Category: Plan

Kids attractions for under £25

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  1. The Guards Museum, London

Adult: £6, Children: Free 

Everyday around 11.30am the Changing of the Guards ceremony happens outside Buckingham Palace (this is FREE to watch!!). The guards who protect the Sovereign have carried out this duty since 1660 and during the ceremony you will see a regiment march from Wellington Barracks to Buckingham Palace to take over the guard. This ceremony takes place every day from April- July and on alternate days throughout the rest of the year (weather permitting). Afterwards pay a visit to the Guards Museum for an enjoyable and educational visit. You can learn all about the various regiments and at the end you might even get to try on a bear skin!

2. Illuminasia, Blackpool

Visit the world’s largest indoor illuminations and see wonders from around the globe light up before your very eyes! Combining traditional Chinese lantern methods with the latest in lighting technology, Illuminasia creates a family friendly, educational and awe-inspiring day out.

3. The Clink Prison, London

Family £18, Adult: £7.50, Child: £5.50 

This museum is built on the original site of a medieval prison. The kids will love the hands on educational experience where you are able to handle original artefacts including torture devices. You will also hear lots of amazing stories about the prison’s past, the inmates and the notorious South Bank.

4. Liberty’s Owl, Raptor & Reptile Centre, Ringwood

Discover one of the South’s largest collection of bird of prey, reptiles, creepy crawlies and more at the Liberty Centre near Ringwood. The flying displays with take your breath away and we can almost guarantee that you’ll learn something exciting and new about the animals you meet. After you’ve looked around, why not stop for a bite to eat at the cafe and the kids can blow off some steam in the play area and sandpit.

5. Windmill Hill City Farm – Bedminster, Bristol

FREE ENTRY

 This small community farm has loads to offer and is a great day out for kids of all ages. You’ll be able to meet loads of animals, such as goats, sheep, pigs and chickens, and learn all about farming. There’s also a kids play area when they can run around while you refuel with a coffee.

6. Ludlow Castle, Shropshire

Family: £13.50, Adult: £5, Child: £2.50, Under 6: Free

 Explore this medieval ruin and your little ones can play at being princes and princesses for the day!

 They often have loads of special events on from kids workshops to food festivals and on Monday the 29th of August they’ve got a family entertainment spectacular taking place. Watch the knights battle for the Heritage Cup, listen to the Jester’s jokes and listen to exciting talks about medieval weaponry. Please note that prices are higher for this event – £20 for a family ticket.

 

Football mad kids

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If you have budding little footballer in the making and are looking for a fun day out for kids, then this handy list will give you lots of inspiration! From museums, stadium tours to dining experience, there’s bound to be something for all of the family to enjoy… whether they’re a fan or not!

London Stadium Tours, London

Take a fun and memorable self‐guided audio tour around the home to West Ham United! You’ll get to experience what it’s like to walk through the ‘tunnel’, check out the changing rooms and explore the stands. There are plenty of photo opportunities and at the end of the tour you will get a free personalised certificate too!

National Football Museum, Manchester

This is the perfect day out for all of your aspiring mini footballers! You’ll get to learn all about the history of the beautiful game and see the many collections displaying famous kits, trophies and invaluable archives.

Museum and Stadium Tour, Old Trafford Manchester

For the little Red Devil in your family, treat them to an unforgettable day out at the Manchester United Museum and Tour! Within the museum are various trophies won by the club and displays depicting the club’s most famous achievements and individuals. The Stadium tour offers visitors a chance to get a glimpse of the view from The Alex Ferguson Stand and then head down into the dressing room. Stop for a spot of lunch in the unique Red Cafe, making this the perfect day out.

Cafe Football Stratford London & Old Trafford Manchester

Owned by Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville, this cafe is the ultimate destination for both football fanatics and foodies! Enjoy a relaxed dining experience which is influenced by the spirit of football. They also have fun kids menu which includes a visit to the sweet shop or ice cream parlour.

Wembley Stadium Tour, London

Bring the family here to relive some of the greatest moments of sporting and music history. You can go behind the scenes see the historic changing rooms, take a seat in Roy Hodgson’s hot-seat in the press room, experience walking through the Players Tunnel, climb the 107 trophy winner’s step and sit in the Royal Box. Tour takes 75 minutes.

Arsenal Emirates Stadium Tour, London

If you are a family of ‘Gooners’ or simply love the beautiful game, this is the place for you! The self-guided tour offers you the chance to follow in your hero’s’ footsteps as you explore the changing rooms, then walk through the tunnel and take in the atmosphere of the crowd. You can also test your knowledge against an Arsenal expert.

