Tag: activities

The Story Museum

Posted on by

If your kids love stories then this is the place to be, with all the fun of an Interactive story Museu. Step off the page into a world of colour, characters and literary delights. You’ve discovered The Story Museum!

Address
42 Pembroke Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 1BP, England

This is a place like no other with a labyrinth of immersive and classically themed rooms. Topple down the rabbit hole and take your place at the mad hatter’s tea party in Wonderland. Wild about Colour soaks up the vivid kaleidoscopic vision of 60’s illustrator, Brian Wildsmith to stunning effect. And of course the ultimate in adventure – open the cupboard door, squeeze past fur coats and out into snowy Narnia! Just be sure to say hello to Mr Tumnus.

The museum regularly produces new installations in collaboration with illustrators, and parents bring their littluns back time and time again for poetry and storytelling, or screenings of Disney classics in the museum cinema. The essential draw, however, is the incredible dressing up room. Choose from an entire universe of costumes, step out onto the red carpet and hear your self-appointed name announced for all to hear!

Immersive experiences based on children’s books, including the unmissable Narnia
Possibly the world’s greatest dressing up box.
An array of activities including cinema, storytelling and dance

Summer Holidays in the South West

Posted on by

Adventure Wonderland – Christchurch, Dorset

2nd August 2017 : Meet & Greet Peppa Pig
17th August 2017 : Paw Patrol Marshall and Skye

Mini thrill seekers will love Adventure Wonderland! Designed for kids aged 3–10 years, this fun theme park has lots of rides suitable for youngsters, including the ‘Jabberwocky’ helter-skelter slide, a Runaway Train, Flying Elephants, Ghostly Galleon and Yoyo Swings and lots more! Better yet, there will be some very special guests visiting Adventure Wonderland this summer so be sure not to miss everyone’s favourite little piggy Peppa Pig on the 2nd of August, Paw Patrol’s cheeky pups Marshall and Skye on the 17th of August and Fireman Sam on the 29th of August.

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

Liberty’s is home to a large collection of birds of prey, reptiles and creepy crawlies! You’ll get to see some owls, hawks and eagles, as well as pythons, bearded dragons, snakes, tarantulas and much more! You also have the chance to see these amazing birds and see them in daily programme of falconry shows.

Museum of Witchcraft – Boscastle, Cornwall

This fascinating museum, which is home to the largest collection of witchcraft artifacts and regalia, tells stories of magic and the history of witchcraft! For rumbling tums, head to the on site cafe where you can pick up some yummy food and drink.

Eden Project – Par, Cornwall

These two enormous geodesic conservatories, located in a 50 metre deep crater, are home to the Humid Tropics Biome and the Warm Temperate Biome. Set within the breathtaking location of Par, this attraction is not to be missed by budding gardeners and conservationists eager to see the largest rainforest in captivity, stunning plants, exhibitions and more!

Heartlands – Redruth, Cornwall

This unique park, which covers 19 acres, includes state-of-the-art exhibitions, climb-on sculptures and gardens! Creative little artists will love the arts and crafts activities on offer. Pay a visit to the Totem Circle, which is used as a performance area through the year. Kids will love the Adventure Playground where they will find amazing funnel slides to speed down as well as plenty to climb on and over!

Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park – Poole, Dorset

Budding farmers will love Farmer Palmer’s! They’ll be spoilt for choice with indoor and outdoor play areas, bumpy tractor trailer rides plus plenty of cuddles with cute animals. Active ones will love the bouncy castles and the Maize Maze (open July to October) to get lost in. Take a quiet stroll on a beautiful woodland walk to take in some lovely scenery!

Clip ‘n’ Climb – Exeter, Devon

Are your kids ready for an adventure? Tackle the Jungle Gym, reach new heights on the Skyscraper, take the Speed Climbing challenge or light up the board on the Checkerplate. This is a great children’s activity to build confidence and team building skills!

Gloucester Ski & Snowboard Centre – Gloucester, Gloucestershire

Little adventurers will love this indoor sports centre, which features a huge 230 metre main slope and a nursery slope for lessons! There’s also lifts, a snowflex fun park for the children and a Big Airbag for practicing freestyle manoeuvres!

The World of Country Life – Exmouth, Devon

Your little farmers will love immersing themselves in rural life at The World of Country Life! Wander through a Victorian Street, marvel at the transport and agricultural machinery of yesteryear, and meet some cute and cuddly animals in the pets centre. There’s also adventure playgrounds, a giant slide, trampolines, crazy golf, as well as an indoor Pirate Ship Adventure and a safari train that runs through a forty acre deer park!

