Tag: best

Fairy Parties

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Many ideas on this list come from what little girls love to do – play dressup, and use their imagination!

Fairy parties can also be about fairies in general, follow a garden theme, or be about a specific fairy, such as Tinkerbell or one of the Barbie Fairytopia fairies.

Here are some fun, general, kids party activities that you can do for any of these different type of fairy themes!

It is always a good idea to have something for your little guests to do when they get to the party, because there is about a 10 minute time span where people are arriving and you will want to have everyone occupied from the moment they get there. Have a helper, either another adult or an older child, help with these activities to free you up to answer the door.

As guests arrive for the party, give them a “fairy makeover”. Nail polish, body glitter, glitter hairspray. You can add a tulle skirt, crown and wings if you wish.

Earning their Fairy Wings
One option on the wings is to wait to pass out the wings till the end of your party.
If you do this, you can set up the games as “tasks” to complete so each child “earns” their fairy wings.

Centreing a party around “earning” something can give you a wealth of activities!

How about your fairies-in-training trying some of these activities?
Speed Test: Have a race or a relay race to see who can zip among the flowers the fastest.
Magical Hunt: Arrange a treasure hunt where everyone must find 3 beautiful coloured jewels.
Show of Bravery: How about winning a battle against a villian? It is always a good idea to be able to stand up for yourself and your fellow fairies

Because fairies love to live in gardens, you can incorporate some of the ideas from a garden party into your theme! One good idea would be to hit a flower or butterfly pinata.

The Story Museum

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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

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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

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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!

Breathe in the sea air

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Camber Sands, East Sussex
At just over an hour away from St. Pancras International and offering a five mile stretch of unspoiled sands and grass fringed dunes, Camber Sands is the perfect quick escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. If you’re after a challenge and the chance to learn a new skill, why not try kite surfing lessons? If you get permission in advance from Rother Council you can bring along your own BBQ, or pop into the The Gallivant restaurant behind the dunes which serves up locally sourced meat and fish dishes.

Canvey Island, Sussex
Located in the Thames Estuary just off the coast of Essex, this lovely beach offers views of Kent coast and of ships heading towards the Thames. Kids will love the separate tidal pool that overlooks the sea! Stop by the renovated 1930’s Labworth Cafe for a bite to eat and their amusement arcade for some seaside fun.

Botany Bay, Kent
This Blue Flag beach offers amazing views of the white cliffs and impressive chalk stacks! When the tide is out, it’s perfect for fossil hunting and rock pool exploring. There are kiosks on site selling ice creams, or you can pay a visit to nearby cafes offering hot food and drinks. Dogs are not permitted on this beach from 10am to 6pm from May 1st until 30th September.

Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex
This beach, located in the lovely traditional seaside town of Walton, is known more commonly for it’s pier (the second largest in the country!), yacht club and marina. Pay a visit to The Naze for panoramic views on the beach and for its art gallery and tea room. Walk along this Site of Special Scientific Interest to discover some fascinating wildlife and fossils within the Red Flag cliffs.

Mersea, Essex
At eight miles square and a causeway to venture through, getting to Mersea Beach is a fun family adventure in itself! With nearby shops, restaurants and guesthouses, this beach is buzzing with fun activity to keep your children occupied. Go crabbing on a pontoon, take a fun boat tour around the island or pay a visit to the famous Company Shed restaurant!

Margate Beach
Margate Beach, located in Thanet alongside Broadstairs and Ramsgate, is only a 90 minute journey away from St. Pancras International via high speed rail. With 7 Blue Flag beaches and 3 Seaside Awards, Thanet offers some of the best beaches… without the need to pack an overnight bag! Come along to surf, swim and sail, or explore some rock pools and cycle along the glorious shoreline.

Dizzy Heights

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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.

Discover Longleat

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Enter a land of adventure. Where lions roam. Tigers stalk. And monkeys swing. Travel through time in a grand stately home. Lose yourself in one of our magical mazes. Hold exotic creatures from the ends of the Earth. Fun and adventure for all the family.

Predators

See some of the biggest, fastest, strangest predators come to life with Longleat’s animatronic exhibition. Featuring modern day predators as well as those that roamed the world thousands of years ago, you can come face to face with a giant cobra and stand near the terrifying jaws of the anglerfish!

Pop-Up Pandas

More than 50 cute panda statues have taken over the Wiltshire estate – with some even popping up within the Safari Park! The pandas have been designed by artists in China and are each one has been hand-painted. Each of the sculptures has its own unique design incorporating everything from English seasonal events to the different artistic styles and elements of Chinese culture.

