Category: Kids

Messing about on the river

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Here’s a selection of boat trips across the UK for your budding little pirates!

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Hampshire

There’s so much to see and do at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with indoor and outdoor activities for children and the whole family. Learn about the Royal Navy as it is today and get an insight into what the future holds. Step on board historic ships that changed the world such as HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860. Don’t miss the new‐look Mary Rose museum, which gives insight into Tudor life!.

The National Museum of the Royal Navy, Hartlepool

Come and see the Fighting Ships, what life was like on board HMS Trincomalee and so much more at this authentically-created historic quayside of the 1800s! Your kids can jump aboard the children’s activities like the play ship for their own seafaring adventures and explore the Children’s Maritime Adventure Centre!

Windermere Lake Cruise

Come and take a cruise on England’s largest lake! Lasting from between 45 minutes to 3 hours, these trips are sure to please everyone in the family! Enjoy trips all around the lake with a Freedom of the Lake ticket, or join one of the evening cruises where kids get to watch the sunset, you can even get a ticket which combines some of the attractions around the lake.

Circular Cruise, London

Hop onboard and marvel at some of the capital’s amazing landmarks! With a live audio commentary along the way, you’re sure to learn some fascinating facts too! You’ll cruise along the River Thames, hop on at either Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier or St Katharine’s Pier.

Thames River Services, London

Take the family on a fantastic return cruise to and from many piers located on the River Thames. Some of the fantastic landmarks you are likely to see include Cutty Sark, The O2 Arena, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, The London Eye, Big Ben, The Shard and plenty more! Each landmark is truly beautiful and has a unique historical story to tell.

City Cruises, London

Enjoy a fabulous all-day hop on, hop off cruise along the River Thames London offering you unlimited access to the majestic River Thames for 24 hours. You have the freedom to hop off and enjoy some sites and then hop back on at a time convenient to you to continue your cruise, making this is a fantastic family day out to see some of the Capital’s most iconic sites and learn a little bit of history too!

 

Get some exercise with the kids

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If you’re looking for fun ways to get your little ones active, as well as cram in a little cardio yourself, have a go at some of the following ideas!

Music Motivation

If you’re looking for a fun way to get your kids active and ready for school in record time, why not throw on an upbeat playlist that they love and see if they can get ready before the songs are over. Shameless dancing around the kitchen is optional.

Gardening with Kids

Prepping the garden for spring and summer is the perfect (yet deceiving) way to get your little ones eager to move. Get them weeding, plant potting and watering flowers to give them some TV free time.

Weekly Sports Night

This one is great for getting the family together and being active. Whether its children’s activities like football in the park, bike riding or going for a swim, there’s lots of options available to keep things interesting each week!

Make Household Chores Fun

Whilst it’s easy for the kids to dismiss chores as boring, why not try and turn them into a fun game to get them moving? Challenging them to see how many toys they can put away in a minute might be all it takes to get them running around the house!

Sneak in More Steps

This one is a super easy way to make sure you’re moving as much as possible. There’s lots of ways to sneak in some more steps, from parking the car a few roads away, taking the stairs instead of the lift and more.

Take a Daily Walk With Kids

Taking a walk everyday is a great way to get your little ones into an exercise routine, which can be both active and educational. See if you can get them naming what wildlife and flowers they can spot on their travels! It doesn’t have to be far, as there’s sure to be something interesting at every corner.

 

Hire some entertainment

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The Best Prima Ballerina Parties Barre None!

Take your child’s passion for ballet to a whole new level with a ballerina party they’ll be raving about for months. A professional ballet dancer will thrill with a real ballet class, a hairstyling session (with lots of sparkles!), tiara and wand props.

Marvellous Magic With Close-Up Magicians

Magic is really popular for kids, thanks to the new wave of TV street magicians, so a close-up magic show is perfect for a birthday party. Often combining conjuring tricks with an infectious sense of fun, a children’s magician will give your kids a show that’s amazing, amusing and absolutely unforgettable.

Crazy Comedy Jugglers

A Comedy Juggler is fabulous entertainment for a children’s party, combining amazing skill with a healthy dose of humour. And it’s not just juggling balls and clubs either –  jugglers have been known to juggle 7 objects or more objects at a time, a bowling ball, a small child and a chainsaw (well maybe not a small child!!)

