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I took a four year old to Sea Life Birmingham - here's why it turned out to be a core memory making experience

Sarah Handley — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 15:09:14 +0000

I visited the Sea Life Centre in Birmingham with my four-year-old-nephew Max (bringing my mother along for the ride). Here's what our experience was like, and what I'd recommend if you were planning a visit.

Finding things to do with kids can be a minefield, especially during school holidays. And with many attractions having significant entrance fees, it can feel like a gamble as to whether your day out is going to be a roaring success or a washout.

To help, here's how I got on with a trip to the Sea Life Centre Birmingham, what you can expect when you get there, and ultimately whether it's worth the money.

What is a Sea Life Centre?

If you're not familiar with any of the Sea Life attractions dotted around the country - there's eleven in the UK, including Birmingham, Brighton, Manchester, London and Hunstanton. Each centre offers a great opportunity for the whole family to get up close and personal with loads of marine creatures, and learn all about them and their habitat. The specific features or displays at Sea Life may vary by location - for example, the Hunstanton centre is the only one in the UK which has a seal hospital.

While some of the centres might have a bit of an outdoor exhibit, they are largely indoor attractions which means they are perfect for keeping the kids entertained whatever the weather.

How much does Sea Life Birmingham cost?

How much you pay for Sea Life Birmingham will ultimately depend on when you go and how far in advance you book, but adult tickets tend to start from about £20 per person off peak when booked in advance, up to about £27, and child tickets start from about £18 and go up to £25.

We went on a Tuesday in early August during the school holidays, and it cost us £62.50 for two adults and a child. This was including a 50 per cent discount (based on the on-the-day price) on the child's ticket, so it was £12.50 for my nephew and £25 for each of the adults. A visit to the centre is expected to last between 90 minutes and two hours (although once you're in, there is no set limit on how long you can stay).

It's worth noting that you can use your Tesco Clubcard rewards to purchase your tickets, which can be a great way to reduce the cost.

(Image credit: Merlin Entertainments)

Key attractions

Penguin and sea otter exhibits

The first exhibit we came to was the Gentoo penguins, which Max made a beeline for. There's lots of viewing space, although at busy times, you might need to wait to get a really good spot at the front. As well as seeing the penguins waddle around on the surface, you also go down a little ramp where you can see them swimming in the pool in their enclosure. The penguins were really active, and seemed just as curious as Max, coming right up to the glass, something which Max absolutely loved. He'd even insisting on taking his Kidnoculars to make sure he didn't miss a thing.

Max looking at the Gentoo penguins in their habitat (Image credit: Future)

In a similar enclosure, we also got a really good look at a sea otter (which was surprisingly large) and listened to the guide sharing lots of interesting facts about it's habitat, diet and appearance.

Sharks and rays

There are multiple large tanks in Sea Life attraction, each filled with multiple creatures, and there is plenty of space to get a really good look. These large tanks are open at the top, so adults can look in over the top, but for kids, the glass sides go low enough that even little ones in pushchairs have a really good vantage point. Our favourite was the tank that included bamboo sharks, guitar fish (which look like a cross between a stingray and a shark), and unicorn fish.

Shark-obsessed Max was utterly mesmerised by the bamboo shark, and more so when one of the helpful guides came over to share some really interesting facts about the creatures. He was also great at adapting the information so it was accessible to Max, pointing out the shark's gills and explaining their purpose.

Curious Max getting a close look at a bamboo shark in a tank enclosure (Image credit: Future)

Small tanks

As you move into the smaller exhibits, where there is just one species in each display, you'll see some iconic sea creatures, like the clown fish (hi Nemo!), sea horses and jelly fish. Max was absolutely flabbergasted to discover that jellyfish are older than the dinosaurs!

As well as the cool displays, there is also a little tunnel for kids to crawl through, and pop their heads up to look at a display from the inside.

Max getting up close and personal with the marine wildlife, and testing out the kids underwater tunnel (Image credit: Future)

360-degree underwater tunnel

The most amazing part of our trip to Sea Life was right at the end when you step into the UK's only 360 degree tunnel. This was incredible. Not only is it a wonderfully immersive experience, but you get a really good look at some of the larger creatures at the centre including sharks, rays, guitar fish and turtles.

I could have spent hours in there, just staring in wonder, but that was probably a tall ask with an excitable four year old in tow. It's all the more fascinating when you realise that the centre offers sleepovers in the tunnel!

(Image credit: Merlin Entertainments)

What are the facilities like?

Food and drink: There are no food and drink facilities at Sea Life Birmingham, and you're not allowed to eat and drink your own food on the way round either. However, the centre is located right in the heart of Brindley Place, which is filled with restaurants and cafes, and you're about a 10 minute walk from Grand Central shopping centre, which has loads more eateries.

Toilets and baby change: There are toilets, disabled toilets and baby changing facilities at the attraction. They were clearly signposted, and clean.

Pram accessibility: While the venue is on different levels, it's really pram (and wheelchair) friendly, as you move through the levels via a ramp, and can take a lift down to the underwater tunnel. However, at the busiest times, you may find having a pushchair in tow slows you down, so if you can manage without one, you might prefer it.

Lockers and storage: There aren't any cloakroom, locker or Buggy Park facilities in the centre.

(Image credit: Future)

Photos: There are a couple of opportunities to have a family photo taken, which is available to purchase at the end of your visit. But if you don't want to do that, you can take your own pictures as you go round, although the use of flash photography is prohibited as it can be harmful to the creatures.

Autism and specific sensory needs: If your child has autism or specific sensory needs, then the centre's Quiet at the Aquarium could be right up your street. On selected dates, the aquarium opens an hour early and offers a quieter experience, where the centre music is turned off, and any TVs have the volume lowered. There are limited tickets available at £13 per person, and they must be booked online and in advance of your visit. Quiet sessions tend to run on the first Sunday of every month - check the website to see when Quiet at the Aquarium is running.

Payments: It's worth knowing that the Sea Life centre is cashless, including the gift shop.

Gift shop: There is a decent sized gift shop on your way out of the centre, with toys, key rings, magnets, tumblers and more available for a variety of budgets.

Is Sea Life worth the money?

After seeing the look on my nephew's face as we made our way round the Sea Life Centre, it was definitely money well spent - he's mad about sharks and this was his first time seeing any in real life, and I could almost see the experience becoming a core memory for him. For Max, every display was something else to marvel at, and he was buzzing about it all the way home, and still talks about the tunnel and the sharks even weeks later.

However, for an experience that took us just 90 minutes, I was glad that we had benefited from a bit of a discount. If we paid full price, it would have felt like a very expensive activity.

Planning your trip

Opening times

Opening times of the Sea Life Centre will depend on when you visit and which location, but during the week in the summer holidays, the Birmingham centre is open from 9.30am until 6pm, with the last admission at 5pm.

When booking your tickets online, you will need to choose a time slot. When I went, we arrived earlier than anticipated and were worried about having to wait for about about 45 minutes before we could go in. But we asked at the entrance whether there was any way we could be allowed in a bit earlier, and we were allowed. It never hurts to ask, but bear in mind that if you are arriving at peak times, then you may not be allowed in earlier than your allocated time slot.

Getting there

The Sea Life Centre is located in the heart of Birmingham, with multiple car parks nearby that mean a five minute walk to the attraction. If you travel by train, it's a bit of a longer walk - it's about a 15-20 minute walk from Snow Hill station, roughly 20 minutes from New Street and about 25 mins from Birmingham Moor Street.

If you're not familiar with Birmingham, and are travelling by train, you might want to check the route from the station on Google Maps before you visit, as the signage isn't great until you get closer to the attraction.

If you want to make a real day of your visit to Birmingham, you could always opt for a multi-attraction ticket, that means you could also visit Legoland Discovery Centre (which is right next to the Sea Life Centre), Cadbury World (about 20 minute drive or 50 minute train ride) or Warwick Castle (about an hour away by train and car).

Want more? Find out how this mum got on with a trip to Legoland Discovery Centre with her two children, while another shares her feedback on the new Legoland Woodland Village.

I took my kids to Legoland Discovery Centre - and here's why I'd go back

Sarah Handley — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 09:55:53 +0000

Mum-of-two Charlotte visited the Legoland Discovery Centre in Birmingham with her family. She shares her experiences of the indoor attraction, and offers her advice to families planning to visit.

One of the reasons Lego has stood the test of time, is that it's great for kids' development. And so it's not hard to see why attractions like Legoland Resort Windsor, including it's new Woodland Village, are popular choices for things to do with kids over the school holidays.

But is the Legoland Discovery Centre a good choice for keeping the kids entertained and, with a price tag of up to £108 for a family of four, is it worth the money? We asked a mum who visited the Birmingham centre with her husband and two daughters, Ella (nine) and Mara (six), to see what she thought of the experience.

What's the difference between Legoland and Legoland Discovery Centre?

Before you plan a visit to Legoland Discovery Centre, it's important to know that it's a very different experience to the Legoland Resort Windsor theme park. Unlike the theme park, which has more than 55 outdoor rides, Legoland Discovery Centre is an indoor experience that is aimed at children aged between three and 10. While it does have a couple of indoor rides, and a 4D cinema, the Discovery Centre is a two to three hour experience all about hands-on interaction with Lego exhibits and the creativity of making your own Lego builds at various points, rather than a high-octane, thrill-seeking full day out.

There are two centres in England - one in Birmingham, and another in Manchester. Legoland Discovery Centres are literally built for kids. They are front and centre right from the get-go. Even before you book, adults are advised that they must be accompanied by a child to enter. There are loads of interactive exhibits, as well as daily challenges for kids and adults to get involved in. Charlotte says: "When we visited, it was a boat building challenge. I also really liked that there were Lego puzzles for kids to play with while waiting for the lift, as well as fun images inside, which made it feel really immersive for the girls, and kept any 'I'm bored' comments at bay."

How much does Legoland Discovery Centre cost?

"We visited Legoland Discovery Centre in Birmingham on a Sunday in the school holidays. If we'd have paid full price it would have been £100 for me, my husband and our two girls aged six and nine (kids under two are free). Fortunately, we had two free tickets, which we won via Sky VIP. And, we took advantage of Merlin's summer offers - which means kids' tickets were half price - so it cost us £37.50, in total. We were there from 10.45am until about 1.45pm so it felt like really good value for money. I'm not sure I'd say the same if we paid full price, especially when this is a half-day experience at most. For £100, I'd want a whole day out."

Ultimately, prices depend on when you visit, and are more expensive during school holidays. For example, the price of a standard ticket at the Birmingham Discovery Centre on Friday 16 August starts from £25 per person, but on Friday 13 September, this drops to £18 per person.

You might also find yourself paying a little bit more per person depending on the time slot you choose. At the time of writing, for 16 August, entry for a family of four would cost £108 if you choose the 10am, 10.30, 11.15 or 11.30am time slots, but all other time slots are £100, so make sure you check carefully before you buy. Tickets are valid for your chosen day only, and you can't re-enter after you have left the attraction.

(Image credit: .)

"If you choose to, you can also buy an activity pack for £5 when you enter and kids can collect stamps as they work their way round. We didn't partake, but I can see younger children really enjoying it," says Charlotte. This activity pack is on a lanyard that kids can wear around their neck, and it contains stickers, mini LEGO build activities, as well as tips to help make the most of your visit. It also includes a card which kids can use to collect stamps from around the attraction.

For super dedicated Lego fans, you can also attend LEGO creative workshops - for £5 (per person). This is a guided workshop, and you get to take home what you've built. What you can build in these sessions changes every month, but previous projects have included frogs, race cars and ice cream vans.

Got a Tesco Clubcard? You can also reduce the cost (or even bag a free trip) using your Clubcard vouchers.

Key attractions at Legoland Discovery Centre

There's a lot to keep families busy at Legoland Discovery Centre. It's an easy way to spend a morning or afternoon - and it's especially good for rainy days as it's all indoors. Key attractions include:

Miniland

"Miniland, features interactive Lego versions of local landmarks and real life attractions including the Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Villa Park stadium, and even a Lego replica of Birmingham's Primark, which is the largest in the world. Miniland also changes from day to night, which is quite an impactful experience," says Charlotte. "Mara, my six year old particularly enjoyed the Miniland version of the NEC, which was depicting a music concert - there were interactive buttons which when pressed caused the different band members to play. We all had a go interaction with the Villa Park model which had a moveable pitch, but we found it a little bit harder than it looked, but still fun."

Miniland at Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham features Lego versions of local landmarks including Villa Park stadium, The Mailbox, and The Bull Ring (Image credit: Future)

4D cinema

There's also a 4D cinema, showing four separate short films throughout the day and these are including in the price of your entry. Charlotte adds: "There's a board outside showing you which one is on next - each one lasts about 15 mins - my six year old was a bit nervous after a bad experience in a previous 4D cinema (at a different attraction), but after a minute or two she was cackling away during our viewing of the Lego City 4D Officer in Pursuit showing - especially at the hot dog man, and the hog dog shapes poking through the seats at us." The last showing is an hour before closing time on the day you visit.

(Image credit: Legoland Discovery Centre/Merlin Entertainment)

The Kingdom Quest ride

There are a couple of rides for you and the kids to enjoy too. "The Kingdom Quest ride was loads of fun. You ride around in carriages and have to shoot at different targets. I loved how interactive it was, and we all ended up getting quite competitive about it." There's no set age limit or restriction, but children under 1.3m tall must be accompanied by an adult, and children must be able to walk unaided in order to ride. You won't be able to ride if you are pregnant, have broken bones, back or neck problems, a heart condition or high blood pressure.

(Image credit: Legoland Discovery Centre/Merlin Entertainment)

Merlin's Apprentice ride

"We also really enjoyed the Merlin's Apprentice ride, where you sit in a carriage and have to pedal to make your carriage go further up in the air," explains Charlotte. Kids must be at least 90 centimetres tall to ride, and those under 120 centimetres tall need to be accompanied by an adult. However this may prove a bit of a challenge for some, says Charlotte. "I spotted a couple of families with three kids under 120 centimetres tall, who were having to queue twice so all of the children could have a go, which could be awkward for some, especially on a busy day." There are similar rules for this ride as for The Kingdom Quest as to who is not able to ride.

Merlin's Apprentice ride at Legoland Discovery Centre in Birmingham (Image credit: Future)

Soft play and build stations

Over 5's Lego City themed soft play area at Legoland Discovery Centre in Birmingham (Image credit: Future)

There' are two soft play areas - the Lego City soft play area is suitable for kids aged five and over, while there is a Duplo farm play area for children under five. Charlotte explains how the girls really enjoyed the various opportunities to get their hands on some bricks and build. "We really enjoyed the LEGO Friends section, which had a big bucket of Lego pieces that we could use to build things that the girls could then put on display. The girls were really excited that other children might be able to see, and like, what they'd built. There are also plenty of LEGO tables dotted around and build stations where the kids could take seat and let their imaginations run wild."

Duplo Farm under 5s soft play area at Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham (Image credit: Future)

When it comes to capturing some memories on camera, there's a photograph station as soon as you come in, where a staff member will take your family photo, which you can then buy if you want. But as Charlotte found, there are also lots of opportunities for impromptu pictures too: "We also bumped into a Lego character as we were walking round and the girls were excited to get their picture taken with her, but it was purely accidental, and I couldn't see anywhere that stated when the characters would be doing the rounds, so it could be hit and miss as to whether you manage to get a photo. Which is a shame."

As with most attractions, on the way out, you hit the gift shop where there is a good variety of things to buy at a range of price points. "The girls liked the pocket money key rings and build your own Lego figures (it's like a Lego Pick and Mix and there are a good selection of parts to choose from), but I did have to steer them away from the massive LEGO sets that were on sale for £100s."

What's are the facilities like at Legoland Discovery Centre?

Food and drink - "The attraction has a coffee shop that is sponsored by Costa so you can get a nice hot drink and snack when you get a bit peckish. I did spot some kids meal deals, which included a sandwich, crisps, cake or snack and a drink for between £5.50 and £6.50 (depending on your choice of drink). I also really liked that there were games on the cafe tables, which kept the girls entertained while we had a little sit down."

If you don't want to buy food there, or have special dietary requirements which the cafe may not accommodate, you can take your own food and drink instead. Alternatively, the attraction is located in Brindley Place, which is packed full of restaurants including family friendly eateries like Pizza Express and Zizzi's. But it can get busy, so it's best to book ahead if you can. You can see a full list of Brindley Place restaurants here.

The Coffee Shop at Legoland Discovery Centre is sponsored by Costa so you know you can get a decent hot drink and snack if you get hungry. There are also games and puzzles printed on the table tops to keep kids occupied while you're having a rest (Image credit: Future)

Toilets and baby change - There's enough toilet facilities (the ladies has about six cubicles) and there is also disabled toilets and baby change facilities. Charlotte adds: "When we went there was no issue with long queues for the toilet. They were a little tired, but clean and well stocked in terms of toilet roll and soap.

Lockers and storage - There aren't any lockers or cloakroom facilities, although there are storage boxes you can use. But these aren't lockable, and items are left at your own risk.

Pram accessibility: You can easily get around the whole attraction with a pram if you need to, although there is a buggy park you can use. "There's a lift that takes you down from the entrance into the main part of the attraction. There are stairs, but it's about four floors, so I'd avoid doing those with kids if you can."

Autism or specific sensory needs - The attraction does offer a few quiet sessions over the course of the year, although they are infrequent. These sessions are held in the morning, and the centre music will be turned off and any televisions set to low volume. They also have a really great Sensory Story guide which can help prepare guests for what they will see and experience during their visit. The guide points out loads of helpful information, from what the entrance looks like and who they might encounter on the way in to where queues might crop up and even the colour of the chairs that are in the 4D cinema.

Cleanliness - In a post-COVID world, we're all more cautious about germs than ever before. "From a safety point of view, I did notice their were loads of hand sanitiser stations around, but a few of them were empty when we went, so it's definitely worth taking your own, as there are a lot of touch points," advises Charlotte.

Is Legoland Discovery Centre worth the money?

"This was the first time we'd visited Legoland Discovery Centre and I'd definitely say it's good value for money at the price we paid, and its great if you are looking for some indoor fun you can enjoy whatever the weather. Once you're in, you can stay for as long as you like, and you can go on the rides and visit the cinema as many times as you want.

"Also, my girls love Lego, so they were really excited about it and engaged from the get-go. It really is built for kids, and they loved seeing the LEGO versions of local landmarks, especially Edgbaston, that they've both been to in real life, and getting involved on the rides.

"It's also relatively nearby for us too, but if you are coming from further afield, you might want to stay overnight and pack in more activities, like the nearby Sea Life centre and Bull Ring shopping centre, and the Bear Grylls Adventure at Resorts World Arena." Those who visit the Legoland Discovery Centre in Birmingham have access to discounted rates at the nearby Hilton Garden Inn Hotel (which is also in Brindley Place). If you do stay for a longer period of time, Cadbury World is about a 20 minute drive or 50 minute train ride away, and Warwick Castle is about an hour away by both car and train.

"However, if we'd had to pay £100 for the four of us, I don't think we would have committed. We'd definitely go back again, because the girls enjoyed it so much, and they were really in their element, but I'll definitely keep my eyes peeled for any discounts and offers that we can take advantage of rather than paying full price."

Charlotte adds: "The one thing I'd wished I known was when some of the smaller activities were happening, like the opportunity to take a picture with a LEGO character, and apparently there was Lego Bingo at one point, which we completely missed."

Top tips to get the most out of your day

Definitely book in advance, especially during school holidays, but you can change the date up to 24 hours before your arrival time
Always look out for deals too - it's owned by Merlin, so keep your eyes peeled for cereal box vouchers and such like to reduce the cost, without reducing the fun
If you want to keep costs low, definitely take your own food and drink
Consider multi-attraction tickets - especially when the Sea Life Centre is practically next door
All tickets must be pre-booked in advance, you can't buy them on the day

Planning your trip to Legoland Discovery Centre

Opening times

Legoland Discovery Centre opens at 9.30am and closes at 5.30pm Monday to Saturday (and closes at 4.30pm on a Sunday), with the last entry two hours before closing time. However, out of peak times, like outside school holidays, the centre may run on reduced hours, so you'll likely only be able to pick an entry time earlier in the day. For kids who aren't school age, you can get a discounted adult and toddler ticket, and you may find there are extra activities tailored to toddlers on during off-peak times.

How busy was it? Charlotte told us, "With staggered entrance timings, our visit to the Legoland Discovery Centre was lively, but not too busy. When we arrived for our 10.45am time slot, there was no queue and we just walked straight in, which was great because the girls were so excited.

"It got busier by midday, but it didn't feel overwhelming and we managed to get on all the rides we wanted to and see everything we needed to see without any problems. When the short films are shown in the cinema, it definitely quieted down, and at one point we had the brick build section all to ourselves, which was lovely.

"If you're worried about crowds, then I definitely recommend getting one of the first entrance slots of the day, and consider going on a Sunday."

Getting there

This Legoland Discovery Centre is located right in the centre of Birmingham, with a few car parks really close by (you can see a list and the postcodes on the attraction's website). It's worth checking if there are any events planned at the arena for the day you plan to visit as spaces may be more limited.

"We parked at Q Park Brindley Place which was a five minute flat walk to the attraction - there's an amazing giant Lego giraffe outside so you can't miss the entrance, and it's well signposted from the nearby Sea Life centre. But I am also quite familiar with Birmingham, so if you're not, definitely consult Google Maps to avoid getting lost," says Charlotte. If you're travelling by train, it's about a 15-20 minute walk from Snow Hill station, roughly 20 minutes from New Street and about 25 mins from Birmingham Moor Street. For older kids, this is a relatively easy walk, but for younger kids, it's quite a long way for their little legs.

For more fun Lego news and facts, we share all you need to know about when Lego was invented, the valuable vintage Lego sets that could be worth serious cash, and this genius mum hack that makes clearing up Lego a breeze.

This free hack takes seconds to do and will keep your kids entertained on a walk this summer

ellie.hutchings@futurenet.com (Ellie Hutchings) — Mon, 29 May 2023 11:00:00 +0000

The weather is getting warmer again, which means parents are looking for ways to keep kids entertained on long family walks.

As the summer holidays approach, it's that time of year again where parents start looking for things to do with kids during their time off school. While some may opt for a city break, seeking out the best free things to do in London with the family, others prefer to get outside in nature and take their kids on a nice country walk.

But while the fresh air and exercise might be good for them, not all kids enjoy the idea of a family walk, and sometimes parents are in need of ways to keep them entertained. Luckily, one TikTok mum has shared her cheap and easy idea - and all you need is a pen, a piece of cardboard and a pair of scissors.

Mum-of-two Megan Roberts shared this sweet activity on TikTok, where the video has since racked up over one million views and almost 70 thousand likes. In the video, she cuts out the shape of a lion's head from a piece of cardboard, drawing its face in the middle and poking holes around the outside where the mane is.

While on the walk her kids search for flowers they can pick and put through the holes in the cardboard. At the end of the walk, Megan shows the pretty creation, with colourful wildflowers making up the lion's mane. She captions the video, "Try this to keep your little ones entertained on a walk this spring / summer 🌞💐".

Many TikTok users were impressed by Megan's homemade activity. One commented, "Omg adorable and so smart!!! Definitely gonna do this! 🥰", while another said, "This is such a cute idea! Good motor skill activity too 👏".

Others suggested things you could do with the pretty creations after the walk, with one saying, "I think it would be pretty cute if you pressed the flowers when you get home,". Another user added, "Put it in a press, then frame it 🥰".

And some pointed out that you might not get very far on your walk if you use this hack to keep kids occupied, with one commenting, "Love it! wouldn't walk far but kiddo would be so happy 🥰", while another said, "Wouldn't be much of a walk 😆".

If you do fancy trying this activity, make sure you're familiar with where and which flowers you are allowed to pick. While council-maintained areas and nature reserves are off limits, wild flowers are generally fine.

However, some types of flower are protected, such as Bluebells, so you should not pick these. You can find the full list of protected flowers at legislation.gov.uk.

Looking for more ways to keep kids entertained? Check out this list of crafts for kids, these mindfulness activities for kids, and our pick of the best kids movies on Netflix.

Video of the Week

10 easy mindfulness activities for kids

ellie.hutchings@futurenet.com (Ellie Hutchings) — Tue, 16 May 2023 08:11:30 +0000

Teaching your little ones these mindfulness activities for kids will help them learn how to manage their anxieties and understand their emotions from an early age.

The benefits of mindfulness are endless, from improving sleep and reducing stress to even lowering blood pressure and helping to manage depression. And while kids may not face the same daily pressures as us grown-ups, they can still feel anxious and stressed, which is why it's important to know how to talk about children's mental health and how to start a conversation about mental health with your kids. And one of the things that can help anxious kids to manage their emotions is by practicing mindfulness.

Lisa Bruton, psychotherapist and spokesperson for the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) explains, "Mindfulness activities are good to practice routinely and when children are fairly calm, as it means they will be familiar with the exercises if you ever need to call upon them to help children calm down, or relax before going to sleep, for instance." Read on to for our expert-approved list of things to do with kids that can teach them about mindfulness.

Mindfulness activities for kids

1. Belly breathing

Breathing is a big part of mindfulness, and studies have shown that it can reduce anxiety and increase positive thinking. However, the concept of mindful breathing might be difficult for kids to grasp, so you can teach them through belly breathing.

Lisa explains that they will need to either sit cross-legged or lie down on the floor, or sit on a chair with their eyes closed. Invite them to put their hands on the belly, and breathe slowly. Count to three as they breathe in, and again as they breathe out. Invite them to feel their belly rise and drop down again, and do this for two to three minutes.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Lisa says: "This is a really good one for children learning to count, and also for when children are particularly wound up and need something to concentrate on as they calm down. We know that slowing our breathing down kickstarts the para-sympathetic nervous system, which in turn lowers the levels of cortisol and adrenaline, and increases oxytocin."

2. Mindful eating

Mindful eating focuses on the experience of eating and, as Lisa explains, "this can be quite fun with children as you can play around with different foods, such as frozen peas, crackers, popcorn, and more."

She adds, "Mindful eating can be useful especially to slow children's - and adults' - eating down and really pay attention to the food and levels of hunger and satiation."

Lisa suggests offering children something small to eat, like a raisin, a blueberry or a nut, and inviting them to put it in their palm. Ask them how it feels, what shapes and colors they can see and what they can smell, before asking them to place it on their tongue and explain how it feels.

When they bite into the food, ask them to concentrate on the flavors, chew until they swallow and feel it entering into the body.

Action for Healthy Kids explains, "Connecting this with the food that fuels our bodies helps children to recognize feelings of hunger and fullness, slow down when eating, better digest and fully enjoy snacks or meals."

3. Mindful walking

Walking meditation is another way of connecting to the present moment, and involves noticing the surroundings as you walk. Studies have shown that mindful walking can reduce stress.

Lisa says: "Invite the children to take their shoes and socks off, either inside on the carpet or floor, or outside on a patch of grass. They should stand up and play around with pressure on different areas of the feet, by leaning forward, backwards and to the side.

"Then begin to walk and pay attention to the sensations at the bottom of the feet, making sure to drop the shoulders and relax the face also. Walk around and pay attention to the air on the face, and what there is to see can see around you."

She adds, "This is a lovely one to do outside if you can, and can still the mind whilst keeping the body in motion - which is sometimes easier for children than staying still."

(Image credit: Getty Images)

4. Nature walk

Similarly, a walk outside in nature can be a great mindfulness activity for children, and studies have shown that nature walks can improve depression and anxiety.

Pentagon Play, the UK’s leading school playground specialist, told Goodto: "Generally, when children move more they feel better, allowing them to be able to relax and feel calm. Exposure to nature can help children to regulate their emotions, improving mood and releasing feelings of stress or anger."

To enjoy a nature walk with your kids, giving them specific activities to focus on can help keep them engaged, focused, and stimulate their minds. Ask them to look out for any puddles, for example, and invite them to touch the surface of the water and explore how many ripples they can make.

You could also ask them to collect materials such as sticks, stones, and leaves, which they can then use to make natural art.

5. Body scan

Hendrix Hammond, psychotherapist and spokesperson for UKCP explains that body scans involve focusing on different parts of the body, starting for the top of the head and gradually moving down to the toes.

He says, "You will try and pay attention to each part, as we go and notice how it feels, like if it's warm or tingly, or if you feel any tightness or relaxation. Remember, there's no right or wrong way to feel during the body scan. It's just about noticing and being aware of how your body feels."

To encourage children to try a body scan, ask them to lie down comfortably on their back and close their eyes, and guide them through a slow, focused scan of each body part. Encourage them to notice any sensations or feelings they experience in each area without judgment, and mentally send relaxation or warmth to any areas that feel tense or uncomfortable.

Hendrix says, "A body scan is a great way to help children feel more centered and calm." He adds, "It's like giving yourself a little vacation from the busyness of the day."

6. Body tracing affirmations

If you're looking for a mindfulness activity children can do together, then try this body tracing affirmation exercise. Pentagon Play explained, "Body tracing is a wonderful activity to improve children’s development in self-esteem, self-awareness, confidence, communication, and group work."

To try the activity ask children to pair up, each taking it in turns to lie down on a large sheet of paper - or another surface they can draw on - and take it in turns to draw around one another. Then, ask them to write positive words about themselves inside the tracing.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

At the end of the exercise, ask the children to read out all the positive statements they have written about themselves and each other.

Pentagon Play added, "If the children feel uneasy about being drawn around, ask them to draw around you first, in order to help them feel more secure and show them that there is nothing to be alarmed by."

7. Making worry busters

Pentagon Play explains, "Anxiety very often manifests itself physically, making children much more fidgety than they would be when they’re feeling relaxed. Some children find they are more comfortable and can focus and pay attention much more easily if they have something small to fidget with."

They advise encouraging children to find natural resources such as pebbles, mud, fallen leaves, or anything that can provide something tangible to hold. Ask them to focus on how it feels in their hands - do they find squeezing or rolling it calming?

Meanwhile, making mud pies can keep children's hands busy and is equally as therapeutic - children can use their fingers or a stick to draw a face in the mud pie to represent how they are feeling. The idea is to help them notice their emotions and learn how to voice them.

8. Mind jar

Children's charity Barnardo's suggests making glitter jars as a mindfulness activity for children, as these sensory toys can be a great way to calm kids down.

Barnardo's explains, "Fill a clear jar almost to the top with water. Add a big spoonful of glitter glue, or glue and dry glitter, to the jar. Put the lid on the jar and shake it to make the glitter swirl.

"Tell your child to imagine that the glitter is like their thoughts when they get stressed, angry or upset. When it is mixed up, the glitter makes it hard to see through the jar clearly. It’s the same when they get stressed or upset, it makes it hard to make good choices because they can’t think clearly.

"Let the jar settle and show how the water starts to clear. Explain that when they are calm, their thoughts will settle, and they will be able to think more clearly."

9. Mindful coloring

Sarah Cannon, psychological wellbeing practitioner and personal trainer at Living Well UK, recommends an activity as simple as coloring for teaching kids mindfulness. In fact, studies have shown that coloring activities can alleviate anxiety.

Sarah says, "Sitting down and spending time coloring helps to bring attention back to the present moment and can improve focus and attention as well as creativity. If used instead of screen time in the evenings, it may also improve sleep."

You can find plenty of free coloring print-outs online, via Crayola or Just Color, for example, or you could invest in a mindfulness coloring book for children.

10. Tense and release

Sarah suggests using this activity to draw attention to how the body feels - teaching children awareness of how they feel on a day to day basis, as well as releasing any tension they may be feeling at the time.

Sarah says: "Start by sitting in a chair with feet rested on the floor, or by lying on the floor or another comfortable surface. Take a couple of deep breaths in and out. Then starting at the feet gently tense the muscles in the feet for 5 seconds before gently releasing. Notice how this feels to release this tension.

"Move to the calf muscles and tense these again for 5 seconds before releasing. Take a moment to notice how it feels within the body to let go of this tension. Continue this process working through the various body parts all the way to muscles within the face."

Looking for more family activities? Check out these 35 crafts for kids, or this list of indoor activities for kids.

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Modern bingo calls - and their funny meanings explained

Anna.Bailey@ti-media.com (Anna Bailey) — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 08:37:26 +0000

Bingo calls have been around as long as the game itself, but over the generations modern bingo calls have emerged alongside the classics. If you're wanting to brush up on your game, or it's been a while since you've played, get to know these modern bingo calls and their meanings.

While many of the traditional bingo calls have survived the test of time and remain as popular today as they ever were, popular culture and modern slang move on, a fact that is reflected in the changing bingo calls that now make it into modern bingo lingo.

Some calls come and go in the twinkling of a bingo caller’s eye, along with the careers of those who inspired them. Others earn their stripes and cement their place in the hearts of bingo callers, the length and breadth of the country. Sometimes moves are made to give bingo, a game of chance that rose to popularity in the 1950s, a modern face lift by introducing a new list of modern bingo calls. However, the ones that last are those that come from a place of genuine cultural significance or familiarity and enduring popularity that seers itself into our collective consciousness.

Not only have bingo calls changed over the years, the game has also been adapted - and there are now several different types of bingo game - many of which you can play online at some of our favourite bingo sites.

1. Little Jimmy, One Direction, YOLO - Little Jimmy refers to Little Jimmy Osmond who had a string of chart hits and spent five weeks at number one in 1972 with ‘Long Haired Lover From Liverpool’. Harry Styles and his One Direction bandmates may have found their calling on X Factor, but who would have thought Simon Cowell’s protégés would have been immortalised in the bingo hall of fame? YOLO is the modern acronym for You Only Live Once.
2. Doctor Who - William Hartnell first graced the small screen as the time travelling doctor in 1963. The lasting popularity of the show and its successful revival, has secured this bingo call its place of modern calling.
3. I’m Free, Debbie McGee - 'I’m free’ was the camp catchphrase of John Inman who starred as a shop floor assistant in the hit seventies comedy sitcom Are You Being Served. Debbie MCGee is best known as being the assistant and wife of TV magician Paul Daniels, and for her more recent appearance on Celebrity Big Brother and Strictly Come Dancing.
4. Bobby Moore - ‘Bobby Moore’ replaced ‘Knock at the Door’ after captaining the 1966 winning World Cup English football team.
6. Little Mix - A rhyming call. Girl band, Little Mix, were put together on X Factor in 2011. Since then they have had a string of chart hits, releasing their sixth album 'Confetti' in November 2020.
7. David Beckham, Popular With Strictly’s Len - Former England captain, David Beckham, wore the number seven shirt for most of his careers with Manchester United and England. Given that his net worth is estimated at £300 million, ‘lucky for some’ seems appropriate. Len Goodman appeared as head judge on hit TV Show Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2017 where his favourite score ‘ Seven’ became his very own catchphrase.
8. Gareth Gates, Tinder Date - The rise and fall of Gareth Gates as a popular bingo call mirrors his brief career. Let’s hope that Tinder dates don’t prove a similarly brief encounter.
9. Selfie Time - Kim Kardashian’s favourite pastime

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11. Eyebrows on Fleek - Replacing ‘legs eleven’ this modern visual call is guaranteed to raise a few plucked eyebrows.

15. Dancing Queen, Dabbing Machine, Yass Queen - All rhymes. Dancing Queen is the worldwide hit for the Swedish super troopers ABBA. Although released in 1976, the huge box office hit that was Mamma Mia, introduced it to a whole new younger audience. For this reason, we feel that Dancing Queen is a bingo call destined to last. Dabbing machine has a double meaning. A dauber is a special marker pen used to mark your bingo card. It's also a dance craze that involves dipping your head and stretching out your arms. It was the craze of 2015. "Yas Queen" made its way into modern slang after an Instagram of a super fan meeting Lady Gaga went viral. Blown away with excitement his cry "YAAAASSSSSS" instantly caught on. But the phrase actually has its roots in the queer New York ballroom scene of the 1980s.

22. Desmond, Tay Tay - Desmond refers to the South African anti-apartheid activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Two-two, geddit? Tay Tay is a nickname fans use for Taylor Swift whose song, '22' was the fourth single from her fourth studio album, 'Red'.

24. Lads on Tour - A simple rhyme referring to a wild weekend away with the boys.

25. Adele - ‘25’ Is the name of Adele’s third studio album which sold over 23 million copies worldwide, making it the fourth-best selling album of the 21st century.

27. Hipster Heaven - A simple rhyme referring to the cool crew usually found hanging out in the bars and coffee shops of east London.

32. Jimmy Choo - Carrie Bradshaw's favourite shoe designer. And a simple rhyme.

48. Tag a Mate - Like you would on social media.

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Amazon Prime - A simple rhyme with the world’s largest online retail empire whose founder, Jeff Bezos, is the world's wealthiest person, with a net worth of $182 billion. We wonder if Jeff likes to play bingo?

52. Danny La Rue, Chicken Vindaloo - Famous drag queen, Danny La Rue, was a household favourite in the 1970s but this bingo call is now a little dated, so is often replaced with one better designed to curry favour with younger players.

53. Here Comes Herbie - Herbie was a much loved VW Beetle who had number 53 painted on his side and starred in a string of Disney films between 1968 and 2005. Players shout ‘beep beep’ in response to 53 being called,

64. The Beatles - A reference to The Fab Four’s famous hit ’When I’m Sixty-four’.

66. Historic US Route - Route 66 is the famous road that ran from Chicago in the east to California in the west covering 2448 miles.
71. J-Lo’s Bum - Once reputedly insured for a whopping $17 million.
88. Wills and Kate - A right royal rhyme.

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Who invented bingo and how long has it been around?

Anna.Bailey@ti-media.com (Anna Bailey) — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 08:22:49 +0000

Want to know who invented bingo, where bingo came from and how it was played? We break down the origins of the much-loved game of chance.

Bingo – in some form – has been loved by Brits since the 18th century. While its popularity has fluctuated over decades, it has at some point kept everyone from soldiers at war to Millennials on a night out entertained with the chance of winning cash prizes. Many of the traditional bingo calls began when the game rose to popularity in the 1950s - and new modern day bingo calls and nicknames are being shared all the time.

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The origins of bingo

There are several different types of bingo, but the traditional game has its roots in 1500s Italy, spreading throughout Europe over the few hundred years that followed. It started life as a game called, 'Il Giuoco del Lotto d'Italia', which translated to, 'The Clearance of The Lot of Italy' back in 1530 and was more like our National Lotto than the game we know today. From there, it was adopted by the French, where it was named, ‘Le Lotto’ and only really played among the wealthy elite.

Why is it called bingo?

To get close to the origins of the bingo game we all know and love today, we need to look Stateside. As legend has it, a New York toy salesman named Edwin S. Lowe was travelling from NY to Jacksonville in Georgia on business in 1929. With a little time to spare to fill before his next day’s meeting, Edwin had a little mosey around a passing carnival that had parked up in town. It was there he came across a 'Beano' stall, which involved a caller pulling out numbered balls from a cigar box and players using dried beans to cover up numbers written on cards in front of them. Should the players cover a straight line with the beans, they would shout “Beano” and win a teddy bear.

Lowe waited until the carnival closed to quiz the stall owner. He revealed came up with the game after playing a version of the Germany lottery while travelling in Europe. Lowe was quick to take the game back to New York, creating his own set of Beano cards to trial with friends. He was delighted to find they were instantly hooked but in their excitement to win, one shouted “Bingo” instead of “Beano”, and so the game was born.

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British bingo and 'Housey Housey'

There is some suggestion that while all this was going on across the pond, us Brits were also developing our own form of bingo. After the creation of a national lottery in Elizabethan times, games of chance were seen as a good route out of poverty. Their popularity quickly grew, with many illegal lottos popping up alongside the state-approved game. The police were keen to shut these down with bingo, in its earliest form, becoming illegal.

Reports from World War I documents troops playing a very similar game called ‘Housey Housey’ in the trenches. Once the war was over, the British troops were reluctant to give up the game that had helped them pass so many bleak days. Bringing it back home, bingo was a hit among both men and women in post-war Britain. Illegal games started to pop up all over the country, over the next 20 years.

Peckham, in South-East London, became a hot-bed of Housey Housey action thanks to a man called Louis Hart. Hart was known to police for running several illegal Housey Housey games back in 1937. Each one would have around 30-60 players but it was far cry from the fast-paced bingo we know today. Players would sit with their cards in front of them, but the actual process of drawing numbers was incredibly laborious. To cut through the tedium, comical bingo calls were invented.

The game continued to spread throughout the working men's clubs of the north of England until it was finally formalised in the UK in 1968 through the UK Gaming Act. By 1986, the National Bingo Game was legalised and became hugely popular, until a dip in the early 00s, which coincided with the ban of smoking indoors. In recent years, bingo has grown again in popularity – helped by the creation of online bingo.

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When was the bingo dauber invented?

A major flaw in using beans to mark your numbers was that a little nudge of the table would send them flying and ruin the game.

Another solution was needed and in the late 19th century, a special pen that would cover the number in one quick dab was invented. Bingo daubers are a bingo-player’s staple but be warned – in most cases, the ink is permanent so you might be in trouble if you accidentally dab your clothes.

Some bingo halls use biros to mark the numbers but if you want a classic method, then a bingo dauber is the way to go. If you're playing online bingo then the numbers will be automatically marked as they are called.

When was online bingo invented?

The first online bingo game was created in 2003 and it has grown in popularity ever since. Bingo is generally viewed as a game played by older people in bingo halls and working men's club, but in recent years the game has boomed in popularity among younger crowds. Online bingo especially appeals to audiences of all ages. If you've never played before, read our advice on how to play bingo - and, which bingo site is best.

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Traditional bingo calls and their meanings: all the number nicknames and sayings 1-90

Anna.Bailey@ti-media.com (Anna Bailey) — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 08:13:38 +0000

If you don’t know your fat ladies from your two little ducks, eyes down for an education into the meaning and origins of some of our best-loved traditional bingo calls.

Bingo calling is all part of the fun of playing bingo. Experts will know their bingo calls inside out but if you're a newbie, or just interested in the history behind bingo lingo, we've pulled together a comprehensive guide.

Over the years modern bingo calls have been devised, but this is our guide to the classics. Find out the meaning behind your best-loved traditional bingo calls below. If you're fascinated by the game, you might also be interested to know the first form of bingo was invented in the 1500s in Italy - but rose to popularity across the UK in the 1950s. Nowadays, there are many different types of bingo - and some of the best bingo games can be played online.

Traditional bingo calls: 1-30

1. Kelly's Eye - Like many slang expressions, the origins of this bingo call is a little uncertain. Some say Kelly's Eye is a reference to the Australian outlaw Ned Kelly, who some believed only had one eye. In fact, Ned Kelly had two eyes - something attested to by the death mask taken after his execution, which can be seen on display in the Melbourne Gaol Museum. It's more likely that this famous bingo call refers to the letterbox metal helmet that Kelly fashioned as part of the makeshift armour his gang used as protection in gun fights with the lawmen. Another theory is that the number one originated from the music hall song, ‘Has Anybody Here Seen Kelly?’, popularised at the turn of the century and incorporated into the St Patrick's Day celebrations in America.
2. One Little Duck, Me and You, Baby’s Done, Kelly’s Cousin - This is the first of the visual clues, which pop up regularly among the bingo calls. You might have noticed the written number 2 resembles One Little Duck swimming. While this is the most commonly used calls for this number, other traditional nicknames include Cockney rhyming slang Me and You and Baby’s Done meaning baby’s done a poo, or a number two. Kelly’s Cousin may refer back to Ned Kelly's cousin Tom Lloyd, who was a staunch supporter of the notorious Kelly Gang.
3. Cup of Tea, Goodness Me, A Flea - It’s hardly surprising, given that a quarter of us get through five or more a day, that the nation’s favourite drink a Cup of Tea remains among our most enduring bingo calls. Goodness Me is a shortening of the saying, "goodness gracious me", which in term comes from the phrase "God grace me". While Lady Luck may have a part to play in one’s bingo fortunes, it’s our guess that our Lord may have more important matters to attend to. A Flea is a visual reference. Apparently, a flea on its side resembles the number 3.
4. Knock at the Door - A simple rhyme.
5. Man Alive, One Little Snake - "Man Alive" is used as an expression of disbelief or incredulity. It is thought that it originally arose as a nautical cry used by sailors to alert their crew members when finding someone alive in a shipwreck. Much like number 2 being a duck, One Little Snake is another visual reference to the number's appearance.

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6. Tom Mix, Chopsticks, Spot Below - Tom Mix was a star of the silver screen whose daredevil stunts, handsome good looks and impressive 10 gallon hat made him the first cowboy hero of the silent western movies. Chopsticks is another rhyme, this time with the East-Asian eating utensils or – given the musical tradition of bingo calls – perhaps The Celebrated Chop Waltz aka Chopsticks, the favoured tune first mastered by most beginner piano students. Spot Below refers to the fact that numbers that could be mis-read had a dot or spot underneath to prevent confusion. In this case, so a six isn't mistaken for a number nine.
7. Lucky Number Seven - The Lucky Number Seven is thought to bring good fortune in cultures around the world, something born out of religious belief and symbolism. In the Judaic religions, God created the world and on the 7th day he rested. Seven levels of heaven are spoken of in the Qu'ran and Hindus believe in seven higher worlds and seven underworlds. In Buddhism, the newborn Buddha rose and took seven steps. In bingo it means one square closer to a full house.
8. Garden Gate, Harry Tate, One Fat Lady - Garden Gate is a simple rhyme. Harry Tate was an old music hall comedian whose name entered the lexicon of Cockney slang, initially meaning late, because of Harry’s repertoire of comedy routines about car breakdowns. By around the mid-1915, Harry Tate began to serve as slang for plate. One Fat Lady is a visual gag referring to the fact that the number 8 resembles the form of an overweight lady.
9. Doctor's Orders - Doctors Order is one from military history. Apparently 9pm was when the army medics shut up shop for the night. Another suggestion is that the number nine was army slang for a laxative, which was administered to the troops to help them stay regular.
10. Blind 10, Johnson’s Den, Cock ‘n' Hen’ - The prefix ‘blind’ is also used for the numbers 10, 20, 30 - 90 and is possibly a visual reference to zero looking like a single eye. Number 10 Downing Street remains the inspiration for this enduring bingo call, which changed according to the PM of the day. Cock 'n' Hen is Cockney rhyming slang for ten.
11. Legs Eleven - A visual joke, which was traditionally greeted with a wolf whistle from the players, something no longer considered PC.
12. One Dozen, A Monkey’s Cousin - This one does what it says on the tin. A Monkey’s Cousin is rhyming slang for dozen.
13. Unlucky for Some - Just as number seven is feted as the world’s luckiest, so the number 13 is seen as a number loaded with bad fortune, and so Unlucky for Some. Such can be the fear of the number 13, that it is even a recognised phobia known as triskaidekaphobia.
14. Valentines Day, Lawnmower - February 14th is Valentine’s Day. The meaning behind the bingo call Lawnmower is a bit obscure but apparently, before electric mowers were a twinkle in a Flymo engineer’s eye, the early push-pull lawnmowers operated with 14-inch blades.
15. Young and Keen - A simple rhyme.
16. Sweet Sixteen, Never Been Kissed - This is one of the oldest bingo calls still in current use, possibly because the song it pays tribute entitled Sweet Sixteen and Never Been Kissed was re-recorded over and over from 1900 to 1981 and performed by the likes of Shirley Temple and Val Doonican.
17. Old Ireland - This refers to St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Old Ireland, which falls on March 17th.
18. Coming of Age - Voting rights were first established for 18 year-olds in 1970. Prior to that you needed to be 21 to exercise your democratic rights. Nowadays, 18 is seen as a Coming of Age milestone, as it's the age people can also legally drink.
19. Goodbye-Teens - Hello roaring twenties and Goodbye-Teens.
20. Blind 20, One Score One Score means 20 - The word score was a term once used by shepherds to count their livestock, it’s believe they’d count to 20 and then mark a score on their stick so they wouldn’t lose count.

