique design incorporating everything from English seasonal events to the different artistic styles and elements of Chinese culture.

Railway

Jump on board the miniature railway for a 1.25 mile journey around the park’s scenic woodland. Opened in 1965, the railway is older than even the safari park! You might even spot the two Ugandan hippos whilst on your journey.

Safari drive through

How many different types of animal can you spot? Wind up your windows and hide your lunch! Everyone will love this chance to get up close to the monkeys and lions.

Parrot show

Head along to one of the daily parrot shows to meet the colourful macaws. You can admire the parrot’s skills while the knowledgeable keepers tell you more about these beautiful birds and how you can care for the world they live in.

Animal Encounters

Fancy holding a snake, stroking a tarantula or cuddling a guinea pig? Our keepers can arrange a personal introduction for you and your family. Available free with a valid day ticket or annual pass, just contact Longleat for more information.

 

Out of this world

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Planetariums are great fun for kids and here are some the most out of this world spots to explore!

Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium, Hampshire

Winchester Science Museum at you could hold a meteorite and moon rock, launch your own rocket or catch a show in the planetarium. A perfect way for little ones to learn about the stars. .

Southend Planetarium, Essex

Enjoy fascinating live talks and learn all about the night sky including the solar system and astronomy with shows which are suitable for ages 7+.

Armagh Planetarium, Northern Ireland

Kids (and adults) will  learn about our exploding universe during this fun family space adventure. .

Royal Observatory, London

Visit the home of the world famous Greenwich Mean Time, and London’s only planetarium! Enjoy shows as well as seeing the fascinating collections of timekeeping instruments. Stand either side of the Meridian line which divides eastern and western hemispheres.

At-Bristol Science Centre; Bristol

You are guaranteed a unique day out full of fun and discovery aimed at people of all ages. Enjoy  ‘Destination Space’ and ‘Winter Stargazing’. .

Liverpool Planetarium, World Museum Liverpool

Suitable for all the family, this fantastic planetarium offers free admission. you will take off on a magical journey through space. Be sure to check out ‘The Night Sky’ show!

 

Magical memories

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What could be better than making magical memories at a family festival?

Camp Bestival, Lulworth Estate, Dorset

26th – 29th July

Camp Bestival Sets Sail for its tenth year at Lulworth Castle. Your little mermaids and pirates are sure to love this year’s nautical theme, complete with an underwater carnival night parade. The world’s biggest bouncy castle and the world’s largest disco ball are also making a comeback so prepare to be wowed!

Zipworld Rocks 2018

23 June 2018

‘Zipworld Rocks’ is an awesome evening of top rock music and great food and entertainment for all the family curated by Mike Peters of the Alarm, in the beautiful location of Penrhyn Quarry.  The line up includes ‘The Storyville Mob’ and ‘Slade’ headlining!

Christchurch Food Festival, Christchurch, Dorset

12th – 13th May

Christchurch High Street is filled with stalls offering delicious local delicacies. It continues down to Christchurch Quay where you can see free cookery demonstrations, Beer Festival, cocktails and children’s entertainment. Celebrity ambassadors Lesley Waters, Dean Edwards and Alana Spencer will be returning this year.  Kids Kitchen is a fantastic opportunity for children to learn new skills in the kitchen. There is a whole range of sessions on offer, from Sarah’s Curry Magic and Susan’s Mediterranean Medley to Colin’s Retro and much more!

Staxtonbury Family Music Festival, Manor Farm, North Yorkshire

6th – 8th July

Celebrating its 10th year, there are plenty of exciting events happening over the weekend to make it the most special year yet. Featuring over 50 bands mostly local to Yorkshire, as well as bouncy castles, slides, a climbing tower and much more, this will be fun for all the family.

Bluedot Festival, Jodrell Bank, Cheshire

19th – 22nd July

For an out of this world experience head to Bluedot, the festival of music, science, arts, culture and the exploration of space set against the backdrop of the iconic Lovell Telescope. Whether your kids are science lovers or not, they’ll love the range of interactive workshops and activities on offer. There is a Blue Planet show on Thursday night with the Halle Orchestra which is bound to be amazing. You can also see The Chemical Brothers, The Flaming Lips and more over the weekend.

3 Wishes Fairy Festival, Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, Cornwall

15th – 17th June

Held at Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, the 3 Wishes Fairy Festival and is a small gathering with around a thousand people, 2 music stages, veggie and vegan food, hundreds of free workshops and activities, all included in the general entry price. Camping is also included in ticket price, and they also have cute Hobbit Huts for those who prefer glamping! Saturday is Unicorn Day, while Sunday’s theme is The Fairy Circus – a magical weekend all round!     