Chelsea FC Stadium Tours and Museum, London

The stadium tours and museum at Stamford Bridge will be an unmissable experience for football lovers of all ages, especially for the Blues fans! The an hour-long guided tour will give you access to areas normally reserved for the players and officials, including the home and away dressing rooms, press room, the tunnel and  dug-out areas.

 

On water and land

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City Cruises

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, allowing you the freedom to hop off and enjoy some sites and then hop back on at a time convenient to you to continue your cruise. Cruises depart every 30 minutes and you can hop on, or off, at and of the 4 piers: Westminster, London Eye, Tower of London and Greenwich

Circular Cruise

Enjoy a fantastic one hour return cruise along the River Thames hop on at either Westminster Pier, Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier or St Katharine’s Pier. Once the boat reaches St Katharine’s it will return directly to Westminster Pier without stopping. Every cruise has full live audio commentary throughout the journey. If you choose to stay on the boat, the cruise lasts for 1 h

Thames River Services

What better way to explore London than with a relaxing return Thames River cruise? Take the family on a fun cruise from Westminster Pier to Greenwich Pier and back. On the luxurious, 2 hour round cruise from Westminster Pier to Greenwich you will see fantastic landmarks such as: Cutty Sark, The O2 Arena, Tower Bridge, The Shard, HMS Belfast and many more

West Norwood Cemetery Catacombs, London

To those who are super brave, explore this catacomb which is located below West Norwood Cemetery. This catacomb was opened in 1837 and has 95 vaults with a capacity of around 3,500 coffins. Advance booking needed

London Tombs & London Bridge Experience

Explore some gruesome horrible history in this fantastic attraction, where you will see, hear, smell and feel your way through historic London! You’ll enter the Gatehouse where you will meet The Executioner and discover the grisly fate of William Wallace. Walk through the old streets of London and run from the Great Fire! Great fun for older kids.

 

London’s fab attractions

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London has countless fab attractions which can be explored in many different ways. If you want to enjoy London’s stunning landmarks with the kids and with a difference, then check out our handy list below.

O2

Take in stunning views 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! Perfect fun for all the family.

Arcelor Mittal Orbit

Climb the UK’s tallest sculpture and ride the world’s tallest, longest and fastest tunnel slide. Enjoy a superb view of many of London’s famous landmarks from the viewing platforms then take the slide down! As you twist and turn as you will take in London’s skyline at speed through the ‘clear sections’. This is without a doubt, one of the most fun ways to see the city from above!

This is a fantastic experience all the family will enjoy seeing London from the air in a cable car as it crosses the River Thames right by the side of the O2. By day or night enjoy spectacular views in an air conditioned cabin and listen to informative and interesting audio information. Cabins arrive every 30 seconds and each journey last around 10 minutes.

The London Eye

The London Eye offers its visitors a stunning view of the wonderful city day or night and at 135 metres up, you won’t miss a thing! On your 30 minute ride you will see landmarks such as Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral and even Buckingham Palace. Great for all the family to enjoy.

 

Easter party ideas

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Easter is a time to celebrate the renewal of life with flowers, eggs, rabbits and chicks as you and your family celebrate Easter! Easter commemorates Jesus’ resurrection and the coming of the Spring season when flowers begin to bloom and baby animals are born. What better way to embrace this special time of year than with an kids Easter party?

Easter Decorations – Decorating for Easter can be lots of fun! You can keep things simple by incorporating traditional baskets around the house filled with eggs, toy animals and spring flowers. Or if you enjoy getting a little more creative, try hanging colourful eggs from a tree, making flowers form tissue paper or even creating an Easter centrepiece by surrounding a candle with decorative grass and tiny blue robin’s eggs. There are countless other ways to get into the spirit of the Easter holiday just by using materials found around the house and tapping into your artistic side.

Easter Egg Colouring- There is a basket full of fun children’s activities to choose from in preparation for Easter that you and your friends and family can enjoy. The first and most popular one that comes to mind is egg decorating. It is amazing how many fun things you and your kids can do with eggs that include dyeing, painting and decorating with everything from glitter and stickers, to stencils and tissue paper. In addition, newspaper or string Papier-Mache can be handy materials to create model eggs, bunnies or chicks which can be painted spring colours after they dry. These activities and many others are a great way to welcome the Easter bunny and embrace the coming of the Spring season.