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21. Key to the Door, Royal Salute - Everyone knows the famous ditty “I’ve got the Key to the Door/Never been 21 before.” Twenty-one was considered the age at which young adults reached maturity and could be trusted with their own set of front door keys. The Royal Salute used to honour The Queen is also known as the 21 gun salute.
22. All the Twos, Two Little Ducks, PC Parker, Dinkie Doo - Two Little Ducks again is a visual call with number 2 resembling a duck. This call is traditionally responded to with a “quack, quack, quack” from players. PC Parker was a favourite music hall character created by comedian Charles Austin who was also known as the "King of Cockney Humour". A Dinkie Doo was the name given to concert parties held at the end of a pier.
23. Thee and Me, The Lord Is My Shepherd, A Duck With a Flea - Thee and Me is a simple rhyme. The Lord is My Shepherd is the first line of Psalm 23, while A Duck With a Flea brings together the earlier visual calls.
24. Two Dozen - 12 + 12 = 24, literally adding up Two Dozen. This number also used to have the traditional call ‘Pompey’s Whore’ but this reference to prostitutes working the Portsmouth docks has fallen out of favour for obvious reasons.
25. Duck and Dive - This is a rhyme with a pun with a visual reference thrown in for good measure. The number two is the duck and the number five resembles an upside down duck. To Duck and Dive, like bobbing and weaving seems to have originated in the boxing ring, before moving into the general vernacular to describe someone good at hustling and keeping out of trouble.
26. Pick ‘n Mix, Half a Crown, Bed and Breakfast - Pick 'n' Mix refers to the self service weigh out sweets that became synonymous with high street favourite, Woolworths. Nothing stirs up modern day nostalgia quite like the mention of Woolies and anyone of a certain age probably has fond childhood memories of their first pick n mix encounter. Half a Crown was two shillings and sixpence (two and six) in old money, which was supposedly the price of a night in a Bed and Breakfast. It was demoneterised on 1st January 1970.
27. Gateway to Heaven, Duck and a Crutch - Gateway to Heaven, a reference to the pearly gates, is another straight rhyme. A Duck with a Crutch’ is a visual reference with the number seven being thought to resemble the crutch.
28. Over Weight, The Old Braggs, In a State - Over Weight is both a simple rhyme and a visual gag given that number 8 is affectionately known as the fat lady. The Old Braggs was a nickname given to the 28th North Gloucestershire Regiment of Foot, a military troop that dates back to 1694. Two and eight is cockney slang for "In a State".
29. Rise and Shine - A simple rhyme
30. Blind 30, Dirty Gertie, Burlington Bertie, Speed Limit - Burlington Bertie is a famous music hall number. Dirty Gertie from Bizerte who "put a mousetrap up her skirts" was a bawdy song first published in Yank magazine and sung by Allied soldiers during the Second War. ‘Dirty Gertie from number 30’ was also made famous by Basil Brush, the loveable TV puppet show which ran from 1963 to 1984. Speed Limit, refers to the thirty mile per hour limit which came into force in built-up areas back in 1935.

(Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Traditional bingo calls: 31-60

31. Get up and Run - A simple rhyme.
32. Buckle my Shoe - Another rhyme.
33. Blind Thirty, All the Threes, Three Feathers, Gertie Lee, Dirty Knee, ‘Sherwood Forest’, Two Little Fleas - Three Feathers refers to the Prince of Wales. Gertie Lee is rhyming slang for 33. Sherwood Forest is a play on words. Said with an Irish accent "All the Threes" becomes "All the Trees", of which many are to be found in Sherwood Forest. Two Little Fleas is the visual reference of the number three, explained earlier.
34. Ask for More - A simple rhyme.
35. Jump and Jive - The Jive, a version of the American jitterbug, became a popular dance craze in the 1940s and 50s.
36. Three Dozen - 3 x 12 = 36.
37. More than Eleven - A simple rhyme.
38. Christmas Cake - A slightly tenuous rhyme.
39. Steps, Jack Benny - Steps is a reference to the John Buchan novel & Alfred Hitchcock film 'The Thirty Nine Steps'. Jack Benny was a successful American comedian who started out working life as mediocre violin player in vaudeville before carving a successful career in film and radio which spanned over a decade. His running gag was that he was perpetually 39 years old.
40. Blind Forty, Naughty Forty, Life Begins, Two Scores - "Life Begins at Forty" is a popular and enduring saying from the 1930s, following the publication of a bestselling American self help book of the same title by university professor W. B. Pitkin.
41. Time for Fun, Life’s Begun - Another further reference to that old adage ‘‘Life Begins at 40".
42. Winnie the Pooh, The Street in Manhattan - Winnie the Pooh is everyone’s favourite bear immortalised in the classic books by A A Milne. The Street in Manhattan is 42nd Street which was also the title of a 1933 musical comedy starring Ginger Rogers.
43. Down on your Knee - A simple rhyme.
44. All the Fours, Droopy Drawers - A simple rhyme. Droopy Drawers means your pants are falling down. This could be a bawdy reference to the other bingo call for 44, 'Aldershot Whores’, which has understandably fallen out of fashion.
45. Halfway There, Cowboy’s Friend - Halfway There literally means to 90, which is the total of number of squares on the bingo card. Cowboy’s Friend refers to the Colt 45 revolver.
46. Up to Tricks - A simple rhyme.
47. Four and Seven - Not a lot of explanation required here.
48. Four Dozen - 4 x 12 = 48
49. Rise and Shine, PC 49, Copper, Nick-Nick - Rise and Shine is a simple rhyme. PC 49 refers to a popular radio show from the 1940s and 50s whose central character was Police Constable Archibald Berkeley-Willoughby – P.C. 49. This is also the source of ‘Copper’, which is a slang expression for a policeman and ‘Nick-Nick' is being arrested. Things escalate fast in bingo.
50. Blind 50, Half a Century, It’s a Bullseye - 50 being half of 100, is Half a Century - and 50 points being the score for hitting the middle dart board, It's a Bullseye.
51. Tweak of the Thumb, The Highland Div - Tweak of the Thumb is a simple rhyme that has a similar meaning to "in the blink of an eye". The Highland Division is a military reference to the the 51st Infantry Division.
52. Weeks of the Year, The Lowland Div, Deck of Cards - Well, we all know there are 52 Weeks of the Year. The Lowland Div, like the call before, refers to the 52nd Infantry Division and there are 52 cards in Deck of Cards.
53. Stuck in the Tree, The Welsh Div - Stuck in the Tree is another straight rhyme. The Welsh Div is the 53rd Army Division.
54. Clean the Floor - A simple rhyme.
55. Snakes Alive - If the number five is One Little Snake it’s no surprise that 55 is Snakes Alive, making this the double whammy of a visual gag and a rhyme.
56. Shotts Bus, Was She Worth It - Shotts Bus was the number 56 bus which went from Glasgow to Shotts in Lanarkshire, a town midway between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Was She Worth refers to the cost of a marriage licence which, back in the 1950s, would set you back five shillings and a sixpence.
57. Heinz Varieties - Heinz 57, also a slang expression for a mongrel dog, refers to the number 57 seen on the brand’s ketchup bottles, which refers to the number of different products in their range.
58. Make Them Wait, Choo Choo Thomas - Make Them Wait is a simple rhyme. A truly traditional bingo call, ‘Choo Choo Thomas’ is a reference to Thomas the Tank Engine, who first appeared in the famous books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry in 1945. Although modern readers may think of the little steam train as being the number one engine, he actually started his career further down the pecking order as engine number 58.
59. Brighton Line - Route 59 nine was the train line day trippers took out of London when heading for Brighton and the South Coast
60. Blind 60, Five Dozen, Grandma’s Getting Frisky -12 x 5 = 60. ‘Grandma’s Getting Frisky’ is a simple rhyme but one that may spark alarm in younger bingo players as they cast their eye over their blue rinse competition!

(Photo by Harry Benson/Express/Getty Images)

Traditional bingo calls 61-90

61. Bakers Bun - A simple rhyme
62. Turn of the Screw, To Waterloo, Tickety Boo - Turn of the Screw is a book by Henry James about demonically possessed children. The phrase has a similar meaning to ‘tightening the noose’ (and also rhymes with 62). To Waterloo is a naval term which, contrary to expectation, does not allude to the famous battle. Instead it refers to the cost of the train fare of 6/2 from Portsmouth to Waterloo station. Tickety Boo is a military phrase that is thought to have come from England’s colonial past in India with the Hindi phrase “tickee babu” translates as “everything’s alright sir”.
63. Tickle Me - A simple rhyme.
64. Red Raw, Almost Retired - Red Raw is a simple rhyme. Almost Retired refers to the fact that 65 was the age at which men could claim their state pension.
65. Old Age Pension - Oh the good old days when you could retire at 65.
66. Clickety Click - A simple rhyme.
67. Made in Heaven, The Argumentative Number, Stairway to Heaven - A simple rhyme. The Argumentative Number comes from the phrase “at sixes and sevens” meaning to be in a state of confusion. Stairway to Heaven is a simple rhyme.
68. Pick a Mate, Saving Grace - A simple rhyme.
69. Either Way Up, Meal for Two - Bawdy sex position innuendo.
70. Blind 70, Three Score & Ten - 3 x 6 + 10 = 70
71. Bang on the Drum - A simple rhyme
72. Six Dozen, Par for the Course - 6 x 12 = 72. 72 is also the standard par for a championship golf course.
73. Queen Bee - A simple rhyme
74. Candy Store - A simple rhyme.
75. Strive & Strive - A simple rhyme.
76. Trombones -“Seventy-six trombones led the big parade” according to the famous 1950s Broadway musical ‘The Music Man’. One of the first traditional bingo calls.
77. All the Sevens, Two Little Crutches - Another visual reference.
78. Heavens Gate - A simple rhyme.
79. One More Time - A simple rhyme.
80. Blind 80, Ate Nothing, Eight & Blank, Gandhi’s Breakfast - Gandhi’s Breakfast is a visual reference. The 8 is supposed to look like Gandhi sitting crossed leg in front of an empty plate alluding to the fact that when he fasted he ate nothing (80).
81. Stop & Run, Fat Lady With a Walking Stick - 'Stop and Run' implies legging it from the police and links with the advice in number 82 which seems to suggests crashing the lights. Fat Lady With a Walking Stick, is a recurring visual joke with the number eight 'fat lady' and her walking aid.
82. Straight On Through - A simple rhyme.
83. Time for Tea, Ethel’s Ear - Time for Tea rhymes, whereas Ethel’s Ear is a somewhat obscure visual gag with the number 8 representing a fat lady, who has been dubbed Ethel, the 3 is meant to resemble her ear.
84. Seven Dozen - 7 x 12. = 84
85. Staying Alive - A simple rhyme.
86. Between the Sticks - This one refers to the position of the goalie in football standing between the goal posts.
87. Torquay in Devon - A simple – and accurate – rhyme.
88. All the Eights, Two Fat Ladies, Connaught Rangers - Two Fat Ladies is a visual gag to which players are meant to respond: "Wobble, wobble". The Connaught Rangers were the 88th Army Regiment of Foot.
89. Nearly There - Just one more to go.
90. Top of the Shop, End of the Line - And there we have it, the last number on the card.
Got all that? Remember all these bingo calls and your bingo lingo will be world class.

Where to play bingo online

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How to play bingo: the rules explained

Anna.Bailey@ti-media.com (Anna Bailey) — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 07:46:25 +0000

Wondering how to play bingo? We break down the rules of bingo for you. Eyes down, daubers at the ready!

Modern bingo, the game of chance, was invented decades ago and has been loved for generations. Over three million Brits play at least twice a week. You might think that Bingo is just a pastime for pensioners – but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! Nowadays, bingo is a fast-paced game that’s a lot of fun, too - and there are many different types of bingo games to enjoy.

How to play bingo: the rules explained

Bingo is all about probability. Each bingo player is given a card made up of a random set of 15 numbers between 1-90. The numbers are arranged on a card or ticket with 27 spaces. 12 spaces are left blank. The aim is to match numbers as follows:

Four Corners – Each number in the four corners of the ticket.
Line – a horizontal line of five numbers.
Two Lines – two horizontal lines of five numbers.
Full House – covering all the numbers on the ticket.

Each game has a bingo caller whose role it is to select the numbers. The bingo caller calls out numbers (between 1-90) that are randomly selected either by a computer, a random number generator or using a mechanical draw machine. Some bingo callers may still draw numbers from a bag, like they would have when bingo began. However, this is not the method of choice for most professional bingo halls in 2020.

Once a number is selected, the bingo caller “calls” the number, often using a range of traditional bingo calls or modern and funny bingo calls, which regular players get familiar with over time.

Should the player see that number on their card, they “daub” the ticket – or mark off the number – using a bingo “dauber”. A bingo dauber is a large felt tip pen with a circular head. Some bingo halls have now computerised this process. If you’re playing online bingo, there will be an automatic bingo-daubing process.

As soon as you have marked enough numbers to win a prize – rules may vary by hall or game – you shout “Bingo” as loudly as you can, to get the bingo caller’s attention. You must shout bingo before the next number is called or you miss out on your chance to win.

How to play bingo online

Online bingo is easier than real life bingo in many ways and is a great alternative if you're unable to get to the bingo halls. Playing online bingo is simple. Just find a bingo or slot game you like the look of and choose the number of tickets you'd like to buy. A lot of games cost as little as 1p a ticket so a newbie like yourself might like to give them a go first. The bingo numbers are called out, and your ticket will be automatically daubed by your computer, so you never need to worry about missing a number!

Where to play online bingo

Ready to play online but wondering which bingo sites are best? There are so many sites out there to chose from, so we've picked two of our favourites for you to make the choice easier!

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Which bingo site is best?

GoodtoKnow — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 15:51:54 +0000

Playing online bingo can be a lot of fun but with so many bingo sites out there, it's hard to know which bingo site is best.

That's why we've rounded up some of our favourite online bingo sites and listed the distinct features of each one, so you can make an informed choice about where to play bingo.

If you're a fan of the game, you might be interested to know bingo was invented hundreds of years ago, and many believe it originated in Italy - before it gained in popularity in the USA and in bingo halls across the UK in the 1950s. Regular players will be familiar with many of the traditional bingo calls as well as the more modern bingo nicknames. There are many different types of bingo - you're new to the game, read our advice on how to play bingo.

18+ Please Play Responsibly. BeGambleAware.Org

How to choose best bingo sites

1. Look out for welcome offers

Most bingo sites will offer new members an incentive when they join and make their first deposit. These welcome offers can vary from bonus funds, bingo tickets, or free spins.

OUR TOP TIP: Welcome offers are a great way to top up your first deposit and try out a site to see if you like it, but always check the T&Cs, as some will state you have to wager a certain amount before you can withdraw any winnings.

2. Seek out an online community

One of the reasons bingo halls are so popular, is the community-vibe you get when playing amongst friends. It’s hard to recreate this online, but lots of sites have chat rooms where you can have a bit of a chat with fellow bingo lovers. The chat rooms often run next to the game room, so you can still see your bingo game playing out while talking, and congratulating other players on their wins.

OUT TOP TIP: Depending on the bingo site, Chat room Hosts often hold extra games in the chat rooms. Keep an eye out for what’s happening on your site.

3. Discover a range of games

If you’re joining an online bingo site, chances are you want a good selection of bingo games! Bingo sites should always have a few bingo rooms “live” at any time of the day, and with various ticket prices - usually, there’ll be games from 1p a ticket, sometimes £1 to £5 for a game with a bigger jackpot. Nearly all bingo sites will also offer slot games and sometimes even casino style-games.

OUR TOP TIP: You should be able to see a selection of what games you can play on a site's homepage before joining. This will give you an idea of what you’ll be able to play on site.

4. Make sure there's help to play safe

Any good bingo site will easily allow you to set deposit limits and have tools like session reminders available to help you play responsibly and stay in control of your spending. It's fun to have a little flutter, but it's important to not spend outside of your means.

OUR TOP TIP: When you join, set yourself a deposit limit.

Other features we think make up a great bingo site:

- Regular on-site promotions or events
- Easy to access customer support

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Which bingo site is best?

Woman Bingo

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The official bingo site of Chat Magazine, one of the UK’s favourite real-life magazines.
Celebrating it’s 15th birthday in 2021, there’s loads of on site promotions to take part in.
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70 things to do with kids and how to entertain them (we've found the best and cheapest activities to try)

Stephanie Lowe — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 15:12:49 +0000

Ah yes, 'things to do with kids' is a phrase many parents have searched for over the years. From free things, easy things, educational things... there are just so many things to do with kids, let us help you narrow them down.

With the school summer holidays and half terms, many parents are after inspiration to help keep kids engaged - be that a fun family day out in London or maybe some inspiring indoor activities for kids when the weather turns (and it's that time of year where they're asking all the questions like, who is Guy Fawkes?).

Heidi Scrimgeour, Deputy Editor at Goodto.com and mum-of-three tells us; "To keep kids successfully entertained is the Holy Grail of parenting, especially during school holidays. Anything that keeps them engaged and maybe teaches along the way is a winner." And let us just say that it's really not your job, as a parent, to keep them entertained, more to support them in sitting with their boredom and teaching them to let that boredom evolve into finding something to do - this is a skill that we expecxt kids to just have, and they don't so it's up to us to teach them.

Though, failing that we've compiled a list of fabulous things to do with kids, including everything from crafts to games and activities to will help develop key skills too. And, bonus, most of these ideas are suitable for all ages, with some adult supervision required.

Things to do with kids

Mum-of-two and author of Five Minute Mum, Daisy Upton tells us her top tip; "Let the kids come to you." It's that simple and that tricky all in one. She adds; "You set up the activity while they are busy or napping, and then when ready you start to play with it yourself. Then, when they show interest you casually say 'Want to try it too?' It works every time."

1. Create your own stickers

Everyone loves stickers - Learn how to make your own stickers using materials at home. It's a super easy activity and kids will be wowed as they turn their very own drawings into stickers to cover their bedroom and bits with.

Ages: 4+

(Image credit: Future)

2. Go for a bike ride

Both adults and kids' bikes can be bought for good prices on sites like GumTree and ebay, but be sure to check they're selling in your local area.

Then all you have to do is take your new ride to the park (for the little ones) or the open road (for older kids).

Ages: 4+

3. Take a museum tour

Free museum tours are perfect to keep the kids engaged, educate them a little on new subjects and tire them out enough for bedtime all wrapped up in one activity. Take a look at our article on Free museums . We cover all museums across the UK.

They include Buckingham Palace, Edinburgh Castle and the Tower of London, along with those in the USA and Europe.

4. Join in with a Joe Wicks workout

That's right, Joe Wicks is back is still a firm favourite with kids. Perfect for adults and children, enjoy a bit of bonding and via a HIIT workout. Discover where to watch Joe Wicks workouts and get stuck in with the kids this week.

Ages: 4+

5. Interview a family member

As things to do with kids go this is a great idea! Kids are curious, encourage this curiosity and help them set up an interview with a family member, challenge them to find out something you never knew. Maybe call it 'pretend journalists' or 'pretend genealogists.

Questions to ask;

Where did you grow up?
Do you share a name with someone else in the family?
Did you have a nickname growing up?
When and where were you born?
Where was your first house?
What other houses did you live in?

Age: 9+

6. Make your own puzzle

If you've got through all the puzzles follow this great WikiHow tutorial explains how to turn a family photo, a photo of your favourite pet, television show or characters from your favourite book into a DIY puzzle. It's a great way to get the kids crafting and the step-by-step guide makes it a super simple activity.

Ages: 5+ (with adult supervision)

7. Create your own music video

TikTok exploded onto the scene in 2020 for the first time and now, everyone is a star with lip-syncing videos going viral every day. But you don't have to join TikTok to have your own fun with lip-syncing, dancing, and miming.

Create your own music video and have fun with the whole family, simply using an iPhone. Get the kids to design the video, including what the lighting will be, what song is going to be sung, what everyone will wear, and what the set will look like.

Then use your iPhone, propped up on a surface, to record the video. Send to family and friends to give them a laugh.

8. Enjoy a virtual trip to the Aquarium

While a trip to the aquarium might rack up financially, the wonders of the deep blue sea are just a few clicks away thanks to the cameras installed in various tanks around the world.

The videos are either live or pre-recorded and uploaded by the aquariums themselves, so they're great quality. Our favourite is the Monterey Bay Aquarium, as they have live cams for their fish, sharks, jellyfish and more.

Ages: 3+

9. Host a family Come Dine With Me

If you've already got the cooking down and the little ones are set to feature on The Great British Bake Off any day now, why not host your very own Come Dine with Me?

Each week, one member of the family comes up with a menu and cooks a starter, main and dessert.

It's a great way to get everyone cooking in the kitchen. Older children or adults can help little ones with the choosing of the menu and cooking (beans on toast anyone?).

Use our recipe finder to discover some of the easy, delicious and quick recipes that kids of any age can make at home - from starters to desserts.

Ages: 5+

10. Take a virtual trip to the zoo

As things to do with kids go this is a great idea! Save on pennies with the zoos who also have live streams of the animals.

Our favourite is the famous San Diego Zoo live cams. They broadcast the daily lives of some of the most fascinating animals around, such as hippos, penguins, polar bears, tigers and more.

So whatever the little ones' favourite animals are, they can get up close and personal in a way they would otherwise never have been able to. You could even set up a bingo game and the can stamp the animals they see.

Ages: 3+

11. Build an indoor den with pillows

Sometimes getting outside isn't always a choice, so have fun building a den from pillows and sofa cushions instead. It's as simple as it sounds and lets kids' creativity go wild as they arrange the living room or their bedroom into a den and create their very own playground.

By giving your kids boundaries (showing them what they can build with) and autonomy (leaving them to it) to build what they want you'll see creativity and engagement shoot up.

Ages: 4+

12. Set up a marble run

Do you have a big bag of marbles? Or a selection of all, lightweight balls like ping pong calls? Create your very own marble run with the kids.

All you need to do is get creative with some toilet roll tubes and other cardboard to create an obstacle course for your marbles. See how long and complex you can make it, without stopping the track of the ball rolling.

Ages: 5+

13. Create pictures with melted crayons

This is definitely one for anyone whose craft drawer is overflowing with broken, used-up, or otherwise useless crayons.

Remove any paper or plastic wrapping from the crayon. Then using a hairdryer, melt the crayons onto paper or cardboard and create your very own work of art.

Ages: 7+

14. Learn how to code

As things to do with kids go this is a great idea! Any child that loves working away on an tablet or laptop might be interested in learning how to code. While it might be one for slightly older kids, even younger ones can join in with some of the fun activities that Learning Resources has put together.

Complete with fun characters to help them through the programme, it's a low-stress activity that keeps little ones' minds occupied - at least for a few hours.

Ages: 7+

15. Make a stop motion video

Stop motion videos are so much fun to make, so easy and loads of fun!

This video by Chloe Meyers is a great place to start. Once you've got all the basics covered you can create your very own stop motion videos using whatever you like. Lego and Playmobil figures work really well, but you could also make your own from scratch using playdough.

Ages: 8+

16. Create colourful ice sculptures from your freezer

All you need to make your very own colourful ice sculptures is a range of bowls, muffin tins or containers in different shapes and sizes, some food colouring and access to water and a freezer.

Add the food colouring and water into the containers (why not try loads of different colours in all the different containers to create a frozen rainbow?), then pop it in the fridge. Once frozen, take the containers out of the fridge and use some warm water to pop the ice from the container.

Stack the different shapes on top of each other to create your very own masterpiece! If they don't stick together naturally, use a little warm water to melt the ice pieces together.

Ages: 5+

17. Play a biscuit board game

Sounds fun right? Biscuit board games come straight from the Great British Bake Off and when pulled off well, they do exactly what they say on the tin.

It's a board game that you can eat. They're super fun to make because there's a designing process, a baking bit, and then importantly, a playing (and eating) bit. Just be sure to wash your hands before you dive in.

Ages: 6+

18. Get into painting

It may sound simple but painting is one of the best ways to keep kids busy - and it can be a great mindfulness activity for kids too.

While galleries and craft clubs at museums might be off the table for now, that doesn't mean that painting has to stop. There are loads of painting tutorials for kids online, so depending on their age, they can get stuck in with loads of exciting new painting techniques and ideas.

We love the tutorials by Gogh Box Art Crate - perfect for all ages!

Age: 7+

19. Make a play with a chatterbox (fortune teller)

In the spirit of thinking ahead, why not play around with a homemade fortune teller? Just like we all had in the playground! With a handy tutorial you and the little ones can create a fun chatterbox to try out with the family. Pick a number...open the flap...pick another number...find out your fortune - it's as simple as that.

Ages: 4+

20. Make bath bombs

Whether it's little ones splashing around in the colourful water, or adults taking a moment to relax with scented oils after a stressful day, a bath bomb is a winner in everyone's books. And they're so easy to make at home. So instead of splashing out on a fancy one, you can make one with some kitchen equipment and a few scented supplies.

Credit: Getty

Find out how to make your own bath bomb for an afternoon of science experimenting and crafting fun with the kids.

Ages: 6+ (with parental supervision)

21. Visit a farm

Introduce your children to animals by taking them to a farm. Even if you live in a city, there are lots of city farms around the country, and many of them cost peanuts to get into. It’s also a great opportunity to get up close to wildlife if your child’s only previous contact has been with a cat or dog. Find your nearest free farm.

Age: 4+

22. Get stuck into a craft kit

Craft kits are the most affordable way to keep kids entertained for a whole afternoon. They can look after the garden's wildlife with a ladybird house-making kit for example, or make a fun decorative piece for their bedroom with this unicorn dream catcher kit from Baker Ross.

Whether they love painting, sticking, gluing, or building, there's something for everyone with so many out there to choose from. We've rounded up some of the other best buys in our selection of craft kits for kids.

Ages: 3+

23. Get crafty with toilet roll tubes

There's nothing more classic to do on a rainy afternoon than to make crafts out of toilet roll. Whether it's a new game made out of cardboard, a pen holder for the office, a new decoration for the kitchen...there are so many options.

Credit: Getty

All you need to get started is a couple of empty toilet roll tubes, some paint and glue.

Ages: 3+

24. Get stuck into a PlayHooray activity sheet

While kids are sure to have homework and other tasks set by their school, breaking work up with play is vital to keeping minds focused. PlayHooray has printable activity sheets available for you to download with a whole host of fun games and craft projects, all set according to your child's age. Get them here.

Ages: 6+

25. Teach them cross-stitch

Credit: Getty

31. Write a story

Use your imaginations and write a story together. It doesn't have to be original, the kids could write down their favourite fairy tale and just change the ending if they feel like it.

Another great idea is to write chain stories with family members. Each person writes a paragraph and then shows the final line only to the next writer. Once the final person has written their section, read the whole story out loud - it's usually pretty funny!

For more inspiration take a look at story starters, which provide lots of creative writing prompts for children.

Age: 6+

32. Make a lava lamp

Lava lamps are not only colourful accessories for your home and an exciting craft activity for kids, they're a great way to teach them about chemical reaction and density. So learning how to make a lava lamp is a great science experiment to keep them learning.

Ages: 5+

Credit: Alamy

33. Make a scavenger hunt

Come up with a list of odd and fun items for your kids to find. They can hunt around the house or your garden.

Suggested items can be: a stamp, a straw, a rubber band, a penny dated in a particular decade (before the kids were born, or perhaps have them find one in the year the birthday child was born), or a toothpick. If you live in the country or go to a park, some suggestions are a pine cone, a worm, a bug, a white rock, something red, or a feather.

Age: 8+

34. Get them gardening

Gardening is one of our favourite things to do with kids! Even though it's a little cold at the moment, it's something you can still get stuck into.

Growing plants is great fun and it's even more fun, if they can watch their work get bigger and flower in front of their eyes. There are lots of plants that even a young child can grow without too much trouble, from small trees to herbs and vegetables.

If you don't have a garden, then a window box or small pots are the answer and it won't matter what time of year you plant them. Try growing herbs like basil, parsley or cress - that way they can eat them once they've grown.

Age: 5+

35. Make a sundial

Teach your kids how people used to tell the time before clocks and watches were invented. All you need is a compass to find out where north is and then put a stick in the ground and watch the shadow change position as the sun moves.

Age: 7+

36. Balance like a pro

Challenge your kids to balance a bean bag, book, or cushion on their body while moving like an animal. They can balance it on their head and hop like a kangaroo, balance it on their back and run on all fours like a cheetah, the choice is theirs. This helps with creativity, understanding their body, and problem-solving.

Age: 5+

37. Join a craft club

Hobbycraft launched an online version of their popular Kids' Craft Club. Every day they posted a new crafting idea on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram stories around a theme, like space, colouring, family portraits, origami. That means there are now loads of fun crafting ideas on the Hobbycraft website and social media channels.

All you have to do is head to the Ideas Hub for instructions on how to get going.

Perfect for keeping mini-makers busy at home!

Ages: 4+

38. Indoor treasure hunt

A treasure hunt is a great way to connect and engage with little ones by creating a fun game with their favourite treats.

Hide small chocolates or sweets around the house (but remember where you put them, otherwise you'll be stepping on foil wrappers for weeks!) and create a set of clues for your kids to use, then set them loose to hunt down all that buried treasure.

Ages: 7+

39. Make a bird feeder

Wildlife is always visiting gardens and window boxes. Make them feel at home and watch pretty birds flock to your outdoor space with this easy-to-make feeder craft.

Made using ingredients from your cupboards and some basic crafting supplies, there's no shortage of fun to be had as you learn how to make a bird feeder.

Ages: 5+

Credit: Future

40. Listen to some stories

From Monday 6 April, children's publisher Puffin will be airing 20-minute storytime episodes, every weekday at 3:30pm on their YouTube channel as well as on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

The sessions will include readings and draw-alongs with authors and illustrators, designed to get kids joining in at home. As Puffin is known for classics like Charlotte’s Web, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Roald Dahl’s The BFG, we're expecting exciting things!

Ages: 7+

41. Practice mindfulness

Online yoga classes for kids have been popular for the last couple of years, combining physical exercise with mindfulness.

It can be tricky to get little ones sitting down for just five minutes so you might be sceptical of them doing yoga. But it's not all about the downward dog, there are loads of child-orientated videos that make yoga fun for kids - using stories, characters and playfulness. And you can join in too.

Check out some of the great videos on Youtube with Cosmic Kids Yoga.

Ages: 2+

42. Try your hand at ice-dying

You might have heard of dip-dying and tie-dying, but have you had a go at ice-dying yet? This fun activity combines DYLON fabric dyes with just the ice in your freezer to completely re-vamp old clothes and linens.

Pick a colour (that you won't mind seeing ALL around the house) and try it out today, with this handy ice dying step-by-step guide. As things to do with kids go this is a great idea!

Ages: 9+

52. Make a family tree

How much do your kids know about their family? Do they know anything about your parents' parents? Not only is drawing family trees fun, but it is also one of our favourite things to do with kids to teach them a bit about history. You may unearth some really interesting stories about your own family that you never knew.

Age: 9+

53. Paint Rocks

This has a two-pronged attack for keeping kids engaged. First up you go rock hunting. Being outside gives kids time to move their bodies and a natural environment reduces stress and fatigue in little ones too. Once you've collected the rocks, grab markers or paints and stickers and go to town on designing and colouring them in.

Age: 2+

54. Learn origami

The ancient Japanese art of paper folding is easy to do and one of the cheapest things to do with kids. You can fold a sheet of paper into pretty much anything, as long as you've got a pattern - and making paper animals is one of the best ways to entertain your kids on a rainy afternoon. Origami-instructions.com is a great place to start.

Age: 8+

55. Do some junk modelling

Get together a load of things like egg boxes, cereal cartons, plastic milk bottles and let their imaginations run riot. If you get some friends round and ask them to bring their own junk, it becomes even more fun. You just need to provide the sticky tape, scissors, glue and paint and keep an eye on them.

Age: 6+

56. Put on a play or comedy show

Encourage your child's creative side and get them to prepare a comedy routine with a few knock-knock jokes that'll have the whole family in stitches. Or find a box of dressing-up clothes and have them come up with a story for a play. You might need to help them with some ideas (princess trapped in a castle; stranded on a desert island are two). Don't forget you'll also have to sit through the performance. If they're feeling extra creative, they could have a go at making their own puppet theatre.

Age: 6+

Credit: Getty (Image credit: Getty Images)

57. Build an outdoor den

Taking them out to the great outdoors is one of the best things to do with kids. All you need is a large blanket or sheet and some cushions and let them pretend they're in a tropical rainforest, or somewhere similar. A large box is also a great idea for a cave - this is likely to entertain them for hours.

Age: 5+

58. Teach them to knit

Test their skills with a pair of needles? Never done it yourself? Read our guide on how to knit. And, for some fantastic knitting patterns, including cute and cuddly toys for kids, visit our sister site Women's Weekly.

Age: 7+

Credit: Getty

59. Make a rain gauge

Making a weather station is one of the best things to do with kids to get them outdoors. Get the kids learning science at home by setting up a homemade weather station in the garden. A rain gauge will measure how much rain falls (perfect for the weather we get here!), a wind vane will let you know which direction the wind is blowing and a barometer will help the kids learn about air pressure. They can keep a weather diary and write down all their findings.

How to make a rain gauge

You just need an empty two-litre plastic bottle, which you cut two thirds of the way up. Then turn the top part of the bottle upside down and place it in the bottom part using sticky tape to secure.
Use a ruler to make a scale in centimetres on a piece of tape and stick it on the bottle.
Find an open space in the garden away from any shelter and dig a hole to bury the gauge so that around 5cm of it is sticking out of the ground.
Then simply check your rain gauge every day at the same time, measure the amount of rain it has collected and empty the bottle.

60. Make a wind vane

The second part of your weather station is a wind vane. It will let you know which direction the wind is blowing and a barometer will help the kids learn about air pressure. They can keep a weather diary and write down all their findings.

Draw a 25cm arrow on a piece of card and cut it out, then draw around the arrow to make another one and cut it out.
Place a pen top between the two arrows and glue together. Get four matchsticks and a cork and push the matchsticks into the long side of the cork at right angles to each other.
Label four pieces of card with N, S, E, W and attach these to the ends of the matchsticks with Blu-tack.
Fill a bottle with sand and push a knitting needle into the cork and then push into the sand. Balance the arrow on top of the needle and place the wind vane in an open area using a compass to point the N label North. The arrow will show you the direction the wind is blowing from.

61. Fruit picking

For a cheap and fun way to entertain the kids during the summer months visit your local strawberry picking farm from late May or go apple picking from August, plus other seasonal fruits. And, it's one of the best things to do with kids to get them to eat their five portions of fruit and veg. After they've gathered their fruits, teach them to make fruit cakes, pudding and even jam.

Don’t forget to pack a picnic and make the most of your day – lots of the places on our list have plenty of other activities available, from tractor and pony rides through to cooking classes.

Age: 3+

Credit: Getty (Image credit: Family Veldman)

62. Make a miniature garden

Don't ditch the foil trays that ready meals come in. They make great containers for a mini garden. You'll just need a bit of tack to stick the rocks and twigs in. Add some toy figures to make it more lifelike. You could also use sand to make it a beach scene.

Age: 7+

63. Catch a movie

Netflix may be easier to get your hands on, but nothing beats the thrill of a trip to the local cinema. If you’re on a budget, many have Saturday morning kids films. Alternatively, it’s always cheaper to go during the day.

Do a home movie, and check out the 50 family movies every child should watch before they turn 16.

Age: 7+

64. Host a dance party

Invite around some of your kids' friends, put together a new playlist and let them dance till they drop. All you’ll have to do is provide drinks and snacks!

This is one of the best things to do with kids to tire them out before bedtime. If they’re more into acting than dancing, hold a Hollywood party instead.

Age: 8+

65. Host a tea party

Have your little ones create the invites, then they can pop round to friends and family - or just their toys - to deliver them. Next, they help you to make the tiny cucumber sandwiches, set the table, and get the teacups out. Ready for a real-life tea party.

Ages: 4+

66. Check out your local library

If you haven’t managed to create a bookworm, then this could be the perfect place to start. There’s something for everyone here, regardless of whether they’re a sports buff, adventure fan or prefer something more romantic. Best of all, if they find some they like, it costs nothing to take them out! Find your local library.

Age: 6+

67. Seaside trip

You’re never that far from the beach in the UK, and even if the sun’s not shining, it can be great fun, walking along the beach looking for ‘lost treasure’. You can find crabs and barnacles in rock pools, lots of shells, and amazing coloured pebbles.

Age: 2+

68. Find an old ruin

Castles are magical places and capture the imagination of most boys and girls, who love crossing moats, running up and down spiral staircases and looking at cannons. Find the best value castles to visit.

Age: 6+

69. Listen to a podcast

Choose and listen to a podcast as a family. Either all together on the speaker or set it as 'homework' to all listen to it and then sit together and discuss it on the weekend. It's a great way to kick start conversations, and you can take it in turn to choose a new one each week.

Age: 12+

70. Keepy Uppy

Keepy Uppy is also known as 'don't let the balloon touch the ground'. It lends hours of fun and helps to build team trust. The main goal; the balloon must never touch the ground.

Age: 3+

Keeping kids entertained can be a job in itself sometimes, we have you covered with our 35 crafts to do with your kids and if the weather is a bit grim, try Indoor activities for kids and for the easy life, give our Easy craft projects a whirl.

How to make paper mache

esme.clemo@ti-media.com (Esme Clemo) — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 05:32:41 +0000

On a wet day, knowing how to make paper mache at home can be a fun way to keep the kids entertained.

All you need is a simple paper mache recipe, which we provide below, along with a straightforward step-by-step guide to creating paper mache crafts. As crafts go it really is a surprisingly easy craft to do with kids, so if you're struggling to think of things to do with children, this one's a winner. All you need is;

Newspaper strips
Plain flour & salt
Water
Emulsion paint & paintbrush
Vaseline

"Paper mache is a fun art activity for children and a mindful journey, a calming escape in an era of digital distractions." Jéssica Dorantes, Educational Expert at toucanBox tells us. Follow our easy instructions below on how to make simple paper mache using basic household materials, listed below, that you likely already have on hand.

How to make paper mache

Tear the sheets of newspaper into strips of about 3 inches long and then put to one side.
Cover the strips of paper with the glue or homemade glue paste (recipe below), on both sides with a paintbrush - it's best to do this on a flat and covered surface, turning them over with the paintbrush as you go.
Using your fingers, place your glue-soaked strips one at a time over the object you're covering and smooth down with your brush to release air bubbles. Repeat this process three times to really layer it up.

Leave to dry. Then, when it is completely dried out, you can gradually build up more layers to get to the required strength and thickness of the mache.
When it is all completely dry - this may take overnight - paint with two coats of emulsion paint to seal it. When it's dry you can paint it your desired colour.

How to make paper mache paste

In a bowl and mix one part sieved flour with one part of water (eg, 1 cup flour and 1 cup water, or 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup water) until you get a thick glue-like consistency.

If you think it's too thick just add a bit more water a teaspoon at a time. Mix well with a wooden spoon to get rid of all the bumps. Finally, add a few tablespoons of salt to help prevent mould.

Top tip

If you're using an object like a bowl to create a certain shape, be sure to smear the half that you're applying the strips to with a very light layer of vaseline, this makes it a lot easier to remove once the paper mache has dried. Though you could always use a balloon, then burst it to remove.

What are the benefits of paper mache for kids?

Crafting paper mache helps your children boost their creativity and imagination. With this craft, they can make anything they can possibly dream of, from surreal shapes to specific objects.

Jessica tells us; "we [at toucanBox] believe in the transformative power of hands-on art like paper mache — it doesn't just spark creativity, it nurtures essential life skills that every child should embrace."

She adds; "Beyond relaxation, the process of tearing, layering, and moulding paper not only helps children to develop fine motor skills but also fosters their imagination and creativity. It hones hand-eye coordination and develops perseverance as kids layer and shape their visions into tangible forms."

They'll feel a great sense of achievement once their creations harden and are ready to decorate. Another benefit of paper mache is that your child will need to follow a set of instructions, first in making the gloopy mixture, then in manipulating it to make shapes. This helps them to understand the concept of taking the right steps in the right order. They'll also develop patience as the paper mache dries out.

Once you've successfully made your own paper mache, maybe try making your own calm down jar or learn How to tie dye t-shirts and even How to make coasters from scrabble tiles.

How to get cheap and free books: Kindle, audio books, E-books and more

Robyn Morris — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 11:12:00 +0000

Books can get expensive, especially if you're buying them for yourself and the whole family. Which is why we've sourced tips on how to get free books.

Whether it's a tale for you or one of the best books for kids - reading is an important activity that opens us up to new worlds, introduces us to foreign cultures, challenges our knowledge and aids our development. Starting little ones off young with one of the best books for toddlers is a great way to encourage reading as a skill for life. Though as is the case with most hobbies - reading can come with a price. And those book costs can certainly add up over time.

The good news is there are a number of platforms and opportunities to pick up a free book or a cheap book bargain. And we've shared details on how you can get your hands on them for you and your child.

Where to shop cheap books:

AbeBooks: Check out their monthly seller sales on hundreds of discounted books
Amazon: Search their second hand book section
Better World Books: Receive a free notebook with orders of 3 or more used books
Hive books: Up to 25% off selected fiction books
Music Magpie: Check out their 2 books for £5 deal
World of Books: A dedicated section of books under £4
Oxfam: Check out their online charity book shop
Awesome Books: Up to 80% off thousands of titles
The Reading Tree: Books from as little as £2.50
The Book People: Books starting from a £1
Biblio: Rare books at a discounted price
Buuks: Sign up for £15 a month and get members prices on books
The Red Cross: Specialist charity bookshops in several locations

How to get free books - 12 tips

Kindle Unlimited costs just £7.99 ($9.99) a month and offers unlimited books to read on your Kindle. Though the good news is if you're an Amazon customer, you can try it for two months free first. Allowing you to see if it's to your liking, whilst also receiving free books.

During this time, you can get free access to over a million Kindle titles which include ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines. Whilst the subscription does include some bestsellers and must-reads like Harry Potter and The Handmaid's Tale, it's worth noting that the general selection are made up of books from new or less famous authors. But that's not to say that these aren't worthy of a read.

Titles can be read on any Amazon device or the Kindle app, which is available to download for free to your phone or tablet. You can borrow titles as often as you want with no due dates - and can keep up to ten at a time.

To browse books, go to the Kindle Store and find the link to Kindle Unlimited - here it will flag up all the books included in the subscription. Alongside Amazon recommendations of what to read next.

If you don't want to continue after the two months, then be sure to set a reminder on your phone to cancel and avoid the monthly fee.

2. Check out Booktrust

If you’re not already familiar with Bookstart - it’s a great resource from charity Booktrust that offers free books to every child under 12 months and those aged 3-4 years. Bookstart gifts additional needs packs for babies and toddlers too, as well as black-and-white booklets for newborns and dual language books.

In England, your health visitor or health professional should gift a yellow bag in your baby's first year to help you share stories, rhymes and songs. And your pre-schooler will receive their special gift envelope when they are 3-4 years old, from their nursery, children's centre or other early years setting.

If you haven't received your Bookstart Baby pack by the time your child turns one, or the Bookstart Treasure pack before they turn five, ask your local library for help.

3. The Love Literacy App

This is a great one if you have young children. EdTech start-up, Readingmate have launched over 200 free children’s eBooks on their free reading app, the Love Literacy App. The app was developed by English teacher Hannah Rix and husband James in June 2020 to inspire a love of reading.

Explaining why they developed the app, Hannah said: "1 in 8 disadvantaged children in the UK don’t have a book of their own. This is a shocking statistic, and it’s one that we want to help change. That’s why we’ve created the Love Literacy App, which provides free eBooks for children so they can always have a bedtime story. We believe that every child should have the opportunity to read and learn to love reading, and with this app, we’re one step closer to making that dream a reality."

The machine learning within the app generates personalised reading recommendations for every child, rewards with badges for every milestone they reach and encourages conversations around reading and books with comprehension-style questions.

4. Library borrowing online

As well as visiting traditional local libraries, you can now borrow free books from online libraries. Check out sites such as Z-Library to get free books online. Simply search for the book you want and it will download onto your Apple Books or Kindle. Or you can sign up for a free account and download books direct from the site. Once you have an account, you'll get an increased daily download limit and access to the useful features such as getting books sent directly to your email address. So it's definitely worth doing.

Another good option is The Open Library. It's easy to set up an account on their website, then simply search what you want to borrow and read it via your internet browser on your phone or tablet.

