Tag: ideas

Magical memories

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What could be better than making magical memories at a family festival?

Camp Bestival, Lulworth Estate, Dorset

26th – 29th July

Camp Bestival Sets Sail for its tenth year at Lulworth Castle. Your little mermaids and pirates are sure to love this year’s nautical theme, complete with an underwater carnival night parade. The world’s biggest bouncy castle and the world’s largest disco ball are also making a comeback so prepare to be wowed!

Zipworld Rocks 2018

23 June 2018

‘Zipworld Rocks’ is an awesome evening of top rock music and great food and entertainment for all the family curated by Mike Peters of the Alarm, in the beautiful location of Penrhyn Quarry.  The line up includes ‘The Storyville Mob’ and ‘Slade’ headlining!

Christchurch Food Festival, Christchurch, Dorset

12th – 13th May

Christchurch High Street is filled with stalls offering delicious local delicacies. It continues down to Christchurch Quay where you can see free cookery demonstrations, Beer Festival, cocktails and children’s entertainment. Celebrity ambassadors Lesley Waters, Dean Edwards and Alana Spencer will be returning this year.  Kids Kitchen is a fantastic opportunity for children to learn new skills in the kitchen. There is a whole range of sessions on offer, from Sarah’s Curry Magic and Susan’s Mediterranean Medley to Colin’s Retro and much more!

Staxtonbury Family Music Festival, Manor Farm, North Yorkshire

6th – 8th July

Celebrating its 10th year, there are plenty of exciting events happening over the weekend to make it the most special year yet. Featuring over 50 bands mostly local to Yorkshire, as well as bouncy castles, slides, a climbing tower and much more, this will be fun for all the family.

Bluedot Festival, Jodrell Bank, Cheshire

19th – 22nd July

For an out of this world experience head to Bluedot, the festival of music, science, arts, culture and the exploration of space set against the backdrop of the iconic Lovell Telescope. Whether your kids are science lovers or not, they’ll love the range of interactive workshops and activities on offer. There is a Blue Planet show on Thursday night with the Halle Orchestra which is bound to be amazing. You can also see The Chemical Brothers, The Flaming Lips and more over the weekend.

3 Wishes Fairy Festival, Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, Cornwall

15th – 17th June

Held at Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, the 3 Wishes Fairy Festival and is a small gathering with around a thousand people, 2 music stages, veggie and vegan food, hundreds of free workshops and activities, all included in the general entry price. Camping is also included in ticket price, and they also have cute Hobbit Huts for those who prefer glamping! Saturday is Unicorn Day, while Sunday’s theme is The Fairy Circus – a magical weekend all round!     

 

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.

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.

Blackgang Chine

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Unlike many theme parks, Blackgang Chine doesn’t have many rides but what it does have is far more important – the tools to spark children’s imagination and the room to let them run, play and explore.

You can catch a 40 minute ferry journey aboard Wightlink Ferries from Lymington to Yarmouth which you will see the kids exploring the ship and standing outside to watch as you cross the Solent.

Blackgang Chine is a short 20 minute drive from the Port. When you arrive you will see a giant stood outside surrounded by cannons, perfect for excited kids. You can park  up in the free car park and head inside.

The first thing you see after the admission gates is Restricted Area 5 and if your kids are dinosaur mad children they will not be able to wait to ignore the “warning signs” and see what they can see………they won’t be disappointed!

Huge, animatronic dinosaurs fill the enclosure with life-like sounds which allow you to imagine what life might have been like when they roamed the earth. Favourites include the Argentinosaurus, which is bigger than a double decker bus and the biggest animatronic T-Rex in the country. The ground actually shook when he roared!

As you come out of the enclosure you will find some giant insects to wonder at, walk past and explored the Crooked House before finding the jewel in Blackgang Chine’s crown – the all new Underwater Kingdom.

Proceed through a magical underwater cave which will take you to an incredible coral reef.  Your kids will love being under the sea and you will hear instructions from an animatronic crab to help him find his family who had wandered off.

You will discover an abandoned sunken shipwreck to explore and the most amazing array of colourful, larger than life animatronic sea creatures as you venture further into the deep. On the final part of your journey your kids will find the biggest mammal of them all impressively floating above our heads, moving its tail as if it were swimming.