Fun Summer Days out

Posted on by

Bear Grylls Wild Survival Academy – ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable
29th July 2017 – 3rd Sep 2017

Kids will love joining in with this brilliant, fun, exciting Summer Academy, where they can become real life explorers and learn survival skills, attempt challenges and have a go at an assault course! There will be live shows demonstrating how animals and humans can survive in extreme conditions.

AirSpace Trampoline Park, Various Locations

Spend a session bouncing, flipping and jumping at Air Space! This brand new attraction has over 100 interconnected trampolines all waiting for you to spring about on. As well as freestyle sessions you can join in with games such as dodgeball, football and basketball – just bouncier!

Thames River Services, London

Take the family on a cruise from Westminster Pier to Greenwich Pier and back! The River Thames has a long and interesting history to be explored, as do all the fantastic landmarks along the way! You’ll get to see the likes of Cutty Sark, The O2 Arena, Tower Bridge, The Shard and more!

Longleat Safari and Adventure Park, Warminster

There is so much to see and do at this amazing safari and adventure park! Take a ride on the wild side with their Safari Drive, as well as walk with penguins, visit the meerkats and hop on a cruise to see the gorillas on Gorilla Island. You’ll be given the chance to feed some Rainbow Lorikeets, deer and even giraffes!

Dinomania! – Bristol Zoo Gardens, Bristol
27th May 2017 – 3rd Sep 2017

This magnificent dinosaur exhibition is the perfect entertainment for kids and it’s at the Zoo gardens until September if you don’t get chance over the half-term holiday! Follow the dino trail, dig for fossils and chat to experts who will be able to answer all your questions!

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth

Come and learn all about the Royal Navy as it is today and get an insight into what the future holds! Step on board historic ships such as HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860. You won’t want to miss the new‐look Mary Rose museum, which gives insight into Tudor life!

ArcelorMittal Orbit General Access and Slide, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London

Climb the UK’s tallest sculpture and ride the world’s tallest, longest and fastest tunnel slide. Enjoy the twists and turns as you take in London’s skyline at speed thought the ‘clear sections’. This is without a doubt, the best place to see the city from above, allowing you to discover a beautiful view of some of the country’s most famous landmarks!

The London Bridge Experience, London

Experience London’s gruesome history first hand with this interactive character led adventure tour! Be prepared for thrills, laughs and frights as you are regaled with stories from the past. Meet some of London’s most horrifying characters as they lurk in the ‘lanes’ including Jack the Ripper and Ben

Kensington Palace Family Fantastical! – Kensington Palace
18th Aug 2017 – 20th Aug 2017

Once upon a time amazing performers and brilliant minds visited this palace to entertain the princesses that one lived there. Families can visit and be entertained watching the magnificent English National Ballet perform ‘Sleeping Beauty’ while the Science Museum will perform one of their fab shows guaranteeing plenty of fun and laughter!

Oxygen Freejumping, Various Locations

Kids will be jumping for joy after a visit to this brilliant indoor trampoline park! They’ll get to bounce sky high in open jump sessions and burn off lots of excess energy!

Cheddar Gorge, Somerset

Come and explore stunning stalactite caverns and see the dramatic cliffs which rise 450 ft above the ground. There are two very different caves to explore, a museum, cliff top walk and lookout tower!

Fleet Air Arm Museum, Ilchester

Get up close to Europe’s largest Naval Aviation Collection, featuring some of the most powerful and interesting naval aircraft to have taken to the skies! With the museum being located on a working naval air station there is even the chance of spotting real naval aircraft taking flight!

The Gruffalo and Friends: The Art of Axel Scheffler Family Trail – Mottisfont Abbey & Garden, Hampshire
15th July 2017 – 3rd Sep 2017

This Summer don’t miss the opportunity to bring the family here to explore the wonderful grounds and follow a fun family trail looking out for the Gruffalo in his den! Along the way there are puzzles and activities to join in with as well as a Stick Man climbing area the kids will love!

Dizzy Heights

Posted on by

Up at The O2
Enjoy a family fun climb to the top of one of London’s more recent iconic landmark. This exciting 90 minute experience will take you 52 metres above ground with a stunning view of the capital city!

The View From The Shard
This is one of London’s newest and amazing landmarks where you can experience a fantastic 360 degree view of the city. See how many famous buildings your family can name! Peer through interactive telescopes and enjoy one of London’s highest gardens!

ArcelorMittal Orbit and Slide
What goes up must come down! Once you get to the top of the UK’s tallest sculpture you can enjoy a faster decline on one of the longest tunnel slides seeing some of London’s wonderful skyline en route down!

