Tag: activities

CBeebies at Alton Towers

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Alton Towers Resort has today announced that CBeebies Land will reopen for 2017 season with an extended line up of rides, attractions and live children’s entertainment. The Furchester Hotel Live Show and Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom ride will open on 25th March for the new theme park season and join the existing line up of 12 other attractions in the Land.

As the UK’s most watched children’s channel, CBeebies favourites are brought to life in CBeebies Land. Opening its doors for a brand new live and interactive show, guests can join Phoebe, Funella, Furgus, Elmo and Cookie Monster at The Furchester Hotel. Guests will make their way through the famous revolving doors before being welcomed with furry arms into the hotel. The show sees the hotel prepare for the exciting arrival of Chick Swagger, guests can sing and dance along to the rock-a-doodle-do hit, Tail Feather Shake.

Join Kyan, Xuli, Lars and Foz on a Go Jetters global adventure as little thrill seekers fly around the world in a Vroomster. With their very own controls, youngsters can guide their Vroomster up and down as they launch from the Jetpad to help to find Grandmaster Glitch.

CBeebies Land is a dedicated area at the UK’s number one theme park where children can learn play and meet some of their favourite CBeebies friends to inspire their imagination. The two new rides and attractions join a line-up of existing favourites at CBeebies Land including Postman Pat Parcel Post, Mr.Bloom’s Allotment, Justin’s House Pie-o-Matic Factory and the In the Night Garden Magical Boat ride.

For an extra special CBeebies experience in 2017, stay at the brand new CBeebies Land Hotel. Opening in Summer, the 76 room, fully themed hotel will be home to bedrooms featuring In the Night Garden, Octonauts, Postman Pat, as well as Swashbuckle and Something Special.  Guests can hunt for Postman Pat’s parcels, count the jewels in the Swashbuckle room or stay in one of Mr Tumble’s starry bunkbeds. Find the Pontipines around the In the Night Garden room, and sleep in the Octopod in a themed underwater experience with the Octonauts. Featuring interactive games and play items, each themed room is uniquely designed to give little ones a sleepover like no other.

With a jam-packed kids entertainment schedule for all guests to enjoy, the CBeebies Land Hotel will offer meet and greets with characters Bing and Postman Pat, a Swashbuckle game show and Andy’s Dinosaur Hunt in which children will help Andy follow the clues to find his missing prehistoric items. There will also be the chance to join Bing in a live show and dance the night away with a CBeebies disco. As darkness falls, guests can take part in some stargazing with the CBeebies Land Hotel presenters before a restful night ready for an action packed day in CBeebies Land!

The new attractions in CBeebies Land open on 25th March with bookings now being taken for the brand new CBeebies Land Hotel from 8th July.

‘Sing’ the movie

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“SING” is released across UK cinemas on the 21st & 22nd of January 2017 and it’s a perfect way to entertain children and adults alike.

The main character is a koala called Buster Moon, voiced by the rather lovely Matthew McConaughey, who is obsessed with “making it big” with his completely run-down theatre.

In a desperate last measure to save his beloved theatre, he decides to hold a talent contest, with a prize of $1000.  Unfortunately his rather elderly assistant, Ms Crawley, (a half blind lizard!), voiced by the very clever Garth Jennings, manages to add two extra “00s” to the prize fund on all the leaflets…..

 

So, of course, every animal under the sun turns up for the auditions and the main characters of the film emerge as the final show performers.

These include Rosita the pig, who is a housewife and mum to 25 piglets, (the mums in the audience will identify with her 100%!), voiced by Reese Witherspoon.

Meena the elephant who is terrified of performing in front of an audience and prefers to stay back-stage if she can, voiced by Tori Kelly

Johnny the gorilla, who was most definitely our favourite character of the bunch, voiced wonderfully “Eastender-ish” by Taron Egerton.

Ash the punk-porcupine, who is more or less, the “moody-teenager” and flits between heavy metal to love songs, voiced by Scarlett Johansson.

The baddy of the crew is smarmy ole Mike the mouse, voiced very cleverly by Mike MacFarlane: you can’t help but hate him as soon as you see him!

Gunter the pig, who is paired with Rosita to choreograph a dance routine with her for their joint performance, voiced by Nick Kroll.

And then there’s Buster’s faithful friend, Eddie the sheep, who stands by him in all his efforts to keep the theatre up and running, voiced by John C Reilly.

Eddie has a hugely famous opera singer grandmother, Nana Noodleman, voiced by our very own Jennifer Saunders, who does help to come to the rescue in the end…..

Without revealing too much of the plot, it all goes horribly wrong and all ends up fabulously good!

