Tag: family

A rollercoaster of a ride

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Who doesn’t love roller coasters! Too often age and height restrictions prevent our little thrill seekers from the excitement and fun of twists, drops and loops. So here is a list of the best fun child friendly coasters aimed at keeping under 8’s happy!

The Rattlesnake – Chessington World of Adventures

This is a rattling rollercoaster ride and you’ll be in hysterics as you snake your way through the sharp turns, inclines and sudden dips of the old Mexican tin mine. Life sure has its ups and downs for little kids!

Twistosaurus – Flamingo Land, Yorkshire

This sensational spinning coaster creates rip-roaring, rotating fun. With its eye-catching dinosaur egg theme, Twistosaurus adds a fun new dimension to Flamingo Land’s extensive collection of family rides.

Nickelodeon Streak – Blackpool Pleasure Beach

This is one for the slightly taller under 8’s.  A spine-tingling ride in a sleek vehicle, this classic wooden coaster streaks down a super fast track is bound to be a highlight of your little one’s day at Blackpool Pleasure Beach!

Cat-o-pillar Coaster – Paultons Park, Hampshire

This purr-fect family coaster is perfect for your little daredevils. With swoops and loops around up to a height of 10 metres, it’s an ideal Fun introductory coaster for the under 8’s. Be aware the experience you have by sitting at the back is MUCH scarier for little ones than the front!!!

Wild Bills Runaway Train – Adventure Wonderland, Bournemouth

Bill’s wild and so will you be, with the kids delight and excitement on this runaway train ride as it dips and dives carrying its brave passengers twice round a track of loops and swoops. It’s a big screaming, arm waving, runawaying, swaying adventure!

Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure – Alton Towers, Staffordshire

Dive into CBeebies Land and join Captain Barnacles and crew as The Octonauts head on a Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure!

The Flying Fish – Thorpe Park, Surrey

Experience a fun, fast, first-time roller coaster with a trip on Flying Fish. Now a firm Family favourite at the park, Flying Fish is the perfect ride for young thrill seekers to earn their adrenaline apprenticeship.

Whilst most of the coasters we recommend will be suitable for under 8’s of all sizes, there are some for which a minimum height restrictions will apply. So be sure to check to avoid disappointment. All the coaster venues here have many rides for the under 8’s so we’re sure you will have an awesome day out, wherever you decide to go!

Family days out in Liverpool

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If you’re looking for some fun and fab days out in Liverpool, look no further! We’ve pulled together this handy list full of great attractions and activities that all of the family will love, whether you’ve got a budding artist, little bookworm or explorers in town.

Liverpool Central Library

This imposing historic building has been thoroughly modernised and is a fantastic place to bring the family! There is a children’s room where you will find brightly coloured interiors with lots of books and hidey holes. There are excellent facilities including an Xbox 360, computers, iPads and lots more.

Walker Art Gallery

Walker Art Gallery is a great place to bring the family on a day out! They offer an array of activities including the Big Art for Little Artists gallery, which can be found on the ground floor. There are often events and workshops taking place, which kids can get involved in.

Liverpool World Heritage Site

The port area of Liverpool is listed as a World Heritage Site, which stretches along the waterfront. In the Pier Head area you’ll find the grand historic buildings of The Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool building. There’s also the modern building of the Museum of Liverpool (free entry) and the chance to watch narrow boats pass through the Canal Link. You will also find the modern district, Mann Island, where there are restaurants galleries and cafes.  

Merseyside Maritime Museum

Merseyside Maritime Museum is a fantastic day out with the family! Here you’ll find a fascinating array of different exhibitions displaying Liverpool’s maritime history. There will always be lots to see and do as they regularly have children’s activities and workshops for families to enjoy. There’s also a ‘Sea Urchins’ play area for kids under the age of 8!

The World Museum

The World Museum has world-class shows and displays, including the Planetarium and Aquarium to the fascinating Clore Natural History Centre. You will find lots of exciting objects including Egyptian mummies, Samurai armour, casts of dinosaur bones, meteorites and many more treasures. Throughout the year they have many family events and many different temporary exhibitions so keep an eye on their regularly updated calendar!

Tate Liverpool

Tate Liverpool has many exhibitions displaying various artists and their work. There is a lot to offer visiting families, including events and workshops! You can make your way around the gallery at your own pace and start wherever you want.

Family days out in the Capital

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London offers an incredible amount of free attractions and things to do. Most museums and art galleries are free, London’s street markets are a must even if you don’t plan to do any shopping, and many London neighbourhoods are perfect for a stroll and a great day out with the family.

