Category: Fun

Free Kids Theatre

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The summer holidays will be fast approaching, and like us, we bet you’re stuck for ideas to keep the kids entertained without spending a fortune. Luckily for you, Kids Week 2018  are offering free tickets for kids to many top London shows this August .

Kids Week is run by Society of London Theatre and wants to encourage young people to get involved in theatre. Young theatre fans can snap up the free tickets on Tuesday 13 June at 10am, but you’ll have to be quick though as we expect the allocated tickets will sell out pretty quickly.

West End shows including 42nd Street, An American in Paris, School of Rock and The Wind in the Willows are among shows giving children free tickets this August.

They are among the 35 West End productions participating in the 20th annual Kids Week, run by the Society of London Theatre.

From August 1-31, children aged 16 or under will be able to attend participating shows for free alongside an adult paying full price.

Two additional children can attend for half price.

Other shows taking part include Matilda the Musical, Half a Sixpence, Aladdin, The Play That Goes Wrong, Wicked, Kinky Boots and Les Miserables.

Tickets will go on sale on June 13 at 10am.

Winter fun

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A winter weekend doesn’t need to be boring.  There are always some fun things to do with children, bowling, castles and crafts, there’s so much to explore!!

1.Find Wonderfully Wintery Spiderwebs

Go outdoors and find a frosty spiders web… then have a go at making your own using PVA glue and silver glitter!

2. Make Your Own Puppet Show

Why not have a go at making your very own puppet theatre? Better yet, use up your leftover Christmas cardboard to get super crafty and creative!

3. Make a Bird Feeder

Create a bird feeder using an empty yoghurt pot, lard and birdseed, and then take pictures of the birds as they feed in your garden!

4. Make Your Own Puzzle

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

5. Go Bowling

As  a much loved and traditional family activity, bowling is the perfect place for some lighthearted competitive fun!

6. Explore a Castle

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

7. Create Shell Pictures

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

Easter Entertainment

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Here are some brilliant Easter themed children’s activities indoors and to give the little Kids a break from scoffing a pile of Easter Eggs!

Springtime Easter Nests

This Easter recipe is so simple for the children to make and requires no oven! The favourite bit is licking the bowl afterwards!

Ingredients:

150g Shredded Wheat (Cornflakes or Rice Crispies are just as yummy)

250g chocolate

3 tbsp golden syrup

1 bag of Mini Eggs

How to make:

  • Melt chocolate in a saucepan over a low heat

  • Stir in syrup and and rice crispies – watch out for taste testers!

  • Spoon mixture into cake cases, top with a Mini Egg (or two) and leave to cool

  • Enjoy!

 

Egg Decorating

Egg decorating is so much fun and keeps kids entertained for hours. You can use paints, glitter, stickers and anything crafty that you can get your hands on but first you need to blow out the contents of the egg. Here’s how to do it –

  • Pierce a small hole at both ends of the egg and blow into the egg (do this over a bowl) and the contents of the egg will come out.

  • If the egg appears stuck, then swirl it around and blow again.

  • Finally hold your finger over the bottom hole and place the top under running water, shake the egg and blow again.

  • Leave the egg to dry and then they’re ready to decorate.

Indoor Egg and Spoon Race

The key for this activity is to use coloured plastic eggs, or if you are heading down the more traditional route then boil the egg first so that it’s hard boiled otherwise this could end up as quite a messy children’s activity. Arrange the children at the start line with an egg and a spoon each, and when you say go the children race to the finish line without dropping their egg. If they drop it, they need to start again! You could make the race more difficult by adding obstacles!

Easter Egg Necklace

Easter Egg necklaces are so fun and easy to make and keep the little ones amused for ages. All you need is some string, plastic eggs and a grown up to make a hole through the egg so that string can be threaded through!

We hope that the children enjoy these fun child friendly activities and have a brilliant Easter despite our great British weather!

