Category: Fun

Family days out for £25

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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!9. Wellsfield Farm Park, Falkirk

Family: £22, Adult: £5.5, Child (under 16): £6.5

This family run farm park has plenty to keep the little ones happy.  There’s acres of green space to explore, trails to follow, an adventure play area and so much more. Race around the go-kart track, have a ride on a pony, go pond dipping or try your luck at panning for gold! If you want something a bit more active there’s a climbing wall, agility poles, monkey bars, scramble net, balance beams and a zip wire.

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.

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.

Alice Holt Forest, Surrey

FREE ENTRY (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.

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!

The Teddy Bear Museum, Dorchester

Family: £19.99, Adult: £6.50, Children: £4.50, Under 3: Free

At the Teddy Bear Museum the kids will love meeting the whole family of human-sized teddy bears! You’ll also get the chance to see a whole collection of vintage, famous and iconic bears throughout the ages – an unmissable day out for kids and grown-ups alike. Afterwards, you can pop into the shop and pick up your very own teddy bear friend to take home.

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.

Tropical World, Leeds

Adult: £6, Child (5-15): £3, Under 5: Free

For an exotic experience take the family day out to Tropical World in Leeds where there’s the largest collection of tropical plants in the UK outside of Kew Gardens. There are different areas ready for you to explore such as Tropical Island, Desert House, South American House, Butterfly House and Tropical World Tour. As you walk around try to spot the meerkats, terrapins, leaf cutter ants and tropical birds.

 

Save on your children’s party

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

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

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

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

Invites

Email invitations or download them for free from websites.

  • A fun idea from is to write the details on an inflated balloon, let the air out and ask the nursery or school to hand them out after class.

  • Share the party with one of your children’s friends with a birthday around the same time and keep it short, say two hours rather than three. Keep numbers down by making it clear that guests’ brothers and sisters aren’t invited.

  • If you can’t face having it at home, or don’t have enough space, summer parties can be held in a local park or free outdoor play area with a picnic and energetic party games.

  • If you don’t want to take a risk with the weather, get a quote from a soft play centre or local hall. Avoid peak times – weekends, school holidays and half terms – when admission charges are higher. Babies often get in for free. Ask if you can bring your own food.

Entertainment

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

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

Catering

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

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

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

Party bags

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

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

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

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

Top Zoos to go in the Holidays

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

Chester Zoo

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

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

Paignton Zoo

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

Dudley Zoo

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

Edinburgh Zoo

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

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

London Zoo

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

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

Twycross Zoo

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

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

Banham Zoo

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

Cars Children’s party Theme

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Race toward Lightning McQueen and the rest of the gang from Disney Cars for your kids next party! If your child wants racing excitement, then a Cars birthday is right up their race track. Go the extra mile by getting creative with your Cars invitations, decorations, food, favours and games. Here are some fun suggestions to get your child’s party on the right track.

Disney Cars Party Planning & Invitations

You may want to consider purchasing, borrowing or renting the following items for your party:

 

  • Die cast Disney’ Cars toys and race tracks

  • Inflatable Tyres

  • Go-karts

  • Racing helmets and driving gloves

  • Disney Cars: DVD, video games or soundtrack

  • Racing flags

 

Let the race to your child’s birthday party begin with creative Disney Cars invitation. Consider one of the following suggestions.

  • Fold a piece of red paper in half and cut out a car shape. Write “Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines! [Child’s name] is turning [child’s age]!” Cut out circles from black  paper for the wheels. Attach the wheels to the card with brass fasteners so they spin.

  • Include a Disney Cars character or a small racing flag with your invitation to hand-deliver to your guests.

  • Make your invitation look like a pit pass for the Piston Cup! Write the party details on a piece of 2-1/2 x 4-inch paper and laminate it. Then punch a hole in the top and loop a 12-inch string through it to make a necklace.

    Disney Cars Party Decorating & Food

  • Attach two checkered racing flags to your mailbox or crisscross them on your front door.

  • Make a centerpiece out of characters and a toy racetrack.

  • Use chalk to draw a “Track” on the driveway and/or sidewalk leading up to your door.

  • Make a few Cars inspired signs like “No Tractor Tipping,” “Radiator Springs” and “Casa Della Tires” and hang them throughout the party area.

  • As guests arrive, hand each their “Driver’s License” using our laminated bag tags. Guests can take them home as their party favour!

  • Use white and yellow lawn paint to draw a racetrack on the grass in your garden for outdoor games. Include a Start and Finish line, complete with checkered flags.

 

We’ve changed the names of some common snacks to accommodate a Cars-inspired menu! Label the food table as “Flo’s V-8 Cafe” and serve some of the following tasty treats.

 

  • Lightning McQueen’s Ice Cream: Set up an ice cream bar where children can choose their own flavour and toppings.

