Category: Kids

Free days out for the kids

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If you’re looking for some fab and free days out, here’s some handpicked attractions across the UK that are sure to be a hit with all the family, whether you’ve got a budding author, nature lover or journalist in tow!

Beecraigs Country Park, Linglithgow

If you’re looking for a dose of fresh air and the chance to spot some lovely wildlife, Beecraig’s Country Park is the place to be! With over 915 acres of wonderful woodland, as a well as a fab play area with a spiders nut, wigwam huts, slides and much more, you’ll be spoilt for choice! You’ll also get to see some cute red deer and highland cattle too!

Bolton Aquarium, Lancashire

If your little ones are fans of Finding Dory, this fantastic aquarium is the perfect place to be! You’ll get to see an amazing range of fish, including freshwater fish and some exotic ones from all around the world!

Liverpool Central Library, Liverpool

This library, which is steeped with a rich history, is the perfect day out for your little bookworms and budding authors! There are some fab facilities, including an Xbox 360, computers, iPads and lots more! There’s also stunning views available from the roof terrace.

Heaton Park, Manchester

Head to Heaton Park for an active and fun day out for all of the family to enjoy! Visit the animal centre, where you can meet an array of delightful animals, including cows, alpacas, goats, rabbits and guinea pigs! Kids will also love the play area, as well as the huge range of activities available. Try your hand at rowing boats, step on board a train ride, have a go at mini golf and loads more!

BBC Birmingham Public Space, Birmingham

The entire family with love having a go at some BBC themed activities, which include presenting an episode of Newsround or the local weather, having their photo taken outside the TARDIS and an old Dalek! You’ll also get the chance to take a touchscreen tour of the radio drama studio, as well as take a glimpse into the Asian Network and BBC WM studios too!

National Railway Museum, Yorkshire

With a collection of over a million objects, covering over 200 years of history, you and your family will be spoilt for choice! You’ll get to see giant halls full of engines and railway legends and kids can let off steam in the outdoor play area. You’ll also get to enjoy lively science shows, take a ride on the miniature railway or learn through the interactive exhibits!

Museum of English Rural Life, Reading

The Museum of English Rural Life houses a national collection of agricultural, domestic and crafts exhibits including wagons, tools and a wide range of other equipment used in the English countryside for the last 150 years. Perfect for any budding historians interested in life in England throughout the ages!

Centre for Wildlife Gardening, London

Originally an old council depot, this award winning visitor centre is a must for little budding gardeners and lovers of nature! The demonstration wildlife garden has mini habitats, a wild flower nursery and some very well-used community raised beds. The kids will love the natural trail and exploring the mini beast village, summer meadow and woodland copse, as well as so much more fascinating wildlife!

Eynsford Castle, Kent

Bring the family to this early Norman enclosure castle, which is surrounded by beautiful countryside. There is plenty for the family to explore, climb and conquer, as well as information boards around explaining the history.

Durdle Door, Dorset

If you’re looking for spectacular views and the chance to grab some fresh air, head to one of Dorset’s most loved beauty spots! You’ll find two small but varied beaches either side of the iconic archway, which you can access from the top via steps.

Falmouth Art Gallery, Cornwall

With a motto like “Family Friendly and Free”, Falmouth Art Gallery is the perfect place to take your little budding artists! Here you’ll find a collection of children’s books, as well as Baby Paint groups for extra little Picasso’s in the making.

Riverwatch Aquariums, Northern Ireland

For a lovely day out, head to Riverwatch Aquariums to see some wonderful creatures. There are many different displays, including The Louch, a Rockpool, Deep Sea and Freshwater Environment. You’ll see aquatic animals such as starfish, lobster, crabs, eels, rays and some wonderful native species!

Amelia’s Trust Farm, Barry, Wales

The Amelia trust is a fantastic farm which is set in 160 acres of countryside in the beautiful vale of Glamorgan. It has so much for the little ones to see from the smallest to the biggest farm animals, as well as an informative visitors centre!

Thomas Land

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Europe’s only Thomas Land attraction is welcoming a brand new ride this season to mark further expansion to the thriving attraction at Drayton Manor Park, Staffordshire.