As the name suggests: it is very music orientated, so if that’s not your little one’s “thing” – this film is not for you, but who doesn’t like music?

Places to take the kids on February half term

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Meadow Keeper’s Cottage, near Rye, East Sussex

Set on a 40-acre farm, between two wildflower meadows, this idyllic little holiday home is the perfect base for a taste of country life – children can become junior farmers, helping out at animal feeding time.

The “cottage” itself looks like it’s been lifted straight from a children’s storybook and put on wheels. Hand-made by a local craftsman, it’s as cute as can be with flowers in boxes under blue-framed windows, a wooden door and wood-burner indoors to keep you toasty.

Not one for a large family or older kids but perfect for young ones, with a double bed and two singles that double up as benches, a fold-away dining table between them and indoor cooking area. The loo and (wood-fired) shower are outside.

The wide stretches of beach at Camber Sands are only nine miles away and Bodiam castle, which also looks like it’s been lifted from a fairytale with its crenellated towers and drawbridge.

• £660 for six nights from 10-16 February (sleeps four),

Walking in the Lake District

If you’ve got kids who need to burn off energy every day, how about a dedicated walking holiday? This group trip features a choice of three child-friendly walks a day ranging from an easy option at six miles to a full 13-mile hike. In the evenings, activities are geared towards children; there’s also a games room.

The four-day trip, departing 13 February, costs £279 per adult (saving £50), with children (aged 11 to 17 and sharing with an adult) paying £194 each (under-11s go free), including full-board at the company’s Derwent Bank Country House on the shores of Derwentwater through HF Holidays.

A cottage in Wales

Wayside, Near Dolgellau, Snowdonia

Sheepskin, which specialises in luxury homes – the majority of which are in Wales, is offering 10% off its larger properties this half-term, including Wayside, near Dolgellau in Snowdonia, a charming cottage with an open-plan living area and cosy sofas around a wood-burning stove, looking out over a valley of fields and forests. It sleeps six and costs £1,328 for the half-term holiday (including the 10% discount), arriving on 10 February.

Alternatively, Bantwen, a traditional cottage in Carmarthenshire, is on offer through Under the Thatch; it sleeps six and costs just £224 for four nights starting 13 February.

Bluestone for kids

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Things to do

 

Breathe in, take a look around and get to know your surroundings. Get familiar with your habitat; 500 acres of rambling woodland to scramble, climb and run through lush green grass, skim stones across clear blue lakes and explore Britain’s only Coastal National Park.

If forest bathing isn’t your thing then The Blue Lagoon should fulfill any mermaid’s requirements. Completely heated by a Biomass fuel system, we’re determined that having an amazing time shouldn’t cost the earth.

We can’t guarantee the weather, so if grey clouds threaten there’s also the Adventure Centre, where you can get a taste for climbing trees and making dens, indoors. Here you can go truly wild.

Or if you want to relax opt out of the world for a day. The Well Spa uses traditional, natural ingredients in its massages and treatments; here you can meander from roof top hydrotherapy pool to any one of the 6 thermal spa rooms with different temperatures and focuses, depending on what your body needs to rebalance itself.

Go wild. Get messy. Try something new.

During your stay at Bluestone you’ll be spoilt for choice with things to do! With a range of activities for kids for the smallest adventurers, to the most seasoned, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Find out what’s on offer and start planning your holiday filled with free range fun!

Adventures

Whether you’re an outdoor adrenaline chaser, a fanatic foodie or a wound up workaholic in need of some winding down, you’ll find your perfect adventure on a Bluestone holiday.

Bluestone Rangers

When your kids become Bluestone Rangers, it’s Famous Five adventures all the way. Build dens, explore, look for bugs, get muddy: it’s all about free range fun. Set them free to learn, have fun and go exploring the natural world, indoors or out.

Splash About

Being by the sea we love the water here at Bluestone and you’ll be able to dive straight into fun on your holiday right here. Our subtropical Blue Lagoon is free for guests to enjoy during your stay, zoom the flumes, jump the waves and have a great time! Our Lake is also home to great water sports from kayaking to coracle racing, bring the whole family together and take part in the raft building challenges!

If you are for some well earned relaxation during your break then we have you covered. With a luxurious Spa on resort specialising in ESPA treatments and acres of forest space for long walks with nature you’ll be spoilt for choice. Take the days as they come, relax, unwind and try life at a leisurely Pembrokeshire pace for a change!

EUROCAMP HOLIDAYS

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Where is it? Travelling by P&O Ferry from Dover to Calais on a one- hour crossing, then drive the 210 miles to Duinrell in three and a half hours through France and Belgium. You can also travel from Harwich to Hook of Holland (26 miles) or Zebrugge (139 miles)  or do fly-drive to Amsterdam ( 22 miles away).