5. Swap with friends

This is a great way of bagging some free books, while also broadening your reading material and helping the environment. You can swap or borrow books with colleagues, friends, family, the options are endless. Why not get together once a month and make a night of it?

For those looking for a formal story swap programme, look no further than Bookswap.co.uk. All you have to do is sign up for free online, list the books you want to swap on their website and search for ones you want to order (if available).

You should also check out The Book Swap Club on Instagram - which involves the same practice but with an in-person element. Founders regularly organise pop up book swap events in London. We recommend doing a search via Google or Facebook to see if there's any community book exchange groups in your own area too.

6. Audible’s free kids audiobooks

Audible boasts a whole catalogue of over 60 kids' audiobooks completely free on their Audible Stories section. You don't even need to sign up for an account, simply choose what you want and stream it. The free books feature titles from best-selling children's authors like David Walliams, Matt Haig and Jeff Kinney.

7. Audible free trial

There's more benefits to be had with Audible. Similar to the Kindle Unlimited offer, there's an option to sign up to a free 30-day trial of Audible. During this time, you get two free credits to redeem from a selection of audiobooks. 1 credit is 1 audiobook, so you can access two free books during the trial.

Audible offers everything from podcasts to Harry Potter audiobooks. And if you choose their Premium Plus option, you also get 30% off all additional premium selection titles you want, plus access to exclusive sales.

It's also worth following their social media accounts - as they'll often treat subscribers to free books too. These are only available to download for a limited time, so be sure you get yours whilst you can.

8. Look for free Kindle books

Amazon has hundreds of free eBooks you can download and send straight to your Kindle. It’s well worth having a scout to see what’s available.

Search for "free kindle books" on Amazon's website and you'll be shown a host of free books, many of which are temporarily on sale. You'll find books organised into categories and many of these books are classics, as well as kids books and thrillers. They'll have a button that says "Buy for Free" on their individual payment pages and will specify if it's a limited time deal.

9. Kobo Books

Kobo Books is an online store which offers eBooks, audiobooks and eReaders. And if you look hard enough you'll discover their collection of free eBooks and audiobooks too. From romance to mysteries and thrillers, there’s something for everyone in their free section.

Staff members like the Romance Editor and Audiobook Editor also highlight their pick of the free books each month. So you know you're not getting a dudd one because of it's free status.

You will need to create an account to be able to read the books, but this is totally free. And in further good news, there's no limit to the amount of free books you download. Win win.

If you have a child between the ages of 0 to 5 and your local area participates, you can sign up to get free children’s books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. There are participating communities within the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Republic of Ireland.

Once you sign up via the website, each month, Dolly’s Imagination Library mails a high quality, age appropriate book to all registered children at no cost to the child’s family. The books are carefully selected and include traditional stories and rhymes, books by popular authors and illustrators, non-fiction content, plus newly published titles.

11. Check out loyalty schemes with book shops

Lots of online book shops and publishing companies offer reward schemes when you purchase books with them. For example, Penguin Random House offer a points system where you collect 10 points with every purchase. Then, once you have 120 points, you can use them to claim a free book of your choosing.

Another clever way to get free books from publishers is to start a blog. Often, publishers will send advanced reader copies to book bloggers for review. Usually, 1000 Instagram followers is enough to request free samples. Most publisher's websites have a 'contact' or 'press' section, where you'll find contact details to request free books.

12. Follow your favourite authors

Make sure you’re following your favourite authors on social media, or sign up to their mailing list. Authors tend to let their fans know exactly when books are free or discounted for a limited time. Make sure you sign up for notification updates to avoid missing out. You can also follow authors on most eReaders to get similar updates.

If you do decide to start a book blog, you can also contact authors via their social media offering to review their books. Good luck.

Video of the Week:

Easter egg hunt ideas and clues: How to throw the ultimate Easter egg hunt party

Catherine Hudson — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 08:35:41 +0000

Planning an Easter party this weekend? Send your guests searching for chocolate treasures with our Easter Egg hunt ideas and clues.

Your Easter egg hunt party doesn’t need to take long to prepare. We’ve suggested clever places to help you hide the eggs around your home or garden and Easter egg hunt clues that the kids will love - especially when they find chocolate at the end. Not only is it loads of fun but our family Editor Stephanie Lowe tells us how Easter egg hunts are great for problem-solving too; “Setting up an Easter egg hunt with picture clues for little ones and longer wordier ones for teens, are a great way to get mind's racing and problem-solving. Maybe even suggest they team up for optimum results? Then off they run - a great way to burn off some energy too!”

And, what Easter egg hunt party would be complete without some fun Easter games and activities, Easter eggs for kids, and Easter craft ideas for kids.

Easter egg hunt ideas and clues

Planning your Easter egg hunt

1. Pick up some chocolate treats and gifts There’s nothing more exciting to kids than finding a pile of treasure, so make sure you get lots of different Easter treats. It doesn’t just have to be chocolate eggs, you can hide little Easter gifts for kids and inexpensive toys too. They don't have to cost the Earth. You can buy value packs of chocolate eggs and toys from most supermarkets and pound shops these days. Do prepare some Easter egg baskets as well so your collectors can carry their precious finds. To make your own budget versions, pick up some paper bags and ask the kids to decorate them with colourful Easter drawings beforehand. It's all part of the fun.

2. Be allergy aware Check with your guests if they have any allergies or intolerances. Gluten, milk-free options, and vegan Easter eggs are widely available now. You might like to add tags on the eggs for those with allergies, hide them at random, and get the guests to hunt for their own ones.

3. Decide where to hide the eggs Keep them hidden, but do consider levels and visibility, depending on who you have coming. Tiny tots will never spot full-on camouflaged eggs or those on top shelves.

4. Put out some extra treats Easy-to-find extra treats without clues are also a good idea, in case any younger children find themselves down in numbers at the end. You could also consider letting the youngest ones go first - depending on how competitive you expect it to get.

5. Write out your Easter egg hunt clues Write down our suggestions on some coloured cards and give them out to your guests when you are ready, not before, as there’s no holding some chocolate fiends back. You can also try hiding some extra ‘getting closer’ or ‘red hot’ clues near the Easter eggs. You can adjust them depending on the age ranges, or even do separate ones for grown-ups and little ones (if this party planner is you, you get an extra chocolate egg for ambition).

Easter egg hunt clues ideas

1. Next to the phone (Clue: I go ring, ring, ring and your treats are waiting next to me) 2. On a bookshelf – for older kids, send them to a specific book (Clue: I’m sitting on a shelf and I’m filled with words and pages) 3. On the mantelpiece (Clue: I’m just above the fireplace and there are often ornaments on me) 4. In the fridge (Clue: I keep everything nice and cool. Today I’ve got some tasty eggs inside me) 5. Under a chair (Clue: Come and sit on me if you need a rest, but make sure you look underneath me too!) 6. In a plant pot (Clue: I’m outside by the front door, there are pretty flowers in me and some tasty chocolate surprises too) 7. In the garden shed (Clue: I’m keeping the garden tools dry, and these Easter eggs hidden from your view!) 8. Under a big tree (Clue: I’m really tall and leafy and your treats are underneath me) 9. In a watering can (Clue: I have a handle and you can use me when the plants are thirsty. Today I’ve got Easter eggs in me) 10. In a flower bed (Clue: Out in the garden where the flowers grow, you’ll find Easter treats under the [insert flower name])

Easter decoration ideas

Set the scene for your Easter egg hunt with some Easter decorations – from Easter wreaths to crackers and Easter trees, there are loads of options online and in the supermarkets. Or, how about your very own cute Easter bunny bunting? Guaranteed to get some smiles from your Easter egg hunt party guests. You can make any colour you like, and kids will love helping out – especially when it comes to sticking the pom-pom tails. And if short of time or energy, a simple fresh yellow cloth and a vase of daffodils bring Easter to the table.

Credit: TI Media Limited

Little ones will absolutely love pretending to be the Easter bunny with this lovely rabbit mask. A lot of the things you'll need to make this fun face will already be around the house, and it's so simple to make - just follow our video!

Watch the video: How to make rabbit maks

Easter treats

Let’s face it, Easter food is all about lovely tasty treats and we all love to eat chocolate at Easter. These no-bake mini Easter rocky roads are made with milk chocolate, golden syrup, shortbread, Mini Eggs, fudge, and marshmallows. Drool. These Creme Egg rocky roads are also delicious as well as these Easter nests. And the best bit? These recipes are no-bake - so they're perfect for getting the kids involved in the kitchen. Great news for your chief taste testers and little hands that like to get messy - are we right?

And, we have four words for you: Cream Egg ice cream. Serve these at your Easter egg hunt party and just wait for the impressed and happy looks to come your way!

For more ambitious bakers, check out our impressive ideas for Easter biscuits, and Easter desserts. The kids will especially love these Easter chick cupcakes, which can be adjusted to be dairy-free by switching out the milk and butter for like equivalents. You are WELCOME. Serve these at your Easter egg hunt party and just wait for the rounds of applause to come your way.

Plus, we have so many impressive Easter cakes and bake recipes to try. From this incredibly indulgent Easter chocolate cake (pictured below) to our hot croissant ring cake (which tastes as good as it sounds) are just a couple of the show-stopping ideas you could try.

Easter lunch ideas

Whether you’re throwing your Easter egg hunt party on Easter Sunday or not, it’s always a good idea to think about lunch. There are lots of foods we traditionally eat at Easter, but a roast lamb is often the centerpiece for many sit-down meals. Check out our Easter lunch menus ideas. We’ve got every type of roast and side option covered, from meats to meat-free alternatives like a delicious sweet potato and nut roast. We also have plenty of buffet party food ideas and canapes.

Related features:

Related Features:

Best Easter hampers Best Easter decorations Best Easter gifts for kids Best Easter baskets Best kids' Easter eggs Best vegan Easter eggs Best personalised Easter eggs Best online Easter eggs

Easter games and activities: 26 fun ideas for toddlers and kids

stephanie.lowe@futurenet.com (Stephanie Lowe) — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 14:00:00 +0000

Easter games and activities can be the Holy Grail for a smooth and fun Easter holiday - especially welcomed when they're cheap and easy.

It's time to celebrate Easter! Whether you're looking for Easter gifts for kids, updating your Easter decorations, or maybe you're planning a big Easter egg hunt with friends and family? Whatever you're up to this spring, we have lots of Easter games and activities for you. Though, please know that it's also okay to not organise a single thing.

11. Easter coin toss game

A fun one for all the family, the Easter coin toss game from Easypeasyandfun really zones in on hand eye coordination. You just need one or two large colourful eggs (hard boiled or plastic), a basket, and coins! Decide a distance from the basket then challenge each player to toss their coins to the egg, the one who manages to land it on the egg so it stays wins all the coins in the basket.

Credit: Amazon / Future

12. Easter egg and spoon race

You can't beat a classic egg and spoon race. If the weather's nice this Easter, a great way to get the kids active is to have an egg and spoon race competition. Be sure to stock up with lots and lots of eggs as there's sure to be more than a few breakages. And don't forget the adults can get involved too - why not have a separate race for the kids and then one for the grown ups?

You can use a standard spoon-from-your-cutlery-drawer and egg or invest in this chic egg and spoon set kit from (Amazon | £10.99) - with an impressive 4.1 out of 5 star rating - that you can bring out year after year to keep the kids entertained.

Credit: getty / Future

13. Jellybean sorting

This toddler activity from karacreates has a fun Easter twist to make it a learning game with a tasty outcome. All you need is a bowl, Jellybeans, an old egg box and coloured plastic eggs (Amazon | £12.99). The aim is to sort them by colour, filling the plastic eggs as you go.

Credit: HandmadeCharlotte /Future

14. Bunny Bowling

Feeling crafty this Easter? Then this tres chic DIY Bunny Bowling from Handmadecharlotte set could be for you. Not only will it keep older kids entertained while creating them, but it’s - realistically - at least 30 minutes of fun, and you can bring them out year after year.

Credit: Amazon / Future

15. Easter Bingo

A best seller on Amazon with a 4.3 out of 5 rating. This bingo game (Amazon | £3.99) is suitable for all the family from ages 18 months and up. And, up to 20 players can join in, making it perfect for parties this Easter, and it comes with ‘winner certificates’ which kids will love.

One reviewer says: “For the price I paid this was a great little game for our family Easter in the garden. My 5 year old granddaughter loved playing this .It’s not a game that’ll last forever but you’ll get some fun games out of this we loved it.”

Credit: Future

16. Easter pom pom pegs

This Easter-inspired five-step craft will keep kids focused for a while, with an adorable and useful outcome; super cute pegs for all occasions. Try making your own pom pom animal pegs.

Credit: Getty / Future

17. Easter bunny sack race

This is a great activity to do at an Easter party if there are quite a few of you. Get your sacks - either classic burlap potato sacks or homely alternatives like pillow cases - and decorate them however you like or follow blueribbonkitchen for instructions or pick up a pack of 14 (Amazon | £18.99) Make sure there's a bunny tale on there somewhere though, because you'll be using them to jump to the finish line as the Easter bunny in this twist on the classic sports day sack race.

Credit: Future

18. Pin the tail on the bunny

As simple Easter games go this is exactly as it sounds. On a large piece of cardboard or A3 paper draw a bunny outline similar to this one above or try this bunny template, decorate or colour in. Then create a bunny tail - maybe with s cotton wool ball add some double sided tape. Then blindfold members of the party in turns, spin them around and they have to try and pin the tail on the bunny.

Credit: getty / Future

19. Hot Golden Egg

Think of ‘hot potato’ with an Easter twist. Get your family/party people in a circle and pass around the ‘hot golden egg’ to music… when the music stops the person holding the egg has to do 6 bunny jumps / silly dance / sing a song as loud as they can or choose to be out. The last one standing gets to eat the Golden Egg.

Credit: Gety / Future

20. Creme egg challenge

Players have one minute to balance a wrapped Cadbury’s Creme Egg on their head and walk from one marked spot to another. If the egg falls, they must go back to the starting place and begin again. Whoever gets the furthest in the one minute wins all the Creme Eggs.

Credit: Getty / Future

21. Catch the eggs

This is a simple game of tag with an Easter twist! The Easter bunny, AKA the person who is “it” must wear bunny ears. Everyone else are the runaway eggs – they have to run around the garden, avoiding the bunny. If the bunny catches you, they have to put you in a spot in the garden and you can’t move. A new person becomes the bunny when all the eggs have been collected.

22. Decorate Easter biscuits

If you find yourself stuck inside with the kids this Easter, a great way to pass the time is to make and decorate some Easter biscuits. You can even gift wrap some of them to give to friends and family as cute Easter gifts. Decorating these Easter biscuits also makes a great game for the kids to play - why not set them challenges of who can design the best one, or give them a theme to follow, like Easter animals?

23. Musical eggs

This is a variation of the old classic musical chairs. Stick some pretty pictures of eggs on the floor or you could stick them to chairs. Play music and get the kids to dance around the room, when the music stops they must stand or sit on an egg. Each time remove one of the eggs, so there is always one less egg than there are people. You might even want to indulge your inner child and join in with this game.

24. Easter egg boules

This is a really fun Easter game for kids and adults to play together, and all you need is some eggs, and some paint. First off, colour some hard-boiled eggs in any colours you like (you could use food dye for this) and make sure that one egg is white. If you feel like adding patterns, go for it. To play, roll the white egg into the middle of the room and then each person takes two eggs and tries to roll them as near to the marker egg as possible. If you don't have time to colour eggs, you could use different-coloured chocolate eggs.

25. Pass the egg

This is such a fun game to play for kids and adults alike. The idea is that you find a large plastic egg, and then ask everyone to form a circle. The egg needs to make its way around the circle back to the start in a set amount of time (depending on how many people take part), and the person who has the egg when the time runs out is out of the game. The catch? The egg has to be passed around without using your hands, so whether you tuck it under your chin, between your knees or in any other way is up to you. You'll need to stock up on plastic refillable eggs (Amazon | £12.99).

26. Easter egg in a cup game

As Easter games go, this egg in a cup idea is super easy to make, cheap to do and will keep the kids challenged for hours. All you need is string, a plastic egg small enough to fit in the plastic cup you choose and these instructions on what to do next at allfortheboys.

Video of the Week:

100 free things to do in London with the family

Stephanie Lowe — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 15:30:00 +0000

Free things to do in London can be the holy grail for any parent when it comes to school holidays - just the ice cream budget alone can make your eyes water.

Parenting can be chaos and oh-so-draining, both mentally; thinking up things to do at home, and financially; great days out with the family are the dream but the total price of a family-friendly event can be in excess of £100.

We've found the best free things to do in London. Now all you need to do is agree that ice cream budget.

100 free things to do in London

Free things to do in London: Museums and galleries

1. Enjoy scientific exploration and interactive galleries for all ages at The Science Museum. Nearest Tube: South Kensington

2. Visit the William Morris Gallery. in Walthamstow, which houses his famed intricate print and furniture designs. Nearest tube: Walthamstow

3. The Wallace Collection houses The Laughing Cavalier painting, as well as armour, porcelain and furniture. Nearest tube: Baker Street or Bond Street

4. At the National Maritime Museum, you can fire a cannon, and the giant floor world map is brilliant for babies and kids alike. Nearest tube: Cutty Sark DLR

5. With four million exhibits across four floors and 145 galleries the Victoria & Albert Museum is well worth a visit. Nearest tube: South Kensington

6. The Tate Modern has works by artists including Picasso, Dali and Bacon, and a great view of London from the top floor café. Nearest tube: Southwark

7. The Photographers Gallery exhibitions feature award-winning images; perfect for older children. Nearest tube: Oxford Circus

9. The Horniman Museum and Gardens has over 3,000 items in its anthropology collections, including a sharks’ teeth sword. Nearest tube: Forest Hill

10. The incurably curious will love The Wellcome Collection with exhibits about the history of illness and medicine, and videos of surgery. Nearest tube: Euston

11. Explore the fascinating arty world at Tate Britain - top tip; allow half a day for each gallery. Nearest Tube: Pimlico

Credit: Getty / Future

12. There are 8 million objects in The British Museum - start with a 40-minute tour to see highlights including Egyptian mummies. Nearest tube: Tottenham court Road

13. The Sir John Soane Museum, home of architect John Soane, houses an Egyptian hieroglyphic sarcophagus and slaves’ chains. Nearest tube: Holborn

14. The Museum of London tells the story of London from prehistoric times to the present day. Nearest tube: Barbican or St Paul's

15. The National Portrait Gallery is a great place for celeb spotting… on canvas. See portraits of the Queen and J.K Rowling. Nearest tube: Leicester Square

16. Animal lovers will enjoy the Natural History Museum with its Dinosaurs Gallery showcasing life size dinos with sound-effects. Nearest tube: South Kensington

17. At the RAF Museum you can view over 100 aircraft, from very early designs to the latest jets, as well as sound and light shows. Nearest tube: Colindale

18. The National Army Museum brings war to life with maps, medals and a saw used to amputate a Lieutenant General’s leg. Nearest tube: Sloane Square

19. As well as amazing paintings, the National Gallery runs great free events such as art workshops and walks. Nearest tube: Charing Cross

Free things to do in London: Children’s activities

20. The Museum of London: Docklands' Mudlarks play area gives the chance to weigh cargo, float boats, or crawl around soft play. Nearest tube: Canary Wharf or West India Quay

21. London’s libraries aren’t just for borrowing books: many of them run free activities, such as storytelling and face painting. Nearest tube: Various

22. For older kids, the best parks are Highgate Wood, for climbing and zip wire, and Regents Park, with its timber treehouse. Nearest tubes: Highgate for Highgate Wood and Mornington Crescent for Regents Park

23. The Imagine Festival at The Southbank Centre, every February, offers over 100 free and ticketed events, like opera for babies. Nearest tube: London Waterloo

24. Tie in busy museum visits with a refreshing trip to Coram’s Fields, a 7-acre playground and park. Nearest tube: King’s Cross and Holborn

Credit: Diana, Princess of Wales' Memorial Playground

25. Kensington Gardens is home to the Diana, Princess of Wales' Memorial Playground, with teepees and climbing apparatus. Nearest tube: Queensway

Free things to do in London: Outdoor activities

26. Join in with the Sunday Stroll, by London Friday Night Skate; a marshalled skate that leaves from Hyde Park. Nearest tube: Knightsbridge

27. There are free 5km Park Runs all over the capital. You have to register before you can run, but it’s free. Nearest tube: Various

28. London parks and commons have free circuit training equipment, like Wandsworth Common with its wooden structures. Nearest tube: Clapham Junction or Wandsworth Common Rail

29. Fly a kite on the open plains of Blackheath – a large grassy area with views to Greenwich and the river. Nearest tube: Cutty Sark, or Blackheath rail

30. Go fishing (with a rod license) along the peaceful Regent’s Canal, running from the Paddington Basin up to north London. Nearest tube: Paddington

31. London has 35,000 acres of green space - 40% of its surface area; so take a walk or enjoy a game of football or Frisbee. Nearest tube: Various

32. Local swimming pools often offer free swim promotions, and for just £2.43 a child can swim at Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds. Nearest tube: Hampstead Heath or Highgate

33. The Southbank Skatepark is regarded as the birthplace of British skateboarding; good for older kids interested in skating. Nearest tube: London Waterloo

34. Planespot from around the terminals at Heathrow Airport, or visit the Heathrow Academy for non-passengers for great views. Nearest tube: Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3

Free things to do in London: Houses and gardens

35. London’s second largest Royal Park, Bushy Park, has 320 red and fallow deer, which roam free. Nearest stations: Teddington/Hampton Wick/Hampton Court from London Waterloo

36. Somerset House’s dancing courtyard fountains are great for kids to play in. Nearest tube: Temple

37. Many of London’s parks and gardens have beautiful flowers. For a small charge, you can visit some private gardens via The National Gardens Scheme. Nearest tube: Various

38. Waterlow Park's meadow areas are part of an RSPB project to encourage sparrows back into the city. Nearest tube: Archway

39. There’s a bird hide for keen birdwatchers at Tudor Mansion, Hall Place. Nearest train: Bexley or Crayford National Rail

Free things to do in London: Park walks

40. The Thames River Walkway from Westminster Bridge to London Bridge takes in sights including Big Ben and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Nearest tube: London Waterloo

41. There are monthly walks for budding photographers in a different part of the capital, every month, at London Photo Walks.

42. Take in views of famous London statues, from Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens to Eros at Piccadilly. Nearest tube: Various

43. Go for a walk, and sightsee, at the Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park, the dinosaur pond in Crystal Palace Park and the deer in Richmond Park. Nearest tube: Various

44. Enjoy free views over the City from places like Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath, or 300 steps up at The Monument. Nearest tube: Various

45. The peaceful Japanese Kyoto garden at Holland Park is home to peacocks and rabbits. Nearest tube: Holland Park

46. Some of the best river views are from London bridges. Waterloo Bridge, Lambeth Bridge, Westminster Bridge and Hungerford Bridge. Nearest tube: Various

47. Take your picnic to one of London’s parks, heaths or commons to let off steam and have a play about. Nearest tube: Various

48. Stroll along Regent’s Canal towpath from Maida Vale, with its colourful narrowboats, past London Zoo and through Camden. Nearest tube: Maida Vale

Free things to do in London: Historical must-sees

49. UK residents can contact their MP to try to arrange a free tour of the House of Commons or Big Ben. Nearest tube: Westminster

50. Watch people lecture the crowd on politics, religion, the economic situation at Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park on a Sunday. Nearest tube: Marble Arch

51. All aboard the TFL London bus routes. If you have a travelcard, you can hop on a Number 11 bus, which runs past St Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, 10 Downing Street and Westminster. Nearest tube: Various

Credit: Getty / Future

52. The public gallery at the Old Bailey is open to everyone over 14 and gives you a look at the way our legal system works. Nearest tube: St Pauls

53. London’s old Routemaster buses still run: the Number 15 runs past the Tower of London, Royal Albert Hall and Kensington Palace. Nearest tube: Various

54. The Museum of the Home traces the history of 'the home’; giving children the chance to see what life was like in the days before TV and central heating. Nearest tube: Hoxton

55. Many of London’s cemeteries feature some interesting tombstones and are also a good place to see birds and wildlife. Nearest tube: Various

56. Watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace at 11.00am - daily in the summer; every other day in winter. Nearest tube: Green Park

57. Many of the city’s churches are free to visit, including the magnificent Southwark Cathedral. Nearest tube: London Bridge

58. The Royal Courts of Justice, home of the Supreme Court, is open for visitors to watch lawyers in their robes and wigs battle it out in court. Nearest tube: Temple or Holborn

59. Take a sightseeing stroll along Whitehall, past Downing Street and No 10, down to Buckingham Palace and Green Park. Nearest tube: Various

60. Even those who are not into engineering will be impressed when they see hydraulics in action as Tower Bridge opens for ships. Nearest tube: Tower Hill

Free things to do in London: Food and drink

61. London Farmers’ Markets often offer sample tasters of things like cakes, sausages, cheese and juices. Nearest tube: Various

62. Smithfield Market, London’s biggest meat-trading market since 1868. Open from 3am, visit before 7am for a view of market life. Nearest tube: Farringdon or Barbican

63. Visit bustling Chinatown in London’s Soho, with its exotic Asian produce and restaurants offering the best dim sum in the capital. Nearest tube: Leicester Square

64. Harrods Food Hall is full of beautiful murals as well as food from all over the world, beautifully arranged. Nearest tube: Knightsbridge

Free things to do in London: Markets and music

65. Enjoy the atmosphere of Brick Lane or Columbia Road flower market. Food fans will love Borough Market and Hackney Hand Made. Nearest tube: Various

66. Southall market offers colourful Indian saris, bhangla music, spicy samosas, sweet desserts and plenty of curry houses Nearest train: Southall rail

Credit: Camden Market/Future (Image credit: Stephanie Lowe)

67. Covent Garden runs two markets: the Jubilee market and the Apple market. Both offer music, clothes, trinkets and more. Nearest tube: Covent Garden

68. Spot punks at Camden Market, as well as street art, funky jewellery and joss sticks, indy fashion and new design. Nearest tube: Camden

69. Notting Hill Carnival, annually in August, is a street festival with reggae music and floats. Go during the day with children. Nearest tube: Notting Hill Gate

Free things to do in London: Musical must-sees

70. You can find free recitals, concerts and rehearsals at the Royal College of Music. Churches also have free music events. Nearest tube: South Kensington

71. Visit the Clore Ballroom at the Royal Festival Hall for free lunchtime concerts of classical, jazz, Blues or singing.

Nearest tube: London Waterloo

72. The church of St Martin in the Fields, near Trafalgar Square, has a long tradition of free lunchtime concerts. Nearest tube: Charing Cross or Leicester Square

73. Watch a free performance in Covent Garden, where singers from the Royal Opera House perform in the piazza. Nearest tube: Covent Garden

74. The Music Gallery at The Horniman Museum has the largest number of instruments on display in the UK, as well as play space. Nearest tube: Forest Hill

75. Imitate the picture on the Beatles’ album cover at the famous pedestrian crossing in Abbey Road. Nearest tube: St John’s Wood

Free things to do in London: Theatre, comedy and more…

76. Covent Garden is the place to go for street performers from ‘statues’ to ventriloquists, escapologists, fire eaters and jugglers. Nearest tube: Covent Garden

77. Scoop at More London is an outdoor sunken amphitheatre, outside City Hall, that hosts free events and activities. Nearest tube: London Bridge

78. The Barbican Centre has gardens and the Curve Gallery. You’ll often find free music or performance in the foyers. Nearest tube: Barbican

79. The Comedy Cafe Theatre hosts a free-to-watch open mic night on Wednesdays, where many big names start out. Nearest tube: Shoreditch

80. The British Film Institute’s Mediatheque has widescreen computer booths to watch archived TV shows and films. Nearest tube: London Waterloo

81. The Royal Festival Hall has a singing glass lift to the fifth floor, where there’s a balcony area with impressive views of the Thames. Nearest tube: London Waterloo

82. You can apply for freebie tickets to many TV shows. Book in advance at the BBC comedy department Nearest tube: Various

83. Join in with religious and cultural celebrations, from Chinese New Year to Easter and Diwali. Find out specifics at Visit London. Nearest tube: Various

Credit: Padipa Temple / Future

84. Visitors are welcome to explore the temple grounds at the Buddhist temple in Wimbledon, Buddha Padipa temple. Nearest tube: Wimbledon

Free things to do in London: Nature lovers

85. Crystal Palace Park Farm offers something a bit out of the ordinary with its chinchillas, parakeets, snakes, and amphibians. Nearest tube: Crystal Palace

86. On Wandsworth Common, a local bird expert runs morning walks, to see loads of bird species from green parakeets to blue tits. Nearest tube: Clapham South

87. Most London parks have ponds but check the local rules about feeding ducks. Bread can go mouldy, or choke the birds. Nearest tube: Various

88. The Horniman Museum Nature Trail offers free pond-dipping in the summer holidays to check out water boatmen and dragonflies. Nearest tube: Forest Hill

89. At The Horniman Museum and Gardens' Nature Base you can see live bees, feel a mole’s fur, and look closely at insect wings. Nearest tube: Forest Hill

90. Deen City Farm in Wimbledon has sheep, goats, cows, alpacas and pigs, some of which you can feed or stroke. Nearest tube: Colliers Wood and South Wimbledon

Free things to do in London: Fashion and beauty spots

91. The beauty departments of London’s top department stores, such as Harrods or Selfridges, offer free make-up demos - great for teens. Nearest tube: Various

92. Bond Street is a fun place to window shop the world’s leading fashion designers; and you may even spot a celebrity or two. Nearest tube: Bond Street.

93. Disney Stores have free, fun activities for kids, such as colouring, interactive games and group activities bring Disney to life. Nearest tube: Bond Street

94. London’s major department stores have a personal shopping service, so why not let them release your inner fashion diva? Nearest tube: Various

95. The capital’s major department stores put on a visual show all year round; check out Harrods, Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason. Nearest tube: Various

96. Regents Park has breath taking views with it's Rose Garden, with few people finding the beautiful Queen Mary's Gardens at the heart of the Inner Circle. Nearest tube: Baker Street

97. The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetary Park has plenty on with nature and events galore; such as Forest School and a wildlife club.Nearest tube: Bow Road

98. Epping Forest straddles London’s north-eastern border. The vast site contains ancient woodland, grassland, lakes and lots of wildlife. It's a walker’s dream. Nearest tube: Epping

99. Railway Fields was originally a freight station on the Tottenham and Hampstead Junction Railway. Now a local nature reserve and open space area where children can learn directly about nature. Nearest tube: Green Lanes

100. The Wandle Trail 14 miles following the route of the River Wandle from Croydon to the Thames at Wandsworth. Nearest tube: Belgrave Walk

Video of the week:

Best afternoon tea UK - the perfect Mother's Day treat or birthday gift

jessica_dady@futurenet.com (Jessica Dady) — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 14:26:00 +0000

From Fortnum & Mason to Bettys, from Cornwall to Edinburgh, here are the best afternoon tea experiences in the UK which are just perfect for Mother's Day 2023.

"Scones topped with clotted cream and fruity jam, freshly made cakes and pastries alongside a selection of delicately made sandwiches - what more could you want?" says Deputy Food Editor, Rose Fooks. "Indulging in an afternoon tea experience is a great treat. Whether it’s for a birthday, Mother’s Day, or just a weekend celebration, afternoon tea is perfect for sharing with friends and family."

An afternoon tea experience usually lasts around two hours. Some restaurants, cafes, and hotels that serve afternoon tea offer tea refills, Prosecco top-ups, and food replenishing services too, which make them great value for money. Ask whether this is optional before booking or visiting the afternoon tea location. A variety of dietary requirements are also catered for within this roundup of afternoon tea ideas including vegetarian and vegan options as well as allergy-free alternatives.

This roundup of afternoon tea experiences is the best of the best chosen for high-quality food, value for money, location and not forgetting the ambiance.

Where to find the best afternoon tea UK deals

Best afternoon tea UK

Credit: Fortnum & Mason

1. Fortnum & Mason afternoon tea

Where: London | Price: From £70 per person | Available: Mon-Sun

Food Editor Jessica Dady says; "One of the most sophisticated afternoon teas available in London, this is the perfect Mother's Day or special birthday gift. With a generous amount of finger sandwiches including Fortnum’s smoked salmon with orange caper butter and mouthwatering Coronation chicken.

Not to mention vegetarian options; cucumber and mint cream cheese and chargrilled artichoke and semi-dried tomato. The scones are soft, moist, and melt-in-the-mouth. The patisseries are inspired by seasonal ingredients and handmade by Fortnum & Mason chefs. One of my favorite afternoon tea experiences."

VIEW AT FORTNUM & MASON

Credit: Bettys

2. Bettys afternoon tea

Where: Harrogate and York | Price: From £28.95 per person | Available: Mon-Sun

Food Editor Jessica Dady says: "A heavenly selection of miniature cakes to enjoy including caramel and chocolate pillow, passion fruit and lemon macaroon, and apple and vanilla custard tart. Bettys truly goes above and beyond when it comes to the perfect afternoon tea spread with a choice of plain or lemon and poppyseed scones.

The Kit Calvert Wensleydale with onion chutney was a personal favourite when it came to Bettys’ array of sandwiches. The cafes are family-friendly with a wholesome, yet classy feel. You can only pre-book afternoon tea at Harrogate and York cafes, afternoon tea at all other cafes is on a first-come, first-serve basis with a queuing system."

VIEW AT BETTYS

Credit: Sopwell House

3. Sopwell House

Where: St Albans | Price: From £29.95 per person | Available: Mon-Sun

Food Editor Jessica Dady says: "Sopwell House is on the outskirts of St Albans and is not only a great place for afternoon tea but a spa hotel too. Served at a 2 AA Rosette Restaurant, afternoon tea at Sopwell is a lovely indulgent experience with a choice of Newby loose-leaf tea or coffee, as well as upgrading to a glass or two of champagne.

Served all year round, Sopwell is known for its themed afternoon tea including specials for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter, and Christmas. A delicious selection of sandwiches, classic scones, and not to mention delicate mini cakes and patisseries."

VIEW AT SOPWELL HOUSE

4. Metrodeco

Where: Brighton | Price: From £29.50 per person | Available: Mon-Sun

If you’re looking for that vintage vibe when enjoying your afternoon tea experience, Metrodeco is the perfect choice based in bohemian Kemp Town. Voted an average of 4.5 stars by over 500 TripAdvisor users, this afternoon tea has got quirky written all over it.

Choose from seasonal savoury sandwiches, freshly made scones with locally sourced cream and jam, and a selection of cakes and sweets of the day. This afternoon tea spread also includes unlimited tea. Upgrade your afternoon tea spread with a glass of gin & tonic or bubbles for just £35 per person.

VIEW AT METRODECO

Credit: Cinnamon Bazaar

5. Cinnamon Bazaar

Where: Soho, London | Price: £25 per person | Available: Mon-Sun

We just love the look and feel of this Indian restaurant which serves afternoon tea with East India flavors such as savoury sandwiches like mustard fish finger sandwiches or sweet cakes such as coriander pistachio cake or saffron macaroon. Choose from a selection of Indian spiced teas including; Earl Grey, Organic Jade Sword Green, or White Peony.

The vibrant crockery including vintage Indian teapots and rustic cups and saucers makes this afternoon tea even more excitable - an Instagramers heaven with plenty of photo opportunities.

VIEW AT CINNAMON BAZAAR

Credit: Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa

6. Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa

Where: Newquay, Cornwall | Price: £21 per person | Available: Mon-Sun

If you need an afternoon of child-free indulgence, take a trip to the Cornish coast where you’ll find the adults-only Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa in picture-perfect Newquay. The afternoon tea is served in a room with stunning views overlooking the bay.

Aside from their delicious selection of sandwiches and scones with Tiptree jam, you’ll also find a medley of naughty-but-nice treats such as the Prosecco and raspberry jelly, mini Cosmo pipette, and raspberry Mojito slice. This popular afternoon tea has been rated an average of 4.5 stars by nearly 3,000 TripAdvisor users.

VIEW AT FISTRAL BEACH HOTEL AND SPA

Credit: The Rosewood

7. The Rosewood Hotel

Where: Holborn, London | Price: From £65 per person | Available: Thurs-Sun

At the Rosewood Hotel in London, the hosts of the Afternoon Tea Awards, you can find an unusual and artistic flair to the traditional offering. They have a Van Gogh Art Afternoon Tea on offer, which features Dutch-inspired pastries such as apple boterkoek and chocolate stroopwafel choux, as well as pastries designed like the artist’s Sunflowers and The Starry Night.

Served in the stunning Mirror Room, this is an experience not to be missed. The Rosewood also offers a children’s art afternoon tea for a reduced price. You can also upgrade to a champagne afternoon tea too. Pastries are currently being made by Pastry Chef Mark Perkins.

VIEW AT THE ROSEWOOD HOTEL

8. Storrs Hall

Where: Windermere, Lake District | Price: From £26.95 per person | Available: Mon-Sun

Enjoy the peace and tranquility of Lake Windermere whilst indulging in a full afternoon tea spread. Choose from homemade cakes, pastries, and freshly baked scones served with Cornish clotted cream and jams. This afternoon tea is great if you're looking for something for all the family.

This has to be one of the best afternoon tea experiences in the UK as the classic afternoon tea menu has been adapted for kids too. The 'Tiny Tots afternoon tea' is just £10 per child and includes ham and cheese sandwiches as well as sausage rolls. Treats for the little ones vary from mini cupcakes to chocolate-dipped strawberries. Pair with a homemade fruit milkshake or a hot chocolate all served on Beatrix Potter-themed crockery.

VIEW AT STORRS HALL

Credit: The Savoy

9. The Savoy

Where: The Strand, London| Price: £65 per person | Available: Mon-Sun

Make the most of your London visit by booking afternoon tea at The Savoy, just on the outskirts of Covent Garden. This world-famous afternoon tea has been a feature at the famous Savoy ever since it opened its doors back in 1889. The hotel was the winner of this year’s Traditional Afternoon Tea award. The pastry chef has created an exquisite selection of pastries, handcrafted every single morning. There is also a wide selection of JING teas, a vegan and vegetarian offering, and a separate afternoon tea menu for the children.

Rated an average of 4.5 stars by TripAdvisor users. One happy customer said; “This was our first visit to the Savoy for afternoon tea and this is one of the easiest reviews I have left. Staff: Friendly and attentive. Surroundings: Comfortable and great ambiance with the piano player. Afternoon tea: Absolutely amazing. Would highly recommend it.”

VIEW AT THE SAVOY

Credit: The Thornton

10. Thornton Hall

Where: The Wirral, near Liverpool | Price: From £29 per person | Available: Mon-Sun

The Great Wirral Afternoon Tea at the Thornton Hall is award-winning with its extensive range of teas including the exotic mandarin rose petal – but also your typical English Breakfast. Their sandwiches are a little different from your average cucumber filling, with truffled egg mayonnaise and brown crab brioche toastie. Nestled in the heart of the Wirral countryside, this place is definitely worth a visit.

With over 300 reviews on TripAdvisor, Thornton Hall afternoon tea has been recommended by many including one happy customer who commented; “We had a lovely afternoon tea at Thornton Hall Hotel today. The food was perfect, lots of variety and the staff were very attentive and helpful. Thank you for making birthday celebrations so special.”

VIEW AT THORNTON HALL

Credit: The Ritz

11. The Ritz

Where: Mayfair, London | Price: From £62 per person | Available: Mon-Sun

For one of the best afternoon tea experiences, visit The Ritz. Dine on freshly made, finely cut sandwiches as well as homemade scones with Cornish clotted cream. Choose from a variety of 18 different loose-leaf tea. You can easily upgrade and add a glass of champagne to your experience too.

The Ritz afternoon tea is one of the most charming traditional afternoon teas in London hosted in the hotels former ballroom with musical ensembles from resident pianist and harpist. Vegetarian and vegan options are available but please request on booking.

VIEW AT THE RITZ

12. Moonfleet Manor

Where: Weymouth | Price: From £27 per person | Available: Mon-Sun

Whether you opt for tea, gin & tonic or a glass of fizz, Moonfleet Manor afternoon tea is sure to satisfy. Indulge in clementine and white chocolate choux buns, ginger and passionfruit cake, and chocolate, pear, and hazelnut domes. The afternoon tea menu does vary depending on seasonal ingredients and themed afternoon teas so do keep in mind when booking. We love that this venue also caters to children with a special kids afternoon tea for just £15.

Rated an average of 4 stars by TripAdvisor users. One happy customer Tim commented; “We had an afternoon tea here and it was delicious! Fresh sandwiches, warm quiche, the most delicious lemon posset followed by cakes and warm scones with cream and jam. More than enough for two. The staff was very nice and the setting beautiful. A hidden gem!”

VIEW AT MOONFLEET MANOR

13. Brigit’s Bakery London bus afternoon tea

Where: Victoria Coach Station or Trafalgar Sq. | Price: From £45 per person | Available: Mon-Sun

If you're looking for afternoon tea with a difference, Brigit's Bakery offers an amazing experience in an iconic red double-decker London bus. The route starts at either Victoria Coach Station or Trafalgar Sq. Enjoy the scenic views of Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey to name a few.

This has to be one of the best afternoon tea experiences in the UK. It's a great way to see London, whilst indulging in classic afternoon tea; sandwiches, cakes, scones, and more. The tour lasts around 90 minutes depending on traffic. The perfect choice for a birthday, sophisticated hen do, or Mother's Day or Father's Day treat. Brigit's Bakery also serves afternoon tea in its cafe too.

VIEW AT BRIGIT'S BAKERY

Credit: The Balmoral

14. The Balmoral

Where: Edinburgh | Price: £45 per person | Available: Mon-Sun

This award-winning afternoon tea in Edinburgh offers a sumptuous selection of loose-leaf teas, fresh pastries, dainty sandwiches, and a mind-blowing variety of Champagnes. Take a seat under the green leaves of palm trees under the sparkling glass dome and Venetian chandelier. There’s often a harpist to add to the ambiance.

One very happy customer said; "As expected from The Balmoral, the experience was luxury from start to finish. From the harpist playing overhead to the extravagant tea pouring, it all feels very 5*. The staff is very friendly and attentive without being overbearing. The food is delicious, the best afternoon tea selection I've ever tasted, and a lot of it too. We had some boxed up to take away as we were so full! The unlimited tea & coffee gives the opportunity to try their wide-ranging selection. The tea and chocolate souvenir to take away is a lovely extra touch. I would highly recommend it for a special occasion or experience - one you don't want to miss!"

VIEW BALMORAL HOTEL

Credit: Lyaness

15. Lyaness

Where: London | Price: From £38 per person | Available: Sat-Sun

This new bar at the Sea Containers hotel along the River Thames is offering a twist on the traditional offering with treats including devilled eggs, a veggie take on the famed coronation chicken, and a pineapple upside-down scone. Enjoy a selection of their cocktails including the Jasmine Gimlet, which blends jasmine, citrus cordial, and Bombay Sapphire gin. The final on our list of the best afternoon tea experiences.

"We had the pleasure of having afternoon tea here because the savoury offerings were scrumptious and the sweets were simply divine. It was not the usual fare for afternoon tea, and well worth the money. The view out of the restaurant was also fabulous, and we very much enjoyed just sitting and watching the river and the passers-by streaming by," said one satisfied customer who rather this one of the best afternoon tea experiences with 5 stars on TripAdvisor.

VIEW AT LYANESS

Video of the Week

Mother's Day activities: 32 things to do this Mothering Sunday

stephanie.lowe@futurenet.com (Stephanie Lowe) — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 09:00:00 +0000

If you’re celebrating Mothering Sunday this year we have found the best Mother's Day activities that could help.

Choose something she'll love from our best Mother's Day gifts, or maybe a bottle from the best perfumes of all time or you can send a bunch of flowers from one of these best flower deliveries. Or, scroll on down if your mum's a fan of an activity or two. We’ve saved you hours of Googling with our brilliant list of special Mother’s Day activities that celebrate the true origins of Mother's Day. And if you’re a mum yourself, make sure you share the link with your favourite numbers highlighted.

Credit: John Lewis/Future

1. Sparkling afternoon tea

Glass of Prosecco on arrival
Delicious spread of fresh scones, cakes and mini sandwiches
Valid for 2 years
Available at nine locations across UK

VIEW AT JOHN LEWIS | £49.99 for two

2. Go on a bike ride

March is such great weather for this
Works for all ages in the family
Pack a picnic
Go exploring

VIEW BIKE ROUTES ACROSS UK

3. Afternoon tea in Aberdeen

Afternoon Tea spread
Glass of Prosecco
Includes a 55 minute Mother's Day Delight treatment inclusive of: Body Scrub OR Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage
Robe, towel and slippers provided

If Mother's Day activities aren't for you, take a look through our afternoon tea ideas near you? Here are some of the best afternoon teas in the UK you can book today.