James and the Red Balloon, set to delight visitors from Saturday 1st April 2017, is based on the beloved Thomas and Friends character James and his naughty antics with a red hot air balloon. James will be joining the 20 other children’s rides and attractions based on the popular series. Families can experience the magic of Sodor like never before as they fly up, up and away in their very own balloon.

The £250,000 ride, made by Italian manufacturer Zamperla, takes visitors on an adventure onwards and upwards to the lofty heights of 1.5 metres with a maximum speed of 5.5 RPM, a perfect ride for the whole family to enjoy. Families will get to enjoy extensive views of the park from the ride’s highest points, the perfect opportunity to plan which ride is next!

The successful multi-million pound Thomas Land was launched in 2008 and recently underwent a £2.5 million expansion, cementing its status in the hearts of UK families. The well themed attraction ensures visitors of any age are immersed in Thomas and Friends fun from the moment they step in the gates.

For those who want to plan a Thomas filled staycation, the Drayton Manor Park Hotel also extends the fun from Thomas Land into its halls with special themed rooms and a ‘Stay and Play’ package, perfect for those young and old locomotive enthusiasts!

James is the ideal ride for the whole family to enjoy and will act as a great stepping stone for those little ones looking for their next, thrilling experience and are looking forward to welcoming new and returning visitors once we open for the season.

To book tickets, or for more information about the park, visit Drayton Manor. Reduced prices are available for tickets bought in advance.

CBeebies at Alton Towers

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Alton Towers Resort has today announced that CBeebies Land will reopen for 2017 season with an extended line up of rides, attractions and live children’s entertainment. The Furchester Hotel Live Show and Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom ride will open on 25th March for the new theme park season and join the existing line up of 12 other attractions in the Land.

As the UK’s most watched children’s channel, CBeebies favourites are brought to life in CBeebies Land. Opening its doors for a brand new live and interactive show, guests can join Phoebe, Funella, Furgus, Elmo and Cookie Monster at The Furchester Hotel. Guests will make their way through the famous revolving doors before being welcomed with furry arms into the hotel. The show sees the hotel prepare for the exciting arrival of Chick Swagger, guests can sing and dance along to the rock-a-doodle-do hit, Tail Feather Shake.

Join Kyan, Xuli, Lars and Foz on a Go Jetters global adventure as little thrill seekers fly around the world in a Vroomster. With their very own controls, youngsters can guide their Vroomster up and down as they launch from the Jetpad to help to find Grandmaster Glitch.

CBeebies Land is a dedicated area at the UK’s number one theme park where children can learn play and meet some of their favourite CBeebies friends to inspire their imagination. The two new rides and attractions join a line-up of existing favourites at CBeebies Land including Postman Pat Parcel Post, Mr.Bloom’s Allotment, Justin’s House Pie-o-Matic Factory and the In the Night Garden Magical Boat ride.

For an extra special CBeebies experience in 2017, stay at the brand new CBeebies Land Hotel. Opening in Summer, the 76 room, fully themed hotel will be home to bedrooms featuring In the Night Garden, Octonauts, Postman Pat, as well as Swashbuckle and Something Special.  Guests can hunt for Postman Pat’s parcels, count the jewels in the Swashbuckle room or stay in one of Mr Tumble’s starry bunkbeds. Find the Pontipines around the In the Night Garden room, and sleep in the Octopod in a themed underwater experience with the Octonauts. Featuring interactive games and play items, each themed room is uniquely designed to give little ones a sleepover like no other.

With a jam-packed kids entertainment schedule for all guests to enjoy, the CBeebies Land Hotel will offer meet and greets with characters Bing and Postman Pat, a Swashbuckle game show and Andy’s Dinosaur Hunt in which children will help Andy follow the clues to find his missing prehistoric items. There will also be the chance to join Bing in a live show and dance the night away with a CBeebies disco. As darkness falls, guests can take part in some stargazing with the CBeebies Land Hotel presenters before a restful night ready for an action packed day in CBeebies Land!