British Airways i360, Brighton
Ascend to the dizzy height of 450 ft in a vertical glass viewing pod to enjoy a wonderful 360 degree view of the beautiful south coast! On a clear day, visitors can see spectacular views of Brighton, The South Downs and even the Isle of Wight!

The Coca Cola London Eye
Any visitors to London should definitely have this attraction on their list! Take a slow 30 minute ride day or night and enjoy amazing views of the cities iconic landmarks including Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. Great for children’s entertainment and fun for all the family.

The Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth
This impressive tower reaches the dizzy heights of 558ft and boasts superb panoramic views of Portsmouth, including the historic dockyard. Take the Skywalk over a large glass floor and look down only if you feel brave enough!

Corfe Castle, Dorset
Climb amongst the ruins of this 1,000 year old castle exploring its fallen walls and take in the most memorable breathtaking views of the Purbecks that stretch for miles.

Blackpool Tower London Eye, Blackpool
Take a trip to the very top of this famous tower and cross the SkyWalk, an exciting glass viewing platform for spectacular views across the Irish Sea, Liverpool and even the Lake District on a clear day.

The Emirates Air Line- Cable Car, London
Treat the family to a ride in a cable car by day or night, which crosses the River Thames giving a brilliant view of London from the air and then finishes right alongside the O2.

Jurassic Skyline, Weymouth, Dorset
Families and friends can enjoy a gentle trip on board a gondola as it rises to give the most stunning views of the historic Jurassic coast, harbour and Portland.

Best UK Water Parks

Posted on by

Calypso Cove Waterpark; Barnsley, South Yorkshire

All the family will be thoroughly entertained at this brilliant pirate themed water park which is home to some seriously cool slides and flumes! Check out Terror Torrent which is one of the UK’s fastest indoor flumes, or how about the family friendly Kraken which lets you choose your own music to slide down to – how cool!

Alton Towers Waterpark; Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire

Often forgotten about whilst everyone explores the theme park, the waterpark at Alton Towers is equally as incredible! With rides to keep the adrenaline junkies happy such as the Master Blaster Water Coaster, there is also plenty on offer for the little ones. So if your legs are feeling tired from walking around the theme park or you need to cool down, pay the waterpark a visit! .

Wet n Wild; North Shields, Tyne and Wear

Your little adrenaline junkies will love trying out the wild rides having fun with the wave machine. For the braver visitors there is The Kamikaze which has an 80 foot drop!! There is lots on offer for littler visitors too and check the website for parent and toddler swimming sessions.

The Time Capsule Waterpark; Coatbridge, Scotland

Located within a complex which has an Ice Rink and Sports Centre, this waterpark has exhilarating colourful water slides including the Tornado Tantrum, Tsunami, Riptide River and Coral Cove which thrill seekers will love! It’s not all slides though, there is also a 25 metre long pool for the little ones to practise their swimming.

WaterWorld; Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire

A visit to this fantastic indoor tropical aqua park is a must during the school holidays and you’ll be guaranteed a splashing good time! Race your friends down the slides, swing on the lily pads and enjoy the wave machine. There is also an aqua disco held on a Friday night for all the family which includes use of the water rides and slides too!

The Rapids; Romsey, Hampshire

This fantastic leisure pool is a real hit with children and adults of all ages and offers plenty of family fun. Ride the rapids, enjoy the flume and for the little ones there is a pirate ship to explore. There are also bubble seats and a huuuuge bucket which tips water so dodge it if you can!

Sandcastle Waterpark; South Beach, Blackpool

This large indoor waterpark is one of Blackpool’s leading tourist attractions. Great for water babies of all ages you’ll find waterslides, fun pools, a wave machine, a lazy river, water shoots and much more. There are also a range of dining options so you can relax with a coffee whilst the children play.

Great Parks for picnics

Posted on by

Bute Park, Cardiff

Right in the heart of the central business district in Cardiff is this beautiful park. There are numerous natural play areas, acres of green space, trails to follow and even three café’s to grab some refreshments. If you are visiting the city it’s well worth a visit, you can spend fifteen minutes or even a whole day here.

Holyrood Park, Edinburgh

Not far from Old Town in Edinburgh is this piece of ancient Scottish countryside. The family can hike around the park exploring the expanses of wilderness where you will find crags, cliffs, lochs and the famous Arthur’s Seat.

Boscombe Coastal Activity Park, Bournemouth, Dorset

Stretching one kilometre either side of Boscombe Pier you will find the Coastal Activity Park. You can walk along the beach, join in with the organised activities or even have a go at the fun free swingball, table tennis and bouldering.

