Category: Outdoor Play

History of Hopscotch

Posted on by

It is believed that the Hopscotch was first recorded back in 1677. However, there are many theories to how the popular playground game came about. Some say the Romans invented the game in order to train their army, whilst others claim that it was the Chinese who first played it.

Today, hopscotch is recognised in UK kids playgrounds as a simple game that can be enjoyed solo or in a group. A stone is thrown into one of the square number spaces for the child to go and pick it up by hopping through the boxes. This physical game allows children to practice balance and improve their motor skills.

However, hopscotch is played around the world in many variations. The French version, Escargot (also meaning ‘snail’) is a spiral design with no ‘end’ – just like a snail shell.
New Yorkers have a similar version to ours, but is known as Potsie and is drawn out using preformed cracks in sidewalks.

In India, hopscotch is known as Stapu or Kith-Kith and is played similar to in England. However, it may also be recognised as Ekhat-Dukhat, but only features two squares.

Germany, Switzerland and Austria know the game as Himmel und Hölle (Heaven and Hell). The space before the first number is called Erde (Earth) whilst Hell is the second to last square as the last square is heaven with the aim of the game is to not land on hell.

Hopscotch is still a popular children’s party game and they are a popular design element for schoolyards and look great on either black or coloured cork surfacing.

Take your family out for the day

Posted on by

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth
There’s so much to see and do at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with indoor and outdoor activities suitable children and for the whole family. Take a look at our summer events at Portsmouth Dockyards blog for inspiration! All our tickets include an annual pass valid from your first visit date so you can return as many times as you wish! Attractions include HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, Action Stations – indoor interactive attraction with Ninja Force assault course, climbing wall and more.

Fleet Air Arm Museum, Ilchester, Somerset
An all-weather attraction for aviation lovers this is Europe’s largest aircraft collection. Step on board the first British Concorde, look into the cockpit and also step inside a Sea King helicopter. The kids will also love the adventure playground inspired by HMS Queen Elizabeth.

DC Exhibition: Dawn of Super Heroes, The O2, London
Super Hero and Super Villian fans will love this exhibition. Featuring an extensive display of comic book, TV and film memorabilia, including Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, plus many more! Displays in the multi-room exhibition include costumes, sketches, props, video scenes, models and even a Batpod!

The National Showcaves Centre, Swansea, Wales
Explore the incredible natural wonders that are the caves, there are three in total including Dan-yr-Ogof, Bone Cave and Cathedral Cave. Also onsite is the museum where you can watch experienced cavers make their way through the further reaches of the cave.

The National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
Set over 9 floors there’s something to interest everyone here! Go on a journey of discovery through the history of Scotland, taking in the wonders of nature, art, design and fashion and science and technology. The hall of animals will be a sure favourite!

The Natural History Museum, London
For a fascinating, FREE educational day out, head down to the Natural History Museum. Here you will learn about the natural world through amazing exhibitions and displays! Be sure to check out the Darwin Centre where you will discover science in action and collections. The Attenborough Studio is a fascinating audio-visual venue where you can learn all about life on earth. There are so many things to see at this amazing place, so don’t miss out!

The British Museum, London
The British Museum houses a vast collection of world art and artefacts and is free to all visitors! Explore the Egyptians, the Roman Empire, ancient Greece, and more. You can even see the Rosetta Stone which proved to be the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs!

Fun for all ages

Posted on by

Waterparks, Zoos, festivals and many more, there’s plenty of fun for all ages in store!

Camp Bestival, Lulworth Estate

Family fun is at the very heart of this festival and there’s a whole boatload of activities for everyone young and old(er!) to enjoy. Large areas of the festival site are dedicated to kids, including BigTop Mania in the ‘Upper Kids Garden’, where they can learn a circus skill or two, or burn off some steam on bikes and go-karts! For parents, Simple Minds, Rick Astley, and Clean Bandit top the lineup, and here are a whole host of comedians and other attractions on offer.
Longleat, Warminster

You really won’t be short of fun when you visit Longleat. Explore the stunning house and grounds and come up close to lions, monkeys and more on the safari drive through! Over 100 hand-painted panda statues have also taken over the park so you can discover the beautiful designs while you explore!