VIEW AT SPA BREAKS | £85 per person

4. Plan a delicious dinner

Ban your mum from the kitchen...
Get your apron on...
Cook up a storm

VIEW RECIPES ON GOODTO.COM

5. Theatre trip to Mamma Mia! in London

Take your mum to see the sunniest smash-hit musical Mamma Mia! in London. Mamma Mia songs include;

Dancing Queen
The Winner Takes it All
Super Trouper
The Name of the Game
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
Mamma Mia

VIEW AT LASTMINUTE.COM | £25 per person

6. Meet the meerkats in Oxfordshire

One of the best Mother's Day activities - enjoy a meerkat encounter for two
Hold, observe and discover insightful facts from knowledgeable staff on these clever mammals
Also available at Ely Cambridgeshire, Hailsham East Sussex, Telford Shropshire, Bridlington East Riding of Yorkshire, Boston Lincolnshire, Abingdon Oxfordshire, Newcastle Upon Tyne Northumberland

VIEW AT JOHN LEWIS | £49 per person

7. At-home spa day

An easy-to-do option from the Mother's Day activities
Create a selection of face masks to choose from
Bowl of warm soapy water
Set up a station with nail polish colours for pedicures
Search for 'spa sounds' on your Spotify and enjoy

8. Horse riding – UK wide

Perfect for novices and experienced riders
Voucher is valid for 12 months, for one person
There are loads of locations to choose from
Whether you are a novice at horse riding or a little bit more experienced, this will be perfect
If you are a little more advanced you can opt for an exhilarating ride through the countryside and bridal paths escorted by a professional instructor

VIEW AT PREZZY BOX | £29 per person

9. Glamping (various locations)

Overnight stay
23 locations available
Choose from timber tent/camping pod/wigwam
With all home comforts, including proper bed and duvet

VIEW AT RED LETTER DAYS | £55 per person

10. Fly the world’s fastest zip line in South Wales

Soar and fly on the world’s fastest seated zip line
Two separate zip zones and four parallel lines in each
Enjoy incredible views of Tower Colliery and Rhigos Mountains
Valid for 12 months

VIEW AT VIRGIN EXPERIENCE | £100

11. Exercise together

Boost those happy hormones
Roll out a yoga mat
Search on utube and enjoy

12. Indoor skydiving for two in Manchester

Two flights (equivalent to three real skydives) per person
Flight certificate
Available in two other UK locations
This iFLY experience is for two people
Valid for 12 months

VIEW AT VIRGIN EXPERIENCE DAYS | £99.98

13. Pasta making cookery course

Italian and Pasta Masterclass for Two at Ann's Smart School of Cookery
2 hour cookery class with an expert tutor
Make focaccia bread, fresh pasta and asparagus risotto
Learn tips and tricks of the trade from professional chefs
Choice of three venues

VIEW AT VIRGIN EXPERIENCE | £78 per person

14. Learn to cook Thai food

Thai explosion for two at Ann's Smart School of Cookery
2 hour group workshop, taught by a professional chef
As Mother's Day activities go, learn how to make three authentic dishes
Recipes shared after the class
Choice of two venues; London or High Wycombe

VIEW AT VIRGIN EXPERIENCE DAYS | £98 per person

15. At-home wine tasting

Set up an at-home wine tasting session for a night with a twist.

Buy a few bottles of her favourite tipple
Add in a few new bottles from different regions
Peel labels off and number the bottles
Allow two glasses per person (so you can compare)
Include 'palate cleansers' think dry crackers, or plain bread with a glass of water
Spit bowls - just like the real thing!
Compare and contrast thoughts and feelings about the wine you're tasting

16. Design your own perfume

Create your very own customised fragrance
One of our Perfume Studio Stylists shares insight into the world of perfumery
Learn how to expertly blend your own signature fragrance with your chosen blends
Take your unique fragrance home on the day in a 5ml glass bottle, in a gift bag.
Your new perfume is kept online, so you can re-order
Available at 15 locations nationwide.

VIEW AT NOTHS | £98 per person

17. Lunch and gin tasting in Hampshire

Take a tour of the Bombay Sapphire gin distillery in Whitchurch, Hampshire
Learn the history of gin
Discover how it’s made and all about botanicals
Enjoy a gin cocktail... or two

VIEW AT RED LETTER DAYS | £35 per person

18. Lunch and wine tasting at a vineyard in East Sussex

Family-run business
Entertaining tour of 37-acre vineyard
Tea or coffee on arrival
Vineyard group tour with an experienced member of staff
Lunch with wine or soft drinks
Valid for 5 months

VIEW AT VIRGIN EXPERIENCE | £49 per person

Credit: Gordon Ramsay/Future

19. Lunch for two at Gordon Ramsay’s Savoy Grill in London

Iconic restaurants heart of Theatreland
Enjoy a three-course menu of classic British and French dishes
Luxurious 1920s inspired art-deco dining room
Valid for 10 months

VIEW AT RED LETTER DAYS | £90 per person

20. Make your own ceramics workshop in London

Hands-on ceramics class
Hosted in a fun, creative craft studio in central London
Kicks off with a warm welcome from your teacher
Informative tour
Demonstrations of the ceramic making process
Enjoy a drink of your choice
You'll learn all about wheel throwing
Hand-building techniques like slab building and coiling ton!

VIEW AT CLASS BENTO | £38 per person

21. Dinner at Battersea Power Station

9-dish sharing dinner at Cinnamon Kitchen in Battersea Power Station development
Try their signature toffee pudding with garam masala ice cream
Includes a fascinating, self-guided audio tour
Enjoy the Grade II Listed venue - one of the largest brick-built buildings in the world!

VIEW AT NOTHS | £74 per person

22. Make a photo album

Take the time to print off photos from the last year
Make a scrap book of memories
Either do it and gift it or do it together

VIEW AT SNAPFISH

23. Crack out a puzzle

Treat her to a personalised puzzle
Figuring out puzzle pieces is calming
Silently completing a puzzle gives space for chats
Enjoy with a cuppa or glass of wine together while you do it

VIEW AT RAVENSBURGER | from £24.99

24. Spa day and lunch in Cheshire

3 course light lunch in our spa restaurant Raffaella’s
Robe and flip flops provided
Full access to Champneys Fitness Class timetable
Use of the facilities between 9am - 6pm

VIEW AT SPA BREAKS | £79 per person

25. Have a family game night

Spend time together as a family - your mum will love it.
Whip up her favourite snacks
Settle in and remember it's all about fun!

26. Spa break and three-course dinner in Bournemouth

One night's bed and breakfast
3 hours full access to spa facilities
Three-course dinner at restaurant
Your mum will receive a special gift box with massage oil and massage roller on arrival

VIEW AT SPA BREAKS | £89 per person

Credit: RHS/Future

27. All-year round access to RHS gardens

Beautiful gift pack
Free tote bag
£5 to spend at RHS Gardens
X 2 packets of seeds
Free monthly magazine
Unlimited tailored advice via phone call
Free garden visits 200+ gardens across UK
Discounted show tickets

VIEW AT RHS | £69

28. Volunteer together

Whether its a soup kitchen or spending time in care homes
Volunteering will make you feel like a team

VIEW AT PROSPECTS.AC.UK

29. Italian afternoon tea with Prosecco

Italian afternoon tea for two at Veeno
Glass of Prosecco on arrival
Delicious spread of Italian treats including pannini, meats, cheeses, scones with cream and jam and cake
Choice of nine locations across the UK

VIEW AT VIRGIN EXPERIENCE DAYS | £50 per person

30. Drive a supercar for the day

Choose from Ferrari, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, unique tank paintballing battles, or quad bike
Available at various locations
Valid for two years

VIEW AT JOHN LEWIS | £99 per person

31. Hike with huskies in the North Downs

The best Mother's Day activities are hands on!
Get to know a group of beautiful huskies
Two mile Husky Hike across the North Downs
Stunning views of the Darent Valley and fascinating wildlife
Friendly keepers to answer all your questions
Entry to Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation for two

VIEW AT VIRGIN EXPERIENCE DAYS | £50 per person

32. Letterbox flowers

Hand-picked and send in bud (they stay fresher for longer)
Comes with flower food
In a plain box so as not to spoil the surprise
Fits through a standard letter box
Come with comprehensive styling tips
Gives your mum the chance to flower arrange too

VIEW AT BLOOM AND WILD | from £23

Video of the week:

Indoor activities for kids: 40 amazing ideas for rainy days

Emily.Stedman@futurenet.com (Emily Stedman) — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 08:25:00 +0000

Indoor activities for kids can be tricky to get right. But, when the weather's a little too wet, icy or cold to be venturing out here are a few ideas to keep everyone happy.

Having a toolkit of things to do like family days out to London or a wander around a Gruffalo Trail is great, sometimes indoor activities is the best choice.

And top tip; to get the kids involved, just casually leave the idea/activity there for them to do themselves. Setting it up and 'forcing the fun' just sees resistance. i.e. Try leaving a board game open with some pieces out on the dining table. It's more likely to pique their interest than parents sitting down and setting it all up for them.

Indoor activities for kids:

Make something

1. Tie-dye t-shirts

There's a whole host of kids arts and crafts to try indoors when the weather turns. Why not experiment with some colour and learn how to tie dye t-shirts with your little one?

Kids love rainbows and this fun activity will enable them to create a one-of-a-kind design that they can proudly show off to friends.

2. Make some bath bombs

Take bath-time to the next level by helping your kids make bath bombs from scratch.

Little ones will love splashing around in the colourful water. While adults alike will appreciate taking a moment to relax with scented oils after a stressful day.

Cheaper than splashing out on a fancy one, you can make one with some kitchen equipment and a few scented supplies, or pick up an easy how-to set.

3. Rainbow crafts

Kids adore colour and catching rainbows on those rare weather days.

Why not set up a craft station and focus on rainbow crafts, like a rainbow wand or these rainbow decorations.

Of course an assortment of coloured card is a must for this indoor activity. So be sure to pick some up or raid the craft box first.

Credit: TI Media

4. Make a lava lamp

Brighten up the gloomy day with a homemade lava lamp they can keep in their bedroom. Easy and cheap to do - you'll find most of the ingredients are readily available kitchen items too.

Lava lamps are a great sensory stimulus for little ones. They’ll also show big kids the science behind the cool chemical reactions.

Credit: Getty

5. Make scrunchies

Older girls will certainly view an afternoon learning how to make hair scrunchies as time well spent.

Start by hunting around the house for old patterned fabrics that could do with a new lease of life. Then follow our tutorial, before encouraging them to add their own customisation.

6. Family dinner

Share your cooking knowledge and passion for food by having them join you in the kitchen.

You can keep it as simple and as safe as you like - think washing the salad, peeling eggs or stirring the pan.

Or why not try one of our kid-friendly recipes that lets them do most of the method themselves:

7. Make a pen pot

Add a little organisation to your kids desk with these bunny pen pots are extra cute and functional too - being able to hold most of their school stationary supplies.

Learn how to make a pen pot from just a plastic bottle, some paint and a black felt tip marker. This is one craft that is sure to keep them busy for at least an afternoon.

8. Make a mug cake

A microwave mug cake recipe is a great trick to have up your sleeve on a rainy day.

Easy to do and ready in minutes, kids will love making a quick chocolate treat that they can tuck into after.

9. Painted masterpieces

Encourage your kids to be creative and make a bit of mess - break out the paper and paints and cover your table with newspaper before you start to protect it.

Poster paint is probably the best to use to start with. Make sure you have a jar filled with water to hand, so your kids can rinse out their brushes when they swap colours.

And you don't just have to use brushes - try using some different things to make pictures. If you have really young children, finger painting is great fun. Or why not slice some potatoes in half, cut out faces or other patterns and then dip them in paint and do some vegetable printing instead.

Credit: TI Media

10. Stage a talent show

Have your budding ballerina or small soprano show off their skills in a family talent show in the living room. Read a Talent Show book together for inspiration, then help them get dressed up in costume and manage any recorded music they might need. Then sit back and watch your little stars shine.

Credit: Getty

11. Make pancakes have a flip-off contest

Recreate the fun of pancake day in one of our tastiest indoor activities for kids suggestions.

Have the kids choose what pancake recipes and pancake toppings they'd like to try. Then set a challenge to see who can successfully flip the most pancakes in 30 seconds.

And of course, the best bit is having some delicious pancakes to tuck into after!

Credit: Getty (Image credit: Getty Images)

12. Make a memory box

A memory box is one of the easiest indoor craft activities for kids to try on a rainy day. Requiring just a cardboard box and a little imagination.

Have them gather some of their favourites memories together - be that postcards, photos, their old favourite teddy. Add them to the box, then decorate the lid with glitter, paper and whatever else they can get their hands on.

When finished, it might be nice to sit down as a family and reminisce on their favourite moments together. A bit like a school show-and-tell.

Credit: Getty (Image credit: Getty Images)

13. Make dreamcatchers

Another one of our crafty indoor activities to keep kids happy is a DIY dreamcatcher.

Little ones - especially those who suffer from nightmares - will love the idea behind these. Plus they're sure to take pride of place in their bedrooms thanks to the crazy colours and beads they can decorate with them.

Our simple tutorial requires just some paper plates, string and a little imagination.

Credit: TI Media

14. Paper mache

A balloon and some glue is all you need to entertain the kids on a wet afternoon. With our paper mache recipe giving you detailed steps on how to create the gooey mixture that's perfect for abstract craft creations.

One educational idea is to make a paper mache globe, then adding and learning about the countries that make it up.

15. Make some fresh pasta

The Italian staple is often a firm favourite with kids. But have you ever tried making fresh pasta with them and had them get their hands dirty with dough?

Our handy guide shows you how to make classics like spaghetti, linguini, ravioli, and fusilli from three simple ingredients.

You can readily pick up pasta flour from most supermarkets. Plus you might already have some flour and a carton of eggs already in the house ready to go.

Pasta is also a great introduction to the world of cooking for children. So what are you waiting for?

16. Make a paper hat

Got an old newspaper lying around that could be transformed into a fun toy?

Have your kids learn how to make a paper hat in a few easy steps.

We're sure that the accessory will be enough to inspire some good old-fashioned playtime. Doubling up as a pirate hat or helmet for a make-believe soldier or astronaut.

Credit: TI Media

17. Get baking

Get the kids in the kitchen and trying their hand at easy kids baking recipes like cakes, cookies, biscuits and bread.

Not only will you be teaching them the art of baking, but they'll also be improving their number skills when weighing out the ingredients and learning how to follow instructions by using the recipe.

Just make sure they're wearing an apron, they wash their hands properly before and after and steer clear of any knives.

Do something

18. Pamper afternoon

It's not just adults who can benefit from a little R&R.

Why not rope in the little ones for a face mask or chance to paint their nails? This mini spa is an easy option.

Younger kids also love 'playing hairdressers' on family members, so why not left them loose with a brush and a few clips on mum and dad?

Credit: Getty (Image credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

19. Put on a comedy show

Lighten up an otherwise gloomy day with a little children's stand up.

Have your little ones brush up on some of the best knock-knock jokes for kids. Then have them perform a short routine to the family. Maybe even throw in a few dad jokes to really play up to the audience.

Kids will love the confidence boost that comes from making adults laugh. And you never know - it might reveal a budding comedian-in-the-making.

Credit: Canva

20. Do a jigsaw

Puzzles are a perfect rainy day activity that will also develop children's motor and concentration skills, and they can make a great mindfulness activity for kids too. Try this bright rainforest one.

Challenge older kids to ones with over 1,000 pieces. And be on hand to help younger ones as they muddle through.

Credit: Getty

21. Go on a treasure hunt

This one takes a bit of time and effort on your part, but your kids will really appreciate it.

The treasure needs to be hidden somewhere in the house, preferably where it cannot be found by accident. Then you just have to write some clues and hide them around the house - they will lead from one to the other, until the final one shows you the location of the prize.

The age of your kids will depend on how difficult or easy your clues are and be careful of any clues near valuable or dangerous items. If you're being really inventive, you could always make pretend pirate maps, get your kids to dress up and make it a realistic hunt for 'buried' treasure.

Little Boy dressing up as pirate sitting on log in park reading treasure map and holding saber in other hand (Image credit: wundervisuals)

22. Dress up

Kids love to dress up. And this is most certainly one of our favourite indoor activities for kids on rainy days, as it can make even the shyest child come alive.

If you haven't already got a dressing-up box, now's the time to start one. Have a rummage through the loft or the bottom drawer for some old clothes and other accessories that you or your partner no longer wear or use. These can be anything from old glasses (without the lenses), belts, gloves, bags, coats, fancy-dress outfits, scarves... you name it, you can use it.

Now get dressing up! Try to invent some stories to go with the clothes, or even get your kids to put on a performance for you and your partner.

If you haven't yet got enough clothes, see if you have still got any old baby clothes and get your kids to dress up their teddies or other toy animals.

Credit: TI Media

23. Learn a language

One of our more educational indoor activities with kids to try on a rainy day. Learning a language is a skill that will set many children up for life.

Luckily there's plenty of kid-friendly language apps that they can download and start learning from their phone.

Gus on the Go is a great one for introducing young ones to Spanish. Whilst Duolingo has plenty of interactive kids games available to try in 35 languages.

Credit: Getty

24. Create a music video

Kids love performing in front of cameras. So why not have them create their very own music video to their favourite tune.

Teach them a few moves, help them mime the words and dress them in their best party-wear so they feel like the real deal.

Apps like TikTok and Triller are great for easy video editing and allows them to share their creation with friends online too.

Don't forget it's videos like these that are essential viewing on their 18th birthday.

Credit: Getty

25. Read a book

Wet weather is a perfect opportunity for young book worms to curl up with a book and teleport into a different world. Plus it's an opportunity for little ones to develop key reading skills too.

From teen books to books for toddlers and even personalised books for kids, this is one of those indoor activities that kids of all ages can benefit from.

Credit: Getty

26. Learn to knit

Do you believe your child could be a dab hand with knitting needles?

Work with them to create a scarf, hat or even a pair of gloves that they can put to later use.

Learning how to knit can also help develop key motor skills and is a nice quiet activity parents can benefit from!

27. Try a science experiment

At-home science experiments are a great activity to occupy curious minds on rainy days, with kids fascinated by the magic of science and colourful potions. Safe, fun and educational - you can conjure up your own chemical reaction with objects or ingredients already found around the house.

Take for example, this clever magic milk experiment which requires cupboard basics like a cotton bud, washing up liquid and some milk from the fridge.

28. Teddy bear tea party

Bring the picnic indoors and help your little one host their own make-pretend tea party with furry friends.

You could use plastic foods from their play kitchen or bake some real afternoon tea classics for an authentic touch.

Credit: Getty

29. Puddle hunting

Let's face it, the weather's rotten a lot of the time in the UK. So sometimes you might as well just bite the bullet and go out in it.

Put on your waterproof coats, big coats and wellies and scope out some muddy puddles for kids to jump in.

When it's wet a lot of bugs come out too, which is great for avid bug hunters. Worms and snails love the rain. So you could take along some jam jars and collect the most interesting ones.

Credit: Getty

Play something

30. Play kids bingo

A lively game of bingo is one way to knacker the kids out on a wet day indoors.

They'll love the excitement and anticipation of the game and learning all the funny bingo names in the process too.

You can print off some ready-made kids bingo cards courtesy of MyFreeBingoCards and pull scrunched up paper with numbers on out of a bag.

Credit: MyFreeBingoCards

31. Online escape room

Have the family come together and crack a number of clues, padlocks and puzzles in an at-home Escape Room.

Epic Escapes have created the perfect Escape Room In A Box package with three different games to sink your teeth into for just £99. Start off with the easy Crime Escape Room and work your way up to the special Hijack one. The boxes also include self-help hint cards for when you need a little assistance.

32. Party games

An activity that requires very little thought or prior planning are some good old-fashioned party games.

Stream some music on your phone and have them play musical statues. Simon says is another fun way to try and catch them out.

Whilst parents seeking some well-earnt quiet time should also consider the classic 'sleeping lion' game...

(Image credit: vgajic/Getty Images)

33. Make play dough

If you've got little kids then there's nothing nicer than an afternoon crafting creations from play dough. And theres no need to run out to the shops either. With our play dough recipe easy to make from bits already found in the kitchen.

It's a LOT easier than you might think and you can colour it however you like, depending on what your kids fancy making out of it. Our fool proof play dough recipe can be made in a matter of minutes and we've included plenty of ideas for what to make with it, too.

Credit: TI Media

34. Zoom games for kids

Organise a virtual play date with friends and have them play a number of fun zoom games for kids.

From charades and hangman to pictionary - there's plenty of games in our round-up that will keep them entertained on the call.

Credit: Getty

35. Play with Lego

There's thousands of things kids can construct from these tiny multi-coloured bricks. And we're almost sure every house has their own stash.

If you're stuck for inspiration, be sure to check out Lego online who have lots of handy building instructions on how to make houses, vehicles and much more.

Credit: Canva

36. Family board game

It doesn't matter how many computer games or gaming consoles they have, sometimes you just can't beat a classic kids board game session around the dining room table.

Rope the whole family in and enjoy classics like Monopoly, Cluedo or Guess Who. Or crack out hungry hippos or jenga for younger kids. Basic card games, like Snap or Patience or also a good back-up if you're out of board games.

Watch Something

37. Work out

Get them up and moving about, with exercise one of the best indoor activities to do with kids.

Set up a mini exercise circuit, where they have to do a different move at each pit stop (jumping jacks, lunges or running on the spot). Or have the whole family compete in an indoor sports day with classics like the wheelbarrow and egg and spoon race.

If you'd rather have them engage in some independent exercise, why not find a Joe Wicks workout that they can get their teeth into whilst you see to chores?

38. Take a virtual tour

There's no need to venture out whilst the weather is grey and drizzly, with children able to learn heaps about history, science and the natural world through a number of exciting virtual tours of kids. One positive of the pandemic was that some of most famous museums and zoos in the world took their exhibitions online. And the good news is that they're still able to view completely free on your home computer today.

Sit down and explore the dinosaurs at London's National History Museum, the rhinos at London Zoo. Or watch a livestream of some of San Diego's zoo cheekiest inhabitants, thanks to live cameras installed in their penguin, elephant and panda enclosures.

39. Cosmic kids yoga

Yoga or stretching is one of the best indoor activities for soothing restless kids on rainy days.

Teach them classics like the downward dog or child's pose. Similarly, there are loads of child-orientated videos that make yoga fun for kids – using stories, characters and playfulness. With the most popular one being Cosmic Kids Yoga available to stream for free online.

40. Have a movie marathon

Make the afternoon into a bit of a home cinema event. Let the little ones choose a kids' films on Netflix or settle on a family-friendly Disney film.

To make it more special, close the curtains and turn off the lights, as if you're in a proper cinema. And make sure you organise snacks and whip up some non-alcoholic cocktails that everyone can enjoy.

Now all you need to do is all get comfy on the sofa, beanbags and cushion and settle down for an afternoon of fun.

Credit: Getty (Image credit: Getty Images/Cavan Images RF)

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Halloween painted pumpkins

Grace Walsh — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Looking for fun painted pumpkin ideas for Halloween? These are some of the best ones we've seen this autumn so far, from simple glitter-dashed squashes to Harry Potter-inspired pumpkins.

Painted pumpkins are one of the easiest Halloween crafts for kids to do before spooky season really starts. Not only will they be a delight in the window of your home for trick-or-treaters but they help everyone get into the seasonal spirit of celebrating Halloween and can even be used as part of a spooky Halloween game if you're having a party.

With only a couple of weeks to go until the big night, this is how to paint your own pumpkins - and some ideas to get the creative juices flowing.

How to paint your own pumpkins

You will need...

Pumpkins
Acrylic paints
Paint brush
Glitter
Masking Tape
Pencil

How to paint your own:

Paint the pumpkins in different patterns with bright acrylic paints. While the paint is still wet, sprinkle some glitter on top.
For a stripy pumpkin, stick strips of masking tape onto the side of the pumpkin, then paint the un-taped sections in black. Allow to dry, then remove the tape. Add fine brush strokes of blue and pink paint on the painted sections, and paint the stalk.
For a spotty pumpkin, first paint 3/4 of the pumpkin with 2 coats of white paint and leave to dry. Then take a pencil and dab the end in some pink paint, and stamp onto the white to create a spotty pattern.

Halloween painted pumpkin ideas

1. Simple painted pumpkin idea

Credit: Getty

This is a super basic painted pumpkin idea - all you need is a black Sharpie. It's one of the best ideas to go for if you've only got limited time on your hands to decorate your pumpkin before the evening or you've got limited supplies.

2. Animal pumpkins

Whether it's your favourite animal or a furry friend at home, animals are super easy designs to put onto pumpkins. As well as a fox, you could make any orange animal very easily - from a tabby cat to a tiger. For animals of other colours, use different colour paints straight onto the pumpkin as the background then use a marker to complete the design.

3. Spider pumpkin

Turn one spooky creature into another with this spider pumpkin idea. You'll need some large black pipe cleaners for the legs, black paint for the pumpkin and white paint for the big eyes. It's a super unique idea that's a great one if you're looking to do something a little different this Halloween.

4. Glitter pumpkin

Credit: Getty

While you won't need loads of paint for this, you'll certainly need plenty of glitter and glue. Start with your paint base then layer up with glue over the top of the paint once it's dried. Before the glue dries, pour plenty of glitter all over the top of the pumpkin then leave it to dry one more time.

5. Portrait pumpkins

If you love classic Halloween movies, you'll love this painted Halloween pumpkin idea. It's certainly one for those with more of an artistic flair - and plenty of time.

6. Calligraphy pumpkin

This DIY pumpkin idea is so cute and playful! You don't need loads of different coloured paints to complete the look, you'll just need two aesthetically-pleasing colours and a steady hand with a Sharpie.

7. Gingham print pumpkin

Gingham was one of the best and brightest looks of summer 2021 and we're bringing that look into autumn this year. It's a design that's equal parts simple and stylish. Go for one bold colour on a white painted pumpkin for ultimate impact.

8. Monogrammed pumpkins

Monogrammed pumpkins are a great way to welcome people into your home over the festive season. It also makes for a great activity to do with the family as you can pick the colours, design and shape of the pumpkin together.

9. Neon pumpkin

Much like the neon paint pumpkin design, this one just needs a couple of neon paints and some space - it's definitely not one you'll want to do indoors! Apply the neon however you want. We love this dripping look but a splatter also works just as well.

10. Flower pumpkin

Any lover of bright colours will appreciate this bold pumpkin design. Level up the look by creating more than one of these flower pumpkins for ultimate #flowerpower on Halloween.

11. Doorstop pumpkin

These colourful painted pumpkins give trick-or-treaters somewhere to head for. First, buy a number stencil of your house number to set to the pumpkin. Once in the position you want it, cover it in two coats of paint, waiting at least half an hour between coats so they have a good chance to dry. Then move the stencil and there you go!

12. Harry Potter pumpkin

Harry Potter is one of the most popular Halloween kids costumes every year - so why not bring turn the boy wizard into a pumpkin? You can use simple acrylic paints to make Harry's iconic glasses, scar and other features. If you're feeling truly adventurous, copy this design and turn a smaller vegetable into Hedwig.

13. Nightmare Before Christmas pumpkin

Another Halloween classic, this pumpkin is inspired by Jack Skellington. The main character of the movie is the star of the show with his iconic skeletal white face and stitched mouth.

14. Sweet pumpkin

If you’ve got a real sweet tooth then Halloween is undoubtedly your favourite holiday, with so many Halloween food ideas on offer in the supermarkets. Celebrate with this cute pumpkin design in the theme of donuts. All you need is some colourful paints and a steady hand.

15. Two tone pumpkin

Don’t settle for one colour when you can have many! To create this unique design, get some simple masking tape, a foam brush and your favourite acrylic paint colours. This will help to create the striking two tone effect without smudges or overlaps.

16. Funny pumpkin

Turn your favourite funny quote or meme into a Halloween decoration with this entertaining idea. All you need is paint for the base of the pumpkin if you don’t want to leave it orange and a bold marker-style paint for the slogan. Be sure it’s big and bold so trick-or-treaters don’t miss it!

17. Dotty pumpkin

This dots pumpkin is equal parts unique and so simple. While this designer has gone for classic silver painted dots on a black background, you could also use a whole multitude of colours to create this fun painted pumpkins design.

18. Autumnal pumpkin

When we say it's spooky season, what we really mean is that it’s autumn. The leaves are turning brown and the days are getting colder. Celebrate the season with this autumnal-themed pumpkin design using bold brown, mustard yellow and green colours to resemble foliage at this time of year.

19. Leaf print pumpkin

If you want an autumnal design that’s a little more inventive, go for this leaf print painted pumpkin design. This designer has gone for a cool blue colour but if that’s not quite right for you, you could go for a warm red or orange shade.

20. Musical pumpkin

With the return of theatres and live shows this year, we’ve all been able to go back and see our favourite live musical shows. Celebrate that occasion with this great design! This creator has gone for the musical Wicked, a perfect pick with its traditionally spooky feel.

21. Summer pumpkin

Refusing to believe that autumn is here already? Look back to warmer weather with this cute painted pumpkin idea, featuring oranges and bees. Go one step further and spray the stalk of the pumpkin with gold for that truly bright and bold feeling.

22. Winnie the Pooh pumpkin

Want to create this loveable character from the famous children's book? All you need is some yellow and black paint. Create the ears using small pieces of cardboard, also painted yellow, and fix into the pumpkin by cutting small slices along the top.

23. Pokemon pumpkin

Recreate your favourite Pokemon characters with this fun idea! While this creator has gone for Gengar, you could also use yellow, red and black paint to make your own Pikachu pumpkin. This idea works for any character that's round with large features, easily recognisable from wherever you keep your pumpkin.

24. Greeting pumpkin

This painted pumpkin design is so simple - but so effective. Paint your entire pumpkin white and with a very steady hand, carefully apply your greeting to trick-or-treaters. While we love this poetic approach, a basic ‘welcome’ message would also do the trick.

25. Frankenstein pumpkin

Frankenstein is a classic Halloween monster so perfect for a painted pumpkin idea if you want to stick to the spooky tradition. A strong green, black and white paint is all you need to create this design.

26. Vampire pumpkin

In a similar fashion, try this cute vampire design. While a white-painted pair of fangs will turn any smiley face into dracula, to get this more unique younger vampire look you’ll need to do something a bit different. Make sure to pick a pumpkin that’s not too big and round out the facial features like the eyes, a smaller mouth and childlike fangs.

Using the two ideas above, you could create a spooky family to represent your own!

27. Movie night pumpkin

Halloween is for snuggling down on the sofa with a good film and a cup of hot chocolate. Bring that idea into your living room permanently with this unique movie night painted pumpkin - featuring popcorn, of course!

28. Sea life pumpkin

These tropical pumpkins will certainly remind you of sunnier climates! This designer has gone for octopus, turtle, flamingo and anchor designs to bring a real look of the sea to Halloween.

29. Rainbow pumpkins

Rainbow pumpkins are a colourful way to brighten up your doorstep. Whether you go for all colours on one pumpkin or one pumpkin for each colour of the rainbow is up to you.

30. Crayon pumpkin

This video shows you step-by-step how to make this fun pumpkin idea. It’s not strictly a painted pumpkin design as you won’t need any paints to pull this off but well worth trying it out if you’ve got some old Crayon ends lying around.

Pumpkin picking in Essex: 10 of the best patches for Halloween 2022

Emily.Stedman@futurenet.com (Emily Stedman) — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 13:44:00 +0000

Pumpkin picking in Essex is a great day out. And, we've rounded up 10 of the best farms that promise warm family memories.

Tis the season to get spooky. And, just like Christmas - this time of year there are so many fun Halloween party food ideas, craft activities, and did-you-know reasons why we celebrate Halloween.

To celebrate, besides the classic Halloween movie marathon and the opportunity to dress up, is of course the obligatory pumpkin-picking trip. And it seems the American tradition has really caught on in Essex, with ten PYO (Pick Your Own) pumpkin opportunities available right on your doorstep...

Pumpkin picking in Essex: 10 of the best farms to visit

1. Marsh Farm Pumpkin Picking Village, Chelmsford

Take a trip to Marsh Farm Pumpkin Picking Village in Chelmsford for Halloween 2022. Enjoy a pumpkin spiced latte in the cafe after an hour of classic pumpkin picking. And be sure to pick up a few spooky decorations at their 'Haunting Halloween Shop'. Their special Pumpkin Night sessions also include a frightful fun fair that is sure to have the kids screaming after dark. With something for all the family, it's definitely a contender for the best pumpkin picking spot in Essex. Plus they even have slots to take your furry friends with dog-friendly sessions.

Mum-of-one Debs tells us how they go every year as a family. "I'm obsessed with creating memories for Louis. We had the best time last year and it's now made it onto our 'traditions' list. The whole thing was beautifully set out and there was so much choice. I even bought a white pumpkin for my table centrepiece."

Information
Opening times: 6th - 31st October, Mon-Sun, 10am-5pm| Price: Tickets from Child £3.99, Adult £3.99 Infants under 6 months free, Carer £2.99 | Age suitability: Best for ages from 3+ | Parking: yes, free at farm car park | Disabled access: Yes | Children’s play area: No and the ticket doesn't include entry to Marsh Farm | Toilet on site: Yes | Dog friendly: On some days - check site | Note: Cashless - only accept major credit cards | Address: Marsh Farm, Marsh Farm Rd, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford CM3 5WP

VIEW MARSH FARM PUMPKIN PICKING VILLAGE

2. Hatter’s Farm, Bishop’s Stortford

Hatter's Farm is award winning after receiving the London & South East England Prestige Award for Farm of the Year. So it really is the perfect place to enjoy Halloween 2022 and to pick your own pumpkin - with the farm boasting over 25 varieties of orange loveliness. There are also plenty of other Halloween-themed activities to take part in for you to make a real family day out of it. Get lost in their Maize Maze (£3 pp) and try your hand at hitting the target with the Pumpkin Cannon (£2.50 pp). Their Spooky Pumpkin Nights is also returning for 2021 should you fancy a few scares while picking at night... Price of pumpkins varies from £1 to £12.

Parents Mack and Suz loved the twilight pumpkin picking; "The kids loved having their own torches to look after and use on the pumpkin field. It was such a different experience, they loved it."

Information
Day time opening times: October 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16, 19th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th - 30th. 0930am - 430pm| Night time opening times: October 22nd - 24th and 27th - 30th, 5pm - 9pm | Price: Tickets £1 per person | Age suitability: Best for ages from 3+ | Parking: Free | Disabled access: May be difficult | Children’s play area: No and the ticket doesn't include entry to Marsh Farm | Toilet on site: Yes | Dog friendly: on leads and not in the pumpkin field | Address: Hatter's Farm, Takeley, Bishop's Stortford. CM22 6NP

VIEW HATTERS FARM PUMPKINS

3. Foxes Farm Produce, Basildon

Rally up the troops to celebrate Halloween 2022 and set off to Watchhouse Farm in Basildon for some good old-fashioned pumpkin picking. The site is one of two popular pumpkin patches run by Foxes Farms, which has been running since 2015. Celebrities including Stacey Solomon, Denise Van Outen and the cast of TOWIE have all been known to stop by during the season. So you might spot a star during your squash session too. Expect the usual picking fun, with over 20 varieties to choose from, plus face painting (extra charge), a field of games such as Hoola hoops tug of war, and mini tractors, a pumpkin scavenger hunt, and silly Halloween-themed photo opportunities to entertain the family.

Dad-of-two, Lee tells us; "My three loved it last year. They were shattered by the time we got home after a day in the fresh air running around fields - a kid's dream."

VIEW FOXES FARM BASILDON

4. Foxes Farm Produce, Colchester

Book your fantastic Halloween 2022 day out today at Foxes Farm's second patch based in Colchester. One of the best pumpkin picking spots in Essex, spend some time selecting your squash and pumpkins before finding out some tasty and arty ways to use them. Little ones will also love exploring the Bale mountain and other farm-based obstacles like welly wangling! It really is a great way to tire them out before bedtime.

VIEW FOXES FARM COLCHESTER

5. Hurley’s Pumpkin Forest, Wickford

Head down to Hurley's farm for some serious Halloween fun this October. Explore the Witches's Maze, try your hand at Pumpkin Bowling and challenge dad to have a go at the Wizard Welly Wanging. Your Halloween 2022 will be made whether you choose a day or twilight session - and note that any pumpkins you want to take away will incur an additional cost (50p/£1 per squash).

Mum-of-three, Dionne tells us; "The kids look forward to this every year and - even though my oldest is 15 now - he still can't help smirk at 'welly wangling', it's such a fun day out for all of us. We're thinking of trying the twilight slot now the kids are a little older, it looks like fun!"

Information
Opening times: October 8th- 31st, 9am - 345pm| Price: Tickets £10 per car on pea £5 per car off peak | Age suitability: Best for ages from 3+ | Parking: Free | Disabled access: May be difficult | Children’s play area: No | Toilet on site: Yes | Dog friendly: No | Address: Hurley's Pumpkin Forest, Woodham Road, Battlesbridge, Wickford SS11 7QL

VIEW HURLEYS PUMPKIN FOREST

6. Pumpkin Jims, Saffron Waldren

As activities for Halloween 2022 go, this two-hour pumpkin picking for £1 is a winner. No wonder Pumpkin Jim's patch is one of the most popular pumpkin picking spots in Essex. From big carvers to delicious squashes - Jim's patch has a huge variety of pumpkins to choose from. Plus food trucks serving hot snacks and drinks to warm you up as the weather gets a bit cooler. Some of the slots have already sold out, so be sure to book this one online quick!

VIEW PUMPKIN JIMS

7. Lathcoats Farm, Chelmsford

PYO Pumpkins at Lathcoats Farm from as little as £1 a person and make your Halloween 2022 one to remember. The entry includes tutorials on pumpkin carving and a fun Halloween hunt activity that kids can sink their teeth into. Plus they've got you covered (quite literally!) if the weather takes a turn for the worst. Be sure to book your tickets online in advance.

VIEW LATHCOATS FARM

8. Cammas Hall, Bishop's Stortford

Cammas Hall promises some spooktacular pumpkin picking this Halloween 2022. In addition to the classic PYO fun is a bumper craft tent with special Halloween arts and crafts plus the themed maize maze (all available for an additional fee). We recommend treating the kids to a toffee apple in the Farm Shop, where you'll find a few other ghoulish goodies too. They also offer SEN sessions - where it's quieter with interactive characters switched off. Tickets available for Thursday 13th and Thursday 27th October.

Nan-of-two, Suz; "I take my grandkids here every year, they love it! This year I might treat myself to a pumpkin decorating workshop too."

Information
Opening times: October 1st - 30th (not Mondays) 9am-4pm| Price: Tickets £1-£6 per person (aged 2 years +) | Age suitability: Best for ages from 3+ | Parking: Free | Disabled access: Yes across the farm and toilets | Children’s play area: Yes | Toilet on site: Yes | Dog friendly: Yes, on a lead at all times| Address: Hatfield Broad Oak, Bishop's Stortford CM22 7JT, UK

VIEW CAMMAS HALL

9. Hasty's Adventure Farm, Clacton on Sea

Hasty's Adventure Farm is an all day event! It makes the perfect half term fun this Halloween 2022. The kids will love following the child-friendly Happy Ghost Trail, taking photos in the Pumpkin Selfie Area and following the fun pumpkin trail to the patch - avoiding some giant (but friendly) spiders along the way - then enjoy a game of Pumpkin Skittles, all before selecting a mini wheelbarrow to help pick your pumpkin and take home and carve. They also have sheep, goats, pigs, turkeys, chickens, calves and Alpaca's to feed and enjoy as well.

Entrance to the farm plus pumpkin picking costs £8.95 per person and pre-booking is essential. Head down for some Halloween fun between 22nd - 31st October 2021.

VIEW HASTYS FARM

10. Cobbs Farm, Maldon

There's free entry and no booking necessary for an afternoon of PYO pumpkins at Cobbs. Rock up to their large farm and take your pick from hundreds of pumpkins available on site. Simple and satisfying!

VIEW COBBS FARM

What month do pumpkin patches open?

Pumpkin picking is a great Autumnal day out, as the season runs from Sept 25th until end of October.

Top Pumpkin picking tips

When you're trying to hustle the family out the door sometimes appropriate footwear or coats can be forgotten. Here are a few top tips to ensure you and your family have a top day;

Wear wellies - the pumpkins are normally laid out in fields so if it's been at all wet it's likely to be muddy. And bring a spare pair of shoes for the car.
PYO pumpkins are all different, and some are better to eat than others, be sure to ask before you choose.
Many farms sell pumpkins by weight, so be sure to check before you let the kids choose any they like - it could cost a small fortune otherwise.
Heavier pumpkins are best for caving as they have thicker walls.
Many farms will have wheelbarrows to borrow but take some sturdy tote bags just in case they don't.

Related features;

Video of the week:

20 best family days out in Wales: Cheap things to do with your kids

Grace Walsh — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Come rain or shine, these are the family days in Wales that are certainly worth checking out whether you live in the area or are heading over for a holiday.

With its beautiful scenery, unique wildlife and heaps of exciting attractions, Wales is bursting full of wonderful places to go with kids during over the weekend or before the kids go back to school.

From the #1 Best Family Attraction voted 4 years running to stunning castle visits with kids, these are the sites in Wales you absolutely need to add to your bucket list.

20 of the best family days out in Wales:

1. Caernarfon Castle, Caernarfon

Budding history buffs will LOVE Caernarfon Castle, which sits on the River Seiont on one side and the Menai Strait on the other. It was built by King Edward I in the 13th century and it's one of the biggest castles in Wales - perfect for a family day out. This fortress has 13 impressive towers, two gates and is also one of the best-preserved castles in the whole of Europe. So kids can really see what it was like to live as a king in the Middle Ages!

One of the best attractions at the fortress is the 'Castle Quest', a journey around the site to discover the mythical beasts linked to the area. Another is the 'Game of Crowns' where little ones can meet the famous Prince of Wales who first built the castle - along with his wife, Queen Eleanor. There's also the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum with captivating films, soundscapes, models and films which tell the exhilarating story of Wales' oldest army regiment.

Find out more about Caernarfon Castle and book your tickets for this year here.

2. Anglesey Sea Zoo, Llanfairpwll

Anglesey Sea Zoo is famous for being the biggest aquarium in Wales so you absolutely shouldn't pass up an opportunity to visit on your travels. Inside this jungle-like zoo, there are over 150 native species of animal that range from the familiar to the downright bizarre. Ever heard of a lumpsucker? What about a short-spined sea scorpion? Us neither until we saw the fantastic array of critters and creatures that live here.

Credit: ASZMRC/Facebook

Any fans of Pirates of the Caribbean will love the Seven Sisters Shipwreck and families will have to pluck up the courage to walk the Shark Pool grids. While the hilariously-named No Bone Zone will bring little ones face to face with the unbelievable invertebrates that live in the centre, including the intelligent octopus and a range of cute seahorses.

Find out more about Anglesey Sea Zoo and book your tickets for 2021 here.

3. LC Waterpark, Swansea

LC Waterpark is the country's biggest and most exciting waterpark. So if rain is forecast for your visit to Swansea, be sure to book tickets for this exciting indoor attraction!

Splash around at The Edge, which is the specific waterpark section of the site. It has a huge, impressive network of pools, rides and slides for the whole family to enjoy. The best one has got to be the MasterBlaster, a rollercoaster water slide that takes riders on a journey uphill and then brings them back down to earth using the force of gravity alone. New additions to the waterpark are the wave pool, the 'Lazy River' ride and the volcano slide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXQ1Z4uXOjQ

But while this may sound a little too wild for younger children, don't worry! There's the interactive pool which is more ideal for younger kids to splash around in with a mini slide, tipping buckets and a great water fountain feature.

Find out more about LC Waterpark and book tickets for this year here.

4. Dwyfor Ranch Rabbit Farm and Animal Park, Criccieth

Another one for the animal lovers! This one's on land though. Dwyfor Ranch Rabbit Farm and Animal Park hosts a huge range of animals - including some fascinating rare breeds. Kids can play with some of the animals at the farm, including rabbits, guinea pigs and puppies. Those feeling brave enough can also try their hand at feeding some of the larger animals at the site - including pigmy goats, alpacas, rhea, donkeys, pigs and lambs. And if you're VERY lucky, there might even be the chance to see the newborn animals or witness a birth!

This is also an excellent place to come for lunch as after kids have met the animals at the park, there is plenty of delicious food on offer at Caffi yr Efail - otherwise known as The Smithy Cafe. Full of delicious cakes and bakes, there's also savoury food on offer for every taste. If you're looking for something a little more wild, there's the picnic area for visitors that would prefer to bring their own food and eat out in the open. Afterwards, kids can check out the adventure playground.

Credit: Getty

Find out more about Dwyfor Ranch Rabbit Farm and Animal Park and book tickets for this year here.

5. Playzone Indoor Soft Play Centre, Swansea

Another great family day out in Wales if it starts to pour down! Playzone in Swansea is an incredible indoor play area and it's suitable for all ages, with one area for those under 4 and another for those over 5 years old.

For the younger ones, there's the Mini Playzone - a safe area to let small children run wild with slides and play equipment. While the older ones can get stuck into bigger slides, rope walkways, fireman's poles, tumble towers and so much more.

But there's also something to do for the rest of the family as adults can also head into the play centre and help their children navigate their way through the tunnels and down the slides. Then, head to lunch at the cafe, which serves hot and cold drinks, snacks and meals all day.

Find out more about Playzone Indoor Soft Play Centre and book your tickets for this year here.

6. GreenWood Forest Park, Y Felinheli

This theme park wasn't voted the Best Family Attraction in North Wales for four years running by accident. This forest park covers a whopping 17 acres of land and holds the world's only people-powered rollercoaster! It moves across a 250-metre long track and includes a jaw-dropping 360 degree horizontal loop. This, and the longest sledge run in North Wales which is also at the site, is certainly not one for the faint-hearted.

For those looking for something a little more relaxed, there's The Barefoot Trail where the whole family can shed their shoes and socks and connect with nature as they walk barefoot through the forest, clambering over sand, bark, timber, water and straw. In the GreenWood's Den Building area, kids can get stuck into building their own den out of completely natural materials - especially ideal for anyone enrolled in a forest school. While in the afternoon, there's the opportunity to go go-karting and head into the treetops for a walk.

Just some of the many attractions you can expect at GreenWood Forest Park on their days out, making it one of our best picks for Wales family days out.

Find out more about GreenWood Forest Park and book your tickets for this year here.

7. Cefn Mably Farm Park, Cardiff

This isn't only a massive, 20,000ft all-weather family farm - it's also a HUGE soft play area! The site holds a super unique blend of farm animals, including alpacas, and soft play areas which are perfect for kids of all ages. If you're after an action-packed day out then this attraction is certainly one to put on your Cardiff trip itinerary.

As well as spending the day climbing around the slides, towers, ropes and more in the play areas, the whole family can get stuck into feeding the animals at designated feeding times and have their go at seeing what it's like to be an animal keeper. Once the kids have had their time with the animals, they can check out the other the other facilities on site like the go karts and diggers - although these cost extra. Teens are welcome at the farm too!

Credit: cefnmablyfarmpark/Facebook

While the kids go crazy for the attractions, parents can chill out in the cafe with coffee and a slice of the farm's delicious homemade cake.

Find out more about Cefn Mably Farm Park and book tickets for this year here.