The British Museum

For a fascinating day out, the family will love The British Museum where you’ll see displays on different aspects of art, culture and history! It is great for school kids and could even help with their school projects! A real highlight for the for the children include seeing the famous mummies from Ancient Egypt and the Rosetta Stone!

Imperial War Museum

Bring the family here to learn about all aspects of war from seeing how families lived and coped during the war to tanks and Spitfires. There are sections on trench warfare, the Blitz, rationing and a whole section dedicated to the secrets of war.

The National Gallery

This gallery is home to one of the greatest collections of Western European art in the world so you will definitely be guaranteed a fascinating day out. Catering brilliantly for family visits, you can take part in a Walk & Talk where an expert will take you through the museum bringing the paintings alive which will keep the kids attention. There are a host of family tours and also workshops and activities throughout the year. The National Portrait Gallery, on nearby St. Martin’s Place, is also free!

Science Museum

This museum is a definite hit with children (and adults) of all ages and it’s definitely clear to see why! You’ll get to explore space and see a piece of the moon, and get your adrenaline pumping in the flight simulator. Especially created for the younger visitors, a visit to The Garden is a must and will give them the opportunity to explore light and sound, as well as water and construction.

The Tate Britain and Tate Modern

The Tate Britain in Pimlico houses a prestigious collection of British art from the 16th century to the present day. Its modern sister, the Tate Modern, is completely different with collections of 20th and 21st century art. Both galleries are extremely family friendly, and to make your visit even more fun there are apps which you can download and activities to do as you make your way around.

Horniman Museum & Gardens

This family friendly fun anthropological museum is set in a 16 acre landscaped garden which you can explore, and has extensive collections of natural history as well as a magical aquarium. Other highlights include the Animal Walk where you can see alpacas, sheep, goats, rabbits and much more up close.

Grant Museum of Zoology

The Grant Museum of Zoology is a fascinating place to visit if you enjoy natural history. There are large collections of around 68,000 skeletons, mounted animals and specimens preserved in fluid which include extinct species such as the Tasmanian Tiger, the Quagga, and the Dodo.

London’s Street Markets

Even if you are not planning on doing any shopping, London’s street markets are great for wandering and seeing the huge selection of goods on offer. Visit the Borough Market and browse through high quality local and international foods, or go to Camden where the covered Camden Lock market is surrounded by street stalls, shops, cafes and bars. There are numerous markets all over the city selling everything from antiques through to delicious foods!

London’s Parks

London’s green parks are the heart of the city on sunny days, locals come to their beloved parks to have a coffee in the morning or a sandwich at lunch time, to read a book, to meet friends, to fly a kite, play with the kids, picnic or just to hang out on a nice afternoon. Hyde Park, St James Park, Green Park and Regent Park are the most central of London’s parks, but there are many more on our website including Crystal Palace Park which is home to 33 Victorian dinosaurs!

Urban Farms

In and around London there are a number of farms that you can visit for free. You can meet an array of different animals, learn all about where your food comes from and enjoy being outdoors. Farms you can visit include Surrey Docks Farm, Spitalfields City Farm, Vauxhall City Farm, and there are many more on our website too.

Diana Memorial Playground

The children will love this outdoor adventure playground which was built in memorial to the late Diana Princess of Wales and was inspired by the stories of Peter Pan. The centrepiece is a magnificent and fun wooden pirate ship. There’s also a sensory trail, teepees, a beach around the ship and a selection of sculptures and toys to keep the children occupied.

V&A  Museum of Childhood

The exhibitions within the Museum of Childhood will most certainly intrigue the children but will also take the grown ups on a trip down memory lane! With artefacts dating from the 1600’s to the present day there is so much to see from photography to fashion and childhood. There are also plenty of fun children’s activities organised just for the little ones including art activities and getting messy in the sandpit!

For kids who love books

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Regardless of your child’s reading ability or age, these wonderfully wordy days out are a fun way to get children excited about books and the wonderful imaginative world of stories!

Working Class Movement Library; Manchester

The Working Class Movement Library in Manchester is an amazing place to discover real stories about the extraordinary people who fought to have their voices heard. Explore books, archives, photographs, poetry, posters, journals, reports and so much more in this wonderful library.