There are so many other areas to explore. The pirates in Pirate Cove, complete with pirate ships to climb and water pistols to fire. Sheriff in Cowboy Town where you can stop a bank robbery, put the kids in jail and ride a stagecoach.

You can also play a real life game of Snakes and Ladders up and down a huge wooden play frame complete with stairs and long winding slides to whizz down.

For children that do like to experience thrills, there is also the Cliffhanger Roller Coaster, Waterforce slide and the teacups to ride.

Blackgang Chine is the UK’s oldest theme park and is 174 years old this year. Their very first exhibit was a huge fin whale which is still on display to this day and I urge you to go and see this magnificent beasts skeleton which you can actually walk through.

If you are visiting with young children please be aware that the park is very hilly, although completely accessible for buggies or wheelchairs. There are plenty of toilet and baby changing facilities available as well as food stands throughout the park and the large Chine café by the entrance which serve the most amazing fish finger sandwiches!!

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.

Amazing Museums

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There are loads of mind-bending UK museums just waiting to be explored, with all sorts to expand little minds. Think living museums. Check out some best museums in the UK for kids and plan your next educational outing, rainy or otherwise.

National Space Centre, Leicestershire

Suit up and step into the unknown, at the National Space Centre, which has one of the best planetariums in the UK. Six interactive galleries take you on a quest through the museum’s lunar base, past alien autopsies (eek!) and on a wild ride into the solar system aboard 3D simulators. Your mission will then lead you right up to the iconic rocket tower; at 42m high, it’s a spectacle and houses actual spacecrafts and moon rock, as well as the Apollo Lunar Lander. It’s the perfect day out for anyone who ever dreamt of becoming an astronaut.

Best for: Watching a 360º show in Sir Patrick Moore’s Planetarium – one of the largest in the UK!

The Story Museum, Oxfordshire

Bookworms are always welcome at The Story Museum. This hidden gem is home to literature’s most beloved characters, and their worlds are recreated in incredible detail. Drop down a rabbit hole and take a seat at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, or push through the back of the wardrobe and into the snowy woods of Narnia. Kids can even dress up, choose a crazy title and take their rightful place on a gilded throne. If you’ve ever had trouble getting your kids to pick up a book, this UK museum is the ultimate antidote.

Best for: Dressing up! The red carpet and throne really let kids play the part.

Roman Baths and Museum, Somerset

Bathtime with kids can be a challenge, but not at the Roman Baths and Museum! They’ll be desperate for a dunk when they see what their ancestors built with a grand temple and bathing complex, as well as natural springs and freezing plunge pools. While you won’t actually get in, Roman characters will guide you around the museum with insider tales of this ancient spot. Just don’t miss one of the amazing reconstructions where life way back when is recreated with projections, CGI and soundscapes.

Best for: Making history lessons fun – little centurions will love this slice of the ancient world.

Black Country Living Museum, West Midlands

Time travel is real – almost – at the Black Country Living Museum. This living museum opens a door to the last century of industrial history with proper period shops and costumed characters, a smithy, and even an old-timey fairground. You could hitch a ride on a vintage tram or take part in Edwardian school lessons – that is before tucking into a portion of 1930s fish and chips. Live demonstrations and the fact that this is one of the largest open-air museums in the UK make it totally immersive.

Best for: Costumed characters: the resident cast do a fantastic job.

York’s Chocolate Story, North Yorkshire

One word: chocolate! With the promise of interactive confectionary making, guided tours and plenty of samples, who could resist a visit to York’s Chocolate Story? It brings a whole new twist to your typical museum with tasty treats in place of fossils and parchment. In fact, the city of York was built on the sweet stuff so you’ll learn all about its 300-year history and how it’s made, while saving time for a family fondue at the end of your visit.

Best for: Tucking into the exhibits! Chocoholics will be very happy.

Go wild in London

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Despite all the noise and never ending traffic the capital city has a lot of outdoor wild spaces for children to explore and what is best is a lot of these spaces are completely free making them the perfect stop when your in the city on a budget this summer. So pack a picnic and waterproofs and get ready to go wild in London.