Simple kids party games

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Throwing a kids’ birthday party? We’ve rounded up some classic kids party games and given them a twist to make them even more fun!

Kids party game trends come and go, but if you ask us, the traditional ones never go out of style. Whether it’s running around outside playing sardines, bashing a pinata to reveal the stash of Haribo hidden inside, or dressing up in costumes and singing their heart out on a couple of plastic microphones, we defy you to find any kids that won’t get on board with at least a handful of these activities.

All of these game ideas require minimal set up, and you won’t have to break the bank to buy expensive prizes or treats. There’s something for all ages – we’ve road-tested these on quite a few mini masterminds, and found that most of them go down just as well with 13 years olds as they do with 3 year olds too!

And the best thing? You probably played these kids party games as a child, so after a quick jog of the memory, you’ll be fully equipped to lead a round of musical bumps and bob for apples with the best of them. Who knows, maybe the other mums and dads will even join in and wander down memory lane as well?

You’ve got enough to be thinking about when it comes to party planning, with the cake, the invites and the party bags, to name just a few, so let us take the hard work out of the games.

 

Here are some of the best cheap, easy and fun kids party game options we know… now the only decision will be whittling it down to your favourites!

No easy task

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Any parent who has ever organised a bash knows that there’s so much to consider – the invitations, the venue, the food, the decorations, the party bags – and that’s before you’ve even thought about how to keep the crowds amused.

If you’re looking for kids party entertainment ideas and don’t have a clue where to start, don’t panic: we’ve done some research, and come up with a list of the types of kids’ party entertainers that have been the biggest hits with our lot – from real life Elsa and Annas, to puppeteers worthy of a much bigger stage.

There’s something to match every party theme and budget, as well as options that will suit a variety of age groups. Now your only task will be whittling it down to just one!

We’ll start with an oldie but a goodie. No one is not wowed by an animated performer pulling doves out of their pockets. Little ones will appreciate simpler tricks and a shorter show, as their attention spans tend to wane, where as older groups will love anything from card tricks to close-up magic. When you call, ask if they’ll include the birthday boy or girl in their big finale – they’ll love being the star of the show.

Animal safari

Got an animal-mad bunch on your hands? There are services across the country that will bring mammals, birds and reptiles to your bash for the kids to meet and greet. Typical animals include rabbits and guinea pigs, chinchillas, parrots, owls, and lizards, but do some research and see if there’s anything more unusual in your vicinity.

Princesses

You’ve probably seen the influx of Elsa and Anna characters floating around the party circuit recently, but they’re still a big hit in our houses, and you don’t have to limit yourself to just another rousing chorus of ‘Love is an Open Door’. There are entertainers who can take on all sorts of princess characters, from Cinderella to Thumbelina, and hopefully they’ll teach the kids manners worthy of royalty too.

Clowns or circus performers

Clowns have come a long way from the slightly sinister models of our childhoods. These days, they’re bright and fun, although they’re still pulling the same old tricks. If you want a more modern take, see whether there are any circus performers that offer party deals in your area – fire breathers, unicyclists and gymnasts all go down well, and some of them will even teach the guests some of their skills too.

Superheroes

Whether your kid is obsessed with Batman, Spiderman, Wonder Woman or just simply looks smashing in a cape, a superhero party is never going to disappoint. Bonus points if your chosen entertainer has an actual Batmobile, or can throw realistic Spiderman webs from their wrists.

Puppet shows are mostly aimed at younger parties, and for those, they work like a dream – there won’t be a peep for the assigned time slot, leaving you free to set up the buffet or wrap the pass the parcel. Punch and Judy is a classic, but there’s plenty of other, really creative versions on offer, so a unique idea that they’ve never seen before might be the way to go!

Entertain the kids when its raining

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It seems as soon as we get excited about the sunshine and make ‘outdoorsy’ plans, the rain clouds arrive! If you’re left wondering what on earth to do with the kids, we’ve come up with some great games fun to play in the comfort of your own home to keep kids of all ages entertained.