The new attractions in CBeebies Land open on 25th March with bookings now being taken for the brand new CBeebies Land Hotel from 8th July.

‘Sing’ the movie

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“SING” is released across UK cinemas on the 21st & 22nd of January 2017 and it’s a perfect way to entertain children and adults alike.

The main character is a koala called Buster Moon, voiced by the rather lovely Matthew McConaughey, who is obsessed with “making it big” with his completely run-down theatre.

In a desperate last measure to save his beloved theatre, he decides to hold a talent contest, with a prize of $1000.  Unfortunately his rather elderly assistant, Ms Crawley, (a half blind lizard!), voiced by the very clever Garth Jennings, manages to add two extra “00s” to the prize fund on all the leaflets…..

 

So, of course, every animal under the sun turns up for the auditions and the main characters of the film emerge as the final show performers.

These include Rosita the pig, who is a housewife and mum to 25 piglets, (the mums in the audience will identify with her 100%!), voiced by Reese Witherspoon.

Meena the elephant who is terrified of performing in front of an audience and prefers to stay back-stage if she can, voiced by Tori Kelly

Johnny the gorilla, who was most definitely our favourite character of the bunch, voiced wonderfully “Eastender-ish” by Taron Egerton.

Ash the punk-porcupine, who is more or less, the “moody-teenager” and flits between heavy metal to love songs, voiced by Scarlett Johansson.

The baddy of the crew is smarmy ole Mike the mouse, voiced very cleverly by Mike MacFarlane: you can’t help but hate him as soon as you see him!

Gunter the pig, who is paired with Rosita to choreograph a dance routine with her for their joint performance, voiced by Nick Kroll.

And then there’s Buster’s faithful friend, Eddie the sheep, who stands by him in all his efforts to keep the theatre up and running, voiced by John C Reilly.

Eddie has a hugely famous opera singer grandmother, Nana Noodleman, voiced by our very own Jennifer Saunders, who does help to come to the rescue in the end…..

Without revealing too much of the plot, it all goes horribly wrong and all ends up fabulously good!

As the name suggests: it is very music orientated, so if that’s not your little one’s “thing” – this film is not for you, but who doesn’t like music?

Easter holidays fun for families

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Entertaining the children during the Easter break is not always the easiest thing to do. If you are at home this Easter, you may want some tips on things the children can do that will keep them occupied and having fun.  Our ideas will not break the bank and are a great alternative for indoor fun especially if the weather is not in your favour.

Use up odd socks by making an Easter bunny sock puppet.  Use buttons or cut out pieces of paper or card for eyes and a nose and hey presto!  You have all you need to create your own Easter bunny puppet show.

Make Easter cards.  You can use scraps of paper, old birthday and Christmas cards, magazines etc.

Memory Minute – Place ten small household items on a tray or table, cover with a tea-towel.  For example, a button, keys, a cotton bud, a fork etc.  Show the items for about thirty seconds then re-cover.  Each child has a minute to write down as many items as they can.  Smaller children can reel them off and you can write them for them.  The best memory wins.

Egg Collage – give each child a piece of paper and draw a big egg shape outline on it.  With a pot of paste and scraps of material or ribbon they can make their own creative picture.  For ribbon scraps raid your wardrobe and snip off all those ribbon hangers in the shoulders of tops and jumpers that often don’t seem to serve a purpose and usually end up getting in the way.  Have a small prize for the best one or the best one in each age group so everyone gets to be a winner.

Mini egg challenge – Make up a small race track or obstacle course on the floor or table.  Give each child four chocolate mini eggs of the same colour and a straw.  Let each one have a turn at blowing down the straw to guide each egg in turn to the end of the course.  You could use your watch to time how long it takes for all their eggs to get “home”.  To make it even more of a challenge you could tie their hands behind their backs with a scarf so they are not tempted to use them to cheat.