Disneyland Paris, France

Who doesn’t love a bit of magic at Disneyland Paris? Marvel is taking over the park with their Summer of Super Heroes so you can see your favourite heroes. Take on some of the rides too, such as Big Thunder Mountain and the Tower of Terror!
Zip World, Betws-y-Coed, Wales

For adventurers, head to Zip World in North Wales for exhilarating experiences on the ground and in the air! Bounce up in the sky on the Treetop Nets, or whizz through the forest on the Fforest Coaster. You can even slide and bounce around underground at Bounce Below! BOOK NOW.
The Monster Tour, various locations

The World’s biggest bouncy castle is travelling around the UK throughout summer along with live DJs, the mega ball pit, and delicious food and drinks. Kids hour runs from 10-11am for those aged 11-15 years. Afterwards, adults can enjoy the fun-fest for themselves!

Siam Park, Tenerife

No trip to Tenerife is complete without a visit to Siam Park! Voted the number 1 water park in the world by Tripadvisor, the park offers a fun-filled, action-packed day for the whole family. From the Mai Thai lazy river and the sandy beach to the adrenaline pumping Tower of Power and Kinnaree, there’s literally something for everyone.

ArcelorMittal Orbit, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London

Take in breathtaking views of London from the 360-degree viewing platform before riding the world’s tallest, longest and fastest tunnel slide! Enjoy 178 metres of twists and turns as you take in London’s skyline at speed going down the slide.

The Medieval Banquet, London

One of London’s most exciting interactive experiences and a great family must-do in London at any time of year. As a royal guest, you will be led down to the Great Hall to mingle with medieval and mystical characters and be treated to a 4-course banquet with drinks and a fantastic array of entertainment. Including professionally trained fighting knights, acrobats, musicians, dancers and court jesters.

Up at the O2, London

Reach new heights and take in a stunning view of London 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 the steepest point, has a 28° incline on the way up and 30° on the way back down!

Kids Golf days-out

Posted on by

Ready for the challenge and wondering where the best mini golf near you is located? We’ve teed up some of the best mini golf courses in the UK, so all that’s left to do is grab a club and set off in search of that elusive hole-in-one…

Birmingham Mini Golf, Birmingham
Found within the popular Cannon Hill Park in Moseley, Golden Putter Mini Golf is filled with putting islands, bridges and wild waterfalls to put you to the test. Choose from 18 or 36 outdoor holes and see if you can make it on to their ultimate leaderboard. After, make sure you check out the rest of the park too!

Best for: A jam-packed day out

The Lost City, Nottingham
Delve into the deepest rainforest to uncover the Lost City Adventure Golf, home to two 18-hole indoor courses designed to put you to the test. Follow the Temple Trail where you can try and get a hole in one at Stone Face Rock, spot lucky parrots and slither past the 23 ft long snake, all aiming to reach the Temple. Intrepid explorers should opt for the Sacred Skull course, navigating alligators, Bengal Tigers and dragons, before tackling the challenging 17th and 18th holes.

Best for: The bravest of little explorers

Congo River Crazy Golf, Leicester
Giving a little taste of the sunshine state, this Florida-style adventure golf course is the ultimate n family fun. Putt your way through Congo River Crazy Golf 18 outdoor holes, navigating tunnels, inclines and even a broken-down plane – how close can you get to par? With no need to book in advance, it’s the ideal spontaneous family fun day out in the East Midlands. This mini golf course is indoors, like many others on the list, which makes it a good day out when the weather isn’t great – it’s a good choice for winter school breaks.

Best for:Last-minute family fun

Paradise Island, Manchester
There’s much more than just shopping at intu Trafford Centre, including two tropical adventure golf courses! Choose the Tiki Hut Trail or Temple Runs Adventure course, or combine both for a whopping 36-hole adventure, all under one roof. With two levels of paradise-themed golf fun, this is sure to bring out your competitive edge!

Best for: When 18 crazy golf holes just aren’t enough…

Dinosaur Safari, Barnet
Setting the scene for adventure in North London, you’ll find this crazy dinosaur golf course under the watchful eye of nine prehistoric dinosaurs! Compete for glory around the 18-hole outdoor course for adventure golf with plenty of bite, but be sure not to blame the roaring dinosaurs for any wayward putts…

Best for:
Dinosaur loving little ‘uns

Garden family days out

Posted on by

Kew Gardens, London

Kew Gardens is a great day out where you’ll be dazzled by colour displays of plants and flowers. Explore glasshouses, landscapes and 250 years of history at the world’s most famous garden. With ever-changing exhibits, there will always be something new to discover and lovely events to attend throughout the year.