8. Rhyl Miniature Railway, Rhyl

Train fans assemble! Most visitors start their day out at the Miniature Railway with a train ride on what is now the UK's oldest miniature railway line. These trains were built in the area during the 1920s so have been taking people across from Rhyl and around Marine Lake for almost the last 100 years! The oldest train on the site was built in 1911 and has just returned to the site after 90 years away on display at another location.

Once you've had the trip around and returned to 'Central Station', families can explore the history of the Rhyl Miniature Railway at the local museum with plenty of exhibits on offer. The former ticket office sells tea, coffee and sweet treats for all those looking for a snack, as well as gifts for kids.

Find out more about Rhyl Miniature Railway and book your tickets for this year here.

9. Marine Lake, Rhyl

Right next door to the Rhyl Miniature Railway is Marine Lake.

This is the perfect place for kids to try out a whole range of activities - like crabbing! This fun activity is great for the whole family to have a go at and once you've caught the crab, you can just pop it back in the lake. And if you've never done it before, don't worry! The Miniature Railway site is a great place to start as from here, you can pick up everything you need to get started.

Then afterwards, head over to the children's playground at Marine Lake. Here there's an exciting play area for kids, full of swings, equipment and rides for smaller children. There's also a climbing net for older one, so certainly something to do for kids of all ages here.

For those feeling more adventurous, the area also boasts a great amount of water sports opportunities at the Ski Club and the Yacht Club. While these will cost a little more, there's everything from sailing to canoeing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding and other exciting water-based activities.

Find out more about Marine Lake and opening times here.

10. Surf Snowdonia, Conwy

While many people think surfing is just reserved for the likes of Cornwall and Devon, surfing is also on the to-do list for family days out in Wales! Surf Snowdonia is actually the world's first inland surf lagoon with the opportunity to 'Just Surf' or to take lessons from the professional - from beginner all the way to advanced surfing.

If you're an experienced surfer already, get involved with the 'Just Surf' sessions on beginner, intermediate or advances waves and experience up to 150 metres of wave at 6-7 metres per second. For those between the ages of 5 and 7, there's the Little Rippers surf school, Groms for those 8 to 13 years old and Juniors for those up to 17 years old. These are expert lessons taught by real professionals, so certainly not an experience to miss if you're in the area.

There's also simple wetsuit and board hire for all types of sessions and even something for those who haven't caught the surfing bug just yet. Flat-water stand-up paddleboard sessions and lessons are also available to take on at this site.

Find out more about Surf Snowdonia and book your sessions for this year here.

11. Llechwedd Slate Caverns, Blaenau Ffestiniog

For a truly unique family day out in Wales, the Llechwedd Slate Caverns at Blaenau Ffestiniog is a must visit! It's an abandoned slate mine 500ft below the ground. Expeditions down below take keen explorers on a tour of the Llechwedd Slate Cavern, after a journey down the steepest cable railway in the UK.

Once groups are in the tunnel, they will get to experience tales from the past when the slate mines were in operation and even get the chance to "meet" the owner of the mine, John Whitehead Greaves. They'll also get to hear stories of the men and boys who used to work in the mines - up to 12 hours a day, nearly every day during the week, underground in almost complete darkness.

There is also accommodation on site as well as glamping experiences if you're looking to turn your visit to the mines into a weekend extravaganza!

Credit: Getty

Find out more about Llechwedd Slate Caverns and book tickets for this year here.

12. National Roman Legion Museum, Newport

Take full advantage of the free entry to the National Roman Legion Museum in Newport to explore the fascinating history of Roman Wales.

Along with exhibits including the Bathstone Coffin, containing remains of a person from the 2nd/3rd century, there's other rooms like the reconstructed Barrack Room. This room will give the whole family a real insight into what Roman army life was like in Wales. Be sure to visit the museum at either the weekend or during the school holidays as well, since children can step back in time during these times and truly get into the spirit of ancient times with replica armour and activities. After this, visit the ruins of one of the three only permanent fortresses in Roman Britain which are contained inside the site. It includes elements of the most complete amphitheatre in the UK and the only Legionary Barracks available to view in Europe.

There's also plenty of exhibitions to appeal to classicists of older ages including the ongoing Firestarter Exhibition. This interesting exhibit focuses on how fire was used in the Roman world in everyday life and in battle, and how it was linked to the famous Roman gods.

Find out more about the National Roman Legion Museum and book tickets for this year here.

13. Manor House Wildlife Park, Tenby

Take a walk on the wild side at Manor House Wildlife Park in Tenby. This site is unlike any other in Wales as it's packed full of exotic animals and wild creatures that kids can get up close (but not too close!) and personal with. Animals housed in the Wildlife Park include the illusive Visayan Warty Pig, Saki monkey and Bactrian Camel. Along with zebras, red pandas and tigers, it's the perfect UK safari experience for the whole family.

Tickets come in for adults at £17.95 and for kids at £15.95. So while this is one of the slightly more expensive experiences in Wales, it's well worth the visit! There really aren't many places in the UK where you can experience a real-life Sumatran Tiger out and about, walking, eating and interacting with keepers in a safe and secure sanctuary, dedicated to their safeguarding. If monkeys are more your thing, why not go and meet the group of lemurs that live in their own Madagascan home built into the stunning surroundings of the Welsh countryside?

Once you've got up to all the monkey business you can handle, head for lunch at the Wildlife Park's own restaurant - which specialises in homemade Italian pizzas! The cafe also serves homemade cakes, amazing coffee and other delicious food and drinks.

Find out more about Manor House Wildlife Park and book tickets for this year here.

14. Cardigan Bay, Ceredigion

For a real activity-packed family day out in Wales, head over to Cardigan Bay and Ceredigion and get away from city life on your holiday. While there's plenty to do in the area that doesn't cost a penny, including taking a trip out to the mountain lakes and waterfalls and exploring the wilderness of the greenery in the area, our favourite activity has got to be dolphin watching.

Credit: Getty

If you have the cash to spare, there are paid-for boat trips that sail out into the bay to help you get a better view. But if not, you will certainly be able to stop all the dolphins, porpoises and seals that live out in the bay from the shore - just keep your eyes peeled. Take a picnic and sit on top of one of the several stunning cliffs in the area. Watch the local wildlife glide through the waters beneath you - and if you're REALLY lucky, you might spot a visiting whale or even a roaming shark.

Find out more about Cardiagan Bay and if you're interested in taking a boat trip into Cardigan Bay, book your tickets here.

15. Llanishen Leisure Centre, Cardiff

If you're in Cardiff and are looking to go for a splash, Llanishen Leisure Centre is definitely a great family day out.

Everyone knows that swimming is one of the best ways that the whole family can have fun together, whatever the ages of the kids, and the amazing beach-style pool at this leisure centre has got to be perfect for this. The leisure pool offers so many hours of entertainment with plenty of water features, including a wave machine and water play features during peak periods and at the weekend.

Recently completely renovated, this leisure centres offers more than just the swimming pool though. There's also a flume and soft play facility on site as well as a gym, squash courts and more. It's really the perfect place to go if you've got a larger family as there's certainly something for everyone to do. And with adult tickets coming in at just £6 and kids tickets at £4 for anytime access, it's not one of the family days out in Wales that will break the bank.

Find out more about Llanishen Leisure Centre and book your entry tickets for this year here.

16. Judge's Lodging, Presteigne

For the history-lovers, this is another fantastic cheap day out in Wales. Judge's Lodging in Presteigne is an award-winning historic house that helps you explore the fascinating world of the gloomy Victorian justice system. Visitors, with only a oil and gas lamp to light their path, make their way through the judge's private apartments. During the trip, you can sit in the judge's armchair and even pretend to have a meal at his dining room table. Down below, you can pump water into the kitchen and take a trip through the servants' sleep quarters and workrooms.

Luxurious apartments house the attraction's judges whereas by stark contrast, the dingy cells are host to the prisoners. The 'eavesdropping audio tour' adds an edge of realism to your day, as you hear voices from the past tell their stories. While in the huge echoing courtroom, kids' imaginations can run wild they experience the dramatic court trial of local duck thief, William Morgan.

The near total 'hands-on' policy is a kids' dream and the total interactive experience will ensure that everyone is entertained the whole way though. And once you're done there, you'll find beautiful countryside just on your doorstep, if you fancy finishing your day with a scenic stroll.

Find out more about Judge's Lodging and book your tickets for this year here.

17. Caerphilly Castle, Caerphilly

Caerphilly's floating castle, as it's often referred to, surrounded by moats and watery islands. It's a truly stunning location to visit even if you don't care for castle too much, as the surrounding area is packed full of scenic beauty.

Once inside the castle, head straight for the 'Dragon's Lair' which is home to a host of Welsh dragons, brought to life with an audio-visual display. Complete with smoke and snarls, fantasy-lovers will enjoy the completely immersive experience as they learn all about Wales' deep mythical history. Look out for other child-friendly activities like the 'Castle Quest' too, as this happens across many castles in Wales and helps kids to truly explore the history of the site.

Adults and kids alike can also explore the history of the castle with the incredible display of mangonel and the terrifying trebuchet, both weapons of warfare that were stored in the castle. These truly come to life during the castle's adventure-packed seasonal events programme. So if you're looking for fun for the whole family, be sure to book a trip here on your family day out to Wales!

And any fans of the popular TV series Merlin will certainly recognise this castle as it was used for many filming shoots across many episodes!

Find out more about Caerphilly Castle and book tickets for this year here.

18. Tudor Merchant's House, Tenby

Turn the clocks back 500 years with a visit to this historical National Trust site and see how the typical Tudor merchant and his family would have lived during the period. This captivating three-storey house is in incredible condition and the whole family can get wrapped up in the lives of those who lived there with a tour around the house and local area.

On the ground floor, you'll find the merchant's shop and working kitchen. Here's where the whole family can learn about how the merchant would have made his living in Tenby during the Tudor times, as this is where he would have sold everything from wool to pots and spices after trading through the port. You'll also be able to see a fine ‘Flemish' round chimney and the original scarfed roof trusses.

As this house is a real deep-dive into Tudor history, those working at the house are dressed in costume and will interact with guests in the traditional Tudor style! So for something both educational and truly different on your family days out in Wales, add this Merchant House to the bucket list.

This is a cheap, educational day out and definitely worth considering for Wales family days out.

Find out more about Tudor Merchant's House and book tickets for this year here.

19. National Showcaves Centre, South Wales

You will be spoiled for choice with 10 attractions included for the price of one ticket! The three different caves Dan-yr-Ogof, Cathedral Cave and Bone Cave each offer a unique underground experience, while the Iron Age farm and a plethora of other attractions will help keep your little ones entertained fully throughout the day.

Dan yr Ogof Cave is one of three in the area. Credit: Getty.

The must-see part of the site for kids though has got to be the over 200 life-sized dinosaurs that sit in their own park! These model monsters let kids get close and personal with beasts from millions of years ago. Meet all the creatures kids see in their favourite films and books at the park, from the terrifying Tyrannosaurus Rex to the Brachiosaurus - an underrated dinosaur that's as big as 15 elephants.

After kids have escaped the clutches of these ancient beasts, the whole family can sit back and relax in the cafe with all the food and drinks on offer. Alternatively, take a spin around the Rock and Dinosaur shop.

Find out more about National Showcaves Centre and book your tickets for this year here.

20. Mountain View Ranch, Cardiff

Fresh air fuelled fun for all the family, there's something new to discover around every corner, whether it's a tree house, a magical fairy forest, a campfire with marshmallow toasting or a hobbit house. The Ranch also hosts Wales' only officially licensed Gruffalo Trail!

Whether you follow the trail on your own or join one of the guided tours, your children will be enchanted as they follow the Gruffalo's footprints along the trail, discovering all the characters from this hugely popular story.

Find out more about Mountain View Ranch and book tickets for this year here.

Days out in the South East: 20 best things to do with your kids

Lucy Wigley — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 16:31:00 +0000

Days out in the South East will have you happy and exhausted - there's so much to do. We've done the hard work for you and compiled a list of the top 20 things to do and see that are DEFINITELY worth packing up the family and leaving the house for.

Being the third largest region in the UK, it's no surprise the South East of England is bursting with brilliant attractions to explore with kids during the school summer holidays. Famed for its beautiful countryside including the New Forest and the South Downs, there are also plenty of vibrant cities in the area. Buzzing Brighton and happening Southampton are just two of the many to add to the list, meaning the South East is perfect for those seeking quiet countryside activities or families wanting a more urban adventure.

Travelling to the South East is straightforward, especially for those who don't have their own transport or want to travel sustainably. There are direct links from all London mainline stations, and local routes stopping near the top attractions. Excellent road links mean easy accessibility by car or coach travel is just as simple. Public transport is now often disability friendly and plenty of the South East's destinations are accessible, meaning the region is welcoming for all.

If that doesn't sound enough reasons to gather the family and dash to the South East, it also ranks as one of the top five safest regions in England. Dover, Ramsgate and Chichester have higher than average crime rates and you might want to exercise caution if visiting those areas, but the main attractions and areas of natural beauty fall in the safe areas. From a trip to one of the best UK theme parks to a castle visit with children, this round up of affordable places to visit cater for families looking for art, history, or adventure - there's certainly something for everyone.

20 of the best family days out in the South East:

1. Port Lympne Safari Park Hythe

(Image credit: Roger Parkes/Alamy)

Best for inquisitive kids.

Mum-of-two, Steph tells us; "Did you know it's pronounced 'Port Limm'? I didn't until I heard a radio advert. I'd been calling it Port Limp-knee. Anyway, yes I recommend a day out here, not the cheapest but it will both engage and tire your kids out. Be warned you have to go through the gift shop to get out of the place."

Get up close and personal with some of the biggest and most fascinating creatures of the animal kingdom at Port Lympne in Hythe. You'll find free-roaming giraffes, grizzly bears, and a chance to glimpse some rare rhinos on an exclusive truck safari. Plus little ones will love the UK's largest dinosaur exhibition and letting off steam at one of three adventure playgrounds along the zoo route.

Information: Opening times: Monday - Sunday, 9.30am - 5.30pm | Price: Adult tickets from £29, child aged 3 - 15 from £26 | Age suitability: Suitable for all ages, but some add-ons and experiences have age restrictions | Parking: Yes - free, and on-site | Disabled access: Yes | Children’s play area: Yes | Toilet on site: Yes | Dog-friendly: No - guide dogs only

View Port Lympne Wild Animal Park

Places to stay nearby:

Hampton by Hilton Ashford International, Victoria road, Ashford - from £216 per night

Located a 5 minute walk from Ashford International Train Station, Hampton by Hilton Ashford International offers 3-star accommodation in Ashford and has a restaurant, a fitness centre and a bar.

2. Windsor Castle, Windsor

(Image credit: Getty Images / Chris Jackson)

Best for history loving kids.

History lovers will not want to miss out on a chance to visit the late Queen's favourite royal residence, that also happens to be the oldest Castle in the world. Steeped in royal history with stunning gardens to explore, Windsor Castle is great for exploring during the school summer holidays. With this South East attraction boasts special holiday activities for kids, and a rich programme of rotating exhibitions.

Information: Opening times: Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Open 1 March - 31 October from 10am - 17:15pm, 1 November- 28 February 10am -16:15pm| Price: Adult tickets from £28.00, young person (18-24) £18.00, child (5-17) £15.50, disabled £15.50| Age suitability: Better for slightly older children over the age of 7| Parking: No | Disabled access: Yes | Children’s play area: There is an activity centre but no play area | Toilet on site: Yes | Dog friendly: No, guide dogs only

View Windsor Castle

Places to stay nearby:

Travelodge Windsor Central, 34 King Edward Court, Windsor, Berkshire - from £150 per night.

The Windsor Central hotel is located right in the centre of Windsor, close to the designer boutiques at Windsor Royal shopping centre, and the Thameside green spaces of Alexandra Gardens, and just 0.2 miles from the Castle itself.

3. Chessington World of Adventures, Surrey

(Image credit: PA Images/Alamy)

Best for adventurous kids.

A theme park and safari park in one - Chessington World of Adventures is one of those perfect family day outs in the South East that's sure to satisfy every household member. Little ones will love the teacups, log flume and the extra-special Gruffalo ride. Whilst big kids will get a thrill from classics like Rattlesnake, the Vampire and the new 'World of Jumanji', the world's first Jumanji themed land.

Information: Opening times: Monday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm, all year round | Price: Tickets from £64 for both adults and children, under 3s go free | Age suitability: Best for those between the ages of 6 - 13 with a height of at least 1.3m to gain access to rides | Parking: Yes - free, and on site | Disabled access: Yes | Children’s play area: Yes | Toilet on site: Yes | Dog friendly: No, guide dogs only

VIEW CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES

Places to stay nearby:

Premier Inn Chessington Hotel, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey - from £163 per night.

Enjoy a rollercoaster stay for all the right reasons, next door to Chessington World of Adventures with this hotel that is just a short drive from the attraction.

4. The Mary Rose, Portsmouth

(Image credit: Steve Vidler/Alamy)

Best for history loving kids.

The Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth is the place to head for family adventures in the South East. Explore HMS Victory, HMS Warrior or the Mary Rose - you can now dive the Mary Rose in 4D. Learn about the final moments of the Mary Rose (King Henry VIII's favourite warship) before it sank in the Battle of the Solent in 1545, and arm yourself with many more impressive historical facts.

Information: Opening times: Summer hours 10am - 5.30pm, Monday - Sunday, winter hours 10am - 5pm, Monday - Sunday | Price: Adult tickets from £29, child £24, carers and under 3s go free | Age suitability: Some experiences are not suitable for under 4s, and very young children might find it boring | Parking: No | Disabled access: Yes | Children’s play area: No | Toilet on site: Yes | Dog friendly: No, guide dogs only

VIEW THE MARY ROSE

Places to stay nearby:

Premier Inn Portsmouth Dockyard Hotel, Queen Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire - from £163 per night.

Just a five-minute walk from Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and Gunwharf Quays, this is the perfect place to rest after a day taking in the local history.

5. The New Forest, Hampshire

(Image credit: Ben Holland/Alamy)

Best for kids who love the outdoors.

There's plenty of things to do in the New Forest whatever the season. From cycling to stopping to admire the 5,000 local ponies, the whole family will love a day out here. You can also camp close by, explore the area on horseback or take a long-distance hike through the impressive grounds.

Information: Opening times: Always open | Price: N/A | Age suitability: Suitable for all age groups | Parking: Yes | Disabled access: Yes, there are disabled parking bays and some disability friendly trails | Children’s play area: Yes, several can be found catering for all ages and abilities | Toilet on site: Yes, in 23 areas of the district | Dog friendly: Yes

VIEW THE NEW FOREST

Places to stay nearby:

Forest Park Country Hotel & Inn, Brockenhurst, New Forest, Hampshire - from £125 per night.

Nestled within beautifully maintained gardens, the South Lawn Hotel is located on the edge of the New Forest National Park, while only a mile from the beach and the Jurassic Coastline of Hampshire.

6. Bodiam Castle, Bodiam

(Image credit: Tony Watson/Alamy)

Best for history loving kids.

With a stunning backdrop and surrounded by a beautiful moat, this castle really does bring history to life. Built during the reign of Richard the Lionheart, kids will love exploring and getting involved with all the great activities. They can visit the Medieval town, become a knight or princess and find out what Medieval food tasted like (surprisingly good!). This won't be just any trip to a castle, it will be an unforgettable day, soaked in history and learning.

Information: Opening times: Open Monday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm. | Price: Free for National Trust members, or adult £12, child £5.50, and family ticket options available | Age suitability: Suitable for all ages but very young children may find it boring | Parking: Yes - free for National Trust members of £4 for non members | Disabled access: Yes | Children’s play area: Yes | Toilet on site: Yes | Dog friendly: Dogs welcomed in the grounds, but not inside the castle.

VIEW BODIAM CASTLE

Places to stay nearby:

The Queen's Inn, Rye Road, Hawkhurst - from £117 per night.

On the border of Kent and East Sussex, The Queen’s Inn in Hawkhurst offers rooms and family rooms alongside its high-quality restaurant and bar.

7. Canterbury City Centre Trail, Canterbury

(Image credit: Eye35/Alamy)

Best for outdoor and adventurous kids.

Indulge your kids' imaginations with this great spy-themed, self-guided walk around the historic city of Canterbury. As you follow the route, try to solve the clues and crack the code to solve the mission. Have your kids got what it takes to be a spy? This is a great and really cheap way to get little ones to explore local cities and really notice their surroundings. And while you're there why not check out Canterbury Cathedral? These great value treasure trails are available in a number of cities across the country so have a search to find your nearest one.

Information: Opening times: Take the trail at your leisure, but some included areas close at dusk so you will need to complete the trail before then | Price: £9.99 per family | Age suitability: More suited to older children as lots of walking and clues to solve | Parking: Yes, you can park in any Canterbury car park you find suitable - charges could apply | Disabled access: No, the trail is unsuitable for wheelchair users | Children’s play area: You will find some along the trail | Toilet on site: Toilets can be found along the way - it will be best to look them up the night before you take part in the trail | Dog friendly: Yes

VIEW CANTERBURY CITY CENTRE TRAIL

Places to stay nearby:

ABode Canterbury, 30-33 High St, Canterbury - from £109 per night.

Within Canterbury’s historic city walls, ABode Canterbury is just 300 metres from Canterbury Cathedral. Each room has a luxury en-suite bathroom with a monsoon shower. Rooms also feature a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Children of all ages are welcome, with those aged 0-2 staying free.

8. Hastings Aquarium, Hastings

Best for inquisitive kids.

Head to an underwater world in this great aquarium. With fish of all shapes and colours - not to mention a few sharks - your kids won't be disappointed with what's on offer. Attend the ocean presentation to learn more about the fish and get a front-row view at shark feeding time. There's even a chance to get up close and personal with the creepy crawlies at the reptile-handling session. No matter what you do, you are guaranteed to have a great, if somewhat fishy, day out.

Information: Opening times: Open every day from 10am - 5.30pm | Price: Tickets from standard (age 13 - 64) £13.50, Junior (age 3 - 12) £10.50, family of four £46. Concessions available | Age suitability: Suitable for all ages | Parking: No - there is a pay-and-display car park nearby | Disabled access: Yes | Children’s play area: No | Toilet on site: Yes | Dog friendly: No - guide dogs only

VIEW BLUE REEF AQUARIUM HASTINGS

Places to stay nearby:

Premier Inn Hastings Hotel, 1 John Macadam Way, Hastings, East Sussex - from £55 per night.

This Premier Inn has free parking, and is a 10-minute drive away from some of the top attractions in Hastings, with the aquarium included.

9. Hastings Adventure Golf, Hastings

Best for sporty kids.

Hastings top-rated adventure golf is based right on the seafront, and boasts 3 x 18 course mini golf courses that are suitable for players of all ages. Expect all the usual windmills and water mills with the traditional crazy golf course, and have fun tackling the pirate course complete with two shipwrecks! There's also plenty of snack stands to grab quick bites from whilst making your way around the courses.

Information: Opening times: Open daily from 8.30am - 10pm | Price: Adult tickets from £8.50, child £4.25, various family size deals available | Age suitability: Suitable for all ages, but some young children might find it difficult | Parking: No - there is a pay-and-display car park nearby | Disabled access: Yes | Children’s play area: Yes | Toilet on site: Yes | Dog friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a lead

VIEW HASTINGS ADVENTURE GOLF

Places to stay nearby:

Premier Inn Hastings Hotel, 1 John Macadam Way, Hastings, East Sussex - from £55 per night.

This Premier Inn has free parking, and is a 10-minute drive away from some of the top attractions in Hastings, with the crazy golf course included.

Best for sporty kids.

Keep your kids active with this great indoor trampoline park. With trampolines lining the floor and walls, bouncing has never been more fun! Your kids will go crazy for this amazing way to get active and burn off some energy. This also makes for a great activity if the classic British summer isn't looking great outdoors...

Information: Opening times: Mon: 10am – 7pm, Tue, Wed, Thu: 4 – 7pm, Fri: 10am – 8pm, Sat: 9am – 8pm, Sun: 9am – 6pm, Bank & School Holidays: 9am – 7pm | Price: A 60-minute standard jump starts from £14.50 per person, with various packages available | Age suitability: Those jumping must be over the age of four | Parking: Yes - free, and on site | Disabled access: Yes | Children’s play area: Yes | Toilet on site: Yes | Dog friendly: No, guide dogs only

VIEW AIRHOP GUILDFORD

Places to stay nearby:

Travelodge Guildford, Woodbridge Meadows, Guildford - from £60 per night.

Two minutes from Airhop Guildford, this Travelodge is also close the Guildford Spectrum leisure complex and 1.5 miles from the town centre where you'll find Guildford Cathedral and the Friary Shopping Centre.

15. Tulleys Farm, Crawley

(Image credit: PA IMages/Alamy)

Best for outdoor loving kids.

The attractions at Tulleys Farm change seasonally, and the farm is famed for it's changing line up of escape rooms. The current five rooms have different difficulty levels, allowing you to choose the right one for your family. Although these might be more suited to older children, younger ones can explore the adventure playground, take a tractor ride or play frisbee golf. Your kids will be begging you to come here, time and time again.

Information: Opening times: Open daily from 9am - 5pm, but there are many seasonal events throughout the year - check the website for the time you plan to visit. | Price: Prices vary depending on activities required - please check the website. General entry from adult £12, children £12 | Age suitability: The farm is suitable for all ages, but events are generally suited to teenagers | Parking: Yes - free, and on site | Disabled access: Yes | Children’s play area: Yes | Toilet on site: Yes | Dog friendly: No, guide dogs only

VIEW TULLEYS FARM

Places to stay nearby:

Gatwick Crawley Town (Goff's Park) hotel, 45 Goffs Park Road, Crawley, West Sussex - from £88 per night.

Close to Gatwick Airport, this Premier Inn is also within easy reach of Tulleys Farm, and Goffs Park with relaxing rural walks and countryside views. It's also just a short drive from Tilgate Park, Buchan Country Park, and Crawley Town Centre.

16. Chiselhurst Caves, Kent

Best for adventurous kids.

Head underground and explore the expansive caves in Chiselhurst, running up to 22 miles long. Take a guided tour as you discover mystery and history beneath your feet. Originally dug for chalk, they are now a huge tourist attraction, with stories on the Druids, Roman, Saxons, smugglings and even murder! For adventurous kids, this is a day trip that they will never forget, if you can find your way out, that is...

Information: Opening times: The caves are open Wednesday to Sunday, on Bank Holidays (except Christmas and New Year) and every day during local school holidays, from 10am and the last tour is at 4pm | Price: Adult tickets from £8, children and seniors £6, under 3’s 1p to book online | Age suitability: More suited to over 3s as young children can be frightened by the caves | Parking: Yes - free, and on site | Disabled access: Yes, but with a warning that terrain can be difficult and bumpy to navigate | Children’s play area: No | Toilet on site: Yes | Dog friendly: No, guide dogs only

VIEW CHISELHURST CAVES

Places to stay nearby:

The Crown Inn, School Road,, Bromley - from £145 per night.

Just 1 mile from Chislehurst Railway Station, the Crown Inn has a modern en suite rooms, many with beautiful views of Chislehurst Common. Chiselhurst Caves are just a 4-minute journey away.

17. Royal Pavilion, Brighton

Best for history loving kids.

The Brighton Pavilion is one of the city's most iconic buildings, and one South East attraction you don't want to miss. Built as a seaside pleasure palace for King George IV over 200 years ago, this historic house mixes Regency grandeur with the visual exotics of India and China. Plug in your audio guides and get taken back in time, then finish your visit with a picnic within the beautifully manicured gardens. The nearby beach is just a 5 minute walk away, and a must-visit whilst in the area.

Information: Opening times: April – September, 9.30am – 5.45pm (last admission 5pm) October – March, 10am – 5.15pm (last admission 4.30pm) | Price: Adult tickets from £18, child (age 5-18) £11.00 - this includes free return visits for a year from date of purchase | Age suitability: Best suited to those aged 5 - 12 | Parking: No - pay-as-you-go parking nearby | Disabled access: Yes | Children’s play area: No | Toilet on site: Yes | Dog friendly: Yes, but only in the gardens

VIEW BRIGHTON PAVILION

Places to stay nearby:

18. The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, Great Missenden

(Image credit: John Woodworth/Alamy)

Best for inquisitive kids.

This great little Museum is aimed at 6-12 year-olds and their families and is situated in Roald Dahl’s home village of Great Missenden. Learn some of Roald Dahl’s best quotes, along with details about his life and stories. Touch-screen monitors, hands-on exhibits and activities bring everything to life in an engaging way for kids. Unlock your inner storyteller, and view the author’s original Writing Hut and amazing treasures from the archive in the heart of Roald Dahl country. Workshops, events and free storytelling take place at weekends and in school holidays.

Information: Opening times: Summer Holidays: Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 4.30pm. Half term: Monday to Sunday 10am - 4.30pm. Term-time: Thursday to Sunday 10am - 4.30pm | Price: Tickets for everyone aged 5+ £7.50, under 5s go free, and other concessions are available | Age suitability: Aimed at those aged 6 - 12 | Parking: No - there is a pay-and-display car park a five minute walk from the museum | Disabled access: Yes | Children’s play area: No | Toilet on site: Yes | Dog friendly: No, guide dogs only

VIEW THE ROALD DAHL MUSEUM AND STORY CENTRE

Places to stay nearby:

Travelodge High Wycombe Central, Octagon Parade, High Wycombe - from £38.99

The High Wycombe Central hotel is located a 20-minute drive from the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, and close to the cafes and shops of High Wycombe town centre.

19. Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Oxford

Best for inquisitive and history loving kids.

Give the kids something to aspire to, with a trip to Oxford University and it's Natural History museum. This stunning building is home to some incredible exhibitions and researchers paving the way with conservation. Stare in awe at the huge in-house skeletons of whales, dinosaurs and many more, and check out their changing line up of special exhibitions.

Information: Opening times: Monday – Sunday 10am – 5pm | Price: Free entry | Age suitability: Lots for all ages to look at, with some activities aimed at those aged 3 - 11 | Parking: No - it is recommended to use the park and ride or public transport | Disabled access: Yes | Children’s play area: No | Toilet on site: Yes | Dog friendly: No, guide dogs only

VIEW OXFORD UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Places to stay nearby:

Premier Inn Oxford City Centre (Westgate) hotel, Greyfriars Court, Paradise Square, Oxford - from £112 per night

The Premier Inn Oxford City Centre (Westgate) hotel is not only near the Oxford Museum of Natural History, but also close to Oxford Botanic Garden and Christ Church Meadow, and Oxford Castle and Prison, for more cultural delights while in the area.

20. Diggerland Kent

Best for adventurous kids

Kids are often fascinated with diggers, and a lot of them love rides - Diggerland combines these two childhood fascinations into one incredible day out. You'll find 20 different main rides and have the opportunity to drive and operate diggers, all included with one ticket. Optional extras include the Dodgems, Quad-Bikes and Super Digs which are priced at £1 per go - with no cash machine on site, bringing spare change is a must to enjoy coin operated rides. There's also an indoor soft play and safari ride options, to mix up the digger-orientated experience a little.

Information: Opening times: Open Selected dates in June, September and October and every day in July and August, from 10am - 5pm. Open selected dates in October and November from 10am - 4pm. Closed the rest of the year | Price: Adults to age 65 and children 100cm or over £32, children under 100cm free. There are concessions available | Age suitability: Aimed at kids aged 4 - 14, but some height restrictions apply | Parking: Yes - free, and on site | Disabled access: Yes | Children’s play area: Yes | Toilet on site: Yes | Dog friendly: No, guide dogs only

VIEW DIGGERLAND KENT

Places to stay nearby:

Premier Inn Rochester Hotel, Medway Valley Leisure Park, Chariot Way, Strood - from £55 per night

This riverfront hotel is just 3 minutes from Diggerland, and also well placed for visits to Rochester Castle, the Cathedral, and Chatham's historic dockyard.

For more staycation ideas if you're planning to explore the UK, these Wales family days out showcase the best the country has to offer. If you're heading to Cornwall and the weather isn't looking great, we have the best rainy day activities for you to make use of in the county. If it's the capital you want to explore with the kids, our guide to London family days out has you covered.

23 of the best rainy day activities in Cornwall with kids

Emily.Stedman@futurenet.com (Emily Stedman) — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 09:19:09 +0000

These rainy day activities in Cornwall promise plenty of indoor family fun.

You can't beat a family day out in the South West of England, with Cornwall's golden beaches and stunning natural scenery a hotspot for families during the school holidays.

Whilst we can all dream (and pray) for glorious sunshine, sometimes the weather doesn't always go to plan. And though you could make-do with some indoor activities for kids, there's actually plenty of Cornish attractions that are perfect for exploring when the rain pours. With the only difficulty being which one to chose first...

Rainy day activities in North Cornwall

1. Blue Reef Aquarium, Newquay

A trip to Blue Reef aquarium is one of the best rainy day activities in North Cornwall. Kids will be mesmerised by the 40 plus habitants that call this place home - be it the freshwater turtles and the reef sharks or the pufferfish and other shoals of brightly coloured fish friends. Plus, you might just bump into Charlie the Clownfish for an extra laugh in the incredible underwater tunnel.

Blue Reef Newquay is open 10am-6pm, and is asking visitors to pre-book their tickets online before arriving. Kids under 3 go free, whilst a family ticket (2 adults, 2 juniors) is £45.00 for the day.

Find out more about Blue Reef Aquarium and book tickets for 2023 here

2. Bodmin Jail

Discover Cornwall's dark past with the family at Bodmin Jail in North Cornwall. This indoor, immersive attraction has recently had a facelift and boasts a number of new exhibits including the new 'Dark Walk' experience. This uses lighting and camera effects to transport visitors back in time to when it was a working prison.

Due to the nature of this attraction, this rainy day activity is more suited towards children aged 8 and older. Tickets must be booked in advance, with children costing £10.50, while a ticket for a family of 3 costs £38.00, or £52.20 for a family of four.

Find out more about Bodmin Jail and book tickets for 2023 here

3. Pirate's Quest Newquay

Pirate's Quest in Newquay is a gem of a tourist attraction and perfect for any young pirate fans in the family. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by a friendly pirate who'll take you on a tour around the magical caves, sharing fascinating facts and a fair few scary stories too, after which you can have a go at a game of Pirate Adventure Golf.

Book your tickets ahead of time to avoid disappointment. Each ticket is valid for a certain time slot and you can select one that works best for you on their website.

Find out more about Pirate's Quest and book tickets for adventure golf here

4. Trerice House, Kestle Mill

You can always rely on the National Trust for a fun family day out - even when the weather isn't playing ball. This stunning Elizabethan manor is steeped in history and has great views of the gardens even on the greyest of days. Grab lunch in the Barn restaurant and make a pit stop at the gift shop on your way out.

Trerice House is currently offering timed session tickets online. A family ticket (with a max of three children) costs £30, while it's just £18 for one adult and two children.

Find out more about Trerice House and book tickets for 2023 here

5. Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, Boscastle

Take shelter from the rain at the world’s oldest and largest collection of witchcraft and magic in beautiful Boscastle. Whilst this isn't a recommended activity for toddlers, it's sure to fascinate older children with it details on the history of magic and 3000 unusual artefacts.

Tickets are released a week in advance of dates and the museum are operating strict timed entrance - so be sure to book!

Find out more about the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic and book tickets for 2023 here

6. Bodmin and Wenford Railway

Take a trip back in time and spend an afternoon chugging around the beautiful Cornish countryside in a classic locomotive. The Bodmin and Wenford railway is one of the best rainy day activities in Cornwall, with the indoor carriages providing a cosy, warm shelter from the wet weather. Plus there's a tasty tea service available on board serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and other refreshments. Little ones will love riding on a real life Thomas the tank engine, whilst mum and dad kick back with a coffee.

The railway offers four departure times: 10:30am, 11:50am, 13:15pm and 14:35pm. And journeys last just over two hours, arriving back at the Bodmin station where passengers departed from. It's advised that families book their tickets in advance before turning up on the day.

Find out more about Bodmin and Wenford Railway and book tickets for 2023 here

7. Dairyland Farm Park, Newquay

Fun in all weather, Dairyland Farm Park has been operating since 1975 and offers the opportunity for a day of family fun while meeting the animals. In the Hay Barn, you can enjoy a Pat-a-Pet session or bottle feed the animals, and there's also trampolines, a play area for small children, Digger Zone, the Animal Ark, Flying Fox zip wire, Nature Trail and lakes which you can take a gentle stroll around, or even jump on a Tractor Ride.

In addition, there's the opportunity to visit the museum of Cornish Heritage and find out more about how past generations lived and worked with an exhibition loaned by Newquay Old Cornwall Society, plus a number of eateries to tuck into too.

Find out more about Dairyland Farm Park and book your tickets here

8. Oasis Fun Pools, Newquay

When the weather prevents you from swimming in the sea, head to Oasis Fun Pools in Newquay instead! There's two swimming pools to choose from, a river rapid ride, a water canyon and geyser, a giant tap, fountain and waterfalls. There's three different flumes too.

You'll want to book in advance because this venue gets very busy, and bear in mind that use of the flumes and rapids will be restricted to competent swimmers over 1.2 metres in height, and children under 4 must be accompanied by a responsible adult in the water at a ratio of 1 adult to 1 child. Meanwhile, children between 4 and 8 years must be accompanied at a ratio of 1 adult to 2 children and children between 9 and 13 years must be accompanied at a ratio of 1 adult to 5 children.

Find out more about Oasis Fun Pools and book your activity here

Rainy day activities in East Cornwall

9. Cotehele House, Saltash

East Cornwall is home to a number of stunning National Trust properties including Cotele House and Mill in Saltash. The Tudor house officially re-opened it's doors on 17 May and visitors can check out the incredible collection of medieval armour displayed throughout the house. There's also the discovery centre that tells the story of Tamar Valley and the Edgcumbe tea-room which serves a delicious Cornish cream tea. After exploring the house, be sure to take the short walk (with an umbrella) to the cute Cotehele Mill.

There is an online booking system in operation at Cotele so be sure to pre-book your tickets (and timed entry) before heading to the house.

Find out more about Cotehele House and book tickets for 2023 here

10. Tamar Valley Donkey Park

A little bit of drizzle won't get in the way of some donkey spotting in the Tamar Valley. This donkey park has a wide range of furry friends - goats, sheep and rabbits - and they're all available to pet in the indoor play-barn. Plus, kids can run ragged in the soft play area, whilst adults take a well deserved break at Holly's Cafe, serving the classic cream tea and other hot and cold meals.

Guests are asked to pre-book their tickets in advance. Children under two can get in for free, with tickets for older kids priced at £8.50 and adult tickets costing £8.95.

Find out more about Tamar Valley Donkey Park and book tickets for 2023 here

11. Antony House, Torpoint

Antony House is an early 18th century estate steeped in history and stories of the wealthy Carew family. Mums and dads will enjoy the fine interiors of this home, whilst kids will be fascinated by the old toys the Carew children used to play with.

Pre-booking your tickets online is advised, especially when planning a weekend visit. Though mid-week visitors can snap up tickets on the door too.

Find out more about Antony House and book tickets for 2023 here

Rainy day activities in South Cornwall

12. Eden project, St Austell

The Eden Project is the perfect place to enjoy a number of rainy day activities in South Cornwall. The iconic greenhouses are home to thousands of plant species and the obscure infinity blue and seed sculptures. Plus, the outdoor gardens are open during wet weather too if you're feeling brave enough to venture out and explore.

The Eden Project is selling special timed ticketing slots for all visitors to maintain effective social distancing. They ask that you pre-book your tickets before turning up.

Find out more about the Eden Project and book tickets for 2023 here

13. Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro

This Truro attraction is the oldest and largest museum in Cornwall. It showcases the best of Cornish talent and culture through fascinating art exhibitions and rare historical artefacts. Though the highlight has to be the Egyptian mummy on site, that is sure to surprise and scare a few kids.

The museum is the cheapest of our rainy day activities in Cornwall, as children enter for free whilst adult day passes are just £5.00. Tickets are to be bought in person at the venue with opening times available on their website.

Find out more about the Royal Cornwall Museum and their opening times here

14. Carnglaze Caverns, Liskeard

Kids will love exploring the nooks and crannies of Carnglaze Caverns - three gigantic man-made caverns formed as part of a slate quarry in the Loveny Valley. The caves provide the perfect shelter from wet weather and have lots of hidden inhabitants, including fairies and dragons, and a few woodland creatures too.

We'd recommended checking out their concert and cinema listings ahead of your visit to see if your visit coincides with a special screening or in-person performance. Tour tickets can be purchased online or on site, with a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) costing you £22.50.

Find out more about Carnglaze Caverns and book tickets for 2023 here

15. Falmouth Art Gallery

The Falmouth Art Gallery is a very inviting attraction for families on a wet and windy day in South Cornwall. The gallery is free to visit, has a 4.5 star rating on trip advisor, and boasts an award for it's family-friendliness. Kids will be kept busy with the three exhibitions on display, plus free craft workshops designed for little hands to let loose in.

Whilst entrance is free, the gallery are operating a booking system during covid restrictions. So be sure to secure you ticket online before arrival.

Find out more about Falmouth Art Gallery and book your free ticket here

16. National Maritime Museum, Falmouth

Falmouth's national maritime museum is packed with amazing exhibitions that are sure to keep the family busy for a rainy afternoon. The attraction covers Cornwall's maritime history through the centuries via interactive exhibits and special storytelling sessions for kids. Be sure to check out their new exhibition 'Monsters of the Deep' and visit the basement Tidal Zone, for incredible views of the town's harbour.

To avoid disappointment, book your timed entry tickets in advance. The website is selling half-an-hour entry slots to monitor visitor numbers and establish safe covid protocols.

Find out more about Cornwall's National Maritime Museum and book your free ticket here

Rainy day activities in West Cornwall

17. Heartlands Cornwall, Redruth

Situated in the Unesco World Heritage Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape, Heartlands is a beautiful scenic spot to enjoy even on a rainy day. The attraction features a fascinating and interactive museum that will educate the family on the history of the former mining village. Plus a colourful indoor soft play area called Whealy Play, which boasts a fun mining-theme.

Some of the outdoor adventure playground also has covered play tunnels - should your little ones feel the need to brave the wet weather.

Entrance to the museum and outdoor space is free. Though Whealy Play costs £4.95 per child - which includes a two-hour time slot to enjoy the soft play.

Find out more about Heartlands Cornwall and book your soft play ticket here

18. Tate St Ives

The Tate St Ives is home to an incredible collection of fine art and sculptures, housed in a stunning conceptual white building that's right on Porthmeor beach. Amongst the permanent collections on display is Haegue Yang's Strange Attractors exhibition, new for 2021. Kids can explore the weird and wonderful art installations via the special family trail route and through the fun activity packs available to pick up at reception.

Under 18s get in for free, whilst adult tickets cost £10.50. All family members - free or not - need to pre-book a timed entry ticket before arriving.

Find out more about the Tate St Ives and book your tickets here

19. Paradise Park, Hayle

Paradise Park may be home to hundreds of birds and wildlife. But it's their indoor soft play centre that makes it one of the best rainy day activities in West Cornwall. Parents can kick back and watch the little ones explore the Spinning Steps, Astra Slide, Squeeze rollers and much more.

A family saver pass for entrance to the park and soft play centre costs £52.50. You'll be asked to select a specific time slot for entrance to the JungleBarn when you pre-book your tickets online. Those who book the 10am JungleBarn session can stay and enjoy the park. And those who book at 1pm or 3:30pm are invited to explore the park earlier. Note that socks are required to play in the indoor soft play centre.

Find out more about Paradise Park and book your Park and JungleBarn tickets here

20. Museum of Global Communications, Porthcurno

Porthcurno's Museum of Global Communications is a time-travelling treat the whole family can enjoy in wet weather. The attraction takes you on a journey of telecommunication through the years, sharing the history of the telegraph and allowing kids - young and small - to venture through the incredible World War II tunnels linked to Porthcurno beach. The Museum has an impressive 4.5 star rating on Tripadvisor too - with one reviewer commenting that her husband "said it was his favourite attraction of our trip to Cornwall".

The centre is limiting the number of visitors during covid and so admissions are staggered into half-hourly time slots. Guests are asked to kindly reserve a spot for free at least 24 hours in advance. You'll then pay for your tickets upon arrival. A family ticket for 2 adults and 3 children will cost you £26.00.

Find out more about the Museum of Global Communications and reserve your timed entry tickets here

21. Raze the Roof, Penryn

Raze the Roof is the perfect location for kids to spend their pent-up energy on a rainy day. The indoor activity and soft play area boasts mega play frame, slides, climbing wall, ball cannons, astro glide. There's a virtual reality arena too - in fact it's Cornwall’s biggest 20 player free roam experience.

Meanwhile, adults can enjoy a drinks and refreshment plus a selection of magazines in a comfortable café with a fresh food and drink menu.

Find out more about Raze the Roof and book your tickets here

22. Geevor Tin Mine, Pendeen

This family-friendly heritage attraction is the place to discover the story of Cornish metal mining. It's a learning centre as well as a museum, and there's plenty of hands-on activities to keep everyone entertained, from going inside a real mine, having a go at panning for 'gold' and discovering the Hard Rock Museum.

All activities are included in the entry ticket, which costs £57.75 for a family of two adults and up to three children, while children under 4 go free.

Find out more about Geevor Tin Mine and reserve your tickets here

23. Country Skittles, Hayle

Family fun is guaranteed at Country Skittles in Hayle on a gloomy afternoon or evening. The entertainment venue features four skittle alleys, a games arcade, plus a bar and highly-recommended restaurant. One reviewer on Tripadvisor says that they visit the attraction every year on holiday. Whilst others have commented that they couldn't fault the food which was "great value for money".

Bookings for the alley and restaurant should be made via phone or email, with details available on their website. Lanes are reserved for half an hour and a game of 3-8 players costs £14.50 in total.

Find out more about Country Skittles and how to book your skittle games here

Related features:

Video of the Week

Glitter jars: How to make your own calm down jar or bottle

Joanne Lewsley — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 15:27:00 +0000

Glitter jars are a DIY sensory experience that can help to soothe and calm your child's mind.