Play ‘Sardines’ – a twist on the traditional hide and seek

You’ll need at least four players for this game with one person hiding and the other players searching for the hider. When a player finds their friend hiding, they then need to hide with that player staying where they are until another player finds them and so on. The fun will continue until the last person finds everyone at which point everyone will be squashed like – sardines!

Board games

No one can get board of board games, ditch electronic games and play with traditional board games. Snakes and Ladders, Guess Who, Monopoly…which games keep your kids entertained?

Indoor bowling

This game provides hours of fun for children (and adults) and can even be as competitive as you like You can either buy an indoor bowling set or use empty water bottles set up in a line and a soft ball. Don’t forget – place some tape as a starting line so avoid any cheating!

Dressing up stories

Get the kids using their imaginations and write a story – it could simply be their favourite fairy tale changed! They then have to act out their stories complete with costumes and props. Of course, you’ll need to put your acting skills to the test and join in with them!

Alphabet fishing

A fun and easy way to develop letter recognition and early reading skills, and even better it’s perfect for those rainy days! All you need are some magnetic letters, sticks or chopsticks, string, and paper clips. Tie the paper clips to your string and then tie (or glue) your string to your stick. Pour the magnetic letters into a big bowl…and let the children start fishing! The ‘catch of the day’ is the kids need to make words with the letters they hook out

Build a den

Drape blankets and sheets over chairs to make a cosy den for the kids. They can read books, play games and even nap (if you’re lucky!) however the challenge may be coaxing them out of their secret fort at teatime!

It seems as soon as we get excited about the sunshine and make ‘outdoorsy’ plans, the rain clouds arrive! If you’re left wondering what on earth to do with the kids, we’ve come up with some great games fun to play in the comfort of your own home to keep kids of all ages entertained.

Family days out in the Capital

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London offers an incredible amount of free attractions and things to do. Most museums and art galleries are free, London’s street markets are a must even if you don’t plan to do any shopping, and many London neighbourhoods are perfect for a stroll and a great day out with the family.

The British Museum

For a fascinating day out, the family will love The British Museum where you’ll see displays on different aspects of art, culture and history! It is great for school kids and could even help with their school projects! A real highlight for the for the children include seeing the famous mummies from Ancient Egypt and the Rosetta Stone!

Imperial War Museum

Bring the family here to learn about all aspects of war from seeing how families lived and coped during the war to tanks and Spitfires. There are sections on trench warfare, the Blitz, rationing and a whole section dedicated to the secrets of war.

The National Gallery

This gallery is home to one of the greatest collections of Western European art in the world so you will definitely be guaranteed a fascinating day out. Catering brilliantly for family visits, you can take part in a Walk & Talk where an expert will take you through the museum bringing the paintings alive which will keep the kids attention. There are a host of family tours and also workshops and activities throughout the year. The National Portrait Gallery, on nearby St. Martin’s Place, is also free!

Science Museum

This museum is a definite hit with children (and adults) of all ages and it’s definitely clear to see why! You’ll get to explore space and see a piece of the moon, and get your adrenaline pumping in the flight simulator. Especially created for the younger visitors, a visit to The Garden is a must and will give them the opportunity to explore light and sound, as well as water and construction.

The Tate Britain and Tate Modern

The Tate Britain in Pimlico houses a prestigious collection of British art from the 16th century to the present day. Its modern sister, the Tate Modern, is completely different with collections of 20th and 21st century art. Both galleries are extremely family friendly, and to make your visit even more fun there are apps which you can download and activities to do as you make your way around.

Horniman Museum & Gardens

This family friendly fun anthropological museum is set in a 16 acre landscaped garden which you can explore, and has extensive collections of natural history as well as a magical aquarium. Other highlights include the Animal Walk where you can see alpacas, sheep, goats, rabbits and much more up close.

