Tag: fun

Are we there yet?

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Here are some games and things to do to keep your kids entertained on those boring long car drives…

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!

2. Pack a loom band bracelet making kit and the kids will be kept busy twisting away!

3. 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.

4. Car colour spotting: choose a colour each, then count how many cars of that colour you see!

5. Take along an activity and games book, such as one of these activity books that have 100 things for little children to do.

6. 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.

7. 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!

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

Imaginative days out in the summer

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Oxygen Free Jumping, 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.

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!

KidZania, Shepherd’s Bush, London
Kids can let their imaginations run wild at KidZania 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!

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

AirSpace Trampoline Park, Glasgow/ Wolverhampton

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

GoApe! Various Locations

Swing, zip, balance and jump your way through the trees on the Tree Top Adventure courses, suspended high above the forest floor. Younger adventurers will love Tree Top Junior, a lower and easier version and great children’s entertainment for a fun day out.

Show your kids some history

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Tower Bridge Exhibition
Adult £9, Child (5-15y) £3.9, under 5 free
What better way to visit one of the most famous bridges in the world than with Tower Bridge Exhibition! Located within the bridge itself, this fabulous exhibition has stunning views across London and houses ‘Great Bridges of the World’, which features over 20 bridges. Learn the history behind the fascinating structure and why it was originally built.

St Paul’s Dome
Located at the top of Ludgate Hill, this iconic cathedral has survived much of London’s turbulent past and is steeped with history. Enjoy a visit and explore the stunning interiors, marvel at its treasures and climb the famous dome which dominates London’s skyline. During your ascent, you will find the famous whispering gallery where you can stand at either end and whisper to each other! Atop the dome, you will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of ‘The Big Smoke’ in all its glory!

Greenwich park
Free entry
Walk up the Greenwich Park end enjoy a panoramic view of the Queen’s House, London’s Maritime Museum and Canary Wharf’s Skyscrapers. You can also see some wildlife at the Deer Park, beautiful flowers at the Rose Garden & the Flower Garden, and many other activities around the park.

One New Change Rooftop Terrace
free entry
Take the transparent lift overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral, up to the Rooftop Terrace. It is open to the public 7 days a week from 6am to midnight. There are free seating area where you can enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views under the sun (fingers crossed for the weather!).

So much to do in Bristol

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Home of Wallace and Gromit, hot air balloon fiestas and the place where Ribena was supposedly invented, Bristol is one of the UK’s most-loved cities. Named the best place to live in the UK in 2017, it’s award-winning mix of culture, community spirit and redevelopment means there’s plenty to discover, even for the smallest of explorers.

M Shed
Bristol’s newer museum focuses on the history of Bristol. Kids will enjoy the interactive displays at M Shed, especially the vintage bus. Another place with a great cafe, but also right next to the many cafes at Wapping Wharf.

Brandon Hill Park
If you are around the Park Street or Clifton areas then it’s well worth a visit to Brandon Hill Park. There is a playground at the bottom of the hill and Cabot Tower at the top. For those with a head for heights, there are great views across Bristol from the top of the tower and fun to be had counting the many winding steps. It’s a great spot for a picnic or an ice-cream (a van can normally found there).

Clifton Suspension Bridge
Finally, a trip to walk across Brunel’s famous Clifton Suspension Bridge and take in the views is surely an essential part of Bristol. There is a playground and plenty of green spaces nearby to burn off some energy before visiting one of the many cafes in Clifton Village.

Bristol Aquarium
On one of Bristol’s many rainy days, Bristol Aquarium is a great destination for all the family. Children will enjoy spotting the fish they know such as Nemo (clown fish) as well as learning about new ones and conservation. Keep a look out for the giant octopus!

We the Curious
We The Curious is a fantastic fun day out filled with numerous science exhibits that will have those curious kids asking all sorts of questions. Fortunately, the Science Team are there to help. It also has the UK’s only 3D planetarium, which toddlers will love!

SS Great Britain
Our kids love exploring below deck on the various levels and seeing the displays of how the passengers lived on the ship. And if it is a sunny day there is nowhere better to enjoy it than up on the deck, which also has some great views across to Clifton. The tickets also allow unlimited visits for a year, so it can work out as great value if you live locally!

