Tag: entertainment

October half term ideas

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Looking for children’s entertainment on a budget during October half term? If you’re strapped for ideas for half-term family activities, never fear.

Take a free event.
Have a look at Free-events, search the web for more events going on in your area over the course of the week.

Watch a film;
For a lazy start to the day, Vue cinemas host Mini Mornings every morning during the holidays. Both adult and child tickets are £2.49 for selected movies, so you could release your inner child for very little expense.

Odeon offers something very similar with Odeon Kids. Kids and adults can go every morning during the school holidays at a slightly higher ticket price of £2.50.
Cineworld also does Movie for Juniors where you and the kids can get in for a tiny £2 each (3D £3.50).

Go bowling;
Head over to your local Tenpin from Monday to Friday and get a cracking School’s Out deal. If you go before 5pm, kids can get one game of bowling and a burger meal for £8.49 and adults can get the same for £10.99. Deals vary between bowling alleys so check the Tenpin website before you go.

Learn a new skill;
There’s everything from free scales and fins pet workshops at Pets at Home stores to spooky shadows workshops at the National Gallery.

Hobbycraft;
Runs a free workshops for kids in some of its 81 UK stores over the weekends and during half term. Check if your local store is running one.

Alternatively stay in and pass on your own skills (think instruments, drawing, cooking) to the kids.
Get sporty If the weather holds up, get them outside for a bit of a kickabout. Find out where to get free holiday football coaching at various skill centres throughout England.

Take a walk on the wild side

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If your kids are mad about animals a Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens would be great for them.

Gaze at the Asiatic Lions and adorable cubs lazing around in their enclosures, be blown away by the stunning White Rhino grazing on the lawn of the Gothic Manor House, look a giraffe in the eye at the Giraffe Walkway, or watch the Flamingos and Pelicans on the lake. If you’re feeling brave, how about taking a peek into the Reptile House with Giant Anacondas, crocodiles and deadly snakes!

The park is also home to 131 species of bird and is renowned for its collection; which includes birds of all sizes, from the tiny Zosterops to the world’s biggest bird, the Ostrich.

It’s not just animals you can have fun with at Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, take a ride on the narrow-gauge railway, run wild in the amazing adventure playground or climb 20 feet in the air on the scary sky maze!

The stunning gardens, picturesque parkland and themed borders make a beautiful backdrop to the animals. With over 260 different species of animals in over 120 acres, there’s plenty of space to get closer to wildlife.

It’s a wild and educational day out!
See lots of stunning animals
Enjoy the beautiful gardens
Have fun in the adventure playground with sky maze.

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.

Thrill Seeking Kids

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Alton Towers

With over 50 awesome rides to explore, Alton Towers is the perfect fun day out for the family adrenaline junkies. With thrill rides such as “Rita” Queen of speed- which catapults riders from 0-100kph in 2.5 seconds and “The Smiler” the world’s first 14 loop roller coaster you are sure to come away having had your adrenaline fix! New for 2018 is Alton Towers latest addition- “Wicker man” coaster which promises to be one of the world’s most immersive coaster experiences and one of the first wooden coasters built in over 20 years!

Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is home to a whole host of amazing rides and attractions including some fantastic thrill rides, From Hyperspace mountain which catapults you through the dark space themed dome to ‘The twilight Zone Tower of Terror’ which drops guests 199 ft in a lift! Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril is sure to get the heart racing along with many other fantastic rides in both the Disneyland main park and Walt Disney Studios.

Zip World, Betws-y-Coed, Wales

Fancy a high-speed zip wire along the longest zip wire in Europe? Or perhaps you would like to ride the traditional toboggan ‘Fforest coaster’ through the welsh woodland? You can ride alone or in pairs and reach speeds of up to 23 mph!

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Scream if you want to go faster! Blackpool pleasure beach is one of the most well known UK amusement parks home to thrilling rides such as “The big one” the UK’s tallest roller coaster and the world’s first suspended looping coaster completely over water- “Infusion” and many more! Coming soon.. ICON the UK’s first double launch roller coaster – which cost a staggering 16.25 million to build!

Up at the 02 – The Original Climb

If you have a head for heights why not climb the roof of one of London’s most iconic landmarks? Take in a stunning view 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!