Easter Egg hunt and games – There is only one way the children can know for sure that the Easter bunny has come to visit their home: when there are eggs hidden in the garden to snatch up and collect in their baskets! Not only is the “Easter Egg Hunt” the most traditional children’s game of the Easter holiday, but it also allows for a variety of ways to play it. You can have the children in your family collect eggs that they have painted, or plastic ones which you can fill with yummy snacks, chocolate or candy for a sweet surprise. But besides the egg hunt, there are countless other games you and your family can enjoy such as a bunny hop race or Spring art contest to celebrate Easter Sunday.

 

Easter egg snacks and treats- All those blissful games and activities wouldn’t be the same without a savoury Easter dishes and sweet treats to fuel the festivities. In fact, when most people think of Easter, chocolate bunnies, jelly beans and cream-filled eggs easily come to mind! The Lamb roast is an easy choice for a traditional Easter feast, as well as spring vegetables and new potatoes and of course a simnel cake.

 

Travel with kids

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Travelling with your children can have its own rewards and the fun can start at the planning and preparation stage. You don’t have to think of every possibility and eventuality, but it does help to think ahead. Consider the ages of your children, the transport (air, train or car) you will be using to get to your destination and how you will prepare your children for the journey.

Passports

Don’t forget your passports if you are travelling to a destination outside the UK. Have you checked they are all in date?  Many people forget to check the time left on their passport and often have a last minute rush trying to get a replacement.

Children are required by law to have their own passports. In the UK, since October 1998, separate passports are now required for all children under 16.

Visa

Check with your travel agent or the appropriate embassy whether any special documents are required for your destination. If so, ensure this is done in advance.

Children with their own passports require visas, just like adults. Usually there are no reduced rates, but it is worth checking first.

Itinerary

Try to keep your itinerary as simple as possible and pick a destination that your whole family can enjoy. Remember that it might not be possible to stick to your kid’s routine whilst travelling, but you may find you can get a bit more settled once you have reached your destination.

Fun, and free

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If you’re looking for some fun 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!

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 family 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 visitor centre!

 

A Train journey for little ones

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If you’re looking for an amazing fun adventure filled with beautiful scenery and the chance to explore somewhere new, a train journey is the perfect days out for all of the family to enjoy. Here are some fab train journeys we think the kids will love!

Leeds to York

If you and your little history lovers are after catching a glimpse of a historic ancient settlement, as well as amazing views of a stunning countryside, this train journey is not to be missed! Yorkshire is known for its countryside views, so it won’t disappoint!

Oxford to Hereford

The Cotswold offers passengers amazing views of its vast countryside, which you’ll witness as you pass through the scenic rolling hills in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. You’ll get to pass over the Ledbury viaduct which was built using 300 5m bricks!

Glasgow to Mallaig

This amazing train journey, which is one of the most scenic trips in the world, makes it way through a peaceful and remote location and offers outstanding views of the Clyde as it climbs its way above the river. Little train travellers will love the rocky formations!

Newcastle to Edinburgh

Cruise through the stunning Northumbrian cliffs and coastline as you make your way towards Scotland on this breathtaking train journey.

Settle to Carlisle

Ranked as the second best train journey in the world in 2015, you won’t want to miss this one of a kind train journey! Marvel at the fantastic scenery as you pass through the heart of Eden Valley and the Yorkshire Dales and see how many viaducts and tunnels you can count along the way!

Durham to Berwick-upon-Tweed

Little budding historians will love this history rich train journey! Other than lovely views of the sea, you’ll catch sight of historic castles and a Second World War airfield!

The Bluebell Railway, Sussex

This much loved railway, located in the beautiful south of England, is Britain’s first preserved standard gauge railway to carry passengers. You’ll get to pass through an 18 mile loop, catching sight of rural Sussex and Sheffield Park along the way!

London Euston to Fort William

If you’re looking for an epic overnight adventure, why not take a sleeper train for a fun yet relaxing sleeper train journey from London’s Euston to Scotland Fort William? Begin your adventure exploring all this exciting bustling city has to offer and finish in the peaceful town of Fort William to take in stunning waterside views!

St Erth to St Ives

This train trip is the shortest in Britain was originally built to serve pilchard-fishing village of St Ives in 1877, but is now running to allow everyone to enjoy the beautiful sights of Cornwall! You’ll get to see some fab scenery, as well as have the chance to catch some waves at your St Ives destination… perfect for your little surfer dudes and dudettes!

Salisbury to Exeter

Enjoy stunning views as you travel through the South West by train. You’ll get sight of wooden canopies and wide open views of this wonderful location!

 

Choosing the right entertainment

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There are loads of different options to choose from to make it a fun occasion but it’s important to choose what is right for your children’s party.