 

Green fingers

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Lazy sunny days on a grassy lawn, picking daisies and creating garlands, necklaces and bracelets to wear for the rest of the day! In reality little ones may get a bit frustrated trying to make the tiny holes but maybe in a few years they’ll be able to do it!!

Make your own compost

When dead plants and leaves rot down, they turn into soil material called compost which is great for the garden! You can buy plastic composters or use a plastic dustbin with the bottom cut out to make your own ‘composter’. Get the children out collecting the garden waste and over time they can watch it turn to compost! This is a fantastic activity for teaching the little ones about the importance of recycling.

Make a hanging basket

At this time of year you can grab an empty hanging basket from a garden centre or a pound shop. Fill with soil and colourful flowers and your hanging basket will look beautiful! This is a great activity for kids as they can see quick results rather than waiting for something to grow.

Plant some seeds

Get some seeds from a garden centre and watch them grow. You can measure your seedlings every week to see how much they have grown, then plant them in your garden once they are ready.

Make a worm farm

Fill a glass jar with 4 alternate layers of sand and soil, (sand/ soil/ sand/ soil). The soil layers need to be about 3 times as thick as the sand layers. Leave a gap of about 2 inches of space at the top of the jar. Now the fun bit! Find the worms! Put in the worms and then add some potato peelings, overripe fruit and old tea leaves as a final layer. Put a few holes in the Jar and then watch to see what happens over the next few days as the worms wiggle around, great fun!!

Grow a pizza!

Using a grow bag or some mid sized tubs plant tomato, basil and onion seeds/ plants and grow to create your own pizza toppings!

Make a miniature garden

Use a metal or plastic sweet/ biscuit tin and fill with soil, then add miniature flowers such as daisies and forget me nots. Twigs can be used to create mini trees and foil or a small tub filled with water can make a pond. Let their imaginations run wild and choose bits and pieces from around the garden to create their mini version! If you want to use seeds/ plants with roots, put some holes in the bottom, fill with a single layer of stones then top up with soil. This will provide some drainage and allow plants to grow and the garden will last longer!

Become a bug detective!

Using a magnify glass set off on a hunt around the garden! Look under leaves, under stones and dig near garden walls/ fences. See how many creatures you can find- ladybirds, beetles, woodlice, worms! Take photos or put into plastic pots with leaves and soil and take inside to draw them as a record of your findings! (Remember to put the bugs back after and never put them in the same tub otherwise they might fight!)

Great Parks for picnics

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Bute Park, Cardiff

Right in the heart of the central business district in Cardiff is this beautiful park. There are numerous natural play areas, acres of green space, trails to follow and even three café’s to grab some refreshments. If you are visiting the city it’s well worth a visit, you can spend fifteen minutes or even a whole day here.

Holyrood Park, Edinburgh

Not far from Old Town in Edinburgh is this piece of ancient Scottish countryside. The family can hike around the park exploring the expanses of wilderness where you will find crags, cliffs, lochs and the famous Arthur’s Seat.

Boscombe Coastal Activity Park, Bournemouth, Dorset

Stretching one kilometre either side of Boscombe Pier you will find the Coastal Activity Park. You can walk along the beach, join in with the organised activities or even have a go at the fun free swingball, table tennis and bouldering.

Richmond Park, London

Richmond Park is the largest of the Royal Parks in London (2,500 acres) and has hills, fields and woodlands full of wildlife. The family can try to spot some of the 350 Fallow Deer or 350 Red Deer among many other creatures that call the park home, or even play in the playgrounds or follow the cycle paths that criss-cross the park.

Heaton Park, Manchester

There’s plenty to see and do at Heaton Park! Visit the animal centre to meet cows, alpacas, goats, rabbits and many other adorable animals or have a go at one of the of the many fun children’s activities on offer. You can hire a rowing boat, play a game of golf, hop onto a tram or you can grab some refreshments in the tea room.

Ashton Court, Bristol

This huge park of 850 acres once belonged to the Smyth family, now it’s an historic park with woodlands and grasslands ready for you to explore. There are grazing deer to spot, mountain bike tracks of different difficulty levels, two 18-hole pitch and putt courses and a miniature railway. You will also find many walks that the family can take, panoramic views and plenty of space to play games. Throughout the year there are events held in the park including the International Balloon Fiesta.

Lower Leas Coastal Park, Kent

This park is split into three broad recreational zones. There’s the largest free playground in the southeast of England with slides, a spiral helter-skelter, aerial runway and even a large toddler’s sandpit, plus there’s landscaped gardens and wildlife zones. It’s a great place to spend the day having a picnic, playing or enjoying a gig at the outdoor amphitheatre.

Great Notley Country Park, Essex

Great Notley Country Park has over 100 acres of open space for the family to explore. There are two fantastic wooden play areas for the children to let off some steam, football pitches that can be hired, fishing is permitted and there are a range of great walks.