With their swirling patterns and pop of sparkle, these glitter jars or 'calming jars' can be an antidote for dysregulated kids (dysregulation can look like irritable, angry, temper tantrums and outbursts). The movement of the glitter, glue and water can help to soothe and calm troubled minds. Just give them a good shake, then watch until the glitter settles in the bottom of the jar to refocus and refresh your overwhelmed child, making these DIY toys an excellent mindfulness activity for kids.

Editor's note

Note: For younger children, we'd recommend using a plastic jar or bottle rather than a glass jar to prevent accidents. Our quantities are based on a standard 500ml jar, so you may need to scale up the ratios if you're using a larger bottle or container.

Calming jars can be part of a broader strategy to teach your child emotional regulation. Watching the motions and colours in the jar swirl and settle can help your child calm their mind and focus their attention and breathing.

Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to make a glitter or calming jar, along with a helpful video. Plus, we speak to an education expert about how this simple tool can help children manage their emotions at school and home.

What is a glitter jar?

It is usually a clear, transparent jar or bottle filled with liquid (water or clear glue), glitter, or other small, colourful objects like sequins, beads, or tiny toys. A glitter jar, also known as a mindfulness or calm-down jar, is a simple and visually captivating tool often used for relaxation and stress reduction, particularly in mindfulness and meditation practices.

Credit: MakeaGIF.com

Some parents use glitter jars as regulation timers. You can do this by sitting with your little one to watch the jar until the flakes have all fallen. However, if your child is very upset, don't force them to use the calming jar. This simple tool works much better when your child is relatively calm. It can also be a helpful distraction if you spot early signs of frustration or anxiety, preventing a bigger meltdown later on.

Glitter jars are super-customisable, and you can experiment with different colours objects, and jar sizes to create a personal experience that your child can enjoy and relate to. They're also easy to make at home - read on for instructions!

Watch how to make a glitter jar:

To make a glitter jar you will need:

A jar or plastic bottle
A jug of warm water
60ml glitter glue
3 drops of gel food colouring
60g-80g glitter

How to make a glitter jar at home

1. Add warm water to your jar or bottle. Pour the water until it reaches around a third of the way up.

2. Add the glitter glue. Squeeze in your chosen glitter glue and stir until it has combined with the water.

3. Add around 3 drops of food colour and stir. You can add more or less depending on your preferred shade, but remember not to add too much or the mixture will become very dark and it will become hard to see the glitter.

4. Pour in the glitter. Again, you can use more or less than suggested or go for a mix of chunky and fine glitter to give more texture to your jar. Stir well until combined with the existing mixture.

5. Top up your jar with the rest of the warm water. Pour in the water until it is almost full. Leave a little gap at the top of the jar to allow the mixture to move. Then secure the lid.

Optional: If you like, you can use super glue to stick the lid to the top of the jar or bottle.
Top tip: Some of our Goodto Facebook followers tell us that adding a squirt of baby oil or liquid soap to your jar can give a slower-moving 'galaxy' effect - give it a try and let us know how you get on!

How do glitter jars calm kids down?

Glitter jars have a calming quality that can improve a child's mental health, helping them deal with big emotions like anger, anxiety and stress.

We spoke to Genevieve Ford, Deputy Head and Pastoral Head of Downe House School in Berkshire, to learn more. "The key benefit of the calming jar is its ability to promote emotional regulation", says Genevieve. "When children become upset or anxious, they can shake the jar and watch as the swirling glitter settles. This process mirrors the settling of their own racing thoughts and emotions."

Genevieve recommends using calming jars to help children focus and concentrate,e too. "In a world filled with distractions, teaching children how to concentrate on one thing at a time is invaluable. As they watch the glitter slowly settle, they learn to concentrate on the present moment, fostering a sense of mindfulness that can be carried into their academic and personal lives."

According to Genevieve, a calming jar can even be incorporated into a bedtime routine to wind down and relax before your little one drifts off to sleep. "By incorporating this simple yet effective tool into their daily routines, we can empower our children with valuable skills they can carry with them throughout their lives, helping them navigate the challenges of the modern world with resilience and calm."

Love crafting with your kids? Get even more inspired with our free craft templates, learn how to create your very own bunny rabbit doll and discover 50 easy crafts for kids that are fun, fast to set up, and totally engaging.

15 of the best family days out in Yorkshire

Sharon Sweeney-Lynch — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 15:27:17 +0000

Soak up the sun and some holiday fun with one of these best family days out in Yorkshire.

With its beautiful landscapes and unspoiled countryside, Yorkshire is the perfect place to enjoy a number of family days out in the North East.

The region is packed with plenty of fun things to do with kids, with an afternoon in the area most likely leading you to a farm, a popular kids zoo or even a historic coal mine...

The best family days out in Yorkshire:

1. Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Children will love getting up close to a whole host of exotic animals in this fabulous park near Doncaster. As they walk around the park, they’ll meet lions, polar bears, tigers, giraffes, meerkats, zebras and more, with the chance to learn a thing or two at one of the many talks that take place throughout the day. Whilst this is one of the best family days out in Yorkshire, it's worth knowing that you can extend your trip and stretch out the fun with their on-site camping facilities. Perfect for a little weekend away!

The park is open until 7:30pm daily and is only welcoming visitors who have pre-booked their tickets ahead of time - which can be done via their website online.

Find out more about Yorkshire Wildlife Park and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

2. Cannon Hall Farm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8fSgT_Xwx0

This award-winning farm near Barnsley will thrill kids and adults alike. As well as adorable farm animals, there’s a reptile house and play areas. Watch milking demonstrations, sheep and ferret races and don’t miss out on a tractor ride. The farm was recently featured on the Channel 5 series, This Week on the Farm - and they have some great social media accounts, so you can keep up to date with your favourite animals.

Cannon Hall asks that guest kindly pre-book their tickets online, so that they can monitor visitor numbers during covid.

Find out more about Cannon Hall Farm and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

3. Harewood House

Set in stunning gardens near Leeds, children will love the Harewood House Farm Experience where they can meet pot-bellied pigs, pygmy goats and friendly alpacas. The amazing Bird Garden has adorable Humboldt penguins, colourful parrots, flamingos, and one of the world’s largest owl species. Plus be sure to check out the new Woodland Wonderland trail with it's amazing new pop up play space.

All visits to Harewood House must be pre-booked, with a family ticket (2 adults and 2 kids) setting you back £40. It's also worth checking their events calendar before heading out, with theatre productions, foodie festivals and the open-air cinema three summer specials to take advantage of.

Find out more about Harewood House and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

4. York Bird of Prey Centre

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx9clppCYWY

Located 12 miles north of York, the centre is home to over 80 birds, including kookaburras and eagles. It holds two flying displays every day. Plus, there are also Hawk Walks and Owl Experiences, where staff encourage and help visitors to handle and even fly these beautiful creatures.

Tickets to this bird centre can be bought on the door, but we recommend booking in advance if you're thinking of doing one of their fabulous feathered experiences. One Tripadvisor favourite is the half day falconry experience where you can get up close and personal (and even hold) owls, falcons and hawks.

Find out more about the York Bird of Prey Centre and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

4. Newby Hall

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJdl2uLkaK0

An adventure playground? Check. A functioning steam railway on site? Check. AND a stunning house and gardens to explore? Check! Newby Hall is one of the best family days out in Yorkshire, with plenty of activities to fill an afternoon. Fans of the Antiques Roadshow will also recognise this attraction as a regular venue of the beloved BBC show. So don't be surprised if you see some filming taking place during your visit.

You can choose between two ticket options - Gardens only or a combined House and Gardens ticket. And pre-booking is essential, so make sure you order online to avoid disappointment on the day.

Find out more about Newby Hall and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

6. Flamingo Land

You get two for the price of one at Flamingo Land as it’s both a theme park and a zoo! You can take on Mumbo Jumbo’s 112° vertical drop, have a splashing time on the Lost River Ride and even Meet a Creature as the Chief Education Officer brings out a host of creepy crawlies, snakes and frogs for kids to see up close. They even have their own private, self-contained Holiday Village in case you want to make a holiday of it. One of their luxury lodges is bound to tickle your fancy!

The bumper attraction is following strict covid protocols during covid and visits must be pre-booked online. Have the NHS track and trace app to hand when venturing in as they'll ask you to scan your details upon arrival.

Find out more about Flamingo Land and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

7. Another World Adventure Centre

Your little adventurers can get involved in a whole host of activities at Another World Adventure Centre in Ogden, Halifax. One of the best adrenaline pumping family days out in Yorkshire. Hidden within its own forest, Another World offers you an adventure vortex and with so many different activities on offer here, you simply cannot run out of things to do.There’s everything from archery and paintballing to den building, grass sledging and bumper balls.

In light of covid restrictions, the centre is now operating six activity packages which range in price from £32 to £105 per family. They must be pre-booked via the phone or through their website contact form.

Find out more about Another World Adventure and make a booking enquiry here

8. Lightwater Valley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nLcfE2Luck

Thrill-seekers will love this funpacked family adventure park, with more than 30 rides and attractions. The Wild River Rapids is heaps of fun and there’s an express train ride around the park, plus mini sand diggers and an adventure playground. Little ones will also love the new Safari experience packed with all their favourite animals - new for the 2021 re-opening.

Visitors will be pleased to know that all rides and indoor facilities are operating as normal at Lightwater Valley. You must make sure you pre-book your tickets ahead of entry, with the park montioring visitor numbers during covid.

Find out more about Lightwater Valley and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

9. Go Ape, Dalby Forest

High-wire adventure at Go Ape

Treetop adventure is what this is all about so you’ll need a head for heights as you navigate tricky crossings, wobbly bridges and shriek-inducing zip wires. Not only does Go Ape give you that sense of adventure, it also gives you great views of the Great Yorkshire Forest and the Vale of Pickering. For those who’d rather stick to the forest floor, forest segways are available to hire too.

The Go Ape website states that pre-booking is currently essential. So be sure to book your treetop challenge, adventure or forest segway way in advance.

Find out more about Go Ape Dalby and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

10. National Coal Mining Museum, Wakefield

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeiDtURfQcE

The National Coal Mining Museum in Yorkshire is a must-visit whilst in the area - providing plenty of rich, fascinating insight into the region's history. Visitors are invited to take a trip down one of the last remaining mines and hear stories of the industry's heyday through a number of interactive and engaging exhibitions. And thankfully, the centre has both indoor and outdoor elements, so they'll still be lots of things to do if the rain begins to pour.

Museum visitors must book their tickets and subsequent time-slots online. Time slots are spaced at 10 minute intervals to operate safe social-distancing. Whilst masks must be worn when entering indoor exhibitions in light of government guidelines.

Find out more about the National Coal Mining Museum and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

11. Jorvik Dig

Tucked away beneath the streets of York, Jorvik Dig is a great experience for budding archaeologists. It has four replica indoor excavation pits where kids can grab a trowel and dig for themselves – discovering a host of Roman, Viking, Medieval and Victorian treasures which are based on real artefacts. Your experience will also include a talk from an archaeologist and there's an outdoor play area that's perfect for the little ones too.

Tickets to Jorvik Dig must be pre-booked online via their website. And note that gloves and masks will be provided and used during the DIG experience to ensure optimum visitor safety.

Find out more about Jorvik Dig and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

12. The Forbidden Corner

Tucked away in the Yorkshire Dales is The Forbidden Corner - undoubtedly one of the best family days out in Yorkshire.

This magical and mysterious place will delight all the family thanks to it's unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers (make sure you’re wearing your waterproofs), follies and surprises created within a four acre garden in the heart of Tupgill Park. Discover the temple of the underworld, strange statues and a magical tower with decisions to make around every corner. Watch out for the shocks and tricks along the way as this is a day out with a difference. Pre-booking is essential.

Entry to the Forbidden Corner is by advanced booking only and visitors are asked to wear face masks when exploring indoor areas of the attraction. Adult entry costs £13.50 and child tickets are £11.50, but if you book a trip during Monday to Friday you can get 4 tickets for the price of 3.

Find out more about The Forbidden Corner and book tickets for summer 2021 here

13. Mother Shipton’s Cave

This spooky visitor attraction near Knaresborough has been open since… drum roll... 1630! With a mysterious cave where the famous prophetess was born, a wishing well, pixie village, woodland walks and an adventure park, it’s bound to create a little spike of adrenaline! And the setting alongside the River Nidd, next to the Petrifying Well, England’s oldest visitor attraction, is beautiful. Dogs are welcome in all areas of the Mother Shipton’s park, apart from the adventure playground, so you can bring your four-legged friend too.

Visitors are currently asked to book tickets online ahead of their trip. If you are arriving car you must pre-book a ticket that includes the car parking fee, which will save you valuable time (and a lot of hassle!) on the day itself.

Find out more about Mother Shipton's and book tickets for summer 2021 here

14. Billy Bob’s Ice Cream Parlour

https://www.facebook.com/491847317566292/posts/4008749082542747/

A trip to this 1950s-style ice cream parlour and diner near Bolton Abbey and Skipton is a must! Looking like the set of Grease, this gem of a parlous is one of the snazziest family days out in Yorkshire, with its ice selection truly unbeatable. And while the adults indulge in a Black Cherry Chocolate Bomb Sundae, the kids can run wild in the outdoor play areas.

Tables at Billy Bob's must be pre-booked. In accordance with the current rule of six government guidelines, tables can only be booked for up to six people at present.

Find out more about Billy Bob's Ice Cream Parlour and book your diner reservation here

15. Yummy Yorkshire

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPYLIg3Kl2v/

This ice cream at this popular restaurant and ice cream parlour has zero food miles. Why? Because the milk literally comes from the farm next door! Based in Denby Dale, Yummy Yorkshire’s speciality is unusual flavours like liquorice or beetroot, though traditionalists are catered for, too, with vanilla, strawberry and chocolate firmly on the menu! It's definitely worth the trip.

The restaurant and ice cream parlour re-opened it's doors on 16th May and continue to be open everyday with no need to pre-book ahead.

Find out more about Yummy Yorkshire and plan your visit here

15 best family days out in the North East: Cheap things to do with your kids

Nic Hopkirk — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 12:57:00 +0000

Enjoy some quality time with your nearest and dearest on one of these best family days out in the North East.

With the school summer holidays just around the corner, parents are eager to get some fun things to do with kids in the diary. And the North East is the perfect destination to explore a whole range of adventures together.

Make friends with some animals, have fun with some diggers or seek out one of the best castles for kids - just three of our exciting and budget-friendly family days out ideas that are sure to see the kids smiling.

These are the best family days out in the North East

1. Hadrians Wall and Fort, Hexham

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGcpiwL3CEg

This amazing historical site is an absolute must! With stunning views and natural wilderness, explore the wall that separated England from the Scots in the Roman's time. Visit the fort for a real insight into Roman military life and the archaeological remains that have been found. If you want to get your kids out in the fresh air, this is the perfect day out for all the family.

The grounds and interior spaces at this English Heritage site are both open with covid measures being followed. Advanced booking is essential if you're planning a visit, with a family ticket (2 adults and 3 children) setting you back £25.80.

Find out more about Hadrian's Wall and book tickets for summer 2021 here

2. The Forbidden Corner, Coverham

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkLD8-bezGQ

This unique day trip will make your children feel like a real-life Indiana Jones or Lara Croft! With a labyrinth of tunnels, chambers and surprises, there's no guarantee that you will ever escape! At every turn there are decisions to make and tricks to avoid. Winner of the Tripadvisor 2015 Certificate of Excellence, you may need to hone your survival skills before you venture out.

Find out more about The Forbidden Corner and book tickets for summer 2021 here

3. Bolton Castle, Leyburn

https://twitter.com/bolton__castle/status/1379367557166211072

This might just be the most exciting castle we've ever come across. Not only does it offer a beautiful castle steeped in history, and equally stunning gardens, but you can watch the daily birds of prey display, try your hand at archery, feed the wild boar and dress up in medieval costumes. Your children will leave feeling as though they just travelled back in time to 600 years ago. This is one of the family days out in the North East that will really let you in on the region's fascinating history.

Both the castle and grounds are open to the public and it's advised that guests pre-book their tickets online before visiting. This is because the attraction is adopting a limited visitor policy during covid. You can choose between a castle and gardens ticket (£35 for family of 4) or a gardens only ticket (£15 for family of 4)

Find out more about Bolton Castle and book tickets for summer 2021 here

4. Diggerland, Durham

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3SSTGdHobU

Diggerland is a theme park where children can ride, drive and operate full size construction machinery. Think it sounds a little like a health and safety nightmare? Don't worry, everything's child-friendly and super fun! Try out the digger rides, including excavating with a 6 tonne digger! There are also play areas, sandpits and fun spaces for smaller kids. For all those 'Bob the Builder' fans, this will be a theme park trip like no other.

Diggerland has advised customers not to travel to a park without a pre-booked ticket. If a day appears sold out online, there will be no tickets available to buy on the day, so it's best to book ahead to avoid disappointment. We'd also recommend checking the site's height requirement information, as children have to be a certain height to ride the diggers and go on the ride.

Find out more about Diggerland Durham and book tickets for summer 2021 here

5. North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Pickering

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city as you climb aboard this wonderful heritage steam train. Travel through the breathtaking Yorkshire countryside and hop off at Grosmont, better known to Harry Potter fans as Hogsmeade. Take a trip to Whitby, or check out the special events and themed journeys. A relaxing day for all the family, take a picnic and hop off the train to enjoy the countryside.

The railway is following strict covid hygiene practices and has reduced their capacity of guests on board to ensure visitor safety. It is encouraged that families book their tickets online - ahead of arrival - with two options available. The Freedom Ticket (£82 for a family of four) allows you to hop on and off across various stations on the Pickering and Whitby line. Whilst the Internal Services ticket (£62 for a family of four) is restricted to visits at Levisham, Goathland and Grosmont stations only.

Find out more about North Yorkshire Moors Railway and book tickets for summer 2021 here

6. Whitehouse Farm Centre, Morpeth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPP7w_rOSG4

Unlike most farms, this unique attraction allows visitors to hold and feed the animals. A real hands-on experience, your kids will relish the opportunity to bottle feed a lamb, calf or piglet. Make sure to time your visit to ensure they haven't grown up too much! Once you're done with the animals there's a great soft play barn, tractor rides and go-karts. This will be one of your little ones favourite family days out in the North East - they'll love getting to meet all the cute creatures.

Tickets for Whitehouse must be pre-booked and these should be purchased at least 24 hours before you plan to visit - with guests not able to buy tickets for the same day online. Entry is also subject to certain time slots, so be sure to arrive on time for your family farming adventure.

Find out more about Whitehouse Farm Centre and book tickets for summer 2021 here

7. St Mary's Lighthouse and Visitor Centre, Whitley Bay

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St Mary's Lighthouse is the perfect way to spend a sunny day and is one of the cheapest family days out in the North East. Challenge the whole clan to climb all 137 steps to the top for stunning coastal views. And see if you can spot a small colony of seals during the summer months!

Adults admission costs £3.70 whilst children and senior citizen tickets cost £1.90. Tickets must be strictly pre-booked via phone or email, as the centre operates a reduced visitors policy during covid.

Find out more about St Mary's Lighthouse and how to book tickets here

8. York Dungeon, York

Scare your kids silly by taking them to this interactive, spine chilling dungeon which will make for one of the most spooky family days out in the North East for sure. Witness some of York's most gruesome history come to life such as the plague and Guy Fawkes. Travel through time and learn all about the darkest secrets York has to offer. This is not a day trip to be taken lightly, but for those old enough (8+ is advised), it's a really exciting attraction, as long as you come out in one piece!

The City Walking tour is recommended for kids scared by the dungeons, with tickets available for tours Friday to Sunday from £7.50. Otherwise Standard Daily admission tickets to the Dungeons (with timed entry slots) should be pre-booked online, where customers can save 20% off the on-the-door price.

Find out more about Whitehouse Farm Centre and book tickets for summer 2021 here

9. LaserZone, Castleford

Credit: LaserZone

What better way to get the kids off the screens, than by allowing them to shoot each other? (Laser only!) A derelict spacecraft has landed, surrounded by smoke, lights and enemies. Explore the multi-level arena and shoot your opponents to score points. This active day out is bound to keep the kids entertained for hours.

LaserZone Camelford has re-opened Fridays to Sundays and is open every day during the school holidays. It is essential that you pre-book your game, which is subject to the current rule of six restrictions. Price packages start from £6 per person.

Find out more about LaserZone Camelford and make a booking enquiry here

10. Round the Twist, Newcastle

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Spend the day at the North East's biggest and best soft play area that promises adventures for all ages. This attraction is perfect for family days out when the weather isn't playing ball, with indoor miniature golf, slides, ropes and a little people village providing hours of kid entertainment.

Round the Twist is now open 7 days a week with free activities for kids available Mon-Fri between 10am-1pm. Tickets can be pre-booked online or bought on the day.

Find out more about Round the Twist and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

11. Seven Stories, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Perfect for younger kids, this amazing charity brings stories to life. Under 4's can enjoy the Story Station, with sensory boxes and other interactive items to act out the story. Explore the Nursery Rhyme Room and discover old and new stories and learn how they are put together. This great day out will introduce your kids to the wonderful world of reading and show them just how magical it can be.

Whilst the events and exhibitions at Seven Stories are free, visitors are asked to reserve their place online before attending. This is to monitor visitor numbers during covid.

Find out more about Round the Twist and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

12. The Living Museum of the North, Beamish

Take a trip back in time and learn how the Northerners used to live at beautiful Beamish. This fascinating open-air museum has attractions showing life between the 1800-1940s, including a farm with pigs and a fully-operating steam railway. Plus little ones will love bumping into the actors and hearing tales of times gone by.

Beamish state that pre-booking is mandatory, with designated timed entry slots available on their website. All indoor and outdoor elements of the attraction are now open for families to enjoy.

Find out more about The Living Museum of the North and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

13. Tynemouth Aquarium

Get up close and personal with some adorable and tropical sealife creatures. The aquarium features hundreds of species - from mini Nemos to star fish and even seals. Plus there's hourly talks and a chance to feed some of your new under the sea friends between 11 and 3pm. Just be sure to book on to a talk that suits you upon arrival at recpetion.

Tynemouth aquarium have stressed that you don't need to pre-book tickets, but they are available online should you wish to purchase before your trip. Family tickets for 2 adults and 2 children cost £42.50 for a day visit.

Find out more about Tynemouth Aquarium and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

14. Go Ape, Matfen

Swing from the trees and scale new heights at Go Ape in Matfen - one of the most exhilarating family days out in the North East. Kids and parents can tackle the treetop challenge or try their hand at axe throwing surrounded by some stunning green scenery. Sensible clothing and footwear is recommended and be sure to pack gloves for extra comfort when climbing.

Go Ape's website states that pre-booking is essential so don;t turn up to the site empty-handed with some soon-to-be disappointed kids. The treetop challenge lasts between 2-3 hours, and an axe throwing session lasts for a full hour.

Find out more about Go Ape Matfen and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

15. Hartlepools Maritime Experience, Hartlepool

Bringing to life the time of Nelson, Napoleon and the Battle of Trafalgar, The National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool is a superb re-creation of an 18^th century seaport. Travel back in time to experience how it was aboard a real British naval frigate, explore the authentic quayside with its period shops and houses and discover the Children's Maritime Adventure Centre, including a large wooden play-ship!

It's mandatory for visitors to pre-book tickets to Hartlepool's Maritime Experience. With ticket prices starting from £6.00 for children.

Find out more about the Hartlepool Maritime Experience and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

Strawberry picking: our guide to the best places in the UK

Sibelle Mehmet — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 08:00:00 +0000

Strawberry picking is the ideal way to spend a day out with your family.

Red, juicy strawberries are best eaten as soon as they've been picked, and one of the easiest ways you can do this is to get them at your local fruit picking farm.

Strawberries are in season from late May through to September, making it a perfect school summer holiday family activity. Though the strawberry picking season varies from farm to farm and depends on the weather, so check on the websites or call the numbers listed below before visiting.

Here's our round up of the best farms across the country for strawberry picking.

The South of England

South East England

Grove Farm in Leighton Buzzard

Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries, redcurrants and blackcurrants What else can I do here? After you have picked your own fruit you can stock up on vegetables too. Fresh vegetables grown on the farm are available to buy from a stall onsite. There is also a picnic area How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end Where? Grove Farm PYO, Great Gap, Ivinghoe, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 9DZ Website: grovefarmpyo.co.uk

Contact: 01296 668175

McLauchlans of Boxted Berry farm in Essex

Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries, gooseberries, redcurrants and blackcurrants What else can I do here? You can buy both fresh and frozen fruit, dairy products and potatoes from the farm shop. You will need to book at slot here due to Covid-19 restrictions. How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end. Where? 53 Straight Road, Boxted, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5RB Website: boxtedberries.com

Contact: 01206 272275

Hamels Park Farm and Pearce's Farm Shop in Hertfordshire

Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries What else can I do here? Visit the cafe for refreshments and browse for a variety of locally-sourced foods in the farm shop. How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end Where? Hamels Park Farm, Hamels Mead, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 9ND Website: pearcesfarmshop.com

Contact: 01920 821246

https://www.facebook.com/222813067787645/photos/a.1566030806799191/3907910285944553/?type=3&theater

Peterley Manor Farm in Buckinghamshire

Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, apples and plums What else can I do here? There is a cafe, a farm shop which sells fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables, pressed apple juice and cakes, and also a nursey selling plants and hanging baskets. Opens in June or early July 2021. How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end Where? Peterley Manor Farm, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, HP16 0HH Website: peterleymanorfarm.co.uk

Contact: 01494 863566

Crockford Bridge Farm Shop and Pick Your Own in Surrey

Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and rhubarb What else can I do here? This farm has a farm shop, coffee shop, ice cream parlour and children's play area How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end Where? New Haw Road, Addlestone, Weybridge, Surrey, KT15 2BU Website: crockfordbridgefarm.co.uk

Contact: 01932 853 886

Credit: Crockford Bridge Farm Shop and Pick Your Own/Facebook

Durleighmarsh Farm Shop in Petersfield

Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries, gooseberries, blackberries, blueberries, tayberries, sunberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, rhubarb and plums What else can I do here? There is a farm shop that sells a range of local produce including organic meat, fruit and vegetables from the farm How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end Where? Durleighmarsh Farm, Rogate Road, Petersfield, GU31 5AX Website: durleighmarshfarmshop.co.uk

Contact: 01730 821626

Credit: Durleighmarsh Farm Shop/Facebook

Grays Farm in Wokingham

Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and rhubarbWhat else can I do here? There is a farm shop which sells fresh fruit picked from the farm How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end Where? Grays Farm, Heathlands Road, Wokingham, RG40 3AN Website: graysfarm.co.uk

Contact: 01189 785386

South West England

Shute Fruit Farm in Teignmouth

Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries and blackberries What else can I do here? There is a farm stall that sells fresh fruit picked from the farm and various preserves How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end Where? Shute Farm, Newton Road, Bishopsteignton, Teignmouth, TQ14 9PN website: shutefruit.co.uk

Contact: 01626 777570

Thurloxton Fruit Growers in Somerset

Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries, gooseberries, loganberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and rhubarb What else can I do here? This farm only offers fruit picking from June 23. How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end Where? Keirles Farm, Thurloxton, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 8RH Website: thurloxton.com/

Contact: 01823 413 413

Credit: Thurloxton Fruit Growers/Facebook

Trevathan Farm, in Port Isaac, Cornwall

Which other fruits can I pick here? Aside from strawberry picking, you can also pick raspberries and gooseberries What else can I do here? After a hard day's fruit picking, you can take the kids to see the farm animals. There is also a farm shop and a tea room selling homemade cakes. You can also book to stay at the farm's 4-star holiday cottages How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end Where? Trevathan Farm, St Endellion, Port Isaac, Cornwall, PL29 3TT Website: trevathanfarm.com

Contact: 01208 880248

Credit: Trevathan Farm/Facebook

Mitchell Fruit Garden in Newquay, Cornwall

Which other fruits can I pick here? Strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and rhubarb What else can I do here? This farm only offers fruit picking How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end Where? Mitchell Fruit Garden, Mitchell, Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 5BZ Website: mitchellfruitgarden.co.uk

Contact: 01872 510774

Ansty Pick Your Own and Farm Shop in Wiltshire

Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries, gooseberries, tayberries, loganberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and blackberriesWhat else can I do here? The farm has a tea room and a farm shop How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the endWhere? Ansty PYO & Farm Shop, Ansty, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 5PX Website: anstypyo.co.uk

Contact: 01747 829072

Credit: Ansty Pick Your Own and Farm Shop/Facebook

Strawberry picking in the Midlands

Scaddows Farm in Derbyshire

Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants are available to pick from June. What else can I do here? This farm has a caravan site, so you could take your family on a mini fruit-picking break. There is also a cafe and a farm shop. How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end Where? Scaddows Farm, Derby, Ticknall, Derbyshire, DE73 7JP Website: scaddowsfarm.co.uk

Contact: 01332 865709

Whetstone Pastures Farm in Leicester

Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries and blackberries, from June 2021. What else can I do here? Relax in the farm's tea room, which sells hot and cold drinks and light snacks. There is also a play barn and pizza oven for the kids to get involved with. The farm also runs various events across the summer so check out their website to find out what's happening now How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end Where? Whetstone Gorse Lane, Whetstone, Leicester, LE8 6LXWebsite: whetstonepasturesfarm.com

Contact: 01162 774 627 or 07971 403823

Credit: Getty

Willows Farm in Lincolnshire

Which other fruits can I pick here? Aside from strawberry picking, raspberries, gooseberries, blackberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, whitecurrants, tayberries, plums and cherries What else can I do here? You can buy locally-sourced products from the farm shop and stay overnight at the farm at their caravan site How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end. Available in June, July and August. Where? A52, Chapel St Leonards, Skegness, Lincolnshire, PE24 5UB Website: willowsfarm.co.uk

Contact: 07771 696001

Goachers Farm Shop in Nottinghamshire

Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries, cherries, plums, apples and pears What else can I do here? There's a farm shop that sells a variety of fresh and frozen fruit, jams and locally-grown frozen vegetables How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end Where? Green Acres, Wood Lane, North Wheatley, Nr Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 9BG Website: goforgoachers.co.uk

Contact: 01427 880341

Credit: Goachers Farm Shop/Facebook

Court Farm and Leisure in Herefordshire

Which other fruits can I pick here? Apples, pears, blackberries, raspberries, gooseberries, blueberries, tayberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, cherries, plums and rhubarb What else can I do here? The farm has a tea shop, picnic area, farm shop, children's play area and farm animals How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end, however there is a minimum spend of £2. Where? Court Farm and Leisure, Court Farm, Tillington, Herefordshire, HR4 8LG Website: courtfarmleisure.co.uk

Contact: 01432 760271

Credit: Court Farm and Leisure/Facebook

Essington Fruit Farm in Wolverhampton

Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries, gooseberries, blueberries, blackberries, tayberries, plums and rhubarb What else can I do? The farm has a restaurant, a butchers and a farm shop How much? Entry is £2 to the pick-your-own field which is then redeemable against the produce you pick. Where? Bognop Road, Essington, Wolverhampton, WV11 2AZ Website: essingtonfarm.co.uk

Contact: 01902 735724

Strawberry picking in Scotland and the North of England

West Cragie Farm Shop in Edinburgh

Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and plums from June. What else can I do here? There is a cafe, a butchers and deli at this farm. There's also a fun bike trail for the kids How much? Entry to the pick-your-own field is £3 per person, which is refunded once the fruit is weighed and priced up at the end Where? West Craigie Farm, South Queensferry, Edinburgh, West Lothian, EH30 9AR Website: craigies.co.uk

Contact: 01313 191048

The Balloon Tree in Yorkshire

Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries, blueberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, whitecurrants, blackberries, plums and rhubarb What else can I do here? The farm has a shop, a cafe with a landscaped garden and a play area for the children. There are also animals on the farm, which your kids can feed How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end Where? Stamford Bridge Road, Gate Helmsley, York, YO41 1NB Website: theballoontree.co.uk

Contact: 01759 373023

Credit: The Balloon Tree/Facebook

North West England

Claremount Farm in Wirral

Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries, gooseberries, tayberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants What else can I do here? The farm has a kitchen, which offers cookery lessons by professional chefs. There is also a farm shop and a large fishing pond How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end Where? Claremont Farm Limited, Old Clatterbridge Road, Bebington, Wirral, CH63 4JB Website: claremontfarm.co.uk

Contact: 01513 341906

Green Bank Farm in Lancashire

Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, jostaberries and rhubarb What else can I do here? The farm sells light refreshments in the snack bar. Please note: Green Bank Farm can't accept debit or credit cards, so be sure to bring cash. How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end Where? Over Kellet, Carnforth, Lancashire, LA6 IBS Website: greenbankfarm.co.uk

Contact: 01524 733296

North East England

Brocksbushes Fruit Farm in Northumberland

Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries, gooseberries, tayberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and plums What else can I do here? There is a farm shop which overlooks the pick-your-own area. The farm also has a licensed tea room which sells a selection of delicious food and beverages How much? Entry to the pick-your-own field is £1 and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end. There is also a refundable deposit of £1, for every fruit-picking basket you use Where? Brocksbushes Farm, Corbridge, Northumberland, NE43 7UB Website: brocksbushes.co.uk

Contact: 01434 633100

Strawberry picking in Wales

Hooton's Homegrown PYO site in Gwynedd

Which other fruits can I pick here? Aside from strawberry picking, blackcurrants and rhubarb What else can I do here? There is also a stall selling Hooton's Homegrown products How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end Where? A5025 just one mile from Menai Bridge in the direction of Pentraeth, Gwynedd, LL59 5RR Website: hootonshomegrown.co.uk

Contact: 01248 430322

Gower PYO site in Swansea

Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries, visitors can also pick sunflowers What else can I do here? There's a cafe onsite serving ice cream, homemade cakes and refreshments Where? Scurlage Farm, Reynoldston, Scurlage, Swansea SA3 1BA Website: gowerpickyourown.wales

Contact: 07796 796777

12 best family days out in London: Cheap things to do with your kids

Jessica Dady — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Looking for fun family days out in London? With restrictions easing, trips around the capital are back on the table.

Some of the best family days out in the south-east of England are in London, as it's just exploding with things to do with kids while also being fun for adults.

And despite London's reputation for being pricey, there are actually plenty of adventures to be had that really won't break the bank.

Ideas for family days out in London:

1. Wet n Wild at Waterfront Leisure Centre, Woolwich

If you're looking to have a splashing time then a water park should be one of the first things on your mind. This place ticks all the boxes. Mum and dad can enjoy a swim in the formal fitness pool which has four dedicated lanes, while the kids will love the leisure pool which boasts two water slides, a 65m snake slide, wave machine, waterfall, volcano, water jets and five lane water slide.

Credit: Better, Waterfront Leisure Centre

If you grown-ups want valuable relaxation, there's even a spa pool. This place is definitely worth dipping your toes in and is ideal even if the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Best for: All-round family fun FIND OUT MORE

2. Battersea Park Children's Zoo, Battersea

Battersea represents a much cheaper alternative to the renowned London Zoo. Children can enjoy spending quality time with a whole host of animals, ranging from lemurs to kunekune pigs (yes, there is such a thing!).

There's also a huge playground of climbing frames and swings, meaning your little ones can turn into cheeky monkeys themselves. Oh, and if you're feeling peckish or need to rest your legs, there's a cafe with seating available inside and outside. More picnic tables can be found throughout the zoo.

Following a change in the rules on May 17 2021, Battersea Park Zoo is now open to visitors post-lockdown. The zoo is operating a ticketing system and one-in-one-out when the space reaches full capacity.

Best for: A picnic in the park FIND OUT MORE

3. Snakes and Ladders Play Centre, Brentford

It's back with a bang after its massive £2 million refurbishment and jam-packed with even more fun. Under 5s have an area specifically dedicated to them with soft play, swings, ride-ons and more. And older children needn't worry, because there's a gigantic 3-tier play frame with slides, climbs, a mini-sports pitch and balls.

There's also a very nicely revamped cafe serving food and drink - all that running about can get awfully tiring. They run regular offers such as 2 4 1 and every sixth child is free if you fill out the online form so arrange a playdate with friends and it will be cheaper for you all.

Snakes & Ladders is now open again after lockdown. For tickets, book online.

Best for: Appealing to both younger and older children FIND OUT MORE

4. Go Ape, Alexandra Palace

Go Ape is an incredible way to spend a day! There are three types of tree-top adventures to be had at Alexandra Palace's Go Ape: Treetop Challenge, Treetop Adventure and Treetop Adventure Plus. Each one comes with inspiring views of London's skyline as you work your way through the course's heights and climbs.

Adults will definitely want to get involved in this too and they'll have to as one adult is required by centre to supervise up to two children, if they are under the age of six. This superb day out in London is ideal for any adventurers over 1 metre tall and a maximum of 130kg in weight.

Best for: Views of London's skyline FIND OUT MORE

5. London Transport Museum, Covent Garden

This attraction is one of the days out in London that will take you on an extraordinary journey through time and leave you with a valuable understanding of the capital's transport heritage.

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There are so many interactive and educational displays - you'll struggle to fit everything in! Oh, and you can get behind the driving seat of a tube train simulator.

Best for: Educating them, without them suspecting... FIND OUT MORE

6. Horniman Museum and Gardens, Forest Hill

Horniman Museum and Gardens is a must-do when brainstorming for family days out in London. Bulging with originality, you'll enter a place that's fun, diverse and more than a little bit bizarre. If you have curious kids (and let's face it, who doesn't?), they'll love the 4,000-item 'Hands on Base' where you can handle, wear and discover thousands of real museum artefacts.

If you fancy a splash, there's also an aquarium with 15 exhibits, each one showcasing a different aquatic environment from around the world. It's definitely worth seeing! Plus there is a 16-acre garden which is perfect for picnic and letting your little one run off some steam.

Horniman Museum and Gardens is now open to all post-lockdown.

Best for: Price - only the aquarium costs FIND OUT MORE

7. The London Dungeon

The London Dungeon is certainly one of the more frightening days out in London! A trip here will take you and your kids on a journey through London’s darkest history with 19 live actor-led shows and two thrilling rides all in 110 minutes. Plus, after your tour you can treat the family to a free round of drinks in the London Dungeon Tavern, a Victorian pub experience.

Book in advance and save up to 30 per cent on your ticket and to guarantee entry. Purchase more than one of London's attractions online and you can save lots of money too.

The London Dungeon is now open to all visitors post-lockdown. The venue is operating at limited capacity, under Covid-19 restrictions, so book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Best for: Chills with frills FIND OUT MORE

8. Alexandra Palace Ice Rink, Wood Green

You might not know it, but grand old Alexandra Palace is a great venue for family ice skating. Not only can you just go for a classic skate, but there's also a range of activities available and covering every aspect of ice sports, ballet classes and dance clubs.

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If your little one loves to climb they might also like the Big Tree Climbing experience or maybe you fancy a round of Pitch & Putt. New members are always welcome.

Alexandra Palace is now open again for most events.

Best for: Children of all ages (even teenagers!) FIND OUT MORE

9. Kidspace Romford, Romford

Definitely consider this award-winning Romford adventure park for a family day out - there's something for everyone! Little ones will love Toddler Village, which contains a themed play frame, slides, mazes, mini trampolines and an incredible sensory area. There's also a 25ft climbing wall for over 5s to try out.

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Older kids are spoilt for choice too, do they shoot soft balls at people below in Thunderdome City or go on the daunting Skytrail which is suspended 3 metres in the air? Don't worry kids, there'll be plenty of time to do both. And dads, if you fancy a kick about, there's a multi-activity room with a dedicated football area that'll serve that purpose perfectly. Buy your tickets in advance and save 20 per cent.

Kidspace Romford is now open again after lockdown for up to two households or the ‘rule of six’.

Best for: Fun for adults, too! FIND OUT MORE

10. Rowans Tenpin Bow, Finsbury Park

No matter what the final result, you'll feel like you just scored ten strikes when you leave Rowan's. It's a fun day out with the kids and you can't beat a classic game of tenpin bowling!

Air-conditioned bowling lanes aside, Rowan's also has 14 pool tables, table tennis, amusement arcades, large, overhead sports screens, karaoke and food and drink so it's not just about bowling - what's not to love?

Credit: Getty

Rowans is open again now lockdown is lifting, with particular restrictions - including compulsory face masks - in place.

Best for: Rainy afternoons FIND OUT MORE

11. London Aquatic Centre, Stratford

Take your little one to explore the marvel of London's Olympic Park. You can visit the Aquatic Centre for £2 and if you fancy taking a dip you can book a slot in advance or on the day.

During the summer holidays they host special kids slots including an inflatable assault course. The 20 metre wipe-out course 'Aqua Splash' is sure to excite your kids and adults can assist too...

Following the reopening of fitness centres in April, the London Aquatic Centre is now open again.

Best for: Fun for all FIND OUT MORE

12. Hounslow Urban Farm, Feltham

It's likely that Hounslow Urban Farm will completely change your opinion of farms. They might be one of the smellier days out in London, but they're extremely fun too. There are plenty of animal encounters to be had, pig racing (yep), interactive live shows and even more.

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Children can go crazy in the outdoor play area and the indoor bouncy castle is a perfect shelter from hot or wet weather. Toddlers can also access pony rides on the fleet of Shetland ponies, with a helmet and supervision provided. Book online to save money on your tickets and a season ticket could well be worth an investment if you are close by.

As much fun as a trip to Urban Farm would be, it's unfortunately still closed due to Covid-19 restrictions in the area.

Best for: Burning off steam FIND OUT MORE

Enjoy your day out at one of these incredible locations!

50 easy crafts for kids that are fun, fast to set up, and totally engaging

Lucy Wigley — Thu, 20 May 2021 13:20:47 +0000

Easy crafts for kids are the difference between a quiet and engaged activity and one that involves spending £15 and drinking bad coffee (we mean soft play). We found 50 crafts to do that are fun, cheap, and so simple.

As parents, research is always on, it starts with Googling 'best travel strollers' and it just never ends, you're Googling the best places to take kids, things to do with kids, and films to watch with kids. We know you're always on the lookout for the kids, especially at weekends or during the school holidays. And sometimes the weather puts a dampener on our ready-made outdoor plans. This is why we’ve created a handy list of craft ideas that are the perfect indoor activities for kids. And sure to save any long wet weekend.

While there's always a place for a kids movie on Netflix, sometimes we want to get them doing, not watching. Our crafts for kids are easy to do - so it doesn’t matter if you’re a complete craft beginner (like us) or already a creative pro. Plus, crafting can be a great mindfulness activity for kids too.

Whatever your budget, and whether you've minutes or hours to dedicate to getting creative, we have 50 fantastic craft ideas for you to choose from.

Easy crafts for kids:

1. Homemade play dough

There's something both therapeutic and educational about moulding fresh play dough into shapes, especially for little ones. Young muscles can develop strength, control and fine motor skills, whilst experiencing the feel of different textures with this squidgy craft number. Better than buying some from the shops, our easy play dough recipe is as good (if not better and cheaper) than the shop-bought kind.

Get the method: Our best play dough recipe plus 7 fun things to make

2. A chatterbox or fortune teller

Credit: TI Media Limited

It doesn't get much simpler than this - with our origami chatterbox craft requiring just a few pens and a piece of paper to do. A playground favorite, kids will love decorating this toy and playing it with their friends and family.

Get the method: How to make a chatterbox

3. DIY stickers

Credit: TI Media Limited

What child doesn't love stickers and a good sticker book? This is one of our favorite crafts for kids, allowing your little ones can create their own personalized stickers and allow their imagination to run riot. This might just be the perfect activity for a rainy afternoon.

Get the method: How to make stickers

4. Lava lamp

Credit: Getty

Lava lamps are a great sensory stimulus for little ones, while showing bigger kids the science behind the cool chemical reactions. Making a lava lamp might seem like a big step forward if you're not a keen crafter, but this DIY tutorial is really easy to follow and requires mostly regular kitchen items to get stuck in.

Get the method: How to make a lava lamp with children

5. Jolly jellyfish

These jolly jellyfish another favorite craft for us. They also make for a great bedroom decoration when hung above a bed, or from a curtain pole. If you don't fancy forking out for googly eyes, the eyes can be drawn on instead. All other equipment like ribbons, tissue or wrapping paper, should be readily available in your house too.

Get the method: How to make a jellyfish

6. Rainbow wand

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This rainbow wand is a fun activity, while doubling as a toy or handy dressing-up accessory. We've used glitter card, colorful ribbons, scissors and glue to assemble. Kids can always go wild and add extra customization with beads, gems or anything else that feels fun.

Get the method: How to make a rainbow wand

7. Rainbow decorations

Credit: TI Media Limited

Another hugely popular DIY activity, this time featuring the enduring popularity of rainbows. This is one of our easiest crafts for kids, with only five items of equipment needed. We reckon these rainbow decorations would go down well at any kids party too; just set up a craft table with the ready-cut card and ribbon, and be on hand to show children the ropes.

Get the method: How to make your own rainbow decorations

8. Toilet paper tube crafts

Credit: Getty

Toilet roll tubes are definitely something every household has. We recommend storing a few, and sitting down to try one of our thirteen toilet paper tube crafts once you have a collection. Our favorite includes these carp fish creations, which can so easily be transformed into a hanging mobile with some string and added creativity.

Get the method: 13 things to make with toilet roll tubes

9. Tie dye t-shirts

Another popular and colorful crafts for kids, this idea will transform an old white tee into an original tie-dye creation? Kids love rainbows and this fun activity will create a one-of-a-kind design that they can proudly show off to their friends.

Get the method: How to tie dye t-shirts

10. Rainbow sun catcher

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Another one of our fantastic rainbow decorations is this rainbow sun catcher - a perfect decorative piece for any child's bedroom. We recommend constructing this craft around spring or summer when your child can be dazzled by the light, sending colorful beams around the room.

Get the method: How to make a rainbow sun catcher

11. Pen pots

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Transform an old plastic water bottle into something functional to house all those pens and pencils that would otherwise find themselves lost. Children might need a little more adult assistance with cutting the plastic, but decorating their creations will occupy them once the hard part is complete. These homemade pen pots would make great gifts come Mother's Day, Father's Day or a family member's birthday.