  • Chick Hick’s Chicken Bites: Chicken fingers

  • Tow-mater Taters:  jacket potatoes with melted cheese on top and ketchup.

  • Luigi’s Special: Any Italian meal will work, such as spaghetti or fettuccini.

  • Sally’s Shakes: Milkshakes

  • Red’s Salsa Surprise: Spicy salsa with tortilla chips

  • Mack and Cheese: Macaroni and cheese

  • Tex Mex: Any Mexican meal will work, such as tacos or quesadillas

    Disney Cars Party favours

Thank your guests with awesome party favours! Some of the favours we have include:

  • Racing Helmets

  • Lightning McQueen race launchers

  • Disney Cars Rolling Stampers

  • Disney Cars punch balloons

  • Disney Cars temporary tattoos and stickers

  • Tow Mater hats

  • Race flag pencils

 

Toddler days out

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Now that it’s the school holidays it might seem that the big kids are having all the fun! So, we’ve pulled together all our favourite days out ideas that are especially awesome for toddlers

Paradise Wildlife Park – Broxbourne, Hertfordshire

Take your little monkeys for a wild day out to see the primates and the big cats including the lions and tigers. The little ones will love visiting the farmyard where they can help feed the pigs, sheep and goats. Ride on the miniature railway to see what is hidden in the woodland, and burn some energy in the fantastic play areas!

Museum of Childhood – London

This fab museum has lots of pretty cool children’s workshops for under 5’s which include sensory storytelling inspired by much loved animal tales, and drop in arts and craft sessions. In addition there are also ‘have a go’ workshops where children can try out the childhood toys.

Marsh Farm Animal Adventure Park – Chelmsford, Essex

Perfect for children of all ages including the little ones, there are so many cute animals to see and some you can even touch! The kids will also love burning some energy on the bouncy pillows and mini tractors and let’s not forget the Pesky Pet and Magic shows. You also won’t want to miss Marsh Farm’s KidsFest, the fun festival made especially for kids.

Adventure Wonderland – Bournemouth, Dorset

This Alice in Wonderland themed adventure park is a perfect place for kids of all ages, especially toddlers. Ride the Chattanooga Choo Choo miniature railway, or let them run around at the Cheshire Cat’s Castle of Adventure.

Vauxhall City Farm – London

A slice of the countryside in central London! If you have an hour or two to spare then head to this city farm, just a stone’s throw from Vauxhall station. Home to some very friendly sheep, rabbits, horses and even alpacas!

Illuminasia – Blackpool Winter Gardens, Blackpool

Wonder at the colourful and magical visual experience that these beautiful large scale lanterns have created. Will you want to explore the illuminated wonder of ‘The Deep’, the underwater themed zone or head straight to ‘The Land of The Giants’ where you will be the one left feeling the size of an ant?

Coram’s Fields – London

One of the most child friendly spaces in central London where you can only get through the gate if you have a child under 16 with you! At the park you will find a giant sandpit, an array of climbing frames to suit all ages, wheeled toys that can be borrowed, plus a city farm, all set within a walled garden.

Honeybrook Farm – Wimborne, Dorset

Take the little ones to Honeybrook Farm where they can meet and groom some of the farm’s cuddly little creatures in Pets Corner. They can also say hello to the sheep, horses, pigs and even beautiful peacocks as well as enjoy the fantastic play areas!

Paultons Park – Romsey, Hampshire

Home of Peppa Pig World!

Of course the ultimate day out for many under 5’s is a visit to Peppa Pig World which is within Paultons Park! There are plenty of fun rides, an indoor soft play area, and you can even visit Peppa’s house! Keep your eyes peeled because you may even see her walking around.

LEGOLAND Windsor – Windsor, Berkshire

There’s so much for children of all ages at Legoland and there’s plenty to explore even if you’re just taking little children. With lots of creative lego engineering and over 55 rides and attractions, the under 5’s will especially love the ‘Atlantis Submarine Voyage’ which is a magical underwater adventure, seeing landmarks from all over the world in miniature lego form and the thrilling rides!

Forest Fairy Tales – Nationwide

All around the country in local woodlands fairy tales are being brought to life by the Forestry Commission. Discover landscapes with babbling brooks, tree glades, enchanting sculptures, fairy dens and giant chairs for storytelling. Download our top secret fairy spotting guide and click below to find the nearest magical adventure in a forest near you!

Rugrats and Halfpints – Banbury, Oxfordshire

Rugrats and Halfpints is a fun and educational soft play and sensory centre. Small children will love the sensory bubble tubes, touch walls and projected imagery. The soft play fun includes slides, tunnels, swings and interactive features.