Easter decorations – Use paints or felt tips to decorate some eggs (you can use hard boiled or blow some if you prefer).  To do these, make small holes each end and then blow the contents into a bowl – you can use this for scrambled eggs or omelettes for tea.  As it’s a good idea to rinse the eggs out and leave them to dry you might like to do this the day before the planned activity.  Keep the egg box to stand them in and it’s also useful to put them in when they are drying off after being decorated.  Suggest faces with glasses, hair, beards, etc. or zigzag patterns or just let the children’s imaginations run riot.  When they’re done they can be used on a plate as a decoration – perhaps with a couple of chicks on top (these are really cheap to buy in card shops or similar or make your own with yellow wool) or you could get a small twiggy branch from the garden or elsewhere and stand it in a vase and hang your eggs on with cotton or ribbon.

Games for long journeys

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The following children entertainment games are great fun and you can always adapt them to suit your family. Most of them require very few props and rely mainly on imagination. Some may not be appropriate for car journeys as they could be too distracting for the driver but there are plenty to choose from.

Talk to the animal

  • Nominate a player to be an animal character for the first round.

  • The other players have to ask questions until they guess what the animal is.

  • The first one to correctly guess the animal gets to go next.

    I went to the shop and bought…

  • Each player has to choose something they had bought at the shops. The first player starts by only reciting what she or he has bought.

  • The next player then has to recite what the previous player bought, as well as add something new to the list.

The player who forgets an item is out of the game, whilst the rest battles on, till there is eventually only one shopper left!

Two facts and a fib

  • Each player gets a chance to make three statements – two which are true and one that is false.

  • The other players have to try and guess which statement is the lie – number one, two three, by indicating the number with their fingers.

    Word association

One player says a word and the other player responds with the first word that comes into their head.

The quicker you play, the funnier it gets.

Buzz words

  • Children need to be quiet to listen for words in this game.

  • Choose a word and listen out for it on the radio or announcements.

  • As soon as a player hears the word they shout ‘buzz’!

  • Children can also look out for buzz words on road signs or advertising boards.

    Road cricket

  • Each child chooses a colour – all oncoming cars in their colour passing you on the road counts as a run.

  • All children nominate one colour to be bowled out by, for example, if a white car comes along you are bowled out and the next player gets a turn at the road wicket.

    I-spy

  • This old favourite needs no introduction – one player gets to start with the magic words, “I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with H…”.

  • The other players then try to guess what it is.

  • The first one to guess correctly gets to go next.

  • For younger children play with colours e.g. I spy something that is red.

    Broken telephone

One player starts by whispering a message, only once, to the next player. This player then whispers to the next player and so it goes on until the last player who has to say it out loud to the group!

Clouds

Watch the clouds – what do they look like? Perhaps a bird, the family pet, a car or a whale?

Guess the letter

  • One player gets to draw a letter in their hand.

  • The other players then have to guess what the letter is.

  • The first one to get it right gets to go next.

  • Letters are too easy, your children can also write out whole words.

Maps

Children can use maps to trace out their journeys or one player can have look at the map and then choose a town on the map.

The other players can then have a look at the map and take turns to guess the secret destination.

Budget school holiday ideas

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Knowing how to keep children amused through the school holidays can sometimes be daunting for parents, especially when things cost so much. Family Lives have come up with some top tips to help take some of the stress out of it, and keep everyone happy without needing to spend a fortune.

Going out and about

During the school holidays, there may be lots going on in your local area that your family can enjoy, often for free. Check the websites of your local council and tourist information centres for local days out, or scan the local papers and community centres to see what’s going on in your area. Visit your local library and look for adverts of events. Many libraries hold events such as story time, and arts and crafts days. Libraries are also a great source of activity in themselves, with plenty of books and computers to keep children busy, plus they often have storytime for toddlers and

parents.

  • Check to see if your local council swimming pool offers free or reduced-fee entrance in the school holidays.

  • Museums and galleries often have new exhibitions and events running in the summer. Many art galleries put on special events for children and families – this could be just the thing to stimulate your child’s artistic streak.

  • Check out your local leisure centre – there are plenty of children’s sports and activities they can participate in.

  • Staying at home

Of course, on some days, you will find yourselves stuck at home, but that doesn’t mean anyone has to be bored. You could take the opportunity to spend some time sharing a favourite game or story with your children or, if you want some more inspiration, try some of these activities for kids.