Richmond Park, London

Richmond Park is the largest of the Royal Parks in London (2,500 acres) and has hills, fields and woodlands full of wildlife. The family can try to spot some of the 350 Fallow Deer or 350 Red Deer among many other creatures that call the park home, or even play in the playgrounds or follow the cycle paths that criss-cross the park.

Heaton Park, Manchester

There’s plenty to see and do at Heaton Park! Visit the animal centre to meet cows, alpacas, goats, rabbits and many other adorable animals or have a go at one of the of the many fun children’s activities on offer. You can hire a rowing boat, play a game of golf, hop onto a tram or you can grab some refreshments in the tea room.

Ashton Court, Bristol

This huge park of 850 acres once belonged to the Smyth family, now it’s an historic park with woodlands and grasslands ready for you to explore. There are grazing deer to spot, mountain bike tracks of different difficulty levels, two 18-hole pitch and putt courses and a miniature railway. You will also find many walks that the family can take, panoramic views and plenty of space to play games. Throughout the year there are events held in the park including the International Balloon Fiesta.

Lower Leas Coastal Park, Kent

This park is split into three broad recreational zones. There’s the largest free playground in the southeast of England with slides, a spiral helter-skelter, aerial runway and even a large toddler’s sandpit, plus there’s landscaped gardens and wildlife zones. It’s a great place to spend the day having a picnic, playing or enjoying a gig at the outdoor amphitheatre.

Great Notley Country Park, Essex

Great Notley Country Park has over 100 acres of open space for the family to explore. There are two fantastic wooden play areas for the children to let off some steam, football pitches that can be hired, fishing is permitted and there are a range of great walks.

Weird and wonderful attractions

Posted on by

Mann Cat Sanctuary, Isle of Man

Visit an attraction where the cats are in charge. At Mann Cat Sanctuary, hundreds of fluffy felines and purr-fect pals roam freely across seven acres. With so much space the cats get to choose where they live, which encourages natural behaviour. Come with your family to say hello, and as entry is free the sanctuary asks for food donations instead. Top tip: You’ll be the most popular human around if you bring some cat treats for tea.

Grimm & Co, Rotherham

Hop on your brooms and put down your potions, Grimm & Co in Rotherham is open for business. Founded in 1148 by Master Graham Grimm, this apothecary has been and will always be the spot for magical beings. Come and join in with writing workshops, or learn about hexes and magical accessories. Make sure to check out the Library of Forgotten Books, where your little one can take a book home for free.

The Kinema in the Woods, Lincolnshire

If the usual trip to the cinema involves your kids pulling on your sleeve to take them to the bathroom, or constant pleading to buy them popcorn, Kinema in the Woods is the cinema that your family needs. It is a picturesque picture house tucked away in the Lincolnshire countryside, and is one of the only cinemas that still provides an interval; perfect for minimising your chances of missing the most important part of the film.

Plantasia, Swansea

It’s not often that you find an attraction this proud of its plants, but at Plantasia, they’re definitely the star of the show. Visit a rainforest in the middle of a city and discover a hothouse overflowing with exotic wildlife. This is an attraction where the plants and habitats take centre stage, but if you look closely you’ll find plenty of animals too.

Mother Shipton’s Cave, York

Discover how the waterfall at Mother Shipton’s Cave turns anything it touches into stone. This attraction has amazed visitors since 1630, and is a fantastic day out for the whole family. See for yourselves the teddy bears that have gradually turned to stone beneath the waterfall.

The Gnome Reserve, Devon

Wander through four enchanted acres at The Gnome Reserve whilst wearing your very own gnome hats. Deep in the mystical woods you’ll find an enormous collection of gnomes and pixies in some enchanting scenarios. They’ll be hiding along the pathway, and peeking behind the trees, but can your kids spot all of them?

Making the most of family weekends

Posted on by

If you are at work all week, the main problem with weekends is that you use them to catch up on all your household chores, life ends up getting in the way and that 48-hour window just passes by in a blur of washing and cleaning.

But, with a bit of planning, you can take back control of your weekends for some good old family fun.

Doing at least one fun activity together as a family can bring you closer, whether it be playing a board game indoors on a rainy day, jumping in the biggest, muddiest puddle you can find or taking a walk through the forest or along the beach.

Round the kids up and get them helping out with the chores, with the promise of some outdoor fun when you have finished. Give the kids a duster and the vacuum cleaner and make them enjoy your least favourite job – pairing socks!!