Savill Garden, Windsor

Savill Garden is a tranquil place to discover rare plants from around the world. The 35 acres of interconnected gardens include the Hidden Gardens, the Summer Gardens, Spring Wood, Autumn Wood, Winter Beds and so on. You can download the Savill Garden map and find out other interesting activities you can do with the kids.

Furzey Gardens, Lyndhurst

These magical gardens are hiding over 30 fairy doors for you to hunt out as you make your way around. You will also find a variety of tree houses, lookout towers and an adventure playground. Plus, on the 31st of May they have a Bug Barn event for children to plant a sunflower seed and paint their own flower pot to take home!

Trentham Gardens, Stoke on Trent

Take a stroll around these award winning gardens no matter the time of year and you will find stunning flowers and plants. Children will enjoy the superb adventure playground and spotting the fairies along the fairy trail. Visit on Sunday 12th of June and you can also watch an open air theatre production of Alice in Wonderland!

The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland

Throughout the year the gardens are full of life and colour, there’s also a giant treehouse that the kids will love exploring, it’s one of the largest in the world! Plus, from the 24th of May until the 5th of September (on weekends and school holidays) you can take part in the Fairy Tale Trail – dressing up is encouraged!

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall

The Lost Gardens of Heligan cover over 200 acres. You can walk through the jungle where there are tropical trees, colourful plants and vibrant foliage creating an exotic oasis; it’s hard to believe you’re still in Cornwall!

Bowood, Wiltshire

In the gardens at Bowood you will find gorgeous flowers and landscaped parkland, if you wander around the gardens you will also find a waterfall, grottos and a hermits cave. Bowood is also home to Tractor Ted and over the bank holiday weekend this May Bowood will be hosting Tractor Ted’s Big Machines Weekend with machinery displays, tractor rides, a bouncy castle and games for kids.

Picton Castle and Gardens, Pembrokeshire

The gardens at Picton Castle are great for everyone to explore, with stunning and unusual plants, woodlands and lakes. There’s also a woodland trail to follow and an adventure playground for the kids.

Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury

This arboretum is well known for its internationally renowned tree collection. All year round you can take one of the many walks to see the stunning collection, plus the kids can enjoy the different play zones and interactive quizzes around the arboretum.

Logan Botanical Gardens, near Port Logan

These beautiful gardens are a must if you’re in the area! You can see a range of exotic and rare plants that burst into life in spring and summer creating a tropical paradise.

Bank Holiday ideas

Posted on by

One of the top times for the family to do something together is a Bank Holiday.  Many parents are on holiday or at least a day off.  But rather than just visit the family or hit the shops, what other things could you do with the kids to make for a memorable bank holiday? Heres some children’s entertainment ideas to make it fun.

London

Madame Tussauds is one of the most famous waxworks museums in the world . Over the last 87 years, Queen Elizabeth II has had 23 wax portraits done and the museum is holding an exhibition of all of them at one including a recreation of her coronation crown and a dress made with 53,000 Swarovski crystals.

England

For a typically strange English tradition, check out the football on the river at Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds.  It involves two teams playing football knee deep in the River Windrush with hundreds of spectators lining the river banks.  The event has happened every bank holiday for the last century – though no-one really knows why!

The Newlyn Fish Festival in Cornwall is a chance to sample some of the freshest and tastiest seafood straight from the boat.  The kids will love to see the catch come in and may find a new food favourite.  There are also cooking demonstrations and workshops as well as local craft stalls, live music and even a chance to get up close to one of the sea rescue helicopters.

Mathew Street Music Festival is known as the biggest festival of its kind in Europe and is free of charge. Little known acts travel from 30 countries around the world to delight listeners as well as tribute brands from the Beatles to modern groups.

Scotland & Northern Ireland

Another free festival can be found in Edinburgh with the Festival Fringe.  This is the biggest art festival in the world with everything from comedy and dance to theatre and live music on offer.  It only runs until the beginning of September so the Bank Holiday is a perfect time to catch it.