Seven Stories Centre; Newcastle Upon Tyne

Seven Stories is built to inspire children through reading and stories. They will love exploring their imaginations through workshops, the many libraries and a literary adventure playground

Library of Birmingham; Birmingham

This huge, modern building is home to over 400,000 books available to be read by the public, as well as a studio theatre, rooftop gardens, an outdoor Amphitheatre and a panoramic viewing gallery. Children will love exploring the children’s zones, listening to story telling sessions and getting involved in kids’ activities!

The Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre; Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire

Located in the very place that Roald Dahl lived and wrote is the wonderful Roald Dahl museum! Aimed at children aged between 6 and 12, it features galleries, a story centre and loads of interactive displays all around this much loved children’s author.

Liverpool Central Library; Liverpool

Inside this very large, historic building is a modern discovery that the whole family will love! Inside the children’s room you will find brightly coloured interiors brimming with books and nooks to read in. There is even an Xbox 360, computers, iPad and more technology available to the public!

The Story Museum; Oxford, Oxfordshire

Children will love getting lost in the wonderful world of stories in this unusual but amazing museum that is specifically centred around stories! Perfect for kids of all ages and reading abilities, and of course adults too!

The British Library; London

The British Library is a great place to lose a few hours. Find endless knowledge and stories in so many different formats including print, digital, manuscripts, journals, newspapers, magazines and so much more!

Discover Children’s Story Centre; London

Explore the indoor story trail and discover a magical adventure, or let off some steam in the story garden where kids will love discovering giant musical instruments, a spacecraft and a monster’s tongue! There’s so much fun to be had at Discover Children’s Story Centre with a sprinkling of imagination.

Amazing and Cheap UK attractions

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  1. The Guards Museum, London

Adult: £6, Children: Free

Everyday around 11.30am the Changing of the Guards ceremony happens outside Buckingham Palace (this is FREE to watch!!). The guards who protect the Sovereign have carried out this duty since 1660 and during the ceremony you will see a regiment march from Wellington Barracks to Buckingham Palace to take over the guard. This ceremony takes place every day from April- July and on alternate days throughout the rest of the year (weather permitting). Afterwards pay a visit to the Guards Museum for an enjoyable and educational visit. You can learn all about the various regiments and at the end you might even get to try on a bear skin!

 

  1. The Clink Prison, London

Family £18, Adult: £7.50, Child: £5.50

This museum is built on the original site of a medieval prison. The kids will love the hands on educational experience where you are able to handle original artefacts including torture devices. You will also hear lots of amazing stories about the prison’s past, the inmates and the notorious South Bank.

 

  1. Liberty’s Owl, Raptor & Reptile Centre, Ringwood

Discover one of the South’s largest collection of bird of prey, reptiles, creepy crawlies and more at the Liberty Centre near Ringwood. The flying displays with take your breath away and we can almost guarantee that you’ll learn something exciting and new about the animals you meet. After you’ve looked around, why not stop for a bite to eat at the cafe and the kids can blow off some steam in the play area and sandpit.

 

4.Windmill Hill City Farm – Bedminster, Bristol

FREE ENTRY

This small community farm has loads to offer and is a great day out for kids of all ages. You’ll be able to meet loads of animals, such as goats, sheep, pigs and chickens, and learn all about farming. There’s also a kids play area when they can run around while you refuel with a coffee.

 

  1. Museum of Transport, Manchester

Adult: £4, Children: Free

Take a trip into the past at Manchester’s Museum of Transport. Wander through the UK’s biggest collection of vintage trams, busses, coaches and more including a real horse and carriage and retro double decker bus! Keep the kids entertained on your day out with the free kids quiz which they can complete as they discover each artefact.

 

  1. Boscombe Coastal Activity Park – Bournemouth, Dorset

FREE ENTRY

Stroll down Boscombe Beach and you will be able to enjoy a whole host of coastal activities including free swing ball, table tennis, bouldering and don’t forget to check out the music trail on the pier!

 

  1. Hoar Park Farm, Nuneaton

Family: £11, Adult: £3, Child: £2.50, Under 2: Free

At Hoar Park farm you can meet a whole bunch of different animals such as goats, chickens, geese, ponies, donkeys, pigs, deer, cows, guinea pigs, rabbits and even a tarantula called Rosie, who you can touch! There’s also a playground where your little ones can run around and keep themselves busy for an hour or two.

 

  1. Alice Holt Forest, Surrey

FREE! (Parking Charges Apply)

For a day of exploration and activity outdoors take the family to Alice Holt Forest where you can walk, cycle, play or have a picnic. The kids can discover the play area where there’s a pirate ship to climb and explore, a nest swing and even a 3D maze! Entrance is free for all the only cost is parking, which starts at £1.80 for 1 hour, up to £8 for 4+ hours.