Get the method: How to make pen pots from plastic bottles

12. Paper hats

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Crafting doesn't get any easier than these quirky paper hats, which can be made using anything from old newspapers to left-over wrapping paper. They're great for incorporating into games and the origami process develops key hand-eye coordination, and concentration skills.

Get the method: How to make a paper hat

13. Party piñata

This fish piñata is a great craft to do with your child and will go down a storm at any upcoming birthday parties. Just keep an eye on your kid and any sweets that go 'missing' during the making process...

Get the method: How to make a pinata

14. Rainbow art

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Why not use up any surplus rainbow ribbons from the wand and heart craft, and create this fun colorful craft too. These rainbow sun and cloud paper plate crafts uses similar materials, plus paint and a paper plate. We recommended stringing these up in the window of your home to send a positive message to passersby.

Get the method: How to turn a paper plate into a rainbow

15. Cardboard kitchen

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Little ones love imitating their parents by playing at cooking in the kitchen. So why not recreate a colorful play kitchen from a couple of old shoe boxes? You can finish it off with some cheap kids play pots and pans from Amazon or they can always borrow ones already found in your kitchen cupboards.

Get the method: How to make a toy box kitchen

16. DIY dreamcatchers

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Children love getting creative with beads and feathers. These dreamcatchers could also help relieve any anxiety youngsters hold over having bad dreams or nightmares too. Help them construct their own with some paper plates, string and a little imagination.

Get the method: How to make dreamcatchers

17. Vegetable printing

Vegetable printing is sure to be something any crafty kid will love. An added benefit being it's a great way to use up any uneatable fruit and vegetables from the fridge. Simply get your template, paint and material ready, then you're good to go! We love this heart-shaped potato print bunting in particular.

Get the method: How to do vegetable printing

18. Homemade hair scrunchies

Credit: TI Media Limited

This is one craft older children will especially love, as they can customize their own scrunchies with a bright array of patterns and colours. Using materials of their choice and this handy tutorial, you can learn how to make your own scrunchy. Unique and useful - this is one of our favorite crafts for kids.

Get the method: How to make hair scrunchies

19. Funny face frames

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What is one of the best things about heading to the pier at any British seaside resort? The wacky photo stands of course! Capture that excitement at home with this fun craft and have children invent with their own quirky characters.

Get the method: How to make funny-face frames

20. Pebble people

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Who doesn't have old pebbles from the beach or stones from the garden lying around? Instead of letting them get under your feet, get your kids to make them into fun characters - or even portraits of your family. Along with the pebbles, all you need is a couple of pots of paint and a bit of inspiration.

Get the method: How to make pebble people

21. Paper mache

Spend the weekend creating an amazing paper mache creation - one of our super simple crafts for kids. There's plenty of cutting and sticking to do with this one, which helps develop key fine motor skills in the process. As with all crafts with scissors - adult supervision is recommended.

Get the method: How to paper mache

22. Rainbow streamers

Credit: TI Media Limited

With this simple tutorial, create rainbow streamers by transforming a toilet roll tube into a fun toy that kids of all ages will love. Once finished, hang them outside to watch the streamers really come alive.

Get the method: How to make rainbow streamers

23. DIY dinosaur

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Kids with a passion for the prehistoric period can create their own dinosaur kingdom from readily available household objects like toilet rolls and paper plates. Copy our sauropod design to start with, then branch out to fan favorites like the T-rex or a triceratops.

Get the method: How to make a paper dinosaur

24. Puppet theatre

Credit: Getty

This kids craft is a little more complex and will require specific items like velcro (which mum or dad will have to iron). But don't let that put you off; once constructed this theatre will keep kiddies busy for hours, as they conjure up vivid stories and characters to share via the stage.

Get the method: How to make a puppet theatre

25. Elephant's feet

To make these nifty elephant's feet you'll need some large tin cans and plenty of paint. If you've just painted a room recently, even better! Use the old paint cans to create this excellent crafting project and let your little ones bring their dreams of stomping across the savanna to life.

Get the method here: How to make elephant's feet with tin cans

26. Tin can kites

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Another of our tin based crafts for kids, these tin can kites will brighten up any dull day. Anyone with a cupboard full of tinned goods is sure to have a few spare cans lying around - get your child to put them to good use with splatterings of paint and lots of ribbon.

Get the method: How to make neon kites by recycling old tin cans

27. Easter pom-pom animals

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Originally one of our more seasonal crafts for kids, these Easter pom-pom animals can make an excellent decoration at any time of the year - stretch your creativity to transfer this craft to any celebration. Be sure to hang the finished item around the house ready for whichever festivity you've made them for - they could even be planted around the house to make a fun treasure hunt.

Get the method: How to make adorable Easter pom pom animals

28. Bug hotel

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This is the perfect craft for any green fingered child fascinated by creatures. Source any leftover building materials like bricks, felt or even an old tire, then assemble your mini-beast motel with our easy-to-follow tutorial. Kids will love checking in on guests regularly, and learning all the fun facts about them.

Get the method: How to make a bug hotel

29. Fans

These paper fans make gorgeous decorations for a kid's play room or temporary den. Made from patterned paper and a lollipop stick, they're also one of the cheapest crafts for kids in our round-up.

Get the method: How to make pretty paper fans

30. Calming glitter jars

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These glitter jars are thoroughly therapeutic and can be created in five speedy steps using a clean jam jar, some glitter and water. Kids (and adults) can enjoy a quiet moment watching the glitter fall, which in turn will enable them to re-centre their energy, focus and any pent-up stress.

Get the method: How to make glitter jars

31. Sunshine

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If you've hosted a birthday party recently, chances are you'll have a few paper plates going spare. If so, this sunshine craft is the perfect activity to re-upholster and re-cycle them. Cheap to do, you'll just need some yellow paint and coloured card to construct.

Get the method: How to make a paper-plate sun

32. Egg-box bus

Credit: TI Media Limited

Never under-estimate a good old-fashioned egg-box craft creation. We've come up with 10 different things you can create with them, including this bright egg-box bus that'll keep your child busy for an afternoon or two.

Get the method: 10 things to make with egg boxes

33. Paper boat

Much like the paper hats, these paper boats are a really fun and inventive way to use up old newspaper or wrapping paper. Create unique designs with as many different colors and patterns as you like, then set sail.

Get the method: How to make a paper boat

34. A paper gun (that shoots)

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Any budding cowboy or cowgirl of the house needs a pistol to re-enact their Wild West adventures. Follow our easy tutorial to create a gun from paper that actually shoots out counters.

Get the method: How to make a paper gun that shoots

35. Wanda the Witch

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With some basic craft materials and a wooden spoon, your child can get into the Halloween spirit at any time of year, with this wonderful wicked witch creation. This craft doubles up as a great decoration when the spooky day comes around - try slotting the end of the spoon into some soil on your front lawn to give the neighbors a real fright.

Get the method: How to make Wanda the witch

36. A cloud pinboard

Credit: TI Media Limited (Image credit: Stock image)

Children will be delighted to adorn a wall with this fun cloud-shaped pinboard that they’ve created themselves. Filling it with family photos, their own pictures, or reminders of important dates, will add to the fun. With only a small amount of equipment needed, get messy and transform a boring pinboard into something wonderful.

Get the method: How to make a cloud pinboard

37. A teacup bird feeder

Credit: TI Media Limited (Image credit: Stock image)

We have found the perfect way to introduce children to upcycling, with this teacup bird feeder that repurposes chipped or broken crockery. Instead of sending old teacups and saucers to the dustbin, add personality to your garden and help out any feathered visitors with this decorative bird feeder - just be sure to use glue suitable for withstanding all weather!

Get the method: How to make a teacup bird feeder

38. Marquee letters

Credit: TI Media Limited (Image credit: Stock image)

These are bang on trend, but can be expensive to buy. Save yourself some money and unleash creativity, with DIY marquee letters that are certain to get visitors talking. Taking personalization to the max, anything can be created from the letters you make; names, funny or inspirational quotes, the world is your oyster.

Get the method: How to make marquee letters

39. Kids thank you cards

(Image credit: Contributor supplied)

Nothing says “thank you” quite like a personal card from the grateful recipient. Get children to offer their thanks for Christmas or birthday gifts, with these homemade cards that offer an individual touch. Not only that, parents can help out with this fun activity, keeping the whole family entertained in the process.

Get the method: Homemade kids thank you cards

40. Mini bow and arrow

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Youngsters can keep their precious possessions protected from in-coming foe, with this bow and arrow craft! An alternative to buying a toy bow and arrow set, this activity is both environmentally friendly and offers hours of fun for a very low cost. Be sure to have Washi tape to hand for this project, which is also perfect for many other craft ideas we have for you.

Get the method: How to make a mini bow and arrow

41. Terrazzo candle holder

Credit: TI Media Limited (Image credit: Contributor supplied)

Another perfect upcycling project, our terrazzo candle holder tutorial will show you how to update an old candle holder with a jazzy terrazzo effect. Modeling-clay and a little imagination are all you need for crafting a traditional terrazzo pattern, plus the environment will thank you for upcycling old candle holders rather than sending them to landfill.

Get the method: How to make a terrazzo candle holder

42. A crayon letter picture

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Rainy days spent indoors are now sorted, with this project that results in the perfect picture for adorning the walls. Children can select their favorite colors and shades (or parents can help them pick out the ones that match existing decor!) to create a letter picture to be admired by all. Choosing the shape of the letter before printing the template, offers plenty of personalization opportunities for young crafters. You’ll need a glue gun for this one, so be aware of hot glue, and little fingers accidentally getting stuck together…!

Get the method: Make your own crayon letter picture craft

43. A 3D cactus

Credit: TI Media Limited (Image credit: Stock image)

A simple paper craft, children will be delighted to create their very own 3D paper cacti. If it’s a Western-themed bedroom you’re after, or an alternative to real plants for your shelves, this project has you covered. Grab some tissue paper, card and glue, and a pot plant if this is how you choose to display them. The best thing is they won’t need watering or any attention, unlike traditional house plants!

Get the method: Fun 3D cactus craft

44. String art

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This is one for slightly older children, who can give an old cork memo board a new lease of life by transforming it into a colorful string art creation. Choose a paint to make your old memo board as good as new, then let loose with weaving together colorful string into a beautiful heart-shaped pattern. While increasing patience skills and concentration, this craft will also make the perfect home decoration or gift.

Get the method: How to make string art

45. Animal plant holders

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Children will love putting letting their imaginations run wild with these animal plant holders, while creating a beautiful gift in the process. Scoop up any old toy animal no longer in use, and transform them into an original way to showcase plants. Aimed at 3-5 year olds, adults will need to help with the initial cutting and the small people can do the rest. They can be themed for a room in your own room, or gifted to family and friends for something to treasure.

Get the method: Animal plant holders

46. Fifteen amazing loom band ideas

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The loom band trend has swept schools everywhere, and here we have not just one, but 15 incredible ideas for your loom band enthusiast. From Winnie the Pooh and Minions, to unicorns and personalized bracelets, there will be a tutorial for everyone. Even better, everything you need can be found online, with loom band packs starting from under £1, making this a cost-effective activity.

Get the method: 15 amazing loom band ideas

47. Bath bombs

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Bath time just got even relaxing for adults, with these homemade bath bombs their children can make. Choose your own fragrances and let the kids get to work; but be aware that essential oils can cause skin irritation, and following our instructions and carrying out your own research is vital before stepping into that aromatic bath water…

Get the method: How to make bath bombs

48. Bits & bobs canvas

(Image credit: Contributor supplied)

Not sure what a bits & bobs canvas is? It’s something you need in your life, and the children will love putting it together! Aimed at those aged 4 and over, this project will round up and find a use for the random plastic items every household accrues. Don’t throw out broken toys, odd buttons and other unwanted items, but use our method and your imagination to craft a fantastic item.

Get the method: How to make your own bits & bobs canvas

49. Father's Day gifts

(Image credit: Getty)

Spoil dad on the day that’s all about him, with a homemade gift. We have plenty of ideas here for children at all ages and stages, to create the perfect gift for their parent. It could be a tool-shaped bookmark, or themed storage for his office supplies - there will be something here sure to delight daddy!

Get the method: Homemade Father's Day gifts

50. Colorful spinning tops

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Picture beads are given a new and fun purpose, with this inventive project for crafty kids aged 7-9. Grab a handful of the beads and arrange on a pegboard, and be wowed when the finished product is a spinning top! This simple idea not only uses up old picture beads, but creates a new toy in the process - you can thank us for the extra hours of fun your small people will have when they’ve finished.

Get the method: How to make colorful spinning tops from picture beads

What can kids make that is easy?

A mess. We joke, we joke. The answer to this is a bit like 'how long is a piece of string'. What's easy for one kid might be a challenge to another. You know your kid better than anyone. The safest bet to encourage kids with crafts, easy or not, is to focus on the doing no the end result. When they show you a painting or a drawing, talk about how focussed they were, and how hard it looked like they were trying, instead of 'amazing drawing'.

What crafts are good for kids who don't like crafts?

Messy engaging ones, usually. We get it, there's a lot of pressure on parents to get it right and crafting is one of them, a wholesome activity that many a parent think parenting 101. But sometimes, no matter how hard you try your kid just isn't interested in crafting.

Dot art - simple take a pack of colourful dotted stickers and challenge them to spell out their name out in dots, or 'fastest draw' see who can get 50 stickers on the paper first.
Let rip - Collaging, but not calling it collaging could work. Let them rip and cut up papers, magazines, leaflets anything they can find. Then sit together and imagine something, a message you want the non-collage to convey, then get sticking.
Paint with marbles - all you need is a baking tray, A4 card, marbles and paint. Dip each marble in paint and roll around the baking tray. The trail of paint will create a masterpiece.

If this list has inspired you and there's a collection of cardboard boxes accumulating in your house, we have a list of 23 cardboard box crafts for kids. Crafting isn't just for the little ones - these easy craft projects for beginners can be done when the children are sleeping, for some relaxing adult downtime.

How to tie dye t-shirts: Step-by-step instructions on how to tie dye

Esme Clemo — Tue, 04 May 2021 10:05:29 +0000

Learning how to tie dye t-shirts with things in your household is not only a fun craft and activity to get stuck into over the weekend but it’s also a great way to re-use old clothes and turn them into something you’d wear again.

Tie dyeing t-shirts is one of those crafty fashion trends that always come back into style every couple of years. The versatility of the print and the many ways that you can tie dye t-shirts yourself makes it an appealing craft project for beginners as well.

We've created this step-by-step guide to help you create your own unique tie dye patterns on t-shirts, but the same techniques can be used on all sorts of fabrics and clothes. From socks to jeans, old white shirts and all sorts of home furnishings like cushion covers or dip dye napkins.

How to tie dye t-shirts

To tie dye t-shirts, you will need:

Elastic bands or string - we've used string throughout as we had some already but elastic bands are great for speed
Pre-washed and still damp t-shirts (or another item you wish to dye)
Rubber gloves
Fabric dyes, we've used a range of Dylon fabric hand dyes in Paradise Blue, Passion Pink, Ocean Blue, Sunflower Yellow, Tropical Green, Tulip Red and Peony Pink
Old bottles or cartons with caps or spray attachments (plastic drinks bottles work best)
Warm water
Salt
Large and deep dishes or trays for dyeing

And these added extras will help to create even more unusual designs with your tie dye:

Cling film
Microwave
Air or water-erasable pen
Ruler
Ice
Cooling rack

Preparing to tie dye t-shirts

Begin by mixing up the powdered dyes with warm water and salt, following the manufacturer's instructions for the measurements. We made up 500ml in each dye colour.
Pour the dye mixtures into the clean bottles or cartons. Top with a spray attachment or use a push pin to create a hole in the top of the old cap to squirt the dye through.
Make sure the fabric or item for dyeing has been washed and is still damp before you begin dyeing.
Cover all your surfaces with a protective sheet or, better still, take your dyeing outside on a sunny day for less-mess. Tie-dying, with all its potential for mess, is a great outdoor craft!

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

How to do different tie dye patterns

There are loads of ways to create different patterns when tie-dyeing, most methods use string or elastic bands to fold and shape the fabric before applying the dye. Take a look at our step-by-step instructions to create your own psychedelic designs or bold patterns.

How to tie dye a spiral t-shirt

1. Start by twisting the centre of the t-shirt or fabric into a spiral shape.

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

2. Keep squashing the t-shirt into the spiral shape, eventually gathering all the fabric into one big, tight spiral ball.

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

3. Using either string or elastic bands, gather the spiralled t-shirt together into six sections - you can add more sections if you're using more than three colours.

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

4. Now it's time to tie dye! Place the spiralled t-shirt into the bowl and apply your chosen dyes - for this project we used Dylon's Sunflower Yellow, Paradise Blue and Passion Pink dyes. We've chosen to only dye every other stringed-off section to leave some of the white t-shirt on show, but it's up to you how you decide to dye your t-shirt. Allow the dye to soak in following the manufacturer's instructions. Rinse off with cold water and then it's ready for washing.

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

Watch our step-by-step video on how to tie dye:

How to tie dye a chevron stripe t-shirt

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

1. Begin by folding your t-shirt lengthways in a concertina pattern. We folded our t-shirt into five, but you can fold as many times as you want. The fewer the folds, the fewer chevrons.

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

2. Using an erasable pen, or a pen in a similar colour to your fabric dye, draw diagonal lines across the t-shirt every 10cm. Again, you can increase this measurement for wider stripes.

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

3. With elastic bands or string, tie the t-shirt up in the direction of the diagonal lines. Gather the material up tightly to make sure no dye can soak in underneath the string.

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

4. Continue tying up the t-shirt along the diagonal lines along the entire length of the t-shirt until it looks like this.

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

5. Place the tied up t-shirt in a large dish ready for dying. Using two colours of your pre-mixed dye, apply each colour to every other stripe. We used Tulip Red and Ocean Blue for this project.

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

6. Once tie dyed, leave the dye to soak in for as long as the manufacturer advises. We wanted a faded, nineties look for this top so we only left the dye on for five hours. Then rinse with cold water until the water runs clear and it's ready for washing.

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

How to tie dye a circle t-shirt

1. Begin by tugging up small sections of the t-shirt between your thumb and forefinger. Using an elastic band or a piece of string, wrap around the circular section tightly and knot to secure in place.

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

2. Continue tying off the circles all over the t-shirt like this.

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

3. Fill a deep dish with the pre-mixed blue dye and dunk your tied t-shirt in the mixture. For this project we used Dylon's Ocean Blue dye.

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

4. Keep pushing the t-shirt down into the dye until it's completely covered. Leave to sit for about five minutes.

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

5. Remove the t-shirt from the dye solution and wring out any of the excess dye. Wrap the t-shirt in a piece of cling film and place it on a microwavable plate. Microwave on a high setting for about 1 minute. The heat will help the dye take to the t-shirt and means less waiting around. Rinse in cold water until the water runs clear and it's ready for washing.

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

How to tie dye with ice

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

1. Start by stacking your wire rack over the top of your dyeing dish.

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

2. Scrunch up your damp t-shirt and top with a big handful of ice evenly spread out.

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

3. Using the powdered dyes, sprinkle directly on top of the ice and t-shirt. For this project we used Dylon's Sunflower Yellow, Paradise Blue and Passion Pink dyes.

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

4. Put the dish to one side and let the dyes soak in as the ice slowly melts. You'll see the colours deepen and run with the ice. Leave the colours to develop and dye for 24 hours. You might wish to rotate the t-shirt part way through and top with more ice and dye powder for greater coverage. Rinse with cold water until the water runs clear and the t-shirt is then ready for washing.

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

How to tie dye t-shirts with food colouring

If you don't have any dye at home you can also use food colouring to tie dye t-shirts. But, because food colouring is an acid-based dye, you need to use clothing that is NOT made from plant-based fabrics like cotton and linen. Instead, use a polyester item of clothing.

Mix two cups of white vinegar to two cups of warm water and soak your clothing or fabric in the mixture for one hour.
While the clothes soak, mix eight drops of your food colouring with 120ml warm water.
Use this dye mixture to create any of the patterns listed above.
Leave to soak for eight hours before rinsing in a salt water solution - 120g salt to 120ml cold water - until the water runs clear. Then the items are ready to be washed.

How to make pastel tie dye

An easy way to create a pastel colour when tie dyeing is to simply dilute the dye with more warm water or to leave the dye soaking into the fabric for a shorter period of time. However this can create a faded look to your item of clothing so, unless you want a t-shirt that looks like it's a genuine vintage piece from back in the day, opt for an ombre pattern to make a pastel tie dye look.

Make up your dye mixtures in large dishes or buckets, we've used Dylon's Sunflower Yellow, Paradise Blue and Passion Pink dyes.
Dip your fabric, item of clothing, or napkins in our case, into the bucket, leaving the top edge free from dye. Remove from the dish and set aside for thirty minutes. Repeat, this dipping process, reducing the amount of fabric dipped into the dye every time.
On the last dipping, the bottom 5cm of each napkin should be the deepest and darkest shade whilst the top edge should be white. The dye pattern should gradually change from white to pastel to bright dye creating a pastel ombre effect.

(Credit: GoodToKnow/Esme Clemo)

How to wash tie dye t shirts

Learning how to tie dye t shirts is loads of fun and you can pretty much do it with any item of clothing – like baby grows, socks, jeans or even other materials, like towels and table cloths. However, there comes a time when all these things have to be washed, and that’s when problems can happen. You don’t want your fresh tie-dye pattern disintegrating in the wash, or even worse, the dye moving onto other clothes. Here’s how to wash tie dye in five simple steps…

Rinse the material with cold water under the sink - After the dying process, you should have rinsed out the material anyway, but if not then go back to this step to be sure.
Fill the basin with warm water to set the dye - This will stop it from bleeding onto other clothes when it’s put in the washing machine next time. Mix in a small amount of washing detergent into the water as well.
Leave it in the basin - Let the tie dyed material soak in the mixture of water and detergent for about 15 minutes.
Wash the shirt again under cold water - But be careful not to rub it too hard otherwise you could risk rubbing off the dye. Then allow it to soak again for another 10 minutes.
Hang it out to dry - If possible, hang it out over the bath or in the bathroom, to ensure that any leaked dye doesn’t find its way to carpeted flooring.

After these steps, you can wash it in the machine but be sure not to wash the material on too high a temperature for the first couple of washes.

16 Earth Day activities for kids to educate and inspire

Grace.Walsh@freelance.ti-media.com (Grace Walsh) — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 11:41:51 +0000

These Earth Day activities for kids are a great way to celebrate the day and teach children all about environmental issues.

Earth Day falls on April 22 in 2024 and it's an important annual event that sees people around the world, from Extinction Rebellion activists to students and children, come together to push for a better, more sustainable world.

Depending on how old your kids are, they're likely to learn a little bit about Earth Day at school. They might cover how greenhouse gases are affecting the world or learn who Greta Thunberg is and about her climate change activism. Outside of the classroom though, we've got a host of activities to continue their eco-learning. From getting stuck into some rainbow-inspired projects for younger kids to zero-waste baking or easy gardening crafts - our list of Earth Day activities is packed full of fun things to do with kids, both inside and outside the home.

Best Earth Day activities for kids:

1. Make some Earth cookies

These simple cookies are easy to make and always go down a treat - especially on Earth Day. A great one to do with younger kids, who might be a little too young to understand all things global warming but want to celebrate the world around them.

As Instagram user @teachinginstripes says, "They're pretty delish."

All you need to make these is a simple vanilla cookie recipe, 6 drops of blue and green food colouring and some sugar love hearts.

To get the Earth-effect, place some of the dough (about a quarter) into one bowl and dye it with the green colouring, then put the rest of the dough into another bowl and dye it blue.

Before putting in the oven, combine the two lots of dough together carefully to create a world-effect shape. Patch the pieces of dough on top of each other and by the sides to prevent them from mixing together too much.

2. Re-vamp old clothes with tie-dye

Fast fashion is another huge contributor to global warming. Did you know that it takes 1,800 gallons of water to make just one pair of jeans? And to grow enough cotton for one t-shirt, it takes 400 gallons of water? That's a whole lot of water that can't be used again.

To mark Earth Day, one of the best activities kids can do is to re-use their old clothes! Instead of throwing away an old white t-shirt in favour of a new one (without the one or two stains), re-vamp it using tie-dye and get in on one of this year's biggest crafting trends.

Find out how to how to tie-dye your old clothes using our handy tutorial.

7 Colors Tie Dye Kit - $24.84 | Amazon

Simply fill the bottles with regular tap water, shake and dye the fabric.

3. Vegetable printing

This craft project for kids is perfect for Earth Day, as it reuses the vegetables in your fridge that are a little past their eatable state. Vegetable printing is also a great way to decorate fabrics, as well as create beautiful artistic masterpieces.

Use potatoes, cucumbers and whatever else you have to hand to create unique designs and patterns.

4. Grow your own grass heads

This video from Red Ted Art teaches kids how to make their own fun grass heads. As well as being fun to decorate in a whole bunch of ways - from goggly eyes to turning your grass head into your favourite animal - they teach kids all about how plants grow.

This craft only requires minimal materials as well: some grass seed, soil and an old pair of tights - along with some classic crafting supplies.

5. Make a wormery

Suitable for ages 7 and over, making your own wormery is the perfect craft for kids to celebrate Earth Day. An added bonus is that worms make great compost! So you can fill your garden with compost created from your own wormery.

How to make a wormery:

Once you’ve collected your five or so worms, put them in a large Tupperware box or old ice-cream tub with some soil from the garden.
Make holes in the top so they can breathe
Feed the worms food scraps, like eggshells and vegetable peels

6. Go on a rainbow scavenger hunt

Take the kids on a scavenger hunt like they've never been on before! Whether they're learning all about the colours of the rainbow at school or are already brushed up on the colours, get them to pick out items that represent each colour of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple).

Take a picture of each thing - everything from red letterboxes to orange road cones, trees and flowers - and upload them to the computer to create a rainbow picture.

There are also plenty of other rainbow crafts you can get stuck into from home.

7. Try out some delicious vegan dishes

Vegan cooking is more popular than ever before, as research comes out about just how much impact animal farming has on increasing global warming.

While there are a lot of foods we don't always know are vegan, going completely without animal products is often a lot easier said than done for many people - so trying out some delicious vegan recipes is an ideal way to celebrate Earth Day throughout the week.

Try these easy and kid-friendly vegan recipes:

Credit: Future (Image credit: Future)

8. Make a bird feeder

A great activity for kids to do in honour of Earth Day is one that looks after the wildlife in your garden. This bird feeder craft uses store cupboard ingredients like peanut butter and seeds, as well as cardboard toilet rolls to create a whole meal for the birds outside your window.

You'll need peanut butter and some mixed bird seed and to follow these simple instructions.

How to make a toilet roll bird feeder:

Cover the outside of your toilet roll with peanut butter.
Spread the birdseed out on a flat surface and roll the tube through it’s completely covered, then pat down to make sure the seed is firmly stuck in place.
Loop your feeder over a branch of a tree in the garden.
Now find a quiet place to sit and watch as the birds fly in!

Copdock Mill Wild Bird Supreme Mix (3.8kg) - $13.03 | Amazon

This one's an all-round favourite with a variety of birds due to its tasty and nutritional mix of seed base, flaked maize, red dari, soya bean oil, cut maize and whole wheat.

9. Take them to forest school

Forest schools offer children unique opportunities to learn, develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees. Along with keeping them busy for a couple of days over the weekend or holidays, forest schools help to teach children about the world around them and the importance of looking after it.

If you've missed the boat on enrolling or want something to do with the kids right now, check out our list of forest school activities you can do from home.

10. Go for a bike ride or a long walk

As well as soaking up that vital vitamin D and getting some exercise, a bike ride helps kids to appreciate the nature around them as they go zooming down by the river, across parks and woodland areas.

You could even take a picnic with you and go for a longer trip - just don't forget to take your litter with you when you go!

This is one of our tried-and-tested picks from our best balance bikes for kids round-up.

Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike (Yellow) - $121.76 | Amazon

Suitable for ages 18 Months to 5 Years. Super lightweight, this bike is easy for both kids to ride and adults to carry when the little ones get tired – a huge bonus! The seat and handlebars are adjustable, so the bike can grow with your child and the lightweight wheels are made especially to resist punctures.

11. Zero-waste baking

Although baking with kids might produce a whole lot of kitchen mess, there doesn’t need to be lots of waste to go with it.

Simply by baking from scratch you are reducing the waste you produce. By not using packaged cake mixes, cookie doughs and tubed frosting, you are saving plastic waste which often is just thrown in the bin.

Remember that bag that your caster sugar came in? Use it to pipe your homemade frosting. Simply cut off the corner of the packet and fill with your icing.

Finally, instead of using zip-lock bags, cling-film, tin foil and other single use storage options, store your cakes and biscuits in washable, reusable storage containers like Tupperware or Bees Wax wrap.

Here are some our favourite baking recipes that produce minimal waste as they don't use any single use packaging (like cupcake holders) and you can make them all from scratch. Some don't even require you turn the oven on - perfect for Earth Day-inspired baking…

Mary Berry’s chocolate cake
Easy chocolate chip cookies
Maltesers mug cake
Rocky road bars
Carrot cake squares (*which you can create with even less waste if you use vegan cashew nut frosting)

12. Start your own vegetable garden

The number one way to reduce household waste is to grow your own vegetables! Think of all the plastic packaging and cardboard you’ll be saving, plus the ease of just heading outside into the garden or onto the balcony and picking your own produce.

Start with this easy method for growing cucumbers, great for teaching kids about where their food comes from as well.

You'll need: Some cucumber seeds, an empty 2-litre plastic bottle, a little garden space with soil, some newspaper and elastic bands.

Simply Garden Cucumber Seeds - $2.86 | Amazon

A popular variety producing heavy yields of smooth, dark green fruits. Perfect for salads. You'll find planting guidance provided on each pack.

How to make your own vegetable garden:

Plant your cucumber seeds somewhere in your garden.
Water them regularly and the little cucumbers will start to grow.
Look out for when one of the flowers has dried. At this point push the little cucumber and a bit of the vine through the hole in the bottle and let it sit inside.
Cover the bottle with newspaper and tie it on with elastic bands so that the light can't damage it as it grows.
When the cucumber has grown to a size you're happy with, cut the vine.
Get your kids to show their friends- they'll be wondering how a cucumber ever got through such a tiny hole!

13. Make a paper mache globe

Reuse and recycle some old newspaper or magazines to create a brand new items for your home with this easy way to paper mache.

Follow this link to truly get involved in the Earth Day crafting spirit and learn how to make a paper mache globe.

14. Make your own crayons

As well as learning all about the layers of the earth with this fun craft from thismommakes.com, you can reuse broken old crayons to create something entirely new.

Find out what the earth is made and why it’s so important to protect it with this fun Journey to the Centre of the Earth craft for kids to celebrate Earth Day.

15. Teach kids how to recycle at home

It all starts at home! If your kids are old enough, it's a great idea to get them recycling and understanding how the home recycling system works. Make the house recycling bins easy for little ones to access first of all, then make sure they know where they are.

But this can be fun! Create a game with the kids (such as 'guess which bin this item goes in') and ask them to put cans, bottles, paper and other materials in the correct bin when the opportunity comes up. Together you can make pictures of some of the items that go in each bin, using lots of colour and potentially even materials from the items themselves - like used card and milk carton tops.

Before long, they'll be doing it without even thinking!

16. Get litter-picking

According to Litter Bins, the amount of litter dropped each year in the UK has increased by a whopping 500% since the 1960s. This figure is shocking, especially given what we know about the impact litter has on the planet - killing wildlife and destroying precious ecosystems.

Rally the troops with bin bags and gloves and set off for a local park or beach that could benefit from a litter-pick. Kids will enjoy the hands on activity and will appreciate the before and after effect of their efforts.

It's also a nice reminder for young ones that litter dropping is never okay. An important message to highlight this Earth Day.

How to make a patchwork quilt

Esme Clemo — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 09:30:00 +0000

Have a go at learning how to make a patchwork quilt. It's a fun project to help stretch your sewing ability and, who knows, it could become a family keepsake for years to come.

The great thing about this quilt is that it's made with a simple strip-piecing technique that's easy to master. The strip-piecing method patchworks and quilts at the same time, meaning less stress, mess, and it won't take too long to complete

Plus, it means it's reversible too. So whether you're into brights or neutrals, you can cover all bases with a plain side and an adventurous colour-way on the back. We've created ours in complimentary teals and pinks. Once you've finished the quilt, complete your collection with a matching patchwork cushion.

Not ready to take on a mammoth quilt? Start with something smaller like our hand-pieced patchwork pincushion. Caught the patchwork bug? This pretty patchwork oven glove uses the same strip-style technique.

To make a patchwork quilt you will need:

For the strips: 3 pieces of green and 3 pieces of blue cotton fabric measuring 45 x 14in (115 x 36cm) each. We used a selection by Kaffe Fassett from Lady Sew and Sew (01491 572 528; ladysewandsew.co.uk)
For the backing: 2 pieces of cotton fabric measuring 45 x 36in (115 x 92cm)
For the binding: Cotton fabric measuring 45 x 27in (115 x 70cm). You will need to cut binding strips longer than your fabric by joining the strips with a bias-join.
49 squares of thin wadding measuring 7 x 7in (18 x 18cm)
Bondaweb measuring 18 x 24in (45 x 60cm)
Matching thread
6½in square ruler, rotary cutter, and A2 cutting mat (available from fiskars.co.uk)
Reynolds Freezer Paper
Needle and sewing machine
Iron

For sewing supplies, try John Lewis & Partners.

Everything you need to make a patchwork quilt at home. (Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow)

Cutting out:

For the strips: D Cut each of the 6 fabrics into 1½ x 7in (4 x 18cm) strips
Backing: D Cut the fabrics into 7 x 7in (18 x 18cm) squares
Seam binding: D Cut fabric into 6 strips of 1 x 42in (2.5 x 106.5cm)
Edge binding: D Cut fabric into 2 strips measuring 2½ x 42in (6.5 x 106.5cm) and 2 strips measuring 2½ x 45in (6.5 x 114cm)
Freezer paper: D Cut enough pieces of freezer paper to make a strip measuring ¾ x 42in (1.5 x 106.5cm)
Bondaweb: D Cut 30 strips measuring ½ x 18in (2 x 44cm)

What you could create once you've learned how to make a patchwork quilt! (Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow)

How to make a block for the patchwork quilt:

1. Take a backing fabric square wrong side up, lay a wadding square on top, then tack or pin together. Decide what order you’d like your strips to go in and lay the first one right side up on top of the wadding. Position the next strip in your sequence right side down on top and pin. Then sew the two strips together using a ¼in (6mm) seam allowance.

(Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow)

2. Flip over the second strip and finger press well. The wadding will want to ‘shrink’ the width of the strips, so make sure you finger press firmly. You can take it to the iron, however be careful if your wadding is polyester.

(Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow)

3. Lay the next strip face down on the second strip, stitch, and flip. Continue adding your strips in this way until all six have been used.

(Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow)

4. Using your rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat, trim the block to measure 6½ x 6½in (16.5 x 16.5cm).

(Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow)

How to make the patchwork quilt:

1. When all your blocks are complete, lay them out in rows of alternating colour and rotating pattern.

(Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow)

2. Take the first two blocks, right sides together, and pin along the side through all the thicknesses. Sew with a ¼in (6mm) seam allowance. Then repeat to create a row of blocks.

(Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow)

3. When all the rows are complete, press out the seams with your fingers or gently with an iron. You can trim the wadding out from the seam if you wish to reduce bulk.

(Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow)

4. Once all the rows are sewn, join them all together with a ¼in (6mm) seam allowance to make one entire quilt piece. Check as you go that your seams line up at the joins.

(Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow)

5. Iron the freezer paper, wax-side down, to the center of the wrong side of the seam-binding strips. Them iron over the seam allowance. Remove freezer paper carefully to reuse, then re-iron to fix the seam allowance in place.

(Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow)

6. Then iron a Bondaweb strip, rough side down, onto the centre of the wrong side of the seam binding. Then remove the paper backing.

(Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow)

7. Iron the seam binding over an open seam on the back of the blocks – repeat in one direction first and then the other until all open seams have binding covering them.

(Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow)

8. Hand-stitch the binding on both sides to secure in place.

(Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow)

How to bind the edges of a quilt:

1. First, take the two shorter edge binding pieces, fold lengthways in half, and press. Pin to opposite sides of the quilt, match the raw edges of the quilt to raw edges of the binding and sew right sides together with a ¼in (6mm) seam allowance.

(Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow)

2. Turn the binding over to the reverse side of the quilt and hand-stitch in place.

(Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow)

3. To bind the other two sides of the quilt, fold the 1½in (4cm) excess binding ends to the reverse side and machine-stitch as before on the right side.

(Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow)

4. Turn the binding to the reverse and hand-stitch in place for a neat finish at corners.

(Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow)

5. To finish, make a label to attach to your quilt. The simplest way to do this is with a marker pen on to a scrap of calico or cotton. Why not give it a name, or how about mentioning where and when it was made, and who made it? In years to come, you never know where your patchwork quilt might end up!

Budget garden ideas: 15 cheap and easy ways to make your garden look nice on a budget

Emily.Stedman@futurenet.com (Emily Stedman) — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 15:27:00 +0000

These budget garden ideas will have your backyard ship shape and ready for visitors in no time…

With the weather getting warmer and Summer on the horizon, many of us will be looking forward to getting out in our gardens. Cue sunbathing, summer barbecues on the patio, over-excited kids in paddling pools, and mud kitchen ideas galore to keep the whole family entertained.

Like our homes, gardens need some extra care and attention from time to time. And you'll be amazed at how quickly (and cheaply) you can transform your outdoor space with our simple suggestions.

From laying grass seed to a quick lick of paint, or getting the kids to help grow plants, we’ve pulled together plenty of expert recommended tips that can be copied by even the most amateur of gardeners.

15 budget garden ideas to make your garden look nice:

1. Fill with flowers

It might sound obvious, but flowers are one of the easiest and cheapest budget garden ideas to improve your garden. Taking the time to plant seeds, bulbs or ready-bought bedding plants into pots or flower beds, will certainly pay off.

Credit: Getty

You can pick up flowers like Pansies, Violas and Chrysanthemums for as little as a pound. They have the potential to flower again the following year too, if you give them the right care and keep them away from frost. They’re also pretty immediate, whereas seeds and bulbs will require a little bit more patience and forward-planning.

Flowers like Petunias, Nigellas and Sunflowers can bloom in about 60 days. Whilst bulbs like Daffodils and Tulips will bloom in early spring and should be planted in Autumn.

It’s highly recommended you follow instructions on each plant label or seed packet, with each flower needing a different type of care.

Dahlia ball-type mixed flower bulb, £5 from B&Q

2. Plant some produce

Fruit, vegetables and herbs are three other (tasty) things you can grow in your garden.

Laurie Sgroi, Head of Operations at HOS Landscapes, tells us that growing veg is cost-effective and achievable in even the smallest of spaces.

Credit: Getty

“You don’t need an allotment or a huge garden to grow your own veg. Lots of edible plants will be more than happy in old pots,” he says. “Tomatoes, herbs, salad leaves, even courgettes and squash will thrive during the summer in large pots filled with compost given they don’t dry out. Perfect for a balcony or a garden without much planting space.”

Thrifty veg growers often use leftover food waste to get their garden produce. Seeds discarded from chillies and sweet peppers can be kept, planted and potted in fresh compost. They’ll grow beautifully in warm weather when watered regularly.

Supermarket-bought basil or coriander plants can also be given a new lease of life if repotted and efficiently watered.

Fruit and vegetables are seasonal foods and will only grow at certain times of the year. To get an idea of when next to plant and harvest your produce, we recommend swatting up on Miracle-Gro’s vegetable planting calendar.

Tomato Gardeners Delight Fruit Seeds, £2.15 from Homebase

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3. Perk it up with pots

Extra attention should be given to what you plant your flowers and veggies in, with plant pots another of our budget garden ideas that will smarten up your space.

“A very easy way to change the overall style of your garden is outdoor pots,” says Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director at Dobbies Garden Centres. “These can often be an afterthought to the plants and flowers that will live inside them but can make a huge difference to lift a space very quickly.”

Credit: Getty

Plant pots are relatively cheap investments and is another way you can introduce colour.

“For a country garden feel, use terracotta, stone and soft neutrals, as these will all make greenery really pop,” adds Marcus. “A laid-back coastal theme can be created with metal and navy-blue pots or add a vibrant exotic vibe with sunshine yellow and cherry reds.”

Another cheap plant pot hack is to use and recycle leftover aluminium tins. These tins make a great home for growing herbs and can be elevated with a lick of paint.

Heritage Planter in Blue 30cm, £9.45 from Homebase

4. Look after your lawn

It’s safe to say that the majority of homeowners overlook their lawn. Yet a little extra attention and TLC can really make the grass in your garden sing.

A lush green lawn is often the result of regular mowing, watering and specially scattered seeds.

Credit: Getty

The rule with lawn mowing is generally the more you mow it the better. Experts also mow their lawns in both directions, which is the secret to a more polished finish.

In terms of watering your lawn, mature grass should be watered once a week during June to September. (Though this is also dependent on rainfall). Watering before noon is advised, allowing the grass to dry before evening. Less watering is required in spring and autumn, and you can get away with not watering it all in winter.

Lawn seeds or grass food is an additional way to lift lack-lustre lawns and is both incredibly easy and cheap to do, says Kate Turner, gardening guru at Miracle-Gro.

“Raking your lawn may reveal some bare patches in need of attention,” she tells us. “Lightly fork over the patch and sprinkle over some topsoil or compost. Following pack instructions, scatter over the grass seed and finally cover the seed with a light sprinkling of compost. Water sparingly with a watering can.”

Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Lawn Food, £4.49 from Amazon

5. Get rid of weeds

You’ll thank yourself for taking ten minutes to get rid of unruly weeds in your garden. It’ll tidy the space up considerably.

Credit: Getty

You can follow the old-fashioned method and pull them out yourself. But if weeds are scattered all over your garden, you might want to save yourself the physical effort and try one of these weed-killer recipes:

Vinegar - Banish weeds and dandelions by pouring pure white or apple cider vinegar on them. Perfect for getting rid of weeds sprouting around your patio or in awkward cracks.
Vodka - mix 30ml of vodka with 2 drops of washing up liquid or hand soap and add water. Mix together and spray on stubborn weeds in direct sunlight. The alcohol in this concoction will break down the weed’s waxy cuticles causing them to dehydrate and die.
Mulch - organic-made mulch from things like grass or bark clippings, leaves or straw can be generously applied on top of weeds. They stop the weed’s source of sunlight preventing them from sprouting.
ROUNDUP NL Weed Control - This tried and tested weed-killer is natural and Glyphosate-Free, with visible results in three hours.

Roundup Naturals Glyphosate-Free Powerful Weed Killer - 1 Litre, £4.00 from Amazon

6. Reupholster, repaint, rejuvenate

Reclaim old garden furniture, fences and sheds with a fresh coat of paint.

“Neutral colours like whites or creams will lift a dull area and create a sense of space,” says Marcus Eyles of Dobbies Garden Centres. “Perfect for shady gardens, plants and flowers will pop against a white backdrop.”

Credit: Getty

Of course, white is just one colour you could choose. Don’t be afraid to go bold to make a dramatic garden impact.

We recommend using garden paint instead of your average tub of paint, as it will provide some weather protection, adding some longevity to your painting efforts.

Cuprinol Garden Shades Seagrass Exterior Paint 2.5L, £22.00 from Wilko

7. Clean your patio

Arguably one of our cheapest budget garden ideas - sometimes all your garden needs is a simple spring clean.

If you've got a concrete patio, give it a really good clean with a hose or bucket of soapy water and scrubbing brush or a good-quality broom.

Credit: Getty

If the dirt refuses to budge, you might want to hire a steam cleaning machine or borrow a friend’s pressure washer to shift it. You'll be surprised at the difference it makes without all the muck.

Ronseal Garden Patio Cleaner Fungicidal Wash 5L, £6.47 from B&Q

8. Add a water feature

You don’t necessarily need to break the bank to add a water feature to your garden.

Keep it simple with a bird bath or if you’re up to the challenge try adding a pond. It’s surprisingly cost-effective and can be assembled by even the shyest of DIYers.

“Creating a natural pond is one of the best things you can do for your local wildlife. A pond can be any size, even as small as an old bucket, so they’ll fit in most gardens,” says Laurie Sgroi of HOS Landscapes.

For those seeking a simple, quirky look, consider burying a salvaged bath-tub or sink. Though you could also take pride from creating your own pond.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETFt1XUEdIk

“If digging your own you’ll need a pond liner, which are cheap and sold at most garden centres,” says Laurie. “Remove any sharp stones from your hole and lay the pond liner in then fill with water. Dig a small trench around the outside and tuck the liner into it.

“Then plant around the outside or lay large stones around the perimeter to hide the liner. Make sure wildlife can access the pond, you could use a plank of wood or create a sloped pebble ‘beach’.”

There’s no doubt that kids will love catching the wildlife that ponds attract.

“Frogs, birds and dragonflies will be among the frequent visitors,” adds Laurie.

Hozelock Pond Liner 2M, £20.50 from B&Q

9. Light it up

Enjoy your garden after dark with one of our bright, budget garden ideas: lights.

Candles, lanterns, fairy lights and solar-powered lamps can be cheaply found online and in-stores and will add a lovely glow to your garden.

Credit: Getty

Arrange a few lanterns artfully on your patio or wrap some fairy lights around a focal tree or plant. Pretty and practical, you’ll thank yourself for investing when those long barbecue lunches carry on into the evening.

Black Solar-powered Integrated LED Outdoor Lantern, £16 from B&Q

10. Build a bug hotel

A bug hotel is a genius budget garden idea that can be constructed with help from some curious little helpers. Kids will love getting their hands dirty and seeing their hard work pay off when the habitat is buzzing with wildlife.

Credit: Waitrose

“You’ll need to make a small wooden box open on at least one side, or if you’ve got the room you can stack up some pallets,” says Laurie. “Loosely fill the gaps with natural garden materials such as bricks, logs, moss, dry leaves and broken pots or patio slabs

“Most bugs prefer a dry home so situate it somewhere sheltered , or you could create a ‘living roof’ by digging up a patch of turf and laying it on top of the hotel.”