Railway

Jump on board the miniature railway for a 1.25 mile journey around the park’s scenic woodland. Opened in 1965, the railway is older than even the safari park! You might even spot the two Ugandan hippos whilst on your journey.

Safari drive through

How many different types of animal can you spot? Wind up your windows and hide your lunch! Everyone will love this chance to get up close to the monkeys and lions.

Parrot show

Head along to one of the daily parrot shows to meet the colourful macaws. You can admire the parrot’s skills while the knowledgeable keepers tell you more about these beautiful birds and how you can care for the world they live in.

Animal Encounters

Fancy holding a snake, stroking a tarantula or cuddling a guinea pig? Our keepers can arrange a personal introduction for you and your family. Available free with a valid day ticket or annual pass, just contact Longleat for more information.

 

Kids Event Entertainment

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Children’s party entertainment is something that many parents lose sleep over. Where do you find something that will keep your kids busy and engaged for the whole duration of the party, and something that they haven’t already seen before?

It’s a challenge most parents would gladly forgo, so Kiddy Zone is here to help. We have some fun ideas for party games, party entertainers and some great ideas of children’s birthday parties that are new and different.

From balloon modellers to magicians, street dancers to caricaturists and even green screen photography entertainments, plus a whole series of indoor and outdoor games which include:

Indoor -Dance Machines, Photo Booths, Table Football, Air Hockey and Skittles.

Outdoor – Funfair Stalls, Connect 4, Kerplunk, Table Football and Giant Scalextrics.

All performers you hire should be CRB checked (a necessary precaution these days), and each should be assessed for the quality of their performance, both by you and by the harshest critics of all, the audience. So, if you’re looking for children’s birthday party entertainment ideas take note of the right things to check for.

Gruffalo spotting

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Why not set off to find Julia Donaldson’s & Axel Scheffler’s famous spined monster.

The Gruffalo Spotters Trails are available at various Forestry Commission parks over the UK. They consist of an interactive walk which begins by downloading the Gruffalo Spotters App at home – we can’t recommend that enough, as phone signals are patchy enough in the forest without having to rely on some serious 4G power. You can still do the trail without the app.

Simply  follow clues throughout the forest, tracking down signs of the characters from The Gruffalo At each spot where you find one of the characters, there’s a round marker which you point your camera at and the app brings the characters to life as well as large clues and info boards. There’s plenty of other interactive things to do along the way too.

Aside from the stunning views across Exeter, the track, which is suitable for cyclists too, has various spots where you can hide out in fun woodland dens, make your own dens, photo spots and a large wooden xylophone. The kids were so engrossed with getting stuck into all the little extras along the way that we had to keep reminding them to search for the Gruffalo clues!

There’s a whole Julia Donaldson thing going on at Haldon Forest Park and you’ll also get to see Stick Man  at the beginning of the trail!

It should take around 2 hours walking around, stopping for clues, joining in with the extra interactive children’s activities, picnicking and having a spot of fun in the park. Although on a warmer, less windy day, we’re sure you’d get a good 3-4 hours at least.

You can also purchase activity packs from the cafe as well to enhance your Gruffalo spotting fun. But if you’re looking for a day out on a shoestring they’re not essential. It’s just as much fun going home and re reading the book to remind you of the day though!

The Rock to Padstow ferry

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The ferry from Rock to Padstow runs roughly every 20 minutes and takes 5-10 minutes to do the journey. The views are great and kids love the experience.

Go window shopping

Padstow is home to a lot of clothes shops like Joules, Seasalt and White Stuff but the chances are your kids won’t be a massive fan of those. Kids will really enjoy having a look into the windows of the places they will find interesting, asking about the different fish for sale in the fishmongers, looking at the huge paintings inside a gallery There’s also plenty of boats in the harbour and it’s fun to look at their names and where they are from or hunting for the biggest boat

Go to a food market

There is great little food and craft market near to the main car park in Padstow. Go and check out some local food the kids will love having little bits to try.

Go on a sea cruise

Boats like the Jubilee Queen run hour long cruises from Padstow that give you and the kids a chance to see some of the fabulous wildlife around Cornwall which can include dolphins, seals or even basking sharks.

Eat some chips

The Rick Stein Café is in the centre of town and is one of the most kid friendly cafes with crayons and colouring sheets on hand as well as food kids would actually eat which is pretty much unheard of.

Have a run around on the beach

There are several beaches in Padstow or if you’ve taken the ferry over then the beach at

Rock is great for playing on too. Perfect for kicking a ball about on, flying a kite or getting busy with a bucket and spade.