Regents Park

Did you know there was an allotment space ready to explore and open to the public right in the heart of London? Well Regents Park Allotment Garden is perfect for curious little ones who are interested in where their veggies come from. Another favourite is the Wildlife garden which has a wild flower meadow and is a great place for a bug hunt. You can also take in all the colours and beauty of the rose garden in Queen Mary’s Garden which has the largest collection of roses in London

Kentish Town City Farm

A city farm that is completely free to the public and inspires children and adults to get up close with a variety of farm animals and nature. The four acre site also has a wildlife pond and community gardens plus a farm kitchen where kids can learn to cook. This city farm is a charity run organisation and offers a lot for the local community and with over 50 animals to get up close and personal too as well as many other events going on you can easily spend a couple of wild, fun and free hours here

Kensington Gardens

If your looking for a truly magical play park that inspires imagination than the huge wooden pirate ship at the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground is amazing and follows on from the famous Peter Pan stories. The ship sits among a sea of sand and also has a sensory trail and teepees and play sculptures. You can also go on a hunt to find the bronze Peter Pan sculptured their is also the stunning Italian gardens and also an allotment gardens to explore

Wildlife Garden at The Natural History Museum

The Natural history museum is great for a rainy day (well any day for that matter) but besides the dinosaurs inside there is something wonderful to be found outside and that is the Wildlife Garden. It’s home to thousands of British floral and fauna and is a great place for spotting different kids and birds and bugs including the robins, wrens and blackbirds who are building their nests or the frogs and frogspawn.

Canal side Walk

If your looking for a quite and peaceful walk and seeing London from a different perspective than an early morning wander along the Regents Canal is a great way for kids to see the waterways and wildlife that lives along them. We recommend starting around Little Venice and walking to Camden which takes around 1-2 hrs. Children will really enjoy spotting all the colourful houseboats and you keep your eyes open as you pass the London Zoo as you maybe able to spy a few animals.

Bluebell walks

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The great thing about bluebell walks is that you never have to travel far to find them. With bluebells blooming all over the UK, we reveal some favourite bluebell walks . So add a spring walk to your to-do list, and check out some of these tried and tested family fun beautiful bluebell walks:

Tilford Woods, Surrey

Nestled within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the enchanting woodland area is the perfect place to find bluebells each spring.

Cowleaze Wood, Oxfordshire

Cowleaze Wood is set high in the Chiltern Hills with amazing views over the surrounding countryside. The bluebells bloom each spring, making the carpet like display a must-see!

Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire

Next to the River Wye, this charming ancient woodland gets the thumbs up from us. With plenty of walks to explore, there are lots of opportunities to find stunning bluebell displays!

Buckland Abbey, Devon

This ancient gem is the perfect place for discovery, tranquillity and history – not forgetting bluebells! Head to the Great North Wood to see the stunning display.

Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire

The appropriately named Bluebell Wood is unsurprisingly one of the most popular bluebell sites in the UK. With millions of bulbs growing closely together in one wood, it creates one of nature’s most stunning displays.

Clent Hills, West Midlands

Escape the hustle and bustle of Birmingham city centre, by heading a short 10-miles to Clent Hills. Known and loved by dog-walkers, it’s also a great place to find bluebells. One of the best spots is in the valley behind the Four Stones, where the sides of the valley are covered in bluebells.

Coughton Court, Warwickshire

Head to the gardens of this striking Tudor house to discover a sea of bluebells. Take a gentle walk to the best spot in Timm’s Wood!

Coed Cefn, Crickhowell

This Woodland Trust wood comes highly recommended by Emma Meredith, looking over the beautiful town of Crickhowell in Powys South Wales

Plas yn Rhiw, Gwynedd

With a different colour each season, spring is definitely about the bluebells at this Welsh manor house. The parkland around the property is home to a stunning bluebell display each year.

Coed y Bwnydd, Monmouthshire

As the largest, and possibly best-preserved, Iron Age hill fort in Monmouthshire, Coed-y-Bwnydd is the perfect place to see the fields and woods that surround the fort. The National Trust property comes alive with a sea of blue each spring, as bluebells are joined by primroses, orchids and red campion for a spectacularly colourful display.  