Gulliver’s World – Warrington, Gullivers Land – Milton Keynes, Gulliver’s Kingdom – Matlock

These three fabulous family run theme parks are especially designed for children aged between 2 -13 years with plenty to do for those thrill seeking little ones! Highlights include a dinosaur and farm park, a Splash Zone perfect for those warm summer days, and an action packed Nerf Zone! Do check the individual parks for specific attractions as they do vary across the three locations.

Choctastic days out

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We’ve found some chocolate themed, indulgent, scrumptious family Days Out…because well, if you can’t go chocolate crazy at Easter, when can you?

Cadbury World; Bournville, Birmingham

A chocoholics dream day out surely has to be Cadbury World! Discover the history behind your favourite chocolate treats and explore the magic of how they are created. Visitors have the chance to grow their own cocoa bean and experience chocolate rain! With so many amazing things to discover, including an adventure play area and the world’s biggest Cadburys shops, this is one delicious day out not to be missed!

Hotel Chocolat – The School of Chocolate; Leeds & Covent Garden, London

Learn the noble art of chocolate making in a creative Children’s Chocolate Workshops with expert chocolatiers. You can try chocolate decorating and experience a fun and educational introduction to cocoa and chocolate. Plus, everyone will receive a delicious goody bag to take home!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical; Drury Lane, London

Feeling a little queasy after all those delicious sweet treats, then why not treat your little Oompa loompas to Roald Dahl’s timeless, chocolate themed extravaganza! Charlie Bucket and the mysterious confectioner Willy Wonka come to life in this gigantic new musical that is choc-full of Fun fantastical treats to dazzle your senses.

York’s Chocolate Story; York, North Yorkshire

Visit this entertaining and informative guided tour discovering chocolate’s origins, how to make it, how to taste it like an expert and even the future of chocolate! Travel through the interactive choctastic experience and learn the secrets of this scrummy treat in their virtual factory! Fancy getting messy, then why not make and decorate your own sweet delights at the Chocolate Making Station.

Football days out

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If you have budding little footballer in the making and are looking for a fun day out for kids, 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 footie facility offers an artificial all weather 3G surface, making it perfect whatever the weather! It’s a fantastic place to hold a footie or rugby children’s birthday party, with party food, medals, games and even a bouncy castle included!

Webb Ellis Rugby Football Museum, Warwickshire

This fantastic museum tells you all you need to know about the game of rugby football, now more commonly known as just rugby. You’ll see memorabilia and artefacts collected over 160 years! The building is the home of rugby ball manufacturing and has been since 1842, so you’ll also get the chance to see how rugby balls are made!

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.

Free days out in Liverpool

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If you’re looking for some fab (and free!) days out in Liverpool, look no further! Check out this handy list full of great children’s attractions and activities that all of the family will love, whether you’ve got a budding artist, little bookworm or explorers in town.
Merseyside Maritime Museum

 

Merseyside Maritime Museum is a fantastic day out with the family! Here you’ll find a fascinating array of different exhibitions displaying Liverpool’s maritime history. There will always be lots to see and do as they regularly have activities and workshops for families. There’s also a ‘Sea Urchins’ play area for kids under the age of 8!

The World Museum

The World Museum has world-class shows and displays, including the Planetarium and Aquarium to the fascinating Clore Natural History Centre. You will find lots of exciting objects including Egyptian mummies, Samurai armour, casts of dinosaur bones, meteorites and many more treasures. Throughout the year they have many family events and many different temporary exhibitions so keep an eye on their regularly updated calendar!

Tate Liverpool

Tate Liverpool has many exhibitions displaying various artists and their work. There is a lot to offer visiting families, including events and workshops! You can make your way around the gallery at your own pace and start wherever you want.

Sefton Park

This beautiful park has some great facilities for all of the family to enjoy. There’s lots to explore, including the Grade 2 listed Palm House, fountain, grotto, boating lake, fairy glen and lots more! There’s a playground for the children to let off some steam and plenty of walkways ready to be explored.

The Bluecoat

The Bluecoat, known as Liverpool’s creative hub, is home to an array of art, theatre, music, dance and lots more! It is the most historic building in Liverpool and hosts many temporary exhibitions. It caters for families, offering creative activities every Saturday so your little budding artists can make their very own pieces of art.

Liverpool Central Library

This imposing historic building has been thoroughly modernised and is a fantastic place to bring the family! There is a children’s room where you will find brightly coloured interiors with lots of books and hidey holes. There are excellent facilities including an Xbox 360, computers, iPads and lots more.

Walker Art Gallery

Walker Art Gallery is a great place to bring the family on a day out! They offer an array of activities including the Big Art for Little Artists gallery, which can be found on the ground floor. There are often events and workshops taking place, which kids can get involved in.