Once you have finished it is time to get out and have some fun…

So get out and have a fun family outdoor adventure and if it’s Autumn there’s nothing more better than crunching through fallen leaves and hunting for conkers that have fallen from a giant  tree.

If it’s that time of year give the kids a plastic tub and get picking, promising them the chance to make and eat a scrummy blackberry and apple crumble with lashings of custard as a reward when you get home.

Why not marvel at the spectacle of green leaves turning rich reds and yellows, making it the perfect time to be out and about with a camera. Let the kids get behind the lens or take some fun videos of them throwing leaves into the air or rolling down a really big hill.

The gardens and colours at National Trust sites are at their best in the autumn season and they also run activities to keep the kids interested. Autumn is also the perfect time to visit the beach, which we avoid like the plague in the summer as it is far too busy, but often get lovely warm weather in September and are always surprised by how quiet the beaches are.  If there is a nip in the air, take your bike or scooter for a ride along the promenade instead.

Holes-in-one fun

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…

Congo River Crazy Golf, Leicester

Giving a little taste of the sunshine state, this Florida-style adventure golf course is the ultimate in 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

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

Go karting for the whole family

Posted on by

Whilst kids aged 8+ can go-kart at loads of tracks all over the UK, we’ve found some for even the smallest of drivers, making it a great family day out.

Pop on your helmet, slide on your racing gloves, and zoom into a day out that’s perfect for adrenaline-fuelled kids.

Lakeside Karting, Essex

If you’re new to go karting then Lakeside Karting in Essex is a great place to start. Your kids can test out the course at their own speed, but as they begin to pick up confidence they can try to beat the clock. Kids as young as three can drive here, as there is a special electric karting session that’s a great way to introduce your little one to the track. It’s way more than just a merry-go-round, these go-karts travel at 5mph with an on/off pedal that can be controlled by the little driver and space for an adult to sit behind (just in case assistance is needed).

Best for: Newcomers looking to test out go-karting for the first time – this is possibly the only place for go karting in the UK where three year olds can get involved. Age 3+

Parkwood Karting, Sheffield

Dart across a 470 metre track of challenging corners and sizzling straights at Parkwood Karting, Sheffield. This outdoor go karting track for children over the age of eight is a great place to book in some family-first time. You can have the track all to yourselves and discover who’s the fastest driver. Will it be the parents, or the kids?

Best for: Speeding around on an exclusive track with your family. Age 8+

TeamSport Indoor Karting, Cardiff

It’s a race to the finish at TeamSport Indoor Karting, Cardiff. Kids can drive specially designed Cadet Karts and see if they can beat the all time fastest lap. If parents are looking for a spin then consider Family Karting Madness; a go karting package where you can race against your kids and then munch on scrummy pizzas together. Fun for all the family!

Best for: For mini-racers who will need a food and drink pit stop. Age 8+

If you’re not based in Cardiff, don’t worry, as you can still visit a TeamSport go karting track! They have 24 venues across the UK Herefordshire Raceway, Herefordshire Lose track of time at Herefordshire Raceway. Speed around on an outdoor race course with an enormous 600 metre go karting track. Why not zoom through the stunning Herefordshire countryside and enjoy a day out for both yourself and your kids? You can arrive and drive at this raceway, but as it’s super popular they advise that you book in advance.

Best for: Those looking to get away from the city. Age 8+

The Race Club Karting, Northamptonshire

Have a great day from start to finish at The Race Club Karting, Northamptonshire. Kids aged eight and above can hop into a 120cc Sodi go-kart, a less powerful kart that’s safe, secure and fun. There’s a special Dads, Lads & Lassies package (mum’s are welcome too!) that’s great for parents looking to join in with the action.

Best for: Sorting out a special birthday treat for your kid. Age 8+

Daytona Karting, Manchester

Get moving at Daytona Karting in Manchester. Five to seven year olds can hop into a training kart and learn from experienced supervisors. During the school holidays, older kids, who have already tested the sport out on the arrive and drive session, can join the Daytona Driving School and learn how to become a go karting champion!

Best for: Pretending you’re a NASCAR racer on the Daytona International Speedway in Florida, while you’re really go karting in the UK. Age 8+

Wessex Raceway Indoor Karting,

Wiltshire Wessex Raceway Indoor Karting in Wiltshire is one of the best go karting tracks to visit if your kid wants to be a professional racer. All kids, eight and above, are taught using regulation go-karts under expert supervision. They’ll learn how to follow the correct racing lines, come into turns at the best possible angle, and most importantly, how to beat the parents!

Best for: Wannabe racers looking to learn how to race professionally. Age 8+