Ferry Ride
Little ones will really enjoy a tour of the harbour on one of the ferry boats, thanks to Bristol Ferry Boat Co. What better way to see the sights? You may even see an otter!

The Matthew
Keeping with the nautical theme (well it is Bristol after all), children of all ages will love channelling their inner sailor/pirate with a trip on the historic ship, The Matthew.

Bristol Museum
The dinosaurs & taxidermy animal exhibits at Bristol Museum never fail to amaze kids, whilst there is a small soft play/learning area on the ground floor for the littlest ones. There is also a brilliant cafe and regularly changing exhibits.

Garden activities that are lots of fun

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Make a daisy chain

In my mind, this makes me think about lazy sunny days on a grassy lawn, picking daisies together and creating garlands, necklaces and bracelets to wear for the rest of the day! In reality, my little one gets a bit frustrated trying to make the tiny holes but maybe in a few years, she’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 children’s 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 lovely activity for children 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!

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

Remember doing this as a kid? 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 magnifying 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!)

Make pot-pourri

Collect fragrant petals and leaves from around your garden. Ideal things to look for are rose petals, lavender, mint leaves and basil leaves. Lay them out on a few pieces of kitchen roll and leave to dry (this can take up to a week). Once they are dry cut a circle of thin fabric, place the petals and leaves inside and tie up with a piece of ribbon!

Smart Sightseeing

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Sightseeing in London is so much fun to do with a smart App..

Vox City is a flexible self-guided sightseeing and tour app that enables you to explore London at your own pace. Perfect when you have kids in tow!

Simply select the city sights you would like to see then follow the app. Once downloaded over Wifi the app works using GPS so no data connection is required. It even works if you decide to take a taxi or bus! The app can even lead you to Wi-Fi hotspots and photo opportunity hotspots.

How to use the VOX City app:

Download the ‘VOX City’ App to your smartphone from The Google Play Store or App Store. (This will need to be done over Wifi.) Then login by scanning your QR code! (This can be found on your confirmation email)

Select your City (London) and then choose your language! There are 6 languages to choose from which include; English, French, Spanish, Italian, German and Mandarin. Then click ‘download’

Your map will download to the app and now you are ready for your self-guided tour around London! Enjoy the sights and keep the kids entertained, there’s lots to do for the whole family!

Active Family days out

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British Motor Museum

The newly refurbished British Motor Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of historic British cars – from the very first Land Rover to Lady Penelope’s FAB1.

Experience the sights, sounds and stories of the British motor industry and get ‘under the skin’ with our interactive exhibits. Explore how motoring and family life has changed through the decades as the cars are brought to life by costumed explainers and free guided tours.

Family trails and school holiday children’s activities add to the family fun, whatever the weather! Nearest train stations are Warwick or Banbury.

10am – 5pm daily

Arundel Castle

For a lovely day out with the family, visit Arundel Castle which is set high on a hill in West Sussex. Steeped in 1,000 years of history, Arundel Castle offers a full day out with guided and free-flow tours of the finely preserved castle rooms, including the Baron’s Hall, 14th Century Catholic Fitzalan Chapel, Regency Library and Victorian bedrooms.

There are also opportunities to ascend the Norman Motte and Keep and enjoy The Collector Earl’s Garden, which was opened by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2008. Special event prices apply for the Castle Siege and International Jousting and Medieval Tournament.

Bracknell Leisure Centre

Get active on a day out with the kids in Berkshire! There’s plenty of fun to be found for the whole family at Bracknell Leisure Centre. The range of facilities and activities will get you and your children burning off excess energy and creating healthy habits for life.

Family tickets are available for the swimming pools enabling everyone to get splashing and save money! There are also plenty of badminton courts and tennis tables available. With lots of other bookable and pay-as-you-go activities such as soccer dribblers, tweeny tumblers, fun sessions, go karts and gymnastics, it’s a great place to go with the kids over the summer.