A two-bedroom Eurocamp mobile home cost £571 for a seven-night stay at Whitsun week, for two adults and up to four children, including the Dover to Calais ferry crossings. Prices range from £260 for a tent at the beginning of May to over £1,017 for a week in a mobile home in peak July/ August weeks.

Where? Netherlands

Staying in a Eurocamp mobile home, which was comfy and well-equipped with a kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms. The pitch was wider than other sites with a broad deck, which meant loads of room for the kids to ride their bikes.

The Duinrell site has so much there on tap, you’ll find the kids will be exhausted and sleep like logs – and you may even get a lie-in!

The adjoining theme park had everything from non-scary rides suitable for toddlers to heart-stopping white-knuckle water plunge rides and roller coasters for adrenaline-seeking teenagers (and adults). Think Alton Towers or Chessington without the huge queues and mortgage-your-home entry fee.

The queues aren’t as long as at UK theme parks and the beauty of the free entry was that you can go back as many times as you wanted. It is more suitable for older children and teenagers entertainment, but there is a high buggy count in the theme park.

Favourite spot for toddlers and parents is the indoor carousel ride (free!), which is surrounded by tables where coffees and ice creams are served.

The site has a well-stocked supermarket with reasonably priced food if you wanted to eat in.

The indoor Tiki Water Park (with some of the longest rides in the world are good for wet days; you get up to two hours free to ride the Lazy River, flumes and plunging slides. There’s even a sauna if Mum or Dad want to sneak off.

The campsite has 1,500 pitches and a mixture of Dutch/ British and German visitors, with English widely spoken. It is adjoined by a nature reserve that provides a welcome escape.

Cycle rides to Wassenaar beach, a clean and spacious stretch of sand with bars and cafes, is one of the highlights of the trip.

Amsterdam is only 22 miles away, you can drive to a Park and Ride site just outside the city, and pay five Euros to park all day (this bargain price included two return train tickets to central Amsterdam). Children’s fares were a very reasonable two Euros each.

Conclusion:

A great place to go even if it rains you don’t have to sit in the caravan listening to the rain drumming on the roof – non-stop children’s entertainment is right on site.

Deerpark adventure

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What is it? A four-day break in a log cabin on Cornwall’s south-west coast.

Where? A Deer Park in Cornwall but other Forest Holiday Cabin locations include the Forest of Dean; Keldy on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park; Cropton in North Yorkshire; Argyll on the shores of Loch Lomond and Strathyre close to Callander, both in Scotland.

Description: Take advantage of all that nature has to offer. Funnily enough, the kids won’t miss their computers, their Wii or cable telly one single bit.

Regular Ranger activities include ‘Forest Survival’, ‘Amazing Animals’, ’Woodland Discovery’ and ‘Rove with the Ranger’. Other children’s activities available were rock climbing, archery and canoeing.

At Deerpark, evening entertainment is a little different and consists of Ranger activities like ‘Duskwatch’ and ‘Night Vision’, which involve looking for bats, deer, moths and owls sometimes using nighttime vision equipment.

There’s no childcare onsite.

This is more of an activity holiday than a pampering opportunity. Even though it’s nowhere near as basic as staying in a tent, if you want a sauna, whirlpool and whole range of beauty treatments, you’d better look elsewhere.

Local activities: There are several pretty towns nearby which are worth a visit. The Eden Project is just down the road and there are plenty of other exciting possibilities such as a high zip wire ride, animal farms and a monkey sanctuary.

  • There is no mobile phone reception onsite.

  • Make the most of the Ranger activities and the bike hire. Kids will love these.

Getting There: From London to the site, in Liskeard, Cornwall,  takes about five hours and 15 minutes. Prices range from £12 per person per night, and there are late booking offers as well as advanced booking offers available in all sites.

Centre parcs

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Having kids a little bit older means there’s a lot more to take advantage of in Center Parcs, from dirt buggies to falconry to steep water slides, the activities just go on and on…

To experience Center Parcs with slightly older children, to see what they think of the facilities now that they can participate in more family activities.

Center Parcs has brilliant childcare facilities, including kids’ clubs for younger kids and drop-off activities for slightly older ones. You can pay for a babysitter which costs: £15 for two hours.

Center Parcs is famous in that it offers something for everyone. For parents who want to get away from it all in particular, there is the Aqua Sana, where no kids are allowed  and offers a big range of “experiences” such as steam room, sauna, swimming pool and Turkish baths, as well as myriad treatments. Whether you want a facial, an aromatherapy massage or a mud bath, it’s all here.

Take a small backpack for every family member with you if you intend to ride bikes everywhere, otherwise you might find lugging around all your swimming kit etc. around extremely hard going.