Superb Storytellers

Once upon a time, there was a children’s party where every child was spellbound by the power of a great story. And that party can be yours, a wonderfully relaxing experience for both guests and parents that is hard to find in today’s busy worlds. Now that’s a true happy ending!

Children’s Themed Parties

Two hours of sheer delight, transporting kids into a make-believe world of fun and games. Led by professional children’s entertains such as, Children’s Themed Parties and Children’s Entertainers, and with optional face painter, you can choose from popular party packages that delight from start to finish.

 

Inspiration for a kids party

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Entertaining children at a party is hard work, especially if you’ve got a range of ages attending, they all want to play, and you’re trying to set up the food! So, why not let a professional children’s party entertainers delight, entertain and enthrall your children and their friends, while you relax and wonder how 20 kids could possibly eat all that food in one sitting.

Blow Up A Storm With Balloon Modelers

Balloon modelling is fascinating to watch, as long thin balloons are inflated then twisted at lightening speeds into anything from a monkey to a jetpack! The great benefit of hiring Balloon Modellers for any kid’s party is that every child gets something to take home, be it a hat, custom-made balloon jewellery, a backpack or a favourite cartoon character.

Face Painting For Children’s Parties

Transform your little VIPs into wild animals, butterflies, superheroes with the skill and artistry of expert Face Painters. Professional face painters will only use safe, water-based and hypoallergenic materials, so kids can wear their new look all party long and parents can restore them to angelic normality before bedtime!

Memorable Mime Artists

If your kids like Mr Bean, they’ll love live mime. Children just can’t take their eyes off a mime artist, fascinated as they conjure a world from thin air and pure imagination. Our Mime Artists Inc offer traditional style mime and also a silent clown act, for a wonderful show full of slapstick and comedy.

Meet The Animals In A Mobile Petting Zoo

With a Mobile Petting Zoo, adults and children can get close up to some of nature’s most fascinating exotic animals, ranging from cuddly meerkats and skunks to magnificent lizards, snakes and even giant hairy spiders! These exotic animals create a memorable and educational experience.

 

Themes for Your Kid’s Party

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The chances are that your child and their invited guests will already be pretty excited about the prospect of a party, but if you really want to get them looking forward to the day itself then adding a theme could do the trick. A themed children’s party gives the kids a chance to dress up whilst also giving you a great topic for which to base your decorations, food and entertainment around.

Space

Space is a great theme for both boys and girls as it really allows the children to let their imagination run away with them. Will they come dressed as a strange alien from the planet Zog, or will they arrive in a spacesuit ready for their latest adventure into the unknown voids of the galaxy. You could even ask half of your guests to dress as aliens and the other half as astronauts and then use these teams within your entertainment.

Food could include various twists on party classics, such as ‘asteroids’ instead of meatballs and ‘moon rocks’ in place of chicken nuggets. The venue could also be decorated to look like a strange planet with stars, moons and spaceships on the ceiling.

Circus

Having a circus themed party for kids can be a great way to give the children a chance to learn a few new skills whilst they are having fun. They could have a go at learning to juggle, or fooling around like their favourite clown. The circus is not just about the guy with the red nose and big shoes though, and so the children have plenty of options when it comes to fancy dress. There’s the ring announcer, the gymnasts, the lion tamer and the strong man; to name just a few.

At the circus, tomatoes can easily be renamed as ‘clown’s noses’ (you might even persuade a child to eat one when they would otherwise turn their nose away to a vegetable!) and similarly, cheese puffs can be transformed into ‘juggling balls’. To really add that finishing touch, why not turn your venue into a Big Top with some multi-coloured fabric.

Wizards and Witches

This theme has always been a firm favourite, particularly at Halloween, but has grown in popularity since the rise of a certain boy wizard. Your little guests can dress as their favourite character from the film franchise or as a wizard or witch from their own imagination. The beauty with this theme is that it doesn’t take much to transform an ordinary child into a wizarding genius; just a hat and wand in most case

 

Free attractions for kids

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Sometimes the holidays can be a very expensive undertaking for families and cash can be a bit strapped. But the good news is that this doesn’t mean you are stuck in the house because there are hundreds of fantastic fun free attractions and fun activities for kids around the country for some great days out.

