Category: Children

Free Activities

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Speke Hall – Liverpool
Speke Hall is a Tudor house set on the banks of the River Mersey and is a lovely place to bring the whole family. The house has survived a turbulent 400 years of history, been restored and here you can learn all about it. There are plenty of activities for children and the gardens are perfect for the kids to run around and explore. There is a fantastic maze for them to get lost in too!

Cycle routes at Nunnington Hall – Yorkshire
This fun and easy-to-cycle loop route is perfect for all of the family to enjoy! Start at the beautiful manor house Nunnington Hall, nestled within the banks of the River Rye, then head through the North York National Park towards Bransdale.

Great North Museum
This amazing museum brings together a world of fascinating things both natural and man-made. See Egyptian mummies, Greek artefacts and a brilliant interactive model of Hadrian’s Wall. Families can gaze into space in the planetarium and be just a little scared of the life-size T- Rex replica dinosaur!

Tollcross Children’s farm
Tollcross Children’s Farm is a wonderful place to take the kids for a couple of hours. You’ll see a random mix of adorable animals, including horses, peacocks, llamas, sheep, pigs and a pair of lovebirds. Learn all about the animal world, the life of insects and also see the story of Cock Robin in 3D!

Formby Red Squirrel Walk, Merseyside, England
Spot native red squirrels in the beautiful woodland surrounding Formby in Merseyside. Enjoy breathtaking sea views as you head out on a bracing coastal walk or find out about Formby’s fascinating coastal history with links to asparagus growing and the early days of aviation. The perfect place to get outdoors and active this winter!

Discovery Museum
If your little ones are interested in the wonders of history, science and technology be sure to take them to the Discovery Museum! Explore fascinating collections such as Turbinia, the first steam-powered turbine ship, regimental militaria and many other amazing displays!

Rainy day places

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The Tank Museum, Bovington, Wareham
For a fascinating family day out for the family, The Tank Museum houses the world’s best collection of tanks dated from 1915 to the present day! Learn all about the history of tanks, how they changed warfare and how they were used in battle and advances in tank engineering.

Oceanarium, Bournemouth
Take a trip to the seafront in Bournemouth, which is home to the fantastic Oceanarium. Enter the dark abyss section and the very cool underwater tunnel, where magnificent fish swim around you. There are over 150 different species, from sharks to stingrays and a couple of new additions, The Penguin Beach Encounter, which is home a delightful colony of penguins! You can also enjoy the most adorable cutest furry otters in their very own oasis.

Rock Reef, Bournemouth
This indoor children’s activity centre is a perfect place to take the kids for a rainy day visit! They can wear themselves out on challenging climbing walls that cater for all ages and abilities. Other activities include an indoor cave experience and a high ropes obstacle course. Outdoors if you do fancy braving the wet weather is a fantastic zip wire ride from the end of the pier, over the waves to the shore!

The Dinosaur Museum, Dorchester
Discover real fossils, dinosaur bones and life-size models at this hands-on museum that is devoted to only dinosaurs. Are your little ones brave enough to touch the T-Rex?!

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, Bournemouth
This museum was once a Birthday present from Merton Russell-Cotes to his wife. A seaside villa full of history filled with beautiful objects from their travels around the world. It is as if the house has been locked away in time and never changed. Now you can take the family and enjoy what they would have many years ago as well as a number of temporary art exhibitions.

Blooming Kids at The Palm House Cafe Bistro and kids Activity Centre, Weymouth
Situated within The Palm House cafe bistro, Blooming Kids is a wonderful play area for kids under 5 with a lovely outdoor garden area and a walk-in craft studio! Kids can play while parents can relax on comfy sofas with a cuppa!

Mr Mulligans, Bournemouth
Always a good firm favourite indoor attraction on a rainy day, this brand new indoor golf venture offers 3 brilliant courses on two levels and everyone of any age can join in and have fun!

The Ark at Poole Park, Poole
Two great places to entertain the kids in one here! Not only is there a brilliant soft play area with plenty of fun slides, tunnels and interactive zones but next door is an indoor ice rink, where all the family can get their skates on and enjoy some fun!