Wales

Of all the Bank Holiday events to witness, the World Bog Snorkelling Championships in Llanwrtyd Wells is perhaps the strangest.  Competitors travel from around the world to dress up in snorkelling gear and fight their way up the muddy river to glory.  Spectators are encouraged to come in fancy dress to add to the mad nature of the day and can even have a go at the sport if they bring their gear.

Cardiff Harbour Festival and is the finale of the free Cardiff Festival that runs all summer.  Listen to sea shanties while trying the very fresh seafood on offer as well as exploring the tall ships docked in the harbour.  The British Fishcraft Championships are taking place as well as a display by the Breitling Wing Walkers, fairground rides and a fancy dress competition for the kids

Ghost hunting is a popular pastime today and Raglan Castle is a great candidate for a resident spook.  The Haunted Histories tour and takes in one of the finest late medieval fortresses in the country.  The tour is definitely aimed at the kids with stories of the past and a few scares along the way.

If you like the water and a little bit of a challenge, why not try canoeing on the River Wye?  Han-on-Wye is the starting point where canoes can be hired, even strapping two together to make a family canoe.  Then off downstream with Wales to the left and England to the right for a full day or half-day trip.  When you get to the other end, enjoy a picnic and then get a lift back to your starting point as part of the package.

 

Family Glamping

Posted on by

Are you wondering if it’s good idea to take your kids glamping? Glamping is also an eco-friendly option because many of the venues offering this type of break are made with environmentally friendly concerns foremost to the mind. It takes a lot of resources to build and run even a small hotel but nowhere near as much to build a luxury treehouse or to convert and upgrade a caravan.

Glamping is a worldwide trend that allows families to stay somewhere unique. Here in the UK we already have a wide range of exciting glamping spots. One such example is the yurt at Springhill Farm campsite in East Sussex. Complete with a double bed and inflatable furniture, the yurt is built in the style once used by Genghis Khan with a few modern touches and cooking is done in a fire pit outside. The site is near Ashdown Forest, so perfect for a family day out the next morning.

If you loved treehouses as a kid, then staying in one will be a perfect fun for all the family. There are a number of treehouse glamping providers spread around the country and these are treehouses in the lap of luxury.  Enjoy a session in the hot tub before turning in for the night or take the whole family along in a treehouse that can house up to eight people.

Why is it good?

In a study it was shown that kids who spend at least one holiday each year camping outdoors do better in school than those that don’t.

The study involved asking parents across the country a series of question studying the educational, social and psychological benefits of camping to kids of all ages. The study discovered that four out of five parents thought that camping had a positive effect on school education of their children.

Conclusion

So the evidence is clear from the study – camping is good for the whole family and great fun. For people who aren’t so keen on putting up the tent in the middle of a field, there are now plenty of other options that allow all the benefits of camping with a little luxury included as well. And after the holiday is over, the kids will go back to school invigorated and filled with exciting stories to tell their teachers and friends that will continue to benefit them for some time afterwards.

 

Jurasic days out

Posted on by

Get your little ones interested in Dinosaurs. Have fun with the whole family and explore dinosaurs galore at these brilliant dinosaur attractions across the country!

The Dinosaur Park; Tenby, Wales

Follow the trail and spot over 30 dinosaurs waiting for you – be sure to tiptoe past the spitting Dilophosaurus or you might get wet! The Information Centre is the place to learn some interesting dino facts plus you can also explore the indoor and outdoor adventure play areas!

Dino Park, Dumfries

Discover the giants who roamed the planet 150 million years ago! Dig for fossils, hear stories, find out facts and take a journey through a dinosaur mine!

The Dinosaur Museum; Dorchester, Dorset

Discover real fossils, dinosaur bones and life size models at this hands on museum. Are your little ones brave enough to touch the T-Rex?!

Dinosaurland Fossil Museum; Lyme Regis, Dorset

This museum is run by Palaeontologist Steve Davies and is a private collection. The museum contains over 10,000 specimens including some of the best fossils to be found on display. Top off your visit with a walk along the beach at Lyme Regis which is a fantastic place for children to search for fossils to take home!