 

  1. Fancy’s Family Farm – Portland, Dorset

FREE ENTRY

Fancy’s Farm has loads of animals and critters that you won’t see at any regular farm! Including slow worms, lizards and even wallabies! Kids will love meeting all the different animals, especially Dinky the Miniature Horse!

 

  1. The Teddy Bear Museum, Dorchester

Family: £18.99, Adult: £5.99, Child: £3.99, Under 3: Free

Shopping and soft play

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The majority of large shopping centres now have that sanctuary of cushions, nets and multi coloured balls, the playcentre! Here are five of the best, picked due to their size and proximity to the largest numbers of Mums and Dads in need of a little retail therapy!

KidZania London; Westfield, London

Have your kids ever dreamt of becoming a pilot, a firefighter, or the next award-winning singer? Kidzania is a child-size city inside the shopping centre! With over 60 real life role-play activities in the bank, on stage or fighting crime on the streets as a police officer! KidZania is a real-life role play experience for 4-14-year olds, blending learning and reality with children’s entertainment.

Bluewater; Greenhithe, Kent

With various play areas to choose from; Bluewater is the perfect hangout for you, your friends and your family whilst letting your little monsters have some serious fun! Check out the Pirate Cove Adventure Park with caves, cascading waterfalls, pedalos and two 18-hole adventure golf courses! Children and parents alike can enjoy these fun outdoor spaces complete with sandpits, climbing equipment and picnic areas!

Bullring Shopping Centre; Birmingham

Teenie Weenies at the Bullring offer two dedicated multi-tiered soft play areas, allowing children to play in a fun exciting environment! For the older kids why not check out the Junior Frame. With children’s activities designed to stimulate and challenge children including; a spider’s web, ball pits, zip wires, rope bridges, and a variety of slides. For the little ones the Toddlers Frame provides younger children the chance to play and have fun with mum and dad.

Trafford Centre; Manchester

Approximately five miles west of Manchester city centre, the Trafford Centre is hard to miss! Here the soft play area is designed for kids under 10, and includes a huge ball pool, slides, climbing nets, tube crawls, rope swings etc. For children under 6 there is the Little Tikes play area. Not enough? Then how about the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, SEA LIFE and Paradise Island Adventure Golf. Plus, the ODEON cinema shows a range of family films and host ODEON Kids film screenings on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Intu Metrocentre; Gateshead, Tyne and Wear

The outdoor play area at intu Metrocentre Qube is designed to provide challenging fun for children from 3-10 years old. With a fireman’s pole, climbing walls, and dance chimes there are plenty of activities to keep little ones entertained and give mums and dads a rest!

Enjoy the festive cheer

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Here are some traditional ways to enjoy the festive holidays!

  1. In Japan, “Santa Kurohsu” has eyes in the back of his head, so that he can watch out for naughty kids. There we were thinking it was just us Mums with eyes in the back of our heads!
  1. On December 5th, German children leave a shoe outside their bedroom door before they go to sleep. If they have been good, they will wake up to a tree branch with sweets on but if they have been naughty they will only find a branch!
  1. Norwegians hide brooms before they go to sleep on Christmas Eve as they believe that witches and evil spirits will arrive.
  1. In the capital of Venezuela, Caracas, people travel to Christmas church services on roller skates – how cool is that!
  1. In Portugal, ahead of their Christmas feast, families sometimes set extra places at the dinner table for deceased relatives, as they believe it will bring good fortune.
  1. Christmas cuisine in Greenland is raw whale skin with blubber on…pass me the sprouts!
  1. Japanese Christmas cake is made using sponge, strawberries and whipped cream – can we have this version too please?
  1. As well as the standard decoration, Ukrainian Christmas trees also have a spider and web on their trees as it’s believed to bring good luck! Eek!
  1. A witch called La Befana gives out Christmas presents in Italy!
  1. And finally, a tradition here in Britain is to go for a Christmas swim…in freezing water! Brave Londoners jump into the Serpentine, and many of us head to beaches such as Bournemouth and Brighton on Christmas morning to raise money for charity.

Winter walks

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These Winter day walks will make everyone feel good!

Mottisfont Abbey and Gardens, Hampshire

Wrap up warm and get outdoors to work off all that festive food exploring the grounds of this fantastic house and grounds on an interactive trail. There are lots of fun children’s activities and family days out to enjoy along the way including ‘brussel sprout bowling’!