  • Arrange a movie day – choose a couple of favourite films, get some popcorn and put your feet up with the kids.

  • Get cooking – pick a recipe with the kids, go shopping for ingredients and cook something together that you can enjoy eating afterwards. Depending on your child’s age and interest, this could be anything from a simple sponge cake to a mushroom stroganoff! Dig out the puzzles, games and books and give them a go. Some good old-fashioned entertainment can be really fun.

Have a look in your cupboards and play dress up with your old clothes. Sort through your clothes together and recycle the ones that you never wear and the stuff your little one’s grown out of.

Encourage the kids to put on a play or a magic show. They could even use the dress up clothes and props from around the house. If you have a camera, you can even film it, for great memories.

Build a den with the kids – if the weather is ok, you could even risk doing this outside! All you need is some boxes or sofa cushions, a few blankets, and a bit of imagination.

 

Create a scrapbook together using photos from your family album, or torn from magazines.

The great outdoors (and the garden!)

Sunny days are great for simple activities like picnics and ball games. This can be done as close to home as in the back garden!

 

  • Organise a treasure hunt around your home and garden with clues and treats for the children to find

  • Hold your own mini Olympics with games that require little equipment… a sack race with pillowcases, a tug of war with a dressing gown belt! Use your imagination.

  • If outside is dry, wrap up and go to the park or a nice walk somewhere quiet with the children with a flask of hot chocolate – sure to go down a treat!

  • If you have a tent, you could arrange a camping trip in your garden with the children for one night!

  • Kites are great if it is a windy day and they can be bought from bargain shops very cheaply

    Making your own fun

Be creative – make things together like greeting cards or use beads to make some jewellery.

  • Have an arts and craft day and get some canvas and paints, they can be bought in bargain shops for as little as a pound and use paints or crayons and the kids can hang up their creations in their rooms.

  • Make a list of your favourite childhood games – old favourites such as hopscotch, putting on a show or marbles won’t cost the earth and your children will enjoy you reminiscing!

  • In the evenings get the kids to design a game that you can make the next day – give them ideas to keep it simple such as a paper boat race in the paddling pool or homemade skittles using a tennis ball and empty toilet rolls.

  • Have you ever thought about Origami? All you need is paper and instructions which can be found online, will keeps kids amused and they will learn a new skill

Don’t try and fill every minute of every day. Encourage your children’s imagination and independence – let them play in their rooms or the garden.

EUROCAMP HOLIDAYS

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Where is it? Travelling by P&O Ferry from Dover to Calais on a one- hour crossing, then drive the 210 miles to Duinrell in three and a half hours through France and Belgium. You can also travel from Harwich to Hook of Holland (26 miles) or Zebrugge (139 miles)  or do fly-drive to Amsterdam ( 22 miles away).

A two-bedroom Eurocamp mobile home cost £571 for a seven-night stay at Whitsun week, for two adults and up to four children, including the Dover to Calais ferry crossings. Prices range from £260 for a tent at the beginning of May to over £1,017 for a week in a mobile home in peak July/ August weeks.

Where? Netherlands

Staying in a Eurocamp mobile home, which was comfy and well-equipped with a kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms. The pitch was wider than other sites with a broad deck, which meant loads of room for the kids to ride their bikes.

The Duinrell site has so much there on tap, you’ll find the kids will be exhausted and sleep like logs – and you may even get a lie-in!

The adjoining theme park had everything from non-scary rides suitable for toddlers to heart-stopping white-knuckle water plunge rides and roller coasters for adrenaline-seeking teenagers (and adults). Think Alton Towers or Chessington without the huge queues and mortgage-your-home entry fee.

The queues aren’t as long as at UK theme parks and the beauty of the free entry was that you can go back as many times as you wanted. It is more suitable for older children and teenagers entertainment, but there is a high buggy count in the theme park.

Favourite spot for toddlers and parents is the indoor carousel ride (free!), which is surrounded by tables where coffees and ice creams are served.

The site has a well-stocked supermarket with reasonably priced food if you wanted to eat in.