Sherwood Forest is located north of Nottingham between the M1 and A1. Prices vary, depending on the type of accommodation and the time of year. You can pre-book a mid-week break, weekend break (Friday – Monday) or a week-long break.

The cheapest break is £239 for a family of four in a two-bedroom comfort lodge during the cheapest time of the year, but that does not include any activities, bicycle hire etc. It all adds up! Other Center Parc locations are in Whinfell Forest, Cumbria, Longleat Forest, Wiltshire, and Elveden Forest, Suffolk.

Days out with the kids by train

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To help out ideas-strapped parents, Family & Friends Railcard, which saves a third off most adult rail fares and 60% off kids’ fares, has compiled five quick and easy ideas to make the most of the autumn break with a fun day out for all the family.

Forests

Want to relax and enjoy the crackling of red and gold leaves rustling beneath your feet? The UK has a wealth of forests and woodlands. Just an hour and a half from London the New Forest is a fantastic family friendly option that won’t break the bank.

Theatre

From the best of Disney to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, the West End offers something for everyone. It’s a step up from your local theatre, offering faultless timing in dance moves and incredible voices – a perfect way to spend a chilly autumn evening. You can even get up to 60% off theatre tickets with your Railcard.

Hit the slopes

Start the ski season early by heading to one of the UK’s indoor slopes. From family ski sessions to sledging and snowboarding there’s loads on offer for families of all ages. Based in Hemel Hempstead, The Snow Centre is Britain’s newest indoor ski centre and caters for kids as young as four.

Museums

When the weather offers blustery winds and rainy skies, why not spend the day exploring a museum. Liverpool’s World Museum is one that will excite both the kids and adults with rocket rides through space and journey’s to the bottom of the sea.

Blackpool Illuminations

Stuck with what to do with your weekend? Plan a day trip to Blackpool and watch the flamboyant Blackpool Illuminations dazzle and light up the entire promenade. Switch on from early September until November for spectacular views, which the whole family can enjoy.

Family & Friends Railcard

For just £30 a year, the Family & Friends Railcard provides a third off most adult rail fares and 60% off kids fares. On average, Railcard users save £130 annually, making it worth over four times as much as it costs. Plus, in addition to saving on travel costs, the Family & Friends Railcard offers discounts on theatre tickets and days out.

Please the kids and the parents too

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1. 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.

2. 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!

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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, a special 5-minute performance, and time for photos and questions afterwards!

6. 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

7. 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!

8. 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.

Pantomimes in the North of England

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TYNE & WEAR

SLEEPING BEAUTY AT SUNDERLAND EMPIRE THEATRE

9 December – 30 December 2016

One of the memorable things to do with the kids at Christmas time is a visit to see the panto. Experience the spellbinding performance at the Empire Theatre in Sunderland this year. Featuring a star-studded cast with Vicky Entwistle (Coronation Street, Les Misérables) as the evil Carabosse, ‘Steps’ star Faye Tozer as the Good Fairy, children’s CBeebies favourite Andrew Agnew as Silly Billy, Amy-Leigh Hickman as Princess Briar Rose, and special guest star Bobby Crush as Nurse Kelly. Bursting with hilarious jokes, dazzling song and dance, captivating characters and magical costumes, sets and CGI special effects. Add a festive fairytale touch to your family Christmas and book your seats early to get your preferred date.

Empire Theatre, High St West, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR1 3PZ

NORTH YORKSHIRE

CINDERELLA AT YORK THEATRE ROYAL

8 December 2016 – 28 January 2017

The kids love a pantomime at Christmas time so book tickets to see this fabulous new production at the newly refurbished Theatre Royal in York. The pantomime favourite fairytale Cinderella will have dazzling sets, stunning costumes, outstanding song-and-dance routines, awesome effects and side-splitting hilarity that will amaze and delight all ages! Make family memories and book tickets on the website.

York Theatre Royal, St Leonard’s Place, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 7HD

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

JACK & THE BEANSTALK AT NOTTINGHAM THEATRE ROYAL

10 December 2016 – 15 January 2017

Include a visit to the panto with the kids to the list of places to go this Christmas time! The pantomime at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal stars the legendary comedy-duo The Chuckle Brothers as Paul and Barry Trot, Tony Maudsley as Dame Trot, and Chico as Jack, the hero of the fairytale. This unmissable production promises awesome entertainment for all ages and features laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning costumes and scenery, and amazing special effects as the audience and cast enter the Giant’s castle in spectacular 3D! Check out the website, make your plans and book early to get the best seats.

Royal Concert Hall and Theatre, Theatre Square, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG1 5ND