Category: Uncategorized

Blackgang Chine

Posted on by

Unlike many theme parks, Blackgang Chine doesn’t have many rides but what it does have is far more important – the tools to spark children’s imagination and the room to let them run, play and explore.

You can catch a 40 minute ferry journey aboard Wightlink Ferries from Lymington to Yarmouth which you will see the kids exploring the ship and standing outside to watch as you cross the Solent.

Blackgang Chine is a short 20 minute drive from the Port. When you arrive you will see a giant stood outside surrounded by cannons, perfect for excited kids. You can park  up in the free car park and head inside.

The first thing you see after the admission gates is Restricted Area 5 and if your kids are dinosaur mad children they will not be able to wait to ignore the “warning signs” and see what they can see………they won’t be disappointed!

Huge, animatronic dinosaurs fill the enclosure with life-like sounds which allow you to imagine what life might have been like when they roamed the earth. Favourites include the Argentinosaurus, which is bigger than a double decker bus and the biggest animatronic T-Rex in the country. The ground actually shook when he roared!

As you come out of the enclosure you will find some giant insects to wonder at, walk past and explored the Crooked House before finding the jewel in Blackgang Chine’s crown – the all new Underwater Kingdom.

Proceed through a magical underwater cave which will take you to an incredible coral reef.  Your kids will love being under the sea and you will hear instructions from an animatronic crab to help him find his family who had wandered off.

You will discover an abandoned sunken shipwreck to explore and the most amazing array of colourful, larger than life animatronic sea creatures as you venture further into the deep. On the final part of your journey your kids will find the biggest mammal of them all impressively floating above our heads, moving its tail as if it were swimming.

There are so many other areas to explore. The pirates in Pirate Cove, complete with pirate ships to climb and water pistols to fire. Sheriff in Cowboy Town where you can stop a bank robbery, put the kids in jail and ride a stagecoach.

You can also play a real life game of Snakes and Ladders up and down a huge wooden play frame complete with stairs and long winding slides to whizz down.

For children that do like to experience thrills, there is also the Cliffhanger Roller Coaster, Waterforce slide and the teacups to ride.

Blackgang Chine is the UK’s oldest theme park and is 174 years old this year. Their very first exhibit was a huge fin whale which is still on display to this day and I urge you to go and see this magnificent beasts skeleton which you can actually walk through.

If you are visiting with young children please be aware that the park is very hilly, although completely accessible for buggies or wheelchairs. There are plenty of toilet and baby changing facilities available as well as food stands throughout the park and the large Chine café by the entrance which serve the most amazing fish finger sandwiches!!

Do your kids love castles?

Posted on by

Plan some days out to visit some castles to entertain your mini knights and princesses! Here’s a list of some family days out throughout the UK.

Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells

Discover all that this wonderful castle, which was built by Edward Hussey III from the sandstone quarried from the grounds, has to offer! Covering 770 acres, this castle is the perfect spot for walks and picnics. There is plenty of entertainment for the kids to enjoy including the Natural Play Trail, Discovery Room, building dens in the Wilderness Camp and looking out for wildlife including barn owls!

Lindisfarne Castle, Berwick upon Tweed

This dramatic castle, which was renovated by Arts and Crafts architect Edwin Lutyens, is an an amazing place to bring the kids! Explore its many rooms, staircases and see some fantastic views from the top. The Gertrude Jekyll Garden is a beautiful little garden by the castle and there are lime kilns that you can explore too!

Castle Ward, Downpatrick

Take a tour of this 18th century castle surrounded by dramatic rolling hills. There’s trails around the grounds to keep little explorers entertained, where they can spot wildlife such as butterflies, rabbits, ducks and swans. There’s also a super fun outdoor woodland playground and adventure playground too.

Corfe Castle, Wareham

Bring your budding little historian to these iconic ruins steeped in 100 years of fascinating history. Try and spot murder holes, count arrow loops and complete a quiz on your travels! Keep your eyes peeled for family events held throughout the year including spectacular battle re-enactments, an open-air theatre and cinema days.

Dunster Castle, Minehead

Located in the picturesque setting of Dunster, this beautiful castle was home to the Luttrell family who lived here for 600 years. It overlooks the village and features an amazing 17th century staircase, as well as a sub-tropical garden covering 28 acre and contains plants such as the giant lemon tree, yuccas, mimosa and palms.

Penrhyn Castle, Bangor

Come and bring your little knights and princesses to explore this amazing 19th century castle! You’ll find fascinating objects such as a one tonne slate bed made for Queen Victoria, as well as the castle kitchens and stables. Outdoors there are over 60 acres of grounds to be discovered with parkland, exotic trees and a Victorian walled garden.

 

Should I shout?

Posted on by

Shouting does not make a someone a terrible parent.  I bet that most people shout because they are GOOD parents.

You see good parents try. They want to do better. They have expectations for their children.  They get frustrated when their children don’t live up to those expectations.

They are worn down because they work all day to take care of their families.  They try hard to make sure that their children have everything that they need.

They feel bad that they can’t do enough, or that they just aren’t enough for their children.

So it’s not surprising that we lose it every once in a while.

Bad parents don’t feel those things.  Bad parents don’t try.  Bad parents don’t feel the guilt.  They don’t get run down trying to do it all.

Because we are good parents, we work so hard and feel so much guilt and frustration that we get overwhelmed frustrated and angry.

Good parents feel so many emotions, including anger, and bad parents don’t.

I Am Permanently Damaging My Children?

FALSE

Oh the guilt of shouting can be so heavy.

We know it’s not good for our kids, and there are articles after articles online telling us so.

But let me tell you, shouting may not be permanently damaging to children.

In every healthy relationship there’s a balance between positive moments and negative moments.  There have been studies and they show that for every negative moment, we need five positive interactions to keep the relationship healthy and in balance. These studies were done with couples, but have been applied to the parent/child relationship as well.

Positive interactions can be small, a smile, a touch, small gestures.  I bet you do a lot of those small gestures with your children throughout the day.

We are all going to get angry and do things that we aren’t so proud of, it’s how we make up for those things that count.

The trick is to keep things in balance.  If you feel like you need help with this, check out myth #5 below.

  • Don’t believe these myths about shouting.
  • You ARE a good parent.
  • You are NOT permanently damaging your children.
  • You are NOT the only one who shouts.
  • You CAN stop shouting.
  • But you might shout again, and that’s okay.