Liverpool World Heritage Site

The port area of Liverpool is listed as a World Heritage Site, which stretches along the waterfront. In the Pier Head area you’ll find the grand historic buildings of The Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool building. There’s also the modern building of the Museum of Liverpool (free entry) and the chance to watch narrow boats pass through the Canal Link. You will also find the modern district, Mann Island, where there are restaurants galleries and cafes.

Free days out in London

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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 with the family.

The Natural History Museum

If you’ve got a budding Attenborough on your hands then they will love this museum! As you walk into the huge gallery you’ll be greeted by a roaring T.Rex, and there really are so many brilliant exhibitions and displays showing our natural world! Don’t miss the Darwin Centre where you can discover the wonderful world of science in action!

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.

The British Museum

For a fun day out for 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 great family 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!

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!

Museum of London Docklands

The family will have a great day out at the Museum of London Docklands where they will discover the fascinating history of London’s river, port and people! Inside the museum you’ll also find the fantastic Mudlarks gallery where there’s lots of interactive features for children to enjoy. Split into two different zones with a soft play area for the younger children and interactive features for the older children to help them learn about London’s docklands.

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!

East London’s Docklands

The East London’s neighbourhood that is now called Docklands was once the location for one of the world’s busiest ports. A quick walk around this area and you will see the transformation that has happened, there are riverside cafes, shops and restaurants, and you can walk to Canary Wharf from Tower Bridge along the Thames Path, or continue further towards Greenwich.

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.

Geffrye Museum

Bring the children here to learn about how homes and gardens have changed over the last 400 years through exciting displays and interaction. Walk through period rooms from the 17th to 20th Centuries and learn how designs have adapted to the modern living of today. Check the website before you visit as they hold fab workshops for children which include rhyme time, craft, baking and storytelling!

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.

Ragged School Museum

Visit the Ragged School Museum to step back in time and experience life as a Victorian. There’s a Victorian classroom that has been restored as if it were the 1870’s and is equipped with authentic school desks, blackboards, easels, writing slates and even dunce hats! There’s also lots of information on housing, education and work in the East End from the 1800’s to 1900.

Coram’s Fields

One of the most child friendly spaces in central London! You can only get through the gate if you have a child under 16 with you! At the park you will find a giant sandpit, an array of climbing frames to suit all ages, wheeled toys that can be borrowed, plus a city farm, all set within a walled garden!

National Maritime Museum

Visit the world’s largest maritime museum which is filled to the brim with stories of adventure at sea. At the centre of the National Maritime museum there’s ‘The Giant Map’ which is a space where you can delve a little deeper into the collections or join in with activities and events. There are a number of fun games for the family to play including building bridges across continents.

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 activities organised just for the little ones including art activities and getting messy in the sandpit!

Best indoor waterparks

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Don’t let the cold, miserable weather dampen your day as we’ve found just the thing to cheer the kids up in the form of an indoor waterpark! We’ve listed some of our favourites to keep up your sleeve for those grey days!

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 eeek! 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 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.

Oasis Beach Pool; Bedford, Bedfordshire

Head to this tropical paradise which will keep the kids entertained for hours with two wild flumes, a wave machine, a mushroom fountain, a beach area and much more! And as we’re now enjoying the sunny weather a real highlight is the outdoor lazy river float ride!

Waterworld; Newquay, Cornwall

With something for all the family, this fully equipped indoor swimming pool is great for escaping the hot sunshine or even the rain clouds. With a tropical fun pool, a snake fountain, two flumes and so much more, you are guaranteed that the kids will have a great time! There’s even a 6 lane 25 metre swimming pool to practise your swimming techniques!

Splashdown; Poole, Dorset

This brilliant waterpark is great for all ages and abilities even the younger children! The daredevils of the family will love The Screamer which is basically a slide with a vertical drop, the Tennessee Twister, and Baron’s Revenge. Younger visitors can play in the Little Buccaneers SplashZone with a starter flume, play area and a toddler swimming pool.

The Leisure Pool at Leisure World; Colchester, Essex

For an action packed day out the Leisure Pool at Leisure World will provide the kids with exactly that! A real family friendly attraction, the little ones will absolutely love the water canons, bubbles, crazy river, tipping buckets and loads more! There’s also a 13 metre flume to zoom down, for those looking for something a bit more crazy!

Blue Lagoon Water Park; Narberth, Wales

Bring the kids along to Blue Lagoon where they will enjoy plenty of exciting rides, rapid rivers and flumes. The main feature is the large wave pool with a sloping beach area, however for a more relaxing experience there is a lazy river to just float around plus an outdoor hot tub. For the younger visitors, there is a special area called Nippers Cove which they can explore!

We hope these indoor waterparks have given you some rainy day inspiration for kids entertainment – whilst burning some energy! We suggest you sit back and grab a cuppa whilst the little ones are having fun!