Category: Fun

A-MAZING!!!

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Each year fun themed designs are cut into living plants just waiting to be explored, and this year you’ll find everything from dinosaurs and unicorns to Wonderland, with plenty of
surprises and fun ideas for children along the way.

So grab your team of explorers and get ready to put your skills to the test – lose yourself in one of our favourite things to do in the summer holidays: visiting a maize maze!

National Forest Adventure Farm, Staffordshire
14th July – 3rd September 2018

Take on the world’s first Escape Maize Maze at National Forest Adventure Farm! Put your spy skills to the test in Agent Academy themed maze, where the whole family will have to work together to solve a series of mental and physical challenges to collect the lock combination you need to escape. With 3 miles of paths, make sure you use the bridges and towers to help find your way out, and with Dr Von Steal’s Mini Maze that’s perfect for younger kids, it’s a perfect family day out this summer!

Cotswold Farm Park, Gloucestershire
21st July – 2nd September 2018

Venture down the rabbit hole and into Wonderland, with this year’s Maize Maze at Cotswold Farm Park! With various puzzles and games along the way, successfully find your way to the middle to enjoy a Tea Party – just keep an eye out for the Mad Hatter! Entrance to the maze is included within your farm park ticket, or for maze fanatics, you can get maze-only admission from £5.50 per person!

Amazing Cornish Maize Maze, Cornwall
21st July – 2nd September

Amazing by name and amazing by nature, we’re big fans of the Amazing Cornish Maize Maze, especially it’s Jurassic Jumble theme for this year! With 3 miles of paths and two lookout towers with great views, can you find the surprise dinosaur eggs hidden within the maze? Once you’ve successfully found your way out, don’t miss all the other activities on site, including giant games, a tractor trailer safari and farm animals too!

Boston Park Farm, Yorkshire
14th July – 31st October 2018

Back again for 2018, get lost in style at the Boston Park Farm Maize Maze! Open until the end of October (perfect for half-term too!), your mission is to find the four flag poles that are hidden throughout this year’s unicorn themed maze. Mark your sheet whenever you find one, and keep an eye out for Maize Maize, a fun character also missing in the maze! She’s a little harder to find, but if you find her and all four flags, you’ll get your hands on a lollipop as a reward!

Fairy Parties

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Many ideas on this list come from what little girls love to do – play dressup, and use their imagination!

Fairy parties can also be about fairies in general, follow a garden theme, or be about a specific fairy, such as Tinkerbell or one of the Barbie Fairytopia fairies.

Here are some fun, general, kids party activities that you can do for any of these different type of fairy themes!

It is always a good idea to have something for your little guests to do when they get to the party, because there is about a 10 minute time span where people are arriving and you will want to have everyone occupied from the moment they get there. Have a helper, either another adult or an older child, help with these activities to free you up to answer the door.

As guests arrive for the party, give them a “fairy makeover”. Nail polish, body glitter, glitter hairspray. You can add a tulle skirt, crown and wings if you wish.

Earning their Fairy Wings
One option on the wings is to wait to pass out the wings till the end of your party.
If you do this, you can set up the games as “tasks” to complete so each child “earns” their fairy wings.

Centreing a party around “earning” something can give you a wealth of activities!

How about your fairies-in-training trying some of these activities?
Speed Test: Have a race or a relay race to see who can zip among the flowers the fastest.
Magical Hunt: Arrange a treasure hunt where everyone must find 3 beautiful coloured jewels.
Show of Bravery: How about winning a battle against a villian? It is always a good idea to be able to stand up for yourself and your fellow fairies

Because fairies love to live in gardens, you can incorporate some of the ideas from a garden party into your theme! One good idea would be to hit a flower or butterfly pinata.

Take a walk on the wild side

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If your kids are mad about animals a Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens would be great for them.

Gaze at the Asiatic Lions and adorable cubs lazing around in their enclosures, be blown away by the stunning White Rhino grazing on the lawn of the Gothic Manor House, look a giraffe in the eye at the Giraffe Walkway, or watch the Flamingos and Pelicans on the lake. If you’re feeling brave, how about taking a peek into the Reptile House with Giant Anacondas, crocodiles and deadly snakes!

The park is also home to 131 species of bird and is renowned for its collection; which includes birds of all sizes, from the tiny Zosterops to the world’s biggest bird, the Ostrich.