The indoor Tiki Water Park (with some of the longest rides in the world are good for wet days; you get up to two hours free to ride the Lazy River, flumes and plunging slides. There’s even a sauna if Mum or Dad want to sneak off.

The campsite has 1,500 pitches and a mixture of Dutch/ British and German visitors, with English widely spoken. It is adjoined by a nature reserve that provides a welcome escape.

Cycle rides to Wassenaar beach, a clean and spacious stretch of sand with bars and cafes, is one of the highlights of the trip.

Amsterdam is only 22 miles away, you can drive to a Park and Ride site just outside the city, and pay five Euros to park all day (this bargain price included two return train tickets to central Amsterdam). Children’s fares were a very reasonable two Euros each.

Conclusion:

A great place to go even if it rains you don’t have to sit in the caravan listening to the rain drumming on the roof – non-stop children’s entertainment is right on site.

Centre parcs

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Having kids a little bit older means there’s a lot more to take advantage of in Center Parcs, from dirt buggies to falconry to steep water slides, the activities just go on and on…

To experience Center Parcs with slightly older children, to see what they think of the facilities now that they can participate in more family activities.

Center Parcs has brilliant childcare facilities, including kids’ clubs for younger kids and drop-off activities for slightly older ones. You can pay for a babysitter which costs: £15 for two hours.

Center Parcs is famous in that it offers something for everyone. For parents who want to get away from it all in particular, there is the Aqua Sana, where no kids are allowed  and offers a big range of “experiences” such as steam room, sauna, swimming pool and Turkish baths, as well as myriad treatments. Whether you want a facial, an aromatherapy massage or a mud bath, it’s all here.

Take a small backpack for every family member with you if you intend to ride bikes everywhere, otherwise you might find lugging around all your swimming kit etc. around extremely hard going.

Sherwood Forest is located north of Nottingham between the M1 and A1. Prices vary, depending on the type of accommodation and the time of year. You can pre-book a mid-week break, weekend break (Friday – Monday) or a week-long break.

The cheapest break is £239 for a family of four in a two-bedroom comfort lodge during the cheapest time of the year, but that does not include any activities, bicycle hire etc. It all adds up! Other Center Parc locations are in Whinfell Forest, Cumbria, Longleat Forest, Wiltshire, and Elveden Forest, Suffolk.

Party Themes

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The tradition of holding a party to celebrate the anniversary of birth began centuries ago in Europe when it was feared that evil spirits sought out people on their birthdays. To protect them from harm, friends and family would gather around to bring good thoughts and wishes. Giving gifts brought even more good cheer to ward off evil spirits, and candles were placed on cakes to transport the birthday wishes directly to God.

Initially, only royalty was deemed important enough to have a birthday celebration, but the tradition soon spread with the introduction of the children’s party in Germany, the Kinderfeste.

For the trivia buffs amongst you; the lyrically astounding ‘Happy Birthday to You’ song was written in 1839 by sisters Mildred and Patty Smith Hill!!

Children’s Birthday Party Ideas

Try the following themes as a starting point when organising kids birthday parties.

 

Alice in Wonderland

Kite Flying Party

Arabian Princess Party

Ladybug Party

Arts and Crafts Party

Lion King Party

Ballet Party

Mermaid Party

Barbie Party

Mickey Mouse & Minnie Party

Beach Party

Movie Theater Party

Beauty and the Beast

Nursery Rhyme Party

Buzz Lightyear

Peter Pan Party

Butterfly Party

Pirates of the Caribbean Party

Camping Party

Robin Hood Party

Cartoon Characters

Rock Star Party

Cheerleading Party

Roller Skating Party

Cinderella Party

Safari Party

Circus Party

Sleep Over Party

Clown Party

Snow White Party

Dinosaur Party

SpongeBob SquarePants Party

Fairy Party

Star Wars Party

Football Party

Superheros Party

Hannah Montana Party

Tea Party

Harry Potter Party

Teddy Bear Party

Hollywood Star Party

Under the Sea Party

Ice Skating Party

Wizard of Oz Party

Jungle Party

Winnie the Pooh Party