West Midland Safari and Leisure Park

Little dinos will LOVE West Midland Safari Park’s latest addition… the amazing Land of the Living Dinosaurs! Come and see the UK’s largest collection of animatronic dinosaurs to learn all about these fascinating creatures. You’ll get to learn all about the Permian, Triassic, Jurassic and the Cretaceous periods… making this not only a fun but educational day out too! Plus, new is the latest dino addition, the Spinosaurus! Scientists believe it was the largest dinosaur to ever roam the earth so go along to the Land of the Living Dinosaurs to learn all about it!

The Lost Kingdom at Paultons Park; Romsey, Hampshire

Brand new to Paultons Park, The Lost Kingdom is a Jurassic adventure full of realistic dinosaurs in all shapes and sizes! You can even get up close to a ‘living’ animatronic dinosaur! There are also two exhilarating rollercoasters, a dinosaur adventure play area where you can dig for fossils, and a 4×4 jeep safari dinosaur expedition!

Torquay’s Dinosaur World; Torquay, Devon

With lots of hands on exhibits for you to touch (are you brave enough to grab the Triceratops by the horns?!) plus full sized and scale models of dinosaurs, this is a great place to learn about these prehistoric creatures and see incredible fossils.

 

More Midlands days out

Posted on by

1. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham

 

Take some time out from the bustle of the city and enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens. Explore the various tropical glasshouses, stunning gardens and breathtaking lake.

 

Send the kids on their own trails to explore everything nature has to offer, from beautiful butterflies to magical plants. They can even pick up an explorer backpack for the day, bursting with creative children’s activities. Their seasonal events, such as Halloween’s Spooky Story Night Trail or their Santa’s Grotto are legendary.

 

Best for: Scenic walks

2. Si5 Spy Missions, Nottingham

For kids who want to crack codes, solve puzzles and dodge lasers this is the perfect day. Teams must complete their mission within the time limit, in order to prevent the ship from being blown up! This is a great chance to get your kids off their Xboxes and instead throw them into the scenarios they so love to play out. This action packed day will leave your children ‘gunning’ for more!

 

Best for: Older kids

3. Monkey Forest, Trentham

Want to see animals roaming free? Visit this amazing 60-acre forest where you can interact and walk amongst up to 140 free roaming monkeys. Unlike anything else, this experience will allow your kids to see how these animals act in their natural habitat and capture heart-melting memories they’ll never forget.

 

Best for: The whole family

4. Tudor World, Stratford Upon Avon

Bring your kids’ history education to life with this fun interactive Tudor museum. Instead of old artefacts and displays, your kids can dress up, take their place at the dining table, rest in the bed and sit on the throne! Let them discover how life was all those years ago by experiencing it first hand! We promise your kids will never enjoy learning quite so much.

 

Best for: The costumed ghost tour

5. The Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath

If it’s time to get a breath of fresh air, take a trip up the hill on the cable car and absorb the stunning views the Peak District has to offer. Once at the top, take a guided tour of the two great caverns, perfect for any little adventurers your might have. Check out the amazing fossil collection and climb the Prospect Tower. If your kids are still energetic, there are two great adventure playgrounds which we highly recommend!

 

Best for: The views

 

Pigtastic days out

Posted on by

Marsh Farm Animal Adventure Park, Chelmsford, Essex

All the family will enjoy their day out here down on the farm! There are plenty of fascinating animals and birds to see, meet and greet as well as brilliant indoor and outdoor children’s play areas, where the kids can go wild and have loads of fun!

Paradise Wildlife Park Farmyard, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire

For a wild day out with the family there is no place better than Paradise Wildlife Park! You can even get hands-on with the animals at the farmyard and help feed the goats, sheep and pigs. Kids can burn off excess energy in the various playgrounds around the park or you can take a relaxing ride on the miniature railway to see what is hidden in the woodland.

Vauxhall City Farm, London

Visit this free farm for a little piece of the countryside in central London! It’s not far from Vauxhall station and is home to lots of very cute animals to meet including Edward the beautiful piggy!

Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park, Poole, Dorset

This brilliant farm park is perfect for under 8’s and has plenty to keep them occupied from exciting attractions to seriously cute animals (and of course pigs).

Whitehouse Farm Centre, Morpeth, Northumberland

There’s plenty to see and do at this lovely family run farm, and lots of animals to meet including sheep, bunnies, alpacas and pigs. There is the chance to handle and feed some of the animals, and kids will love a ride on the bumpy tractor!