It’s not just animals you can have fun with at Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, take a ride on the narrow-gauge railway, run wild in the amazing adventure playground or climb 20 feet in the air on the scary sky maze!

The stunning gardens, picturesque parkland and themed borders make a beautiful backdrop to the animals. With over 260 different species of animals in over 120 acres, there’s plenty of space to get closer to wildlife.

It’s a wild and educational day out!
See lots of stunning animals
Enjoy the beautiful gardens
Have fun in the adventure playground with sky maze.

Things to do this summer

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Here we have rounded up some fun family days out near the capital. We’ve got the best ideas for things to do with kids.

Legoland Windsor Resort
Play, watch, build and ride at this adventure theme park within the rolling Berkshire countryside. With Duplo Valley (playgrounds, gentle rides and puppet shows), Miniland model village -for the smallest visitors- Adventure Land aquarium, Imagination centre and Lego City boats, cars and ‘Fire Academy’ for juniors plus rollercoasters for the older kids, there’s something for everyone. New highlights for 2017 include Lego Ninjago The Ride – a 4D interactive ride plus a ‘training camp’ with Zane’s Temple Build and Cole’s Rock Climb.

Rides and play things high and low, for kids big and small.
London to Legoland 1 hour 5 mins by car.

Chessington World of Adventures Resort
For generations Chessington boasted a charming zoo and a few slides, but anyone visiting from the 1970s wouldn’t recognise the place now – rollercoasters swoop around the theme park, the updated and expanded zoo is complemented by a Sea Life Centre and there are several accommodation options for those making an overnight stay of it. New for 2017 is The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure taking you through the deep dark wood to come nose to snout with the mouse and his fellow furry creatures. You can stay in Gruffalo themed rooms, too.

Lions, tigers, roller coasters and the Gruffalo.
London Waterloo to Chessington South 35 mins by train then 10 mins walk.

Thorpe Park
Whereas Legoland and Chessington best suit ages from toddlers to 11-year-olds, many of the rides here are designed for teens and older children, with height restrictions and thrills to match. That said, parents with young (or short) children will find plenty to do and a handful of more laidback rides. Teenagers will love the white-knuckle rides like The Swarm and Stealth, and franchises offer some brilliant branded adventures including Angry Birds Land, a ride themed to ‘I’m a Celebrity’ with a restaurant to match (crickets, locusts, and mealworms at Bush BBQ restaurant anyone?) and the park’s newest addition Derren Brown’s Ghost Train: Rise of the Demon.

Rollercoaster thrills and ‘Celebrity’ jungle spills.
London to Thorpe Park 1 hour 10 mins by car.

Hobbledown
This former farm park has been transformed into a mystical themed adventure land. There are still animals to meet and play areas for running about (including an indoor area for rainy days), but there is also a landscape of quaint huts and abodes belonging to the curious medieval-looking Hobbledown folk who care for the animals and ‘work’ in the crystalline mine. An interactive treat with seasonal special events for children of all ages.

Farmyard fun for your little ones.
London to Horton 1 hour by car.

Summer Holidays in the South West

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Adventure Wonderland – Christchurch, Dorset

2nd August 2017 : Meet & Greet Peppa Pig
17th August 2017 : Paw Patrol Marshall and Skye

Mini thrill seekers will love Adventure Wonderland! Designed for kids aged 3–10 years, this fun theme park has lots of rides suitable for youngsters, including the ‘Jabberwocky’ helter-skelter slide, a Runaway Train, Flying Elephants, Ghostly Galleon and Yoyo Swings and lots more! Better yet, there will be some very special guests visiting Adventure Wonderland this summer so be sure not to miss everyone’s favourite little piggy Peppa Pig on the 2nd of August, Paw Patrol’s cheeky pups Marshall and Skye on the 17th of August and Fireman Sam on the 29th of August.

Liberty’s Owl, Raptor & Reptile Centre – Ringwood, Hampshire

Liberty’s is home to a large collection of birds of prey, reptiles and creepy crawlies! You’ll get to see some owls, hawks and eagles, as well as pythons, bearded dragons, snakes, tarantulas and much more! You also have the chance to see these amazing birds and see them in daily programme of falconry shows.

Museum of Witchcraft – Boscastle, Cornwall

This fascinating museum, which is home to the largest collection of witchcraft artifacts and regalia, tells stories of magic and the history of witchcraft! For rumbling tums, head to the on site cafe where you can pick up some yummy food and drink.