British Museum

The British Museum is located in the Bloomsbury area of London and has over 8 million works from all around the world and from the earliest periods of history. It first opened in 1759 and covers human history, art and culture.

National Gallery

The National Gallery is in Trafalgar Square in London and has over 2,300 paintings from as early as the 13th century within its collection. Some of the most important pieces on show include the Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo da Vinci and Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers.

Tate Modern

The Tate Modern is Britain’s national modern art gallery, based in Bankside in London.  It is a former power station that holds art dating from 1900 to modern times.  As well as permanent exhibits, the gallery also has changing temporary exhibitions.

Natural History Museum

The National History Museum, London, is concerned with the history of life on earth and has over 80 million items from botany, mineralogy and zoology.  It is also a centre specialising in identification and conversation and even has items collected by Charles Darwin.

Brighton Pier

Brighton Pier opened in 1899 and has recently undergone major refurbishment to make it once more a top free attraction.  There are rides and attractions as well as eating places and even its own radio station so something for all ages.

Victoria & Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum is the largest museum of decorative arts and design in the world with a permanent collection of over 4 million items.  It was founded in 1852 and named for Queen Victoria and her consort, Albert and is based in the Brompton district of London.

Science Museum

The Science Museum is found on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, London and has a collection of over 300,000 items ranging from the oldest steam locomotive to the first jet engine and the first typewriter.  It also has a special medical exhibit on the fourth floor.

 

Fun indoor games!

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

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

Board games

Ditch electronic games and play with traditional board games. Snakes and Ladders, Guess Who, Monopoly…which games keep your kids entertained?

Play ‘Bubbles’!

Playing this game is very simple and loads of fun! All you need is water, washing up liquid, a bowl and some straws! Put some water (about 2 cm) in the bowl with some washing up liquid and mix just a little bit until bubbles start forming. Use the straw to gently blow bubbles and very quickly you’ll start making huge bubbles! You could even add a bit of food colouring to make different fun coloured bubbles!

Build a den

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

Indoor bowling

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

Dressing up stories

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

 

 

Birthday Party inspiration

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What will you do for your child’s birthday party this year? Do you fear having hundreds of kids running around your house making a mess, or worse being bored? Well don’t worry, we have pulled together a list of some favourite birthday party venues across the country that will take the stress out of your party planning (and hopefully leave your house free of kid mess).

A children’s birthday party can be the highlight of your child’s birthday and it’s also a great time for you to see your child and their friends having fun together. With so many possibilities for parties, different packages and offers, it can be tricky to find the perfect one for your child’s special day.

Once you have decided on the venue to host your kids birthday party don’t forget to bring along the birthday essentials… Cake, decorations, party bags, party games (we love a game of pass the parcel) and of course the birthday boy or girl! It’s those little extras that go a long way on the big day.

Go Ape – Nationwide

If your kids are full of energy and want to run wild on their birthday then we recommend giving your cheeky monkeys the chance of an adventure with Go Ape Tree Top Junior parties! Your little explorer and their friends will enjoy an hour of tree top adventure; zip wires, wobbly crossings and Tarzan swings. The Tree Top Junior course is designed especially for children aged 6-12, but can be loved by children of all ages over 1m tall. Birthday parties at Go Ape start from £18 per child.

Force 10 – Nationwide

Alternatively Force 10 offers the ultimate paintball experience and with 10 different paintball sites across the UK you’ll be able to find one close to you. Each with their own action packed games areas, it’s perfect for stag and hen do’s as well as birthdays for kids big and small.

Chill Factore – Greater Manchester

The perfect opportunity to get a group of your children’s friends together and let them tire themselves out on the slopes. Chill Factore in Manchester offers great birthday party packages for kids of all ages. From the Mini Moose Land parties for under 4 years and SnowPark parties for 4+ years to the Ski and Snowboard Taster Parties for ages 6+ and 8+ respectively there are plenty of opportunities for children to enjoy the indoor snow whilst they play and learn.

Rainforest Cafe – London

For an ultimate party in London there are two must visit attractions. The perfect place to celebrate a birthday, Rainforest Cafe is a fantastic choice for little kids and big kids alike. Large tables are available as well as private spaces, and the birthday boy or girl will love the delicious desserts and attention from the Safari Guides.