The Time Out Café and Bar is ideal for meeting and unwinding during a visit to the leisure centre. This warmly decorated and comfortable venue offers a mouth-watering menu and an excellent choice of snacks. Choose from a menu including sandwiches, panini’s, jacket potatoes, soup of the day as well as a daily special. Inflatable Aqua Run and Water Walker birthday parties for children are available.

Take the kids to the movies

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The LEGO Movie 2:

The Second Part, it’s been five years since everything was awesome in Bricksburg and the citizens are now threatened from outer space by LEGO Duplo invaders who are wrecking everything that the locals are trying to rebuild in the newly-named Apocalypse Burg. Builder Emmet (voice of Chris Pratt) has to step up again and go rescue would-be love Lucy/Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks), Batman (Will Arnett) and other friends from a weird alien queen when she has them kidnapped. Courage and a belief in self-worth will be required. Is Emmet up to the task? Will his teaming up with the macho space wanderer Rex Dangervest (also Pratt) on his quest be a good or bad thing?

Kid Finn from the last film, is still avidly playing with his LEGOs in the basement and has turned “dark”, making their world a Mad Max-style wasteland of “un-awesomeness”. When his little sister Bianca tries to join in with sparkly toys, hearts and happy yellow stars, all heck breaks loose. They turn dangerous and attack Bricksburg. It stays wrecked and only cheery Emmet seems to be happy in this hopeless scenario. Batman is lonely and Judy is dark and brooding even when she sees that Emmet has built an adorable little house for them to inhabit.

Alien Commander
A ship with a force field attacks. Judy and Batman’s efforts to defend aren’t enough and Emmet accidentally destroys his own little house. Aliens land, led by General Mayhem (Stephanie Beatriz) who tells inhabitants that her shape-shifting leader Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi (Tiffany Haddish) of the Systar System wants to marry their leader.

Despite a good fight, Lucy, Batman, Unikitty (Alison Brie), astronaut Benny (Charlie Day) and others are taken hostage. Emmet tries to lead a group to rescue them but nobody will join him. He turns his destroyed house into a ship and takes off on his own rescue quest.
Batman, MetalBeard, Lucy and Unikitty are kidnapped

The Queen
On the Systar home planet, Queen Watevra wants to marry Batman since he says he’s the leader. No way. He is a Bat-chelor! She sings a song about how harmless she is and starts wooing the newcomers by giving them what they want.

In space, Emmet is aided by mystery man Rex Dangervest whose homies are LEGO velociraptors! He says he can help with the coming Armageddon. He’s bitter because he was left alone a long time under the clothes drier in the basement. Emmet asks him to teach him to be an ass-kicker which he thinks is necessary to pull off this rescue.

Emmet will have to grow up fast. Meanwhile, Lucy and the others are taken to a sparkly planet where they are pampered. Only Judy stays tough. Suddenly her black hair is multi-coloured again. She is sent to music therapy. Rex and Emmet discover a village where all the missing LEGO super-heroes are living in harmony. Listening to the music changed them. They’re evidently brain-washed.

The Rescue?
Lucy puts on earmuffs against the music and escapes, running into Bruce Willis in an air duct.
Can Lucy ever reunite with Emmet? Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Emmet has learned to channel his anger and busts open the sidewalk at the village breaking the happy mood. The Wedding Ceremony between Batman and the Queen is about to happen at the Space Temple but she admits in song that she is “Not Into Gotham City Guys”. She likes Superman! Batman can’t let Supe win so he says he loves her. Let’s get married. Rex and newly-empowered Emmet are on the way to blow up the temple before the wedding. Is the Queen evil or have they all misread her? Is Rex who he seems to be or….something totally different?

Wrapping Up
There is a lot going on in this 2nd film…maybe too much and too fast to follow easily but the movie is packed with fun cultural references, creative new characters, good morals and it supports teamwork. Jokes at Chris Pratt’s expense are hilarious and the actor is obviously okay with them. Even the name Rex Dangervest takes aim at his macho yet flawed Jurassic World hero. Message: learn how to play with your younger sister before she destroys your world. It’s teamwork people and it’s painted on pretty thickly but with a light-hearted and colorful brush.The rough and ready Rex Danger

Although songs aren’t as catchy as the annoying “Everything is Awesome”, they are fun and lyrics are a hoot. Voice acting is top notch all around.