Easter Adventure Quests

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Forget hunting for chocolate, valiant adventurers at English Heritage sites this Easter will be searching high and low for legendary dragon eggs, which could make this the most dangerous Easter egg hunt in 2018. Hatch your plan and crack the clues alongside intrepid characters from the past. Victorious kids can claim their chocolate reward too, providing a perfect Easter fun adventure for great family days out.

The World of Beatrix Potter, Cumbria

Hop to it this Easter, with a mini egg hunt in the Peter Rabbit Garden at The World of Beatrix Potter. On 1st and 2nd April, kids will be able to explore the themed garden in search of treats, with chocolate and stickers ready and waiting to be won. Plus, it’s a great place to explore the character behind the egg-citing new film!

Hampton Court Palace, Surrey

What better way to explore the stunning house and gardens of Hampton Court Palace, than in search of some very special Easter bunnies? Kids will need to be bright eyed and bushy tailed to find all the hidden Lindt gold bunnies, which have made the palace their home from 26th March to 15th Find them all and claim your extremely tasty Lindt chocolate treat (good luck getting them to share…)

Chatsworth House, Derbyshire

Step right up for a ride on the Easter Eggspress and get ready to put all your eggs in one basket, as Easter fun comes to Chatsworth House. The popular egg hunts will have kids exploring every corner of the estate, whilst the Eggspress trailer rides are a great way to see even more. Taking place from 24th March – 8th April, there’s loads more Easter activities to try too.

Stockeld Park, West Yorkshire

Head to the home of adventure and become an Easter Eggsplorer at Stockeld Park! Using your special event map, all the eggs on the hunt are in the form of a famous explorer from the past, making this so much more than just a hunt for chocolate. The egg-stra special adventure is perfect for the holidays, and be sure to keep a look out for giant character eggs, including a Humpty and a Pirate Chief!

Easter exploring

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The days are getting longer, the theme parks are re-opening and warmer weather is hopefully on the way, making it a great time of year to get exploring. Plus, with the Easter holidays just around the corner too, adventure most certainly awaits.

From World Book Day and lambing season to British Science Week and even Winnie the Pooh, here’s our guide to the best in children’s entertainment and things to do in March:

The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, Buckinghamshire

With World Book Day taking place on 1st March, this month is the perfect time to reignite your kids love of books, and where better place to start than the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre?

Situated in the village that the famous author lived in and wrote for 36 years, you can explore 40 interactive displays bringing his enchanting stories to life. On selected dates this month, kids can make heads for Hornswogglers, create Boggled Box Beasts and fly a Kicksy Kite – it’s a truly gloriumptious day out for the whole family.

Tim Peak’s Spacecraft at Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester

Rewind back to June 2016 and you might just remember Tim Peake returning back to Earth following his space mission, and now you can see his space capsule up close at the Museum of Science and Industry! Landing in Manchester on 10th March, you’ll be able to take a closer look at the Soyuz TMA-19M, complete with scorch marks from its re-entry through the atmosphere. With 15-minute presentations, every weekend, the out of this world adventure takes place here until 13th May, before continuing its tour.

Lambing season at Umberslade Farm Park, Warwickshire

Head to your local farm park this month, and chances are you’ll come face to face with some very cute newborn animals, and Umberslade Farm Park is certainly the place to do just that. Kids can meet the new lambs and even have the chance to help with the bottle-feeds. As a real working farm, there’s always something new and exciting to see too, and don’t miss the tractor and trailer ride for a fun tour of the site.

Winnie the Pooh Exhibition at the V&A Museum, London

There’s a new playful exhibition in London, as the Victoria and Albert Museum showcases the enchanting world of Winnie the Pooh until 8th Discover the story behind the charming bear, with sketches, letters, photographs and more exploring the classic tales. Whether you’re bringing a young child who may be experiencing Winnie the Pooh for the first time, or you remember growing up with the books, there’s something to entertain all ages. And in the very wise words of Winnie the Pooh, “we didn’t realise we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun”.