Lightwater Valley, Ripon

Action packed excitement and adventure for the whole family! Amongst 35 rides and attractions you can ride Europe’s longest roller coaster ‘The Ultimate’, spin above the treetops on Apollo, discover the mysterious subterranean world of Raptor Attack and take to the skies in the powerful grip of the Eagles Claw! Lightwater Valley has something for everyone and is a fantastic day out for all the family to enjoy. New for 2018 – don’t miss a chance to meet the Prairie Marmots in the animal encounters section.

Go Ape! Various Locations

Have fun in the forest, swinging, jumping, zipping, soaring and more! Across the various locations you can find a selection of children’s fun activities including zip lines, tree top trampolines, forest segways and of course the assault courses. You can choose the activities to suit your ability too. Adrenaline Junkies will love the ‘leap of faith’ or the Zipwire!

Thorpe Park, Chertsey, Surrey

Thorpe park is the perfect theme park for the thrill-seekers in the family, From ‘Colossus’ – the first 10 looping roller-coaster to the ‘Stealth’ which reaches speeds 80 mph in just under 2 seconds and sends you up to dizzy heights of 205ft, this ride is not for the faint- hearted! New for 2018, ‘The Walking Dead: The Ride’ this coaster is sure to make you jump as you travel through the dark avoiding the zombies at every corner.

National Trust days out

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Hinton Ampner – Alresford

With a beautifully crafted manor house, set amongst a stunning garden, this is the perfect setting for a wonderful family day out. Stop for afternoon tea in the lovely little tea room and don’t miss the 19th century pear and apple trees in the walled-garden. The grounds offer the perfect location for a picturesque picnic!

Mottisfont Abbey & Garden – Romsey

This stunning house and gallery is surrounded by picturesque riverside gardens, the historic house is full of beauty from paintings, photographs and interior design. There is a lovely wild play area for kids and great trails to follow making this a special place for a day out with family and friends.

Smallhythe Place – Kent

Smallhythe Place is a sixteenth century building, that was once a Tudor harbour master’s house. It was also home to Victorian actress, Ellen Terry and is now a museum of memorabilia. There are many events, which take place in the Barn Theatre and the cottage garden contains roses, an orchard and spring garden.

Studland Bay – Swanage

Visit this popular beach to take in the beautiful Purbeck coastline with views of Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Wight, discover dragons and take the dune trail challenge! There’s no shortage of water sports to get involved in, making this the perfect day out for families!   

Morden Hall Park

Morden Hall Park offers you and your family that perfect getaway from the hustle & bustle with 125 acres of gorgeous parkland, meadows, wetlands and waterways. There are temporary exhibitions held so you will always find something new to discover.  

Ham House & Garden

Filled with history and atmosphere, Ham House & Gardens is a great place to bring the family. This 17th century house is located on the banks of the River Thames and has a fabulous collection of textiles, furniture and paintings, some dating back almost 400 years. The garden is set out beautifully and offers a fantastic selection of plants and flowers to discover. You can also follow a family trail that will help you explore the house and there are children’s trails to entertain the kids in the gardens.

Osterley Park and House

Have fun and get active with friends and family by trying out lots of free sports and activities within the beautiful surroundings of Osterley Park! You can also explore the middle lake on a canoe, test your cycling skills around a portable BMX track and more!

Sutton House and Breaker’s Yard

Bring the family to here to see this house built in 1535 and retains much of the atmosphere of a Tudor home. See the ornate carved fireplaces and windows and Each room has something for visitors to get their hands on and get a feel for how a prominent Tudor family lived, ate and played. There are action packed family days held here throughout the year.

Green fingers

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Lazy sunny days on a grassy lawn, picking daisies and creating garlands, necklaces and bracelets to wear for the rest of the day! In reality little ones may get a bit frustrated trying to make the tiny holes but maybe in a few years they’ll be able to do it!!

Make your own compost

When dead plants and leaves rot down, they turn into soil material called compost which is great for the garden! You can buy plastic composters or use a plastic dustbin with the bottom cut out to make your own ‘composter’. Get the children out collecting the garden waste and over time they can watch it turn to compost! This is a fantastic activity for teaching the little ones about the importance of recycling.

Make a hanging basket

At this time of year you can grab an empty hanging basket from a garden centre or a pound shop. Fill with soil and colourful flowers and your hanging basket will look beautiful! This is a great activity for kids as they can see quick results rather than waiting for something to grow.