Top tips for family trips

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Making sure a family day out goes smoothly and everyone has a day to remember… for all the right reasons!

Plan ahea
Plan your journey to avoid the stresses of getting lost on route with excitable children in tow! It also helps to pack the bag you’re taking the night before to stop the morning scramble.

Pack some spare clothes
No matter how old your children are take spare clothes with you, then they can relax and get messy or wet even if it wasn’t in the plan. I take a unisex variety so that it doesn’t matter who ends up wearing them!

Snacks to the rescue!
You can never take too many snacks! Keep separate snack boxes/ bags for each child to avoid arguments! Even better if they can pop them in their own backpack.

Money Money Money
Take loose change with you, especially £1 coins and keep it handy. Many attractions have ‘extra’ activities you can do such as; feeding animals or rides and often this costs £1 or so, plus there might be parking charges.

Prepare the children
Keep behaviour on track by preparing your children for the frustrations they may experience during the day. For example ‘sometimes we will have to queue up’ or ‘you will need to stay quiet when we go in…..area’.

Take wellies/walking shoes
Some places might get muddy when it has rained and no one wants to get their shoes caked in mud. Also, take plastic bags to put the wellies in after so you can keep the car clean!

Plan for any ‘boring bits’
Have some games in mind encase the kids get a little bored. Make a bingo list or treasure hunt, if you are in a museum or gallery they might have a trail for you to follow or even activity packs, ask at reception when you arrive.

Sun protection
With the weather always being changeable it is a good idea to always carry sun cream, sunglasses and sun hats.

Keep a basic makeup set/ hairbrush in the car for the days when it was easier just to get everyone out of the house before making yourself look presentable!

Money-saving family days out

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Find out what’s on at your local museum or library
Museums and libraries often have great children’s activities planned for the school holidays many of which are free! Don’t forget to check out our website for places to visit which are local to you. You can even filter your search to find attractions with free entry only!

We all know how much a family day out can cost at top attractions and we’re left thinking it would be cheaper to go abroad! However, when you’re planning a well-earned family day out check out our ticket portal for seriously great savings at top attractions around the UK! We’ve helped thousands of families save money on their days out, and we’d love to help you too! Find out more.

Enjoy the great outdoors
Check out local farms, parks and nature reserves as there is always loads going on during the school holidays such as nature trails and bug hunts. There are some great activities for the children at National Trust properties which include den building and fossil hunting. You’ll find some great days out inspiration on our website which includes farms, nature reserves and country parks so be sure to check it out!

Open (and close) your kitchen
Do you ever find that after a day at home with the kids, you’re left with a very bare looking fridge and cupboards? More often or not, bored children means ‘hungry’ munchkins, so why not open and close your own kitchen for meal times only! I’ve found that closing the kitchen by 9am after breakfast, opening for an hour at lunchtime, and then reopening for tea time really does banish the kitchen raiders.

Go to the cinema from just £2.49! – Vue Cinema
every Saturday and Sunday morning from 10am, plus every day during the school holidays
(check the website for updated price and availability)

Vue cinemas across the country are offering cinema seats from just £2.49 during the school holidays as a part of their ‘mini mornings’! There are some fab films on offer that children will love such as The Boss Baby, Smurf: The Lost Village, Spiderman: Homecoming and more! Probably best to book ahead, especially on rainy days!
Bowling from just £1 per person! – Superbowl UK, various location
9-10am everyday

For a truly traditional fun family day out why not take the kids bowling where Superbowl UK have prices starting from just £1 per person! Perfect for rainy days, and even super hot days there really is so much to do to keep the kids entertained as well as hiring a bowling lane!

Take a picnic
If you were to add up the amount spent during the day out with the kids, a large proportion goes on food and drink! Always pack a picnic, along with snacks and plenty of drinks for all the family. If you’re going somewhere where the kids are likely to clock the sweets – visit the pound shop beforehand and buy a stash of your own which works out so much cheaper!Save your change

Keep some change handy for car parking. There’s nothing worse than having to nip to a shop just to break into a note, plus paying for car parking using your phone often comes with a surcharge.