 

After school activities

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Build a den

Building a den can be done anywhere! Under the stairs, in the garden, in the woods! Even on rainy days you can build a den out of blankets and pillows at home and on sunny days it’s the perfect outdoor fun.

Pooh sticks

Possibly one of the easiest, cheapest and enduring children’s fun activities you can do with your kids. A relaxing walk on a beautiful evening, and the thrill and excitement of your pooh stick crossing the finishing line first. Remember to take care near fast flowing or deep water!

Hold a Play Park Marathon

There are two ways to do this!

Version one: Simple; use play equipment as a ‘circuit’ and set the timer on your phone to track how speedy, or slowly your little ones can complete the course.

Version two: Harder ; This one is so much fun if you live in a big town or city. How many parks can you visit in one evening? Planning is the key here! Work out a route with your little ones that takes in as many parks as possible before bedtime!

Do a Beach Clean

Do you live near a beach? Why not take a picnic tea to the beach and on your way back take more litter home than you make. Plastic bottles are one of the worst offenders. There are thousands of tonnes of them drifting in the oceans, and washing ashore on our beaches. A black bag full of these little blighters is easy to carry and encourages our little ones the importance of recycling.

Chalk Fun Outdoors

Chalk is great for using to draw on pavements and driveways and easily washes away. From expressing their artistic talents to practising maths sums and playing games, it will keep the kids amused!

Dressing Up Stories

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

Board Games

Ditch electronic games and play with traditional board games. Snakes and Ladders, Guess Who, Monopoly…which games keep your little ones entertained?

Visit a kids indoor play centre

If the kids need to burn off some serious energy before tea and bedtime, indoor soft play centres are a great, safe, fun environment and allow the kids to run riot. Activities can include jumping into ball pits, obstacle courses, slides, and lots of climbing!

 

Amazing adventures FREE from entrance fees

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Mugdock Country Park, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland

One of Scotland’s most popular tourist attractions, Mugdock Country Park is a fantastic place to bring the family. The area is steeped in history, with buildings dating as far back as the 1300’s! Be sure to stop by the visitor centre nestled within the estate, which has plenty of information about the local area and the semi-natural countryside of the park.

The Glasgow Botanical Gardens

The Glasgow Botanical Gardens are beautiful and make a great place to take the family for an autumnal walk. As you walk through the gardens, you’ll marvel at the gorgeous designs and plant collections. The restored Kibble Palace was designed by John Kibble and is a stunning sight. There’s an array of plant collections, and even some tropical ponds.

Royal Armouries Leeds

Bring the kids here for a fun and educational day out! You’ll find over 8,500 objects displayed throughout the 5 galleries of War, Tournament, Oriental, Self Defence and Hunting. Expect to see ancient weapons from many different cultures and learn about how they were used, all set by the canal in Leeds.

Museum Of Science & Industry, Manchester

MOSI is an exciting museum full of interactive displays and an ever changing variety of exhibitions exploring science and industries. You’ll find exhibitions about how tornadoes are made, a 4D cinema, how the human body works, the history of communications in Manchester and more. You’ll also walk through a recreation of a Victorian sewer (smells included), air and space hall, animation exhibition and a hall dedicated to locomotives.

Royal Air Force Museum, Cosford, Shropshire

Visit the Royal Air Force Museum for an action packed day out with over 70 aircraft housed in three wartime hangars! There’s also a National Cold War Museum Exhibition, which is located right next to an active airfield! Throughout the museum the fascinating exhibitions bring to life the history of aviation for all ages and there’s even a Fun ‘n’ Flight hands on kids zone!

BBC Birmingham Public Space

The kids will absolutely love a day here as there’s plenty of exciting children’s activities to get stuck into, including having a go at  presenting Newsround and getting their photo taken with Dr Who’s TARDIS and an old Dalek!  The parents can take a touch-screen-tour of the radio drama studio and look through the windows into radio studios used by the Asian Network and BBC WM.

Berkhamsted Castle, Hertfordshire

Come and explore this motte-and-bailey castle, which was built in the 11th century and was occupied by key figures of the Middle Ages, such as Thomas Becket, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, and the Black Prince!

St Fagan’s National History Museum, Cardiff

Voted as one of the top free attractions to visit, this museum is set within beautiful gardens and woodland. Children will learn how Welsh families lived, worked and played through time! They can even take a tractor ride in the grounds!