Kids eat free

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Are you looking for a family-friendly restaurant for your rumbling tum?
Head to one of these fab spots where kids eat FREE when they’re with mum! The hardest part will be deciding what yummy food to choose!

Gordon Ramsay Restaurants
Selected Locations
There are several Gordon Ramsay’s Restaurants which offer Kids Eat Free all day every day for every adult main course ordered, including Maze Grill Mayfair, Bread Street Kitchen and The Narrow in London.

Giraffe World Kitchen
Every Saturday kids can eat for free with every main meal purchased! All you need to do is simply download and print your voucher from their website. Find out more.

Coal Grill and Bar
Various Locations
Kids aged 10 and under can enjoy a free meal from Coal Kids Menu per adult spending £10 or more, available from Monday to Friday 12-5pm. Find out more.

Morrisons
Countrywide
Morrisons offers one free kids meal (for under 16 years old) with any adult hot meal (over £4.50) from 3pm every day.

ASDA
Countrywide
Kids can eat free on weekdays after 3pm for every adult meal purchased worth £4. Find out more.

The Real Greek
Various Locations
The Real Greek offers free kids meal on Sundays for every £10 spent by an adult. One free kid’s meal per adult only.

Bella Italia
Various locations

And finally and not quite free but only a £1! Valid from noon every day of the week kids can eat for one pound with each purchase of a full priced adult meal at selected restaurants. Find out more.
What have you been up to? We’d really love to know! Someone else might love it, and really want to have a go! If you’ve got ideas, suggestions or reviews, you can shout all about it on whatever channel you choose!

Gulliver’s Land

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If you’re looking for a fun-filled family day out for you and your little ones why not check out Gulliver’s land in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. With over 70 attractions including rides and shows to enjoy every day, Gulliver’s Land is one of the best value kids’ days out in the UK.

Unlike most other theme parks in the UK, Gulliver’s caters especially for younger children. This means that if you’re looking for great days out for toddlers and youngsters, then this is a great option for you. Gulliver’s is a family-run attraction, designed for families with children aged between 2 to 13 years.

From the Runaway Train in Discovery Bay to the Jungle River Ride and classic Dodgems, there are plenty of exciting rides to ensure that all the family have a fun day out. There are also a number of rides designed for the Under 5s, as well as shows for there is plenty to keep everyone happy.

If you want to save some money and get the best value out of your visit then make sure you follow Gully Mouse on Facebook and you can subscribe to exclusive online special offers.

Foodwise, there are places to eat within the park but families are also welcome to bring picnics with them and make the most of the outdoor space available. Parking at Gulliver’s is also free of charge.

Henley River & Rowing Museum

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The museum is set on the river Thames in the beautiful town of Henley with it’s own car park, a large play park nearby and a gorgeous view of the river.

The general theme of the museum is around the river and rowing as the name suggests which in itself is fascinating but if you’re a parent, grandparent or carer with little ones this place is fantastic.

As you walk in you’re greeted by the friendly team on reception where you purchase your ticket or show your season pass and then you’re free to explore. The Wind in the Willows exhibition which is absolutely fantastic and manages to bring to life the much-loved story with 3D models, lighting and music.

Upstairs is full of interesting displays informing us about the river and the history of rowing with rowing machines, interactive wildlife exhibits and a large play area for children with colouring, dressing up, a shop, a puppet show and much more.

The museum has a calendar full of different exhibitions throughout the year, and on our visit there was the Barbara Hepworth: Finding Form exhibition which celebrates the work of one of the country’s most renowned sculptors.

Details of Henley River & Rowing Museum
Location: Mill Meadows, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 1BF, UK
Cost: Adult Ticket £12.50 | Child (4-16) £9.95 (Unlimited entry for 12 months)
Opening hours: 10.00am – 5.00pm

Try KidZania London

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

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

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

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

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

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

Family Weekends

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Space kids

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

Thinktank, Birmingham

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Oxford Playhouse Dick Whittington Pantomime

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A winter walk for all the family

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A winter walk gets all the family out and about…

Mottisfont Abbey and Gardens, Hampshire

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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