Grant Museum of Zoology

The Grant Museum of Zoology is a fascinating place to visit if you enjoy natural history. There are large collections of around 68,000 skeletons, mounted animals and specimens preserved in fluid which include extinct species such as the Tasmanian Tiger, the Quagga, and the Dodo.

London’s Street Markets

Even if you are not planning on doing any shopping, London’s street markets are great for wandering and seeing the huge selection of goods on offer. Visit the Borough Market and browse through high quality local and international foods, or go to Camden where the covered Camden Lock market is surrounded by street stalls, shops, cafes and bars. There are numerous markets all over the city selling everything from antiques through to delicious foods!

London’s Parks

London’s green parks are the heart of the city on sunny days, locals come to their beloved parks to have a coffee in the morning or a sandwich at lunch time, to read a book, to meet friends, to fly a kite, play with the kids, picnic or just to hang out on a nice afternoon. Hyde Park, St James Park, Green Park and Regent Park are the most central of London’s parks, but there are many more on our website including Crystal Palace Park which is home to 33 Victorian dinosaurs!

Urban Farms

In and around London there are a number of farms that you can visit for free. You can meet an array of different animals, learn all about where your food comes from and enjoy being outdoors. Farms you can visit include Surrey Docks Farm, Spitalfields City Farm, Vauxhall City Farm, and there are many more on our website too.

Diana Memorial Playground

The children will love this outdoor adventure playground which was built in memorial to the late Diana Princess of Wales and was inspired by the stories of Peter Pan. The centrepiece is a magnificent and fun wooden pirate ship. There’s also a sensory trail, teepees, a beach around the ship and a selection of sculptures and toys to keep the children occupied.

V&A  Museum of Childhood

The exhibitions within the Museum of Childhood will most certainly intrigue the children but will also take the grown ups on a trip down memory lane! With artefacts dating from the 1600’s to the present day there is so much to see from photography to fashion and childhood. There are also plenty of fun children’s activities organised just for the little ones including art activities and getting messy in the sandpit!

Winter family fun

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  1. Go outdoors and find a frosty spider’s web (then make your own using PVA glue and silver glitter)
  2. Make a puppet theatre using leftover Christmas cardboard, then create a puppet show
  3. Create a bird feeder using a pine cone, lard and bird seed then take pictures of the birds as they feed in your garden!
  4. Create your own puzzles. Stick a family photo, or a child drawn picture to card and cut it into shapes
  5. Go bowling, it’s a great fun indoor activity that the whole family can enjoy!
  6. Go to a castle and be a knight. Don’t forget to make a shield out of card and foil before you go!
  7. Create a campfire and toast some marshmallows
  8. Collect shells and create fun pictures on the beach, or in the forest with stones and twigs.
  9. Teach your child to thread or sew, for younger children use cardboard with holes punched in it and string as thread.
  10. Go on a scavenger hunt. Give children photos of things to find or set up written clues to help older children find items outside.
  11. Visit a pottery café and create your very own masterpiece.

 

Amazing and Cheap UK attractions

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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!

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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.

 

4.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.

 

  1. Museum of Transport, Manchester

Adult: £4, Children: Free

Take a trip into the past at Manchester’s Museum of Transport. Wander through the UK’s biggest collection of vintage trams, busses, coaches and more including a real horse and carriage and retro double decker bus! Keep the kids entertained on your day out with the free kids quiz which they can complete as they discover each artefact.

 

  1. Boscombe Coastal Activity Park – Bournemouth, Dorset

FREE ENTRY

Stroll down Boscombe Beach and you will be able to enjoy a whole host of coastal activities including free swing ball, table tennis, bouldering and don’t forget to check out the music trail on the pier!

 

  1. Hoar Park Farm, Nuneaton

Family: £11, Adult: £3, Child: £2.50, Under 2: Free

At Hoar Park farm you can meet a whole bunch of different animals such as goats, chickens, geese, ponies, donkeys, pigs, deer, cows, guinea pigs, rabbits and even a tarantula called Rosie, who you can touch! There’s also a playground where your little ones can run around and keep themselves busy for an hour or two.