Eden Project – Par, Cornwall

These two enormous geodesic conservatories, located in a 50 metre deep crater, are home to the Humid Tropics Biome and the Warm Temperate Biome. Set within the breathtaking location of Par, this attraction is not to be missed by budding gardeners and conservationists eager to see the largest rainforest in captivity, stunning plants, exhibitions and more!

Heartlands – Redruth, Cornwall

This unique park, which covers 19 acres, includes state-of-the-art exhibitions, climb-on sculptures and gardens! Creative little artists will love the arts and crafts activities on offer. Pay a visit to the Totem Circle, which is used as a performance area through the year. Kids will love the Adventure Playground where they will find amazing funnel slides to speed down as well as plenty to climb on and over!

Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park – Poole, Dorset

Budding farmers will love Farmer Palmer’s! They’ll be spoilt for choice with indoor and outdoor play areas, bumpy tractor trailer rides plus plenty of cuddles with cute animals. Active ones will love the bouncy castles and the Maize Maze (open July to October) to get lost in. Take a quiet stroll on a beautiful woodland walk to take in some lovely scenery!

Clip ‘n’ Climb – Exeter, Devon

Are your kids ready for an adventure? Tackle the Jungle Gym, reach new heights on the Skyscraper, take the Speed Climbing challenge or light up the board on the Checkerplate. This is a great children’s activity to build confidence and team building skills!

Gloucester Ski & Snowboard Centre – Gloucester, Gloucestershire

Little adventurers will love this indoor sports centre, which features a huge 230 metre main slope and a nursery slope for lessons! There’s also lifts, a snowflex fun park for the children and a Big Airbag for practicing freestyle manoeuvres!

The World of Country Life – Exmouth, Devon

Your little farmers will love immersing themselves in rural life at The World of Country Life! Wander through a Victorian Street, marvel at the transport and agricultural machinery of yesteryear, and meet some cute and cuddly animals in the pets centre. There’s also adventure playgrounds, a giant slide, trampolines, crazy golf, as well as an indoor Pirate Ship Adventure and a safari train that runs through a forty acre deer park!

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.

Dizzy Heights

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Up at The O2
Enjoy a family fun climb to the top of one of London’s more recent iconic landmark. This exciting 90 minute experience will take you 52 metres above ground with a stunning view of the capital city!

The View From The Shard
This is one of London’s newest and amazing landmarks where you can experience a fantastic 360 degree view of the city. See how many famous buildings your family can name! Peer through interactive telescopes and enjoy one of London’s highest gardens!

ArcelorMittal Orbit and Slide
What goes up must come down! Once you get to the top of the UK’s tallest sculpture you can enjoy a faster decline on one of the longest tunnel slides seeing some of London’s wonderful skyline en route down!

British Airways i360, Brighton
Ascend to the dizzy height of 450 ft in a vertical glass viewing pod to enjoy a wonderful 360 degree view of the beautiful south coast! On a clear day, visitors can see spectacular views of Brighton, The South Downs and even the Isle of Wight!

The Coca Cola London Eye
Any visitors to London should definitely have this attraction on their list! Take a slow 30 minute ride day or night and enjoy amazing views of the cities iconic landmarks including Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. Great for children’s entertainment and fun for all the family.

The Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth
This impressive tower reaches the dizzy heights of 558ft and boasts superb panoramic views of Portsmouth, including the historic dockyard. Take the Skywalk over a large glass floor and look down only if you feel brave enough!

Corfe Castle, Dorset
Climb amongst the ruins of this 1,000 year old castle exploring its fallen walls and take in the most memorable breathtaking views of the Purbecks that stretch for miles.

Blackpool Tower London Eye, Blackpool
Take a trip to the very top of this famous tower and cross the SkyWalk, an exciting glass viewing platform for spectacular views across the Irish Sea, Liverpool and even the Lake District on a clear day.

The Emirates Air Line- Cable Car, London
Treat the family to a ride in a cable car by day or night, which crosses the River Thames giving a brilliant view of London from the air and then finishes right alongside the O2.

Jurassic Skyline, Weymouth, Dorset
Families and friends can enjoy a gentle trip on board a gondola as it rises to give the most stunning views of the historic Jurassic coast, harbour and Portland.

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.