Plant some seeds

Get some seeds from a garden centre and watch them grow. You can measure your seedlings every week to see how much they have grown, then plant them in your garden once they are ready.

Make a worm farm

Fill a glass jar with 4 alternate layers of sand and soil, (sand/ soil/ sand/ soil). The soil layers need to be about 3 times as thick as the sand layers. Leave a gap of about 2 inches of space at the top of the jar. Now the fun bit! Find the worms! Put in the worms and then add some potato peelings, overripe fruit and old tea leaves as a final layer. Put a few holes in the Jar and then watch to see what happens over the next few days as the worms wiggle around, great fun!!

Grow a pizza!

Using a grow bag or some mid sized tubs plant tomato, basil and onion seeds/ plants and grow to create your own pizza toppings!

Make a miniature garden

Use a metal or plastic sweet/ biscuit tin and fill with soil, then add miniature flowers such as daisies and forget me nots. Twigs can be used to create mini trees and foil or a small tub filled with water can make a pond. Let their imaginations run wild and choose bits and pieces from around the garden to create their mini version! If you want to use seeds/ plants with roots, put some holes in the bottom, fill with a single layer of stones then top up with soil. This will provide some drainage and allow plants to grow and the garden will last longer!

Become a bug detective!

Using a magnify glass set off on a hunt around the garden! Look under leaves, under stones and dig near garden walls/ fences. See how many creatures you can find- ladybirds, beetles, woodlice, worms! Take photos or put into plastic pots with leaves and soil and take inside to draw them as a record of your findings! (Remember to put the bugs back after and never put them in the same tub otherwise they might fight!)

The best balloon modellers

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One of the most popular forms of children’s party entertainment, as balloons have always been a fascination to both young and old.

Suitable for kids of all ages: skilled balloon modellers will share a laugh with your guests while they whip up a creation from a wide range of designs. They will also happily harmonise their dress and balloon models to the theme of your event.

Balloon modellers have the ability to make any event a success, creating twisted masterpieces such as animals, motorbikes, superheroes, swords and much more. Children are always kept amused and entertained, as they guess what the next creation will be.

Balloon Modellers work everywhere and anywhere from kids private parties, teenagers graduations parties, and kids schools.

Balloon Modellers mingle with the guests, captivating them with bespoke balloon creations; each is a perfect photo-opportunity but also they get to take home a colourful memory of your special day or event.

BALLOON CARICATURES

Why not book a Balloon Caricature Modeller for your sit down dinner. The performer will roam your event or table between meals and make a comedy balloon caricature likenesses of your party guests! This highly unusual caricature act really gets guests chatting to each other, and leaves them amazed and delighted with a totally unusual take-home gift!

BALLOON MODELLING WORKSHOPS

For kids workshops or family fundays, schools and other events, learn how to make flower bracelets, monkeys up trees, penguins, hats and more. Suitable for older children (7+). Designs can be taught in school colours or themes which are great fun and they can supply all materials for the workshops.

Hip Hop dance party

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Since the success of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, the streets of the UK have hit fever pitch and now kids want to emulate this at their parties.

Professional Hip-Hop choreographers throw a kids dance party, and the kids get to feel and act like a dancing sensation – this is why a street dance party is one of the leading birthday party ideas.

Lighten up the mood and have a professional choreographer attend your kid’s dance party! Fun is the key, but we also like to give the kids a sense of achievement and reach a certain goal as the party goes on.

WHY THROW A HIP HOPPERS DANCE PARTY

  • To improve fitness
  • Increase self-esteem
  • Enhance your child’s self-development
  • Fun and caters for girls and boys of all ages

During the party, your kids can play a variety of fun dance party games where your children are free to have a funny makeover if they choose. This includes fancy make up, lip-gloss, body gel, hair spray and facial gems. If the boys want, we will spike their hair, spray it or give them mini tattoos.

Each individual Hip Hoppers dance party is choreographed and planned specifically to the age group of the party.

If you want to do a moonwalk like Michael Jackson, body pop it like Justin Bieber or shake it like Beyonce, you can have dance parties for children brimming with energy. It will be a dance party you will never forget!

POPULAR DANCE PARTY IDEAS

  • Street Dance
  • Break Dance
  • Michael Jackson
  • Pop Stars
  • Bollywood
  • Mamma Mia
  • Musical Theatre
  • Disco
  • Strictly Come Dancing

Great family fun for all the family which will get you moving and a twerking!!

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!