 

  1. Alice Holt Forest, Surrey

FREE! (Parking Charges Apply)

For a day of exploration and activity outdoors take the family to Alice Holt Forest where you can walk, cycle, play or have a picnic. The kids can discover the play area where there’s a pirate ship to climb and explore, a nest swing and even a 3D maze! Entrance is free for all the only cost is parking, which starts at £1.80 for 1 hour, up to £8 for 4+ hours.

 

  1. Fancy’s Family Farm – Portland, Dorset

FREE ENTRY

Fancy’s Farm has loads of animals and critters that you won’t see at any regular farm! Including slow worms, lizards and even wallabies! Kids will love meeting all the different animals, especially Dinky the Miniature Horse!

 

  1. The Teddy Bear Museum, Dorchester

Family: £18.99, Adult: £5.99, Child: £3.99, Under 3: Free

Is your kid football crazy?

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If you have budding little footballer in the making and are looking for a fab fun day out, then this handy list will give you lots of inspiration! From museums, stadium tours to dining experience, there’s bound to be something for all of the family to enjoy… whether they’re a fan or not!

London Stadium Tours, London

Take a fun and memorable self‐guided audio tour around the home to West Ham United! You’ll get to experience what it’s like to walk through the ‘tunnel’, check out the changing rooms and explore the stands. There are plenty of photo opportunities and at the end of the tour you will get a free personalised certificate too!

National Football Museum, Manchester

This is the perfect day out for all of your aspiring mini footballers! You’ll get to learn all about the history of the beautiful game and see the many collections displaying famous kits, trophies and invaluable archives.

Museum and Stadium Tour, Old Trafford Manchester

For the little Red Devil in your family, treat them to an unforgettable day out at the Manchester United Museum and Tour! Within the museum are various trophies won by the club and displays depicting the club’s most famous achievements and individuals. The Stadium tour offers visitors a chance to get a glimpse of the view from The Alex Ferguson Stand and then head down into the dressing room. Stop for a spot of lunch in the unique Red Cafe, making this the perfect day out.

Cafe Football Stratford London & Old Trafford Manchester

Owned by Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville, this cafe is the ultimate destination for both football fanatics and foodies! Enjoy a relaxed dining experience which is influenced by the spirit of football. They also have fun kids menu which includes a visit to the sweet shop or ice cream parlour.

Scottish Football Museum, Glasgow

On your visit to this fascinating museum, you’ll learn the history of the beautiful game in Scotland. There are over 14 galleries and 2500 objects for you to see, with collections including The Scottish FA Collection and The Hampden Park Collection!

A1 Football Factory, Knottingley

This amazing indoor football facility offers an artificial all weather 3G surface, making it perfect whatever the weather! It’s a fantastic place to hold a football or rugby birthday party, with party food, medals, games and even a bouncy castle included!

Wembley Stadium Tour, London

Bring the family here to relive some of the greatest moments of sporting and music history. You can go behind the scenes see the historic changing rooms, take a seat in Roy Hodgson’s hot-seat in the press room, experience walking through the Players Tunnel, climb the 107 trophy winner’s step and sit in the Royal Box. Tour takes 75 minutes.

Arsenal Emirates Stadium Tour, London

If you are a family of ‘Gooners’ or simply love the beautiful game, this is the place for you! The self-guided tour offers you the chance to follow in your hero’s’ footsteps as you explore the changing rooms, then walk through the tunnel and take in the atmosphere of the crowd. You can also test your knowledge against an Arsenal expert.

Chelsea FC Stadium Tours and Museum, London

The stadium tours and museum at Stamford Bridge will be an unmissable experience for football lovers of all ages, especially for the Blues fans! The an hour-long guided tour will give you access to areas normally reserved for the players and officials, including the home and away dressing rooms, press room, the tunnel and  dug-out areas.