Ham House and Garden

Dogs are welcome for 12 days from Boxing Day to enjoy, with their families, a delightful stroll around the grounds. Every canine visitor receives a tasty bone!

St James’ Park, London

If you are in the capital for Christmas why not take a walk around St James’ Park? It’s officially the warmest place in the UK with an average temperature of 11.43°C. You can also take a nice route starting from the park, then walk down through The Mall, along Victoria Embankment and return via Birdcage Walk and Buckingham Palace.  

New Forest National Park, Hampshire

The New Forest has many, many walks, where the family can explore the stunning landscape. There are a range of different routes that you can choose from that vary in length and difficulty. The children can try to spot some  adorable New Forest ponies, cattle and donkeys that live there. An especially lovely walk  is the one from Beaulieu to Bucklers Hard and back, a nice gentle walk that follows the Beaulieu River.

Leeds Castle, Kent

Head to Leeds Castle between Christmas and New Year for a fun post Christmas walk which all the family can enjoy! Follow a special trail answering questions about wildlife and nature, and all completed trails are entered into a draw with a chance to win a prize!  

Windermere, Cumbria

The Lake District offers an incredible number of different walks from multi-day hikes to walks suitable for pushchairs. The walk that I have found below is an easy walk for the family to try and takes in some of the beautiful scenery around Lake Windermere.  

Formby Red Squirrel Walk, Liverpool

This easy walking trail will suit all the family this Boxing Day and as the woodlands are home to the red squirrel, hopefully you will get to see one or two!  

Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey

Bring family and friends to Winkworth for a beautiful guided Boxing Day walk surrounded by nature, even the kids will be exploring all day!  

Knole Historic Home and Garden, Sevenoaks, Kent

The day after Christmas Day everyone deserves some fresh air including the dog so walk off some of those calories in a guided walk of this beautiful park.

Indoor activity

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You won’t get bored with all of this indoor fun that’s waiting for you!

KidZania, London

Children can let their imaginations run wild as they test the out real jobs in this mini city, such as being a pilot, firefighter, radio presenter, banker, police officer and many more! After all that work they can use their hard earned ‘KidZos’ to buy themselves some treats!

Winchester Science Centre, Winchester, Hampshire

Winchester Science Centre is fun for all the family with 100 hands-on science exhibits for you to discover. The planetarium has shows that run almost everyday, you can get sucked into a black hole, travel through the Solar System or even explore the human body!

Thinktank Science Museum, Birmingham

Inquisitive young minds can discover the past, investigate the present and find the future. Don’t miss visiting the Planetarium that shows fantastic tours of the night sky and takes you on a trip around our vast solar system.

Deep Sea World, Fife, Scotland

What better way to beat the rain than to take the kids underwater at Scotland’s Deep Sea World. The kids will enjoy exploring over 100 meters of incredible creatures including starfish, catfish and even eels!

The Beatles Story, Liverpool

Young or old, everyone knows The Beatles! Take an incredible journey through the history of four Liverpudlian lads who shot to fame in the early 60’s. Complete with an audio guide, see the story unfold as you wander around replicas of Mathew Street and The Cavern. The exhibition is split across two sites and the Fab4D theatre at the Pier Head venue is a must for groovy families ‐ meet magical characters who bring The Beatles’ well-loved hits to life with cutting edge technology

Enjoy the journey

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Here’s our handy guide of some super fun things to do with kids whilst on a long car journey…

  1. Play the ‘Name Five Game’.  One person chooses a theme, such as ‘animals’, and the other person needs to name five things in that category.
  1. Get one of these I-spy books! Inside there are lots of things for kids to spot on a long road trip… and they get points for everything they see!
  1. Play A-Z I spy. Try to find something you can see out of the window for each letter of the alphabet. This simple and fun game may also help kids who suffer from travel sickness.
  1. Play bingo. Make a list or a picture list of things kids may see on the journey. As they spot each item on the list, they can cross it off!
  1. Pack a loom band bracelet making kit and the kids will be kept busy twisting away!
  1. Get the kids to find all the numbers up to 10 on number plates and for older children get them to find all the letters of the alphabet.
  1. Car colour spotting: choose a colour each, then count how many cars of that colour you see!
  1. Take along an activity and games book, such as one of these activity books that have 100 things for little children to do.
  1. Play the ‘What do you like best’ game. Ask one person ‘what do you like best, chocolate or strawberry ice cream?’ Once they have answered they ask you a different question back.
  1. Make up a story. One person needs to start the story with a single sentence and then the next person continues the story with their own sentence, etc.