When planning a children’s party, one thing that will be firmly on your list of things to do is ‘hire the entertainer’. However, with so many different kinds of performers available, how do you go about choosing the perfect person to keep your little guests engaged for the duration of the event and to take the stress off you?

The Magician

A brilliant magician can really add a sense of wonder to your party. Watch as the kids are left amazed at the seemingly impossible tricks performed in front of their eyes and then encouraged to get involved in some of the magic themselves. It can be a lot of fun for families too, particularly seeing how baffled kids are by how the magic is done.

Science Parties

Science Parties are a relatively new but very exciting kind of children’s entertainment and something extremely varied and engaging for the kids and suitable for ages 4- 12. They are perfect if you are looking to mix fun and excitement with learning all about just how fantastic and fun science can be.

Kids get to watch really colourful and visual science demonstrations as well as fun experiments. Plus, science related games. This is another great option for parents as it’s very different from what you see at most parties. But we’d only recommend this if you know your kids are into science.

The Puppeteer

Puppet shows are great for children of all ages and have been part of our culture for thousands of years. They’re normally aimed at 3-7 year olds but can work for 2 years too. Even if the younger children don’t fully understand the storyline or the jokes, they can still enjoy the visual aspects and get involved with audience participation, which usually includes shouting things to the puppets and doing loads of funny actions.

Puppet shows can be the main event or form part of a huge mix of party activities. Either way, it goes down a treat and is often one of the things kids remember best.

 

Get close up with animals

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From tigers, penguins, monkeys and more,

There’s lots of amazing animals to meet and attractions to explore!

Let’s go on a safari, head to the farm or zoo,

You’ll spoilt for choice with these fab places waiting for you!

Marsh Farm Animal Adventure Park – Chelmsford, Essex

With special events all year round Marsh Farm is a different experience every time you go. Have a go on bouncy pillows, mini tractors and join them to enjoy the Pesky Pet and Magic shows!

Paradise Wildlife Park – Broxbourne, Hertfordshire

An award-winning experience that lets you get up close and personal with animals from all over the world. Although don’t get too close at the big cat enclosure!

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

One of the best collections of birds of prey, reptiles and creepy crawlies. This is one of our favourite rainy day activities!

ZSL London – Regent’s Park, London

Set in the wide open space of Regent’s Park you’ll find gorillas, tigers, armadillos and more at ZSL London.

ZSL Whipsnade – Whipsnade, Bedfordshire

Explore over 600 acres and see over 2,500 animals at ZSL Whipsnade. With multiple play areas, a steam train and a farm yard you’ll have to drag them away at the end of the day!

Longleat – Warminster, Wiltshire

For a real safari experience Longleat is second to none! This drive-through experience allows you to get closer than ever before so your kids can get a real sense of the wild.

Welsh Mountain Zoo – Colwyn, North Wales

Be captivated by the birds’ flying displays, meet a family of chimps or watch the penguins waddle along.

Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park – Edgbaston, Birmingham

Committed to protecting and improving the welfare of animals the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park is able to work with some endangered species of lemurs, monkeys and more.

Walby Farm Park – Carlisle, Cumbria

An award-winning, all-weather Farm Park in the North of England you can meet a whole host of rare breeds, raise your adrenaline on the fun 24 demon slide or bounce around on the trampolines.

Farmer Palmers – Poole, Dorset

The complete farm experience with everything from a bumpy tractor trailer ride to cow milking!

Cannon Hall Farm – Barnsley, South Yorkshire

So much more than just a farm, Cannon Hall offers outdoor and indoor adventure playgrounds, restaurants and working farmyard machinery!

Bristol Zoo Gardens – Clifton, Bristol

Get up close and personal with the gorillas, feed the lion or even adopt your favourite animal at Bristol Zoo. Find out more.

Vauxhall City Farm – Central London

Nestled in the buzz of London Vauxhall City Farm is peaceful escape with fun and educational activities for children to see and interact with a wide range of farmyard animals.

Edinburgh Zoo – Edinburgh, Scotland

Set in 82 acres of parkland and home to over 1,000 rare and endangered animals one day just isn’t enough to see everything at Edinburgh Zoo.

Hobbledown Children’s Farm – Epsom, Surrey

For a more magical and mystical animal experience Hobbledown is the number one place to be.

Church Farm – Stow Bardolph, West Norfolk

Meet and play with tame animals and your kids can even meet the little ones at close quarters.

Bucklebury Farm Park – Reading, Berkshire

With over 70 acres to explore in the stunning Berkshire countryside the Bucklebury Farm will keep the whole family entertained all day.