You can add a number of cheap structures to your garden with recycled pallets. From planters to storage savers - and even a seat.

Those handy with some nails, a saw and a drill, can use pallets to assemble a straight-forward plant table. These can be both practical and aesthetically pleasing, storing your garden tools and holding some of your potted produce.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXSvSx4stdA

Garden furniture can even be erected from pallets, with many tutorials on Youtube showing you how to make a pallet sofa structure. Just add cushions and covers for comfort.

You can find free pallets to collect on Gumtree

15. Declutter

Sometimes you can’t see your garden’s potential because it’s become so littered with bicycles, broken plant pots, toys and tools.

Credit: Getty

Give it a good tidy-up with the usual advice: store what you might use, recycle anything that you won't (and can be recycled) and bin the rest.

You’ll be surprised at how much better the space will look when you've tried this budget garden ideas. Plus you'll be inspired to sit out more often or buy colourful accessories now there's more space.

11 best family days out in the South West: Cheap things to do with your kids

Emily Stedman — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Look forward to family days out in the South West of England again, thanks to an ease in lockdown measures.

The South West is bursting with great places to explore as a family. Be that some rainy day activities in Cornwall or fun things to do with kids in beautiful Bath or bustling Bristol. And it's safe to say we’re very much looking forward to getting back out and seeing places in person again, especially during the school summer holidays.

From a safari adventure to a family National Trust outing, there’s plenty of day trips to try in the South West that are fun, budget-friendly and re-opening soon.

So pack a picnic, rally the troops and choose from one of these brilliant South West days out suggestions:

Best family days out in the South West:

1. Longleat Safari and Adventure Park, Warminster

The first ever Safari Park outside of Africa, this is one of the best kid’s zoos in the South West and will make for a fun family day out. See cheetahs, lions, monkeys and giraffes up close, plus some notoriously naughty monkeys.

Longleat re-opens on Monday 12th April and is operating a daily cap on visitors to ensure optimum safety. Be sure to book your tickets online and save yourself 15%.

Find out more about Longleat Safari and Adventure Park and book tickets for summer 2021 here

2. Avon Valley Adventure Wildlife Park, Bristol

https://www.youtube.com/embed/UBlKBkyX5S0

Come rain or shine, this adventure park in Bristol is sure to hit the spot when looking for days out in the South West. There’s a whole host of activities to keep the family happy, from paddle-boarding, archery, a maze, trampolines, quad bikes, and fishing. Plus, enjoy the park’s rare and exotic animals and be sure to stop by the fascinating falconry display. If it sounds like too much to fit into one day, it could be worth investing in an annual pass and spreading the activities out over the holidays.

Avon Valley Adventure Wildlife Park re-opens on Monday 12th April and are operating half day ‘Covid safe’ AM and PM sessions. It’s worth noting that the park is only accepting pre-booked tickets, so buy your tickets online to save disappointment.

Find out more about Avon Valley Adventure Wildlife Park and book tickets for Summer 2021 here

3. Eden Project, St Austell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNhGh5hJYAA

The Eden Project is an absolute must if you’re in the South West area. With huge iconic greenhouses and thousands of species of plants there is so much to see and do. Find out who WEEE Man is, take a picture with the giant bee, walk in the rainforest and ride England’s longest zip wire. This will be one of the most nature-packed days out in the South West you can experience.

The Eden Project has a proposed re-entry date of 17th May, with special timed ticketing slots for all visitors to maintain effective social distancing. You can pre-book your entry from mid-April and sign up to their newsletter for further details.

Find out more about The Eden Project and get the latest ticket information here

4. Rugrats & Halfpints, Cirencester

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You’d be silly not to consider Rugrats & Halfpints for a fun family day out in the South West. Formerly Magicland, this soft play centre is the perfect place for your little one to burn off some steam and there’s plenty of space for you to sit and watch (if you don’t fancy tackling the course yourself). There are snacks available too so when their tummies start to rumble you can grab a spot of lunch before hitting the road. Whilst the centre’s huge range of sensory based activities including bubble machines, trampolines and an indoor go-karting track, are sure to keep them entertained for a few hours.

Rugrats & Halfpints in Cirencester looks forward to welcoming families back on Monday 17th May. All two hour sessions must be pre-booked online, with the half hour break between sessions used to sanitise the play area for peace of mind.

Find out more about Rugrats and Halfpints and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

5. Snowtrax, Christchurch

Why wait for the snow when you can have it all year round? Opt for one of the more alternative days out in the South West and take a ski or snowboarding lesson on these (surprisingly warm) slopes. If that doesn’t take your fancy, bring some friends and zoom down the slope in a much cheaper ringo or ski-bob. Or check out the alpine adventure park full of trampolines, cables, a fort, slides and swings. Either way, you’ll get all the fun of a ski holiday without the expense or travel.

Snoxtrax is open from Monday 29th March and actively taking bookings for ski and snowboard lessons, and their ring and ski-bob sessions. We recommend the Family Activity Package for £45 which gives you day passes, meals and 2 x 30 minute children’s ringo or ski bob sessions.

Find out more about Snowtrax and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

6. National Seal Sanctuary, Gweek

Get up close and personal with some rescued seals for an unforgettable family day out at this South West sanctuary. Make sure you attend feeding times – it’s not just the seals, you’ll make friends with the penguins and otters too. There are even rock pools where you can hold a crab or a starfish. Unlike aquariums, and zoos, this is a really interactive day out all in aid of the seals who have been rescued. Learn the heart-warming stories of each individual seal as they journey down their road to recovery.

You'll be able to see these seals in action from Monday 12th April when the sanctuary re-opens. But be aware you'll have to pre-book online to get in.

Find out more about the National Seal Sanctuary and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

7. Roman Baths and Museum, Bath

https://youtu.be/3Qn4lCvcm5Y

This is for anyone looking for one of the more history packed days out in the South West. Bring history to life at the Roman Baths where your kids can learn simple Latin phrases and meet costumed characters who’ll chat about life as a Roman citizen. They can listen to a child-friendly audio guide explaining the history of the site, fill in a puzzle sheet and discover the collection of over 17,000 silver coins. After the tour you can try some of the famous water, with its rumoured healing powers…

The Roman Baths are getting ready to welcome visitors back on Monday 17th May. Tickets must be pre-booked online, so be sure to plan your trip ahead of time.

Find out more about the Roman Baths and Museum and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

8. Dunster Castle, Minehead

Take a South West day trip to this historic castle, dating back to the Norman era. Situated on a wooded hill, explore the castle, learn the history and take a walk in the beautiful grounds. Be sure to look up the variety of special activities available, from den building to knight school. There is a wheel-friendly route in the gardens so if you’ve still got a pram you can still navigate the paths. There’s also parking on site if you drive and it is £4.50 for the day or free for National Trust members.

Families can enjoy the garden, parkland and Tenants’ Hall pop-up castle again from Monday 29th March (open 10-5pm). With the castle officially stated to re-open from Tuesday 1st June.

Find out more about Dunster Castle and plan your visit here

9. Stonehenge, Amesbury

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RyqU1r1Fmk

As one of the wonders of the world, this makes a great activity to tick off with the family. It’s perfect if your little one loves history, or if you are trying to spark more of an interest. There’s a world-class exhibition and you can come face to face with a man who is 5,500 years old.

Stonehenge will open from Monday 12th April with plenty of outside takeaway catering options to enjoy during your South West day trip. Tickets must be bought online and ahead of time.

Find out more about English Heritage’s Stonehenge and book tickets for summer 2021 here

10. Dorset Water Park, Purbeck

https://youtu.be/pEyyK_K7BYg

Set in two scenic lakes overlooking Corfe Castle, there are two huge inflatable obstacle courses that the kids will love. You need to be a confident swimmer and able to swim a 50 metre length so it isn’t suitable for kids under six. To save money, pack a picnic to eat after the kids have burned off some steam. There is a lovely area overlooking Corfe Castle where you can set up. Plus there is a Snack Shack if you want hot food, refreshments and ice creams.

The Water Park reopens for it’s summer season on Saturday 22nd May. So get in early and buy your tickets online. It’s advised you arrive 45 minutes early to your session for a full healt and safety briefing.

Find out more about Dorset Water Park and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

11. Dorset Mud Trail, Purbeck

Located in the same setting as Dorset water park, you could finish your exciting family day out in the South West with a turn on this daring mud trail. With over 30 obstacles, including monkey rings, balance beams and cargo nets to choose from, it’s sure to knacker the kids out. But don’t worry, it’s free for spectators so you don’t have to join them on the trail if you don’t feel up to it…

Like the neighbouring water park, Dorset Mud Trail will re-open on Saturday 22nd May. You should pre-book your tickets online to save disappointment on the day.

Find out more about Dorset Mud Trail and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

16 best family days out in the Midlands: Cheap things to do with your kids around the Midlands

rachael.martin@futurenet.com (Rachael Martin) — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Family days out in the Midlands are something we can all enjoy again now that lockdown rules and restrictions are easing.

Finding fun things to do with kids is an ongoing task for parents. At the start of the year we made do with virtual kid’s tours and Zoom games for kids during lockdown, but now we’re excited to get back out and discover old stomping grounds and new family adventures.

From historical attractions to strawberry picking, there’s a whole host of Midlands day trips to explore during the school summer holdiays. We’ve kept our ideas purse-friendly but fun, and found out the all important re-opening dates for when we can get back out there.

So prepare some packed lunches, bundle the kids into the car and choose from one of our best days out in the Midlands suggestions...

Best family days out in the Midlands

1. Alton Towers, Staffordshire

Families and thrill-seekers are set for a summer of fun at Alton Towers Resort this year thanks to the arrival of brand-new rides and attractions at the world-class theme park set in over 500 acres of beautiful Staffordshire countryside.

Alton Towers has now fully re-opened to guests (and under 3's still go free!) and is welcoming visitors back to the family-friendly theme park in style with their first ever Mardi Gras inspired takeover at the Resort. Taking place everyday until June 20th, the Resort will be transformed with music, street performers, colour, and food from around the world.

In addition, a whole new area of Alton Towers has been transformed for kids into ‘The World of David Walliams’. The colourful and mischievous new land in the park brings David's children's books to life and features rides and attractions including the Royal Carousel, Raj’s Bouncy Bottom Burp, Flavio’s Fabulous Fandango, as well as the chance to pick up a wacky bargain in Raj’s Shop.

The main attraction is a brand new child-friendly ride for 2021 - Gangsta Granny: The Ride. Based on David Walliams’ most popular children’s novel, Gangsta Granny: The Ride is a fun family experience for all ages which sees guests join the main characters, Ben and Granny, as they attempt the greatest heist in the history of the world: to steal the Crown Jewels.

(Credit: Alton Towers Resort)

Alton Towers have reduced their capacity to allow for social distancing, so anyone wishing to visit, including Passholders will need to pre-book a ticket in advance. Find out more and book tickets here.

2. Cadbury's World, Birmingham

Just a short drive away from Birmingham's bustling city centre comes a factory that needs no introduction. Cadbury's World is every child and chocolate-lover's dream, with chocolate confectionery everywhere you look. Discover the origins of the cocoa bean, jump on board the Crunchie Rollercoaster or simply dive into a bowl of liquid Dairy Milk (they will let us do that, won't they?). And with a restaurant, playground park and picnic area, there's something for everyone to enjoy on this family day out in the Midlands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrjAw7Gzalg

Cadbury's World re-opened on Monday 17th May, following government guidelines. Masks will need to be worn by all visitors over the age of 12 whilst inside the attraction.

Find out more about Cadbury World and get the latest ticket information here

3. National Space Centre, Leicester

For all you space lovers out there, this is one of the days out in the Midlands not to be missed when you're in the region. The exhibition holds galleries, interactive displays and an incredible Planetarium all surrounding the history (and future) of space travel. And that's not all; as they hold special themed events for kids during the holidays.

You'll be pleased to know you can put aside the fun at-home kid's science experiments and see some real space action soon. The space centre reopened on Monday 17th May, following government guidelines. Be aware booking tickets before your trip is mandatory, so do check the website to see when there is space for you to visit.

Find out more about the National Space Centre and get the latest ticket information here

4. Holme Pierrepont Country Park, Nottinghamshire

This is one of the best family days out in the Midlands for all you action-adventurey types. If your kids are into trying out new activities, from White Water Rafting to Sailing, Wakeboarding to Segways, this activity-packed park is a fantastic day out. Kids can get lessons on the water, try out the army-inspired assault course or try their hand at some mini golf or high ropes. The Rambo-inspired, ECombat Experience gives your kids the chance to engage in thrilling military missions (live on the battlefield) too. Plus you can purchase zone packages if your kids are interested in trying multiple activities, which works out a little cheaper.

We're happy to report that Holme Pierrepont Country Park is currently open for walks and the Sky Trail and Mini Golf are also open now too.

Find out more about Holme Pierrepont Country Park and get your Sky Trail and Mini Golf tickets here

5. Drayton Manor, Staffordshire

You might be expecting a grand, country house, but Drayton Manor is actually the setting of one of the best kid's theme parks. There are hundreds of things to do, from thrilling rides and attractions, 'Thomas Land' for the tots, and an activity park, museum and crazy golf for everyone else. There's even a 15 acre zoo with dozens of wildlife, reptiles and primates. One of the best family days out in the Midlands according to mums who visited the park for us, they reported that kids of all ages enjoyed the day - and having stopped talking about it since!

Drayton Manor has now fully re-opened and is welcoming visitors with all Covid safety precautions being followed by the park. Tickets are available to buy online now, but can also be bought on the day.

Find out more about Drayton Manor and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

6. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham

BirminghamBotanicalGardensUK/Facebook

For a more peaceful day out in the West Midlands, escape the bustle of the city and enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of Birmingham's Botanical Gardens. Explore the various tropical glasshouses, stunning gardens and breathtaking lake. Send the kids on their own trails to explore everything nature has to offer, from beautiful butterflies to magical plants. They can even pick up an explorer backpack for the day, bursting with creative activities. The gardens are great all year round and seasonal events, such as Halloween's Spooky Story Night Trail or their Santa's Grotto are legendary.

Find out more about Birmingham's Botanic Garden and book tickets for your trip here

7. Manor Farm Fruits, Tamworth

Fruit-picking is a lovely, wholesome activity the whole family can enjoy - with the added perk of lots of delicious strawberries to tuck into after. Manor Farm Fruits is one of our top picks for family days out in the Midlands, as the site also includes picnic tables and a tractor sized bouncy castle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmaVnjI7grc

The Farm will be opening for the season at 10am on Wednesday, 26th May 2021. Like last year’s pick-your-own (PYO) season, there’ll be a booking system in place to keep your fruit-picking Covid-safe.

Find out more about Manor Farm Fruits and the start of their strawberry picking season here

8. Si5 Spymissions, Nottingham

For kids who want to crack codes, solve puzzles and dodge lasers this is the perfect day out. Teams must complete their mission within the time limit, in order to prevent the ship from being blown up. This is a great chance to get your kids off their phones or computer games and instead throw them into the scenarios they so love to play out. This action packed day will leave your children satisfied and exhausted! The 'mission' lasts around an hour and there are three levels of difficulty to suit different age groups.

https://www.facebook.com/spymissions/photos/a.426908703990959.122541.120103251338174/1230834773598344/?type=1&theater

Si5 SpyMissions opened their doors again on Saturday 22nd May. You can book your up-to-six person party online.

Find out more about Si5 SpyMissions and book your escape room experience here

9. Monkey Forest, Trentham

Want to see animals roaming free? Visit this amazing 60-acre forest on this fabulous family day out, where you can interact and walk amongst up to 140 free roaming monkeys. Unlike anything else, this experience will allow your kids to see how these animals act in their natural habitat and capture heart-melting memories they'll never forget.

Visitors can secure their time-slot tickets online to visit. Pre-booking tickets is a must.

Find out more about Monkey Forest Trentham and book your tickets to visit here

10. Tudor World, Stratford Upon Avon

Bring your kids' history education to life with this interactive Tudor museum. Instead of old artefacts and displays, your kids can dress up, take their place at the dining table, rest in the bed and sit on the throne! Let them discover how life was all those years ago by experiencing it first hand. We promise your kids will never enjoy learning quite so much. The independent, award-winning museum is a fun day out for the whole family and it's educational too.

https://youtu.be/ssJBa_aVEOU

Tudor World is now welcoming back visitors and tickets are available to book now on their website.

Find out more about Tudor World and be sure to pre-book your tickets for summer 2021 here

11. The Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath

If it's time to get a breath of fresh air, take a trip up the hill on the cable car and absorb the stunning views the Peak District has to offer. Once at the top, take a guided tour of the two great caverns, perfect for any little adventurers you might have. Check out the amazing fossil collection and climb the Prospect Tower. If your kids are still energetic, there are two great adventure playgrounds which we also recommend.

A limited number of tickets are on sale for each week, so we suggest you book in advance and familiarise yourself with the coronavirus safety measures in place.

Find out more about The Heights of Abraham and purchase your tickets here

12. Chatsworth House, Derbyshire

There is a full day's worth of activities at Chatsworth house - a fun-filled Midlands day out for the whole family. This beautiful historical house is a sight to behold, surrounded by stunning natural scenery with plenty of land for little ones to run around on.

You can explore the gardens, farmyard and playground which are open at present, with visitors asked to book a time-slot online before arriving.

Find out more about Chatsworth House and book your time-slot tickets here

13. Butterfly Farm, Stratford-Upon-Avon

If your little ones love bugs and nature they'll have a whirl at the Butterfly Farm. They'll learn about the plants grown at the farm and see some of the worlds largest and most camouflaged caterpillars. The caterpillars will be on show alongside the cocoons, giant silk moths and shining pupae so kids can get to grips with the full lifecycle of these fascinating creatures. There's also a Mini-Beast Metropolis which is home to stick insects, beetles, leaf cutter ants and some of the worlds biggest tarantula spiders!

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Stratford-Upon-Avon's Butterfly Farm has now re-opened after lockdown. Tickets are scheduled to be released soon, so watch this space.

Find out more about the Butterfly Farm and get the latest ticket information here

14. Water World, Staffordshire

This is the UK's No.1 Tropical Aqua Park and for good reason! It has thrilling rides, plunge pools, a bubble pool, jacuzzi and a wave machine. If the weather permits there is also an outdoor pool you might like to take a dip in. What family won't enjoy a day out to this West Midlands attraction?

Those who pre-book their tickets online will have priority over those that turn up on the day. So be sure to log online and book your chosen 3-hour time-slot to avoid disappointment.

Find out more about Waterworld Staffordshire and book your tickets for summer 2021 here

15. West Midland Safari Park, Kidderminster

Kids will have a roar-some day out at this must-visit West Midlands attraction. Explore Elephant Valley, check out animals often found in the African plains or venture across to the land of the living dinosaurs. In addition to the incredible safari, kids and adults alike can enjoy an adrenaline hit at the amazing adventure theme park in the same afternoon.

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One of kids' favourite days out in the Midlands, the park has now officially re-opened after lockdown, just make sure you book tickets online first. Some dates have a 20% off discount when you book ahead.

Find out more about the West Midlands Safari Park and book your safari tickets here

16. Warwick Castle: The Dragon Slayer

(Image credit: Dionne Delves)

Warwick Castle is open all year round so is definitely worth a look, but if you're there in August, then the Dragon Slayer is highly recommended.

At £19pp it's not the cheapest, especially if you're a family of 4+. Mum-of-three Dionne tells us "The Dragon Slayer follows Guy of Warwick on his quests to save his love, Felice. It's set in the castle courtyard, where you take your seat in this sunset-drenched show of medieval fantasy jam-packed with live action, a fire-breathing dragon, fated romance, majestic horses, and action-packed story-lines. Not forgetting the illumination as the skies explode with fireworks as the finale of the legend of the Dragon Slayer. It really was a brilliant attack on the senses.

She adds; "The show itself was fantastic! I couldn’t keep the kids in their seats, it was so interactive with characters arriving from all sides and projection up onto the castle walls. They were constantly jumping up squealing about something else they'd spotted.”

Find out more about the Warwick Castle and read our full review of The Dragon Slayer.

Easter crafts for kids

Grace Walsh — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 15:00:09 +0000

Easter crafts are a unique way to keep kids busy over the holidays, when they're off school and in need of things to do.

Whether you want to make Easter gifts for kids or DIY Easter decorations for the house, there are plenty of Easter craft ideas to try below.

This isn't the type of silly string that flies everywhere and you're still finding it for days on end under the sofa. This Easter silly string craft can be easily contained to the table. Once finished, you could even string the eggs together to create a different type of Easter bunting.

Credit: TI Media Limited

How to make a paper gun that shoots - a step-by-step guide

Esme Clemo — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:33:00 +0000

This easy how to make a paper gun step-by-step guide doesn't take long to master and only uses three materials you probably already have at home.

Much nicer than plastic toy guns, these paper alternatives are both fun to make and fun to play with. Plus, anything to stop the constant clutter of plastic toys spilling out of the toybox is a blessing in our eyes.

A great craft for kids to help you with, you can make a paper gun using any colour or pattern of paper. Let the kids choose their favourite colourful prints and paper for the craft. Children love how quick and easy a paper gun that shoots is to make and playing with the craft afterwards is a bonus that should keep kids entertained (at least for a little while).

There are lots of fun things you can make from your stash of colourful paper, like a paper boat, a homemade fortune teller and these fun paper plate masks projects. So check out our other craft ideas to see what you'd like to make next.

How to make a paper gun

To make a paper gun you will need:

A4 paper in your choice of pattern or colour
Scissors
Rubber band

Step-by-step guide on how to make a paper gun

Step 1

Turn the piece of A4 paper so that it's landscape and fold in half.

Step 2

Open out the folded piece of paper to reveal the crease in the centre. Now fold one edge of the paper into the crease line. Repeat folding the same side into the centre.

Step 3

Now repeat on the opposite side, folding the opposite edge into the centre line. Once folded to the centre, fold the paper in half along the original crease line the create a slim strip of folded paper.

Step 4

Repeat steps 1-3 so you have two folded strips.

Step 5

Open out one of the folded strips and fold in half in the opposite direction. Open out again, refold along the original centre crease.

Step 6

To make the handle of the paper gun, use the second strip of paper to line up with the centre crease. Now fold the first strip of paper down at a 90-degree angle on the left side.

Step 7

Repeat the fold on the right side.

Step 8

Fold the handle in half along the centre crease. Now fold the second strip, the barrel of the gun, in half.

Step 9

Sandwich the handle of the paper gun, the first paper strip, in between the folds of the barrel paper.

Step 10

Then push the ends of the barrel papers underneath the folds of the handle. This will be a tight fit, so push slowly.

Step 11

Once pushed through, keep pulling on the paper ends until the middle folded section fits snugly together.

Step 12

Use a pair of scissors to cut out notches for the tip of the barrel and the top folds of the paper gun.

How to make a paper gun that shoots

Perhaps a toy to play with outdoors, you should now have your very own homemade paper gun that shoots. To make your craft shoot, place an elastic band or hair tie in the notches. To fire the elastic band or hair tie, pull on the bottom fold of the paper gun where a trigger would be. The elastic band should ping off.

DIY Easter Decorations: How to make Easter decorations at home

Esme Clemo — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:10:31 +0000

Give your home a spring lift with these easy-to-make DIY Easter decorations. It's simple to make Easter decorations at home and the kids will love getting involved with all the crafting too

Easter craft ideas are a great way to keep kids entertained during the Easter holidays. From felt animals to bunny picture frames, we’ve got a range of DIY Easter decoration ideas to suit all ages and skill levels.

Make sure you’re fully stocked with felt and card to get cracking on these egg-cellent ideas. After you’ve made some decorations, why not have a go at making our Easter baskets ready for that all important egg hunt? You could also hide these adorable Easter pom pom animals amongst the sweet treats for your kids to find.

For some of these projects, you'll need these printable Easter bunny and chick templates.

DIY Easter Decorations: Felt Easter chicks

Sew these sweet chicks as a lovely Easter gift for kids and adults this spring.

To make felt chick Easter decorations you will need:

Felt
Pinking shears
Scissors
Pins
Toy stuffing
Sewing machine
Black cotton

For crafts supplies, check out Baker Ross

How to make felt chick Easter decorations:

Using the templates, cut out two felt bodies using pinking shears, and two wings and one beak with regular scissors. Position the wings in-between the two body pieces and pin in place. Sew around the outer edge leaving a small gap at the bottom.
Place a little toy stuffing inside the chick, then sew up the bottom edge. Sew some eyes using black cotton, then sew or stick on a little beak.
Cut out two shells using regular scissors. Sew around the bottom edge, then cut the top with a pair of pinking shears so you have a cracked-egg look. Pop your chick inside.

DIY Easter Decorations: Felt Easter bunnies

Make a cute display with this family of soft pastel rabbits.

To make felt bunny Easter decorations you will need:

Felt
Scissors
Pins
Toy stuffing
Sewing machine
Glue

How to make felt bunny Easter decorations:

Using the templates, cut out one whole bunny (without legs) and two half bunnies (with legs) from the felt.
Place the half bunnies together and sew along the front edge. Make sure the seam is neat by trimming any wonky lines with sharp scissors. Place the sewn bunny on top of the whole bunny, seam side up, and pin in place.
Sew all the way around, leaving the bottom open. Then pad out with toy stuffing, then sew along the bottom edge, leaving the feet sticking out at the bottom. Avoid overfilling the bunnies or they will lose their shape.
Cut out a small heart and glue it in place on the front.

DIY Easter Decorations: Easter Storage Jars

Fill these DIY Easter storage jars with treats and give them as homemade Easter gifts. Once all of the chocolate is gone, the container can be put to good use to keep small items!

To make the Easter storage jars you will need:

Jam jars
Hot glue gun
Small plastic toys
Spray paint

How to make the Easter storage jars:

Clean the jam jars thoroughly, removing any sticky labels from the glass. Then use a hot glue gun to stick one toy onto the top of each lid.
Spray the lid with three or four light coats of paint. A few light coats are better than one or two thick ones, as it prevents the paint from running.
Leave the paint to dry a day or two before you fill the jars with sweet treats.

DIY Easter Decorations: Rabbit artwork

Decorate a corner of your home with these bright Easter bunny pictures.

To make the Easter frame decorations you will need:

Scalpel
Cutting board
Coloured card
Picture frame
Plain paper
Tissue paper
Paper tapes
Glue

How to make an Easter frame decoration:

Cut out the coloured card for your background to the same size as your frame backing. Position the rabbit template centrally on the card, draw around it, then cut it out.
Then on a piece of plain paper (cut to the same size as the picture frame backing), mark where the rabbit will be positioned.
Cut strips of coloured paper, tissue paper and paper tapes and layer them on the plain paper, so that they stretch further than the rabbit cut-out will sit.
Put your rabbit cut-out over the top of the paper, then pop it into the picture frame.

Related Features:

Best Easter hampers Best Easter gifts for kids Best Easter baskets Best kids' Easter eggs Best vegan Easter eggs Best personalised Easter eggs Best online Easter eggs

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The different types of bingo games explained

GoodtoKnow — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 10:29:37 +0000

Want to play online bingo but don't know where to start? We breakdown the different types of bingo games you're likely to find online.

Bingo has been around for decades, and rose to popularity in bingo halls around the UK in the 1950s. But, even if you're familiar with the game (and all the traditional bingo calls and the modern and funny bingo calls), you'd be forgiven for feeling confused about the different types of bingo games you can play online, which is why we've outlined them below.

Wondering whether or not there's a trick to winning online bingo? Sadly no. Just with bingo played in bingo halls, online bingo really is a game of chance so there is no trick to winning it. Never try and chase a win, that's just not in the spirit of bingo. If you're new to the game or haven't played in a while, brush up with our advice on how to play bingo, and see our pick of the best bingo sites.

18+ Please Play Responsibly. BeGambleAware.Org

The different types of bingo games

90 Ball Bingo

90 Ball Bingo is the most traditional game of online bingo and the most similar to the games played in bingo halls around the country. Rules vary per game, but the goal is to mark either one line, two lines, or a full house of matched numbers, within 90 ball calls.

Sometimes there is even more money up for grabs – a progressive jackpot – if you call "bingo" within 45 balls or less, so it really does pay to keep your eyes on the screen.

75 Ball Bingo

The clue's in the name. This game of online bingo uses 75 Balls, instead of the traditional 90. The goal is to make patterns on your grid which vary per game, but could be a cross, diamond, blackout etc. See below for some examples.

(Image credit: Kimberly Walker)

52 Ball Bingo

52 Ball Bingo is mix of the two games above. The main difference here is that the balls are actually playing cards – hence the number 52 as that's the amount of cards in a standard deck. Players are handed five cards which they mark off as they are called.

Slingo

A mash- up of slots and bingo. You have a bingo card of numbers, and you spin the reels to mark them off.

Each player receives one Slingo card with 25 numbers arranged in five columns (it looks a little like a 75-ball bingo card). A player then hits the spin button to receive five numbers at a time, these appear at the bottom of the card. If your card has one of the numbers, they will then be marked off the card. The aim is to create Slingos to win a prize.

A Slingo is achieved when a player marks off five numbers diagonally, horizontally or vertically. Each Slingo created awards points, the player with the most points wins the game.

During the game, special symbols may show up instead of numbers.

Rules do vary between the versions, but these basics are about the same in every online Slingo game.

Bingo Roulette

A fun alternative to bingo calls, the caller spins the roulette wheel to generate numbers.

How to play slot games

One of the great things about playing online bingo is… there’s more than just bingo! Most online bingo sites have a range of slot games you can play while you wait for a bingo game to go live, or just because you fancy a spin.

All slots are slightly different, but the general rule is the same. You select your stake (how much you want to gamble per line, usually 1p, 10p, 20p or a £1), how many lines you want to play and then hit spin.

Most slot games online feature "wilds" and "scatters" that can trigger bonus rounds. Bonus rounds vary per site and slot game, but usually offer a chance to win free spins, extra games or even a jackpot.

Some of the nation's favourite online slot games include Rainbow Riches and Starburst, pictured above.

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How to make Easter wreaths: DIY Easter wreath ideas

Esme Clemo — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Our step-by-step guides on how to make Easter wreaths show you how to make a DIY wreath for spring with a few Easter craft essentials, things you already have around your home or even fresh flowers and foliage picked from your own garden.

Wreaths shouldn't just be saved for the festive season. They make pretty decorations at any time of the year and these DIY Easter wreaths make lovely decorations for your wall or door, or you could give one as a thoughtful Easter gift for kids and adults.

If you're looking for ideas to entertain the kids during the holidays, why not let them help you make Easter wreaths? How sweet would one look hung on each child's bedroom door? A fun Easter activity, they'll love having their own project to work on. And, if you're lucky, it might even keep them out of trouble for half an hour.

How to make Easter wreaths with real flowers

Get green-fingered this Easter and learn how to make a wreath from the spring florals blooming in your back garden. The only thing you need is a rattan wreath to act as a base, then the rest you can forage from all around you.

This is a great project to get the whole family involved in. Kids will love finding and foraging for different plants and flowers for the wreath. If you can't get hold of any blooms, how about making paper flowers using our guide instead?

To make an Easter wreath with real flowers you will need:

Rattan wreath
Garden shears or flower scissors
Green foliage
Spring florals - we used Narcissus, Camellias and some flowering shrubs all from the garden
50cm ribbon

How to make an Easter wreath from flowers:

Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow

1. Begin by trimming down your foliage and flower clippings. The stems and branches should be no longer than 12cm. Strip off the foliage at the very end of the stems and branches. Starting with the green and leafy foliage, weave the branches into the rattan wreath. Focus the foliage in one third of the wreath, making sure to leave room in the middle of the leaves for the bigger blooms.

Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow

2. Add the flowering shrub cuttings to add some depth to the Easter wreath arrangement. Dot the blossom amongst the leaves in a random pattern.

Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow

3. Take one big blousy bloom in a bright colourful shade, in our case a pink flower from a Camellia, and position it in the centre of the foliage arrangement.

Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow

4. For that extra Easter addition, some daffodils or Narcissus woven into the wreath design makes the perfect finishing touch.

Credit: Esme Clemo/GoodToKnow

5. Take your ribbon and loop it around the top of the wreath, ready for hanging. Alternatively, simply tie into a bow and display the wreath propped up on a shelf or mantelpiece.

How to make Easter wreaths from egg boxes

Credit: Suzie Attaway

To make this DIY Easter wreath you will need:

Egg boxes
Scissors
Acrylic paints
Paint brush
Glue
Small pom poms
Green felt
Embroidery hoop
Hot melt glue gun
Wool or ribbon

Cut out 10 egg sections from the egg boxes with scissors to make the flowers.
Take five of the egg box pieces and neaten round the edges with scissors. Then snip around the edges and flatten slightly, creating flower shapes. Paint with acrylic paints and leave to dry.
Cut out the bottoms of the other five egg box pieces, and paint with acrylic paint. Leave to dry.
Stick the smaller flower pieces inside the larger ones, and glue a small pom pom in the middle to create 3D shapes. It’s nice to make them in a few different colours for contrast if you fancy it.
Cut out some green felt leaf shapes with some sharp scissors, and glue them to the bottom section of the embroidery hoop. Leave to dry again.
Once your leaves have stuck securely you can decorate with your cardboard flowers. Using a hot melt glue gun, carefully stick the egg box flowers on to the leaves. Leave to dry a final time, before hanging up with wool or ribbon.

How to make bunny ears: DIY bunny headband for Easter

Esme Clemo — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 09:39:36 +0000

This easy step-by-step guide shows you how to make bunny ears at home for Easter using a hairband, some felt and fabric scraps.

Stitch up this pair of Easter bunny ears for your little one. Made from a hairband and pretty fabric, it's a thrifty project that's quick to make in time for an Easter weekend filled with egg hunts.

An Easter craft idea for older kids, this simple technique for how to make bunny ears is a great Easter activity to keep kids busy over the Easter holidays. Plus, the result is so cute!

If you're looking for things to do with little children, you can get them involved with the gluing and sticking fun too. Or why not get them to help you make Easter cards or a lovely Easter basket. Both of these crafts are simple to make and can be used to gather up sweet treats during the highly anticipated Easter egg hunt!

How to make bunny ears

To make bunny ears at home you will need:

A plastic hairband
5 x 20cm piece of floral cotton fabric
Felt in peach or pink and grey or white
Pins
Sewing thread
Hand sewing needle
Scissors
Sewing machine
Hot glue gun

For sewing supplies, check out John Lewis & Partners

How to make a pair of Easter bunny ears:

Begin by folding the strip of floral cotton in half lengthways and with right sides together. Stitch close to the raw edges in a matching thread, turn right sides out, and then press.

2. Thread the floral cotton sleeve onto the plastic hairband until it's completely covered in fabric. Tuck the raw ends inside the floral cotton tub by about 1cm and wrap tightly around the hairband ends. Then use a hand sewing needle and some matching thread to secure the fabric ends in place.

3. From the peach or pink felt, cut out two small rectangles. Heat up the glue gun and apply the glue to one side of the rectangle. Wrap around the ends of the hairband and hold together until the glue has dried.

4. Cut out two large bunny ear shapes from the grey or white felt and two smaller ones from the peach or pink felt.

5. Using a sewing machine and some pink thread, stitch down the centres of the ears. Fold the ears along the stitch line and sew along the bottom edge to keep them in place. Making the Easter bunny ears 3D like this should help the ears to stand up and give them some character.

6. Use a glue gun to stick the bunny ears onto the Easter hairband. Or use a hand sewing needle and some thread to sew the bunny ears in place instead.

How to make an Easter bonnet

Esme Clemo — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 09:00:00 +0000

Looking for an easy step-by-step for how to make an Easter bonnet? You're in the right place.

Learn how to make an Easter bonnet in four simple steps. This Easter bonnet tutorial is so easy that it's a perfect Easter craft for kids to help with. They will love getting creative with their own designs and decorations.

Most of the materials you need for this project can easily be bought on your next shopping trip. Try the Easter aisle for the mini-decorations. A fun activity for kids, you can let them pick their own decorations and personalise their Easter bonnets too.

A colourful selection of paper flowers to glue onto your Easter bonnet make an attractive decoration. Can't get hold of the wired paper flower? No worries! Use our how to make paper flowers guide to make your own instead.

How to make an Easter bonnet

To make an Easter bonnet you will need:

A bonnet or old sun hat
Large and small wired paper flowers
Easter egg nests
Fluffy chick decorations
Hot glue gun

You can buy a range of these Easter bonnet supplies from Poundland.

1. Begin by separating out the paper flowers. Place six large paper flowers around the brim of the bonnet. Push the wire through the woven fabric of the hat and push up towards the top of the hat. Heat up the hot glue gun and apply it to the wire on the inside of the bonnet to secure it in place.

2. Now add the small paper flowers amongst the larger blooms. Follow the instructions in step 1 to glue the flowers onto the Easter bonnet.

3. Take some mini Easter egg baskets, remove a couple of the eggs and replace them with some fluffy chicks. Glue gun to keep in position. Arrange on the brim of the bonnet at the end of the row of flowers and stick it down with the glue gun.

4. Position a couple of fluffy chicks amongst the flowers, as though they've just wandered out of the nest. Use your glue gun again to stick them down.

How to make Easter cards: A quick and easy Easter card idea to make with kids

Amy Hunt — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Get the kids stuck in to a lovely Easter project...

Wondering how to make Easter cards? These pretty Easter cards are easy to make with kids and are perfect for giving to friends and family this Spring!

We all love getting a letter in the post, but a handmade Easter egg card is extra special. So keep the kids busy over the holidays with Easter crafts and this easy-peasy, egg-cellent Easter card project.

Make sure you’re stocked up on coloured paper and glue so they can create a card for every member of your family. Plus, the same project can be used to make pretty hanging decorations if you fancy putting up an Easter tree this year.

If you love this make, why not try making an Easter wreath from egg boxes or learn how to make Easter baskets for your very own egg hunt in the garden. They’re all simple projects using bits and bobs from around the house, so you can save some pennies and still have fun.

For these makes you’ll need these Easter egg card templates, they can be printed off and used for the patterned paper and embellishments.

How to make Easter cards

To make a pair of cracking Easter egg cards you will need:

Card blanks
Dotty or patterned paper
Plain paper in pastel colours
Ribbon
Paper lace
Ricrac
Flower paper punch (optional)
Stick-on embellishments
Glue

Method

For the square card:

Following our photo as a guide, cut three different-sized squares from either spotty or plain paper. Then stick one on top of the other to the front of a 12.5cm square card blank. Or print off the dotty squares on the templates instead.
Trace off the medium egg template and cut from the thin pink card.
Stick lengths of ribbon and lace across the egg, trimming of edges to neaten.
Either cut out the template or use a paper punch to create two flowers, stick to the centre of the egg, then add a stick-on embellishment.
Finally, stick the decorated egg to the centre of the card.

For the egg card:

Trace the large egg template onto a piece of pink A4 card folded in half, ensuring one edge of the egg is against the fold.
Place horizontal strips of ribbon, ricrac and paper lace across the front. Once happy with the arrangement, stick in place.
Stick a large foam flower embellishment to the centre and either cut, or punch out, two smaller flowers from paper. Then add a pearly stick-on gem to the centre of each flower. Stick either side of the central flower.

Make Easter egg hanging decorations from your Easter egg card

Why not create some eggs-quisite DIY Easter decorations for an Easter tree with the same technique? Create a stunning centrepiece for your Easter table, using either a shop-bought tree or twigs sprayed white, and decorated with pretty, candy-coloured card eggs.

Simply trace the medium egg template and use it to cut out eggs from the pink, blue and white thin card. Then use a hole punch to make a hole about 5mm from the top of the egg. Using a selection of ribbon, ricrac and paper lace, position and then stick them horizontally across the front and back of each egg. Tie to the tree with a thin gingham ribbon.

Fun science experiments for kids to try at home

GoodtoKnow — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 17:50:00 +0000

These fun science experiments for kids are a great way to spend a rainy day.

Parents are always on the lookout for new and exciting things to do with kids - be that the latest kid's film on Netflix or some child-friendly arts and crafts. But what about something that's educational too?

These fun science experiments for kids are informative and the perfect antidote to screen time, allowing kids to get messy whilst learning some of the basic principles of science.

From an erupting at-home volcano to some seriously sticky slime, these experiments are both easy and safe, requiring ingredients already available in your kitchen cupboard.

So be sure to consider these fun at-home science tutorials for the upcoming Easter holidays...

Fun science experiments for kids

These fun science experiments for kids are sure to keep boredom at bay. And the perfect indoor activity for kids when the wet weather hits. But just to be safe, keep a responsible adult on hand to make sure that all these experiments are done safely.

Colour changing milk

Credit: Getty

This is a great way to teach children about colour mixing. You just need milk, food colouring and a squirt of washing up liquid. Use a cotton bud to swirl the colours and then enjoy the magic as the colours mix together.

Try it: Colour changing milk experiment

Elephant's toothpaste

This super fun experiment does require an ingredient that you might not have in your cupboard. But it's so easy to get, and your kids will be laughing about the results of this experiment for days to come! Warning: You might want to try this one outside.

Try it: Elephant's toothpaste by TheDadLab

Make your own play dough

Credit: Getty

Making your own play dough is one of the simplest science experiments out there. It's all about chemical reactions! The ingredients come together create a mixture, where they're physically combined but no reaction has happened. When the water and food colouring are added though, the mix forms a solution. Then the solution is heaped together and kneaded, which then forms a whole new substance because chemical reactions have taken place. How exciting!

Try it: Our best play dough recipe

Create your very own rainbow

Not only does this rainbow jar make a great addition to your home, but it also teaches children about density as the heavier layers fall to the bottom, creating the rainbow effect.

Try it: Rainbow jars experiment by Playdough to Plato

A volcanic eruption

https://youtu.be/rvuRtUNHBcU

This classic experiment will have your kids erupt with excitement, whilst teaching them all about the fascinating world of volcanoes. Using common cupboard items like vinegar, baking soda and washing up liquid, this experiment couldn't be simpler. Just be sure that children are supervised and standing a safe distance away when the action happens.

Try it: National History Museum's DIY Volcano

Bounce an egg

Credit: Getty

Pickle an egg in vinegar for several days and you'll be left with a transparent bouncy egg. Don't bounce it on your best carpet though, just in case it doesn't work...

Try it: Make a bouncy egg by The Chocolate Muffin Tree

Grow your own crystals

This science project shows how crystals are formed, and the end results taste pretty good as well. While they're easy to make, they do require a bit of patience - just keep reminding your kids that it will be worth it in the end!

Try it: Grow your own crystals by Happiness Is Homemade

Create giant gummy bears

Credit: Getty

Teach kids about osmosis with this super simple experiment. Drop some gummy bears in water and wait for them to grow.

Try it: Giant gummy bears by Mama Smiles

Make water go for a walk

This impressive looking experiment is very easy to set up - you just need some jars, food colouring and kitchen roll. It helps explain capillary action - how water ‘climbs' up to the top of plants and trees from their roots - in a totally visual way that most kids will get.

Try it: Walk on water by Coffee Cups and Crayons

Make your own slime

Credit: Getty

The ultimate fun experiment, demonstrating what happens when different chemical compounds react together - and also providing plenty of enjoyment after it's made.

All you need is PVA glue and some laundry detergent - Aldi's Almat Laundry Gel is apparently the best one to use.

Try it: How to make slime by Fun At Home With Kids

Ice Cream

https://youtu.be/_1tCdgal30Y

Have your kids learn about the millions of tiny ice crystals that make up their favourite frozen treat, then enjoy a tasty bowl afterwards.

This tutorial from the Science Museum will transform flavoured milk into a delicious ice cream flavour in five minutes and all without a freezer!

Try it: The Science Museum's Instant ice cream tutorial

Play with dip-dye

Credit: Getty

Dip-dying fabric is a great way to learn all about molecules and bones, as the dye bonds with the cotton on your fabric and actually becomes - or "bonds with" - the material. It will also teach your little one exactly why getting permanent pen marks out of ANYTHING is so difficult.

Try it: How to dip dye fabric

Need some more ideas to keep the kids busy? Why not try making one of these calming glitter jars?

Things to do in Scotland with kids: Best family days out in Scotland

Emily Stedman — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Days out in Scotland are back on the table for 2021, with lockdown slowly beginning to lift and the restrictions eased.

Family days out are just one of the things that we're all looking forward to during the school summer holidays, especially as the weather warms up and brighter evenings arrive. So while there's not been much opportunity to explore castles like those in Edinburgh and Stirling or go for a ride on the Jacobite Steam Train this year just yet, they're sure to be first on the list when they're open again.

In the meantime, if you're looking for things to do with kids over the next couple of weeks that don't include Zoom games or virtual tours then be sure to check out any of these nature spots local to you.

Best family days out in Scotland:

1. Loch Ness cruises, Inverness

Who hasn't heard of Nessie? This is the famous Loch Ness where the legendary three-humped monster lurks beneath the surface. Keen adventurers and myth busters will love a day out around the lake and there's no better way to do it than by taking to its waters on a cruise.

Loch Ness by Jacobite offers a range of tours to go on, whether you just want to explore the lake or fit in as many other sites as possible along the way. Some of the other picturesque scenes to discover along the way include Urquhart Castle (pictured), which stands proudly on the northern shore of Loch Ness. This is certainly one of the most bracing days out on Scotland!

Credit: Getty

Under the current government restrictions, Jacobite are not currently running their tours across Loch Ness. In the meantime, check out their photo gallery for a brief insight into what's in store when they're open for business again.

Best for: Kids with wild imaginations! FIND OUT MORE ABOUT JACOBITE CRUISES

2. Bowhill Country Estate, Selkirk

Visit this enchanting and secluded estate, surrounded by a beautiful lake and acres of woodlands. Bowhill is one of Scotland's hidden gems and it's definitely one of the most scenic days out to be had in Scotland.

There's plenty of outdoor activities to take part in too, everything from fishing to hiking, horsehiding and even indoor estate tours (out of lockdown, of course). There's even a theatre! It's a fantastic place to go come rain or shine as there's so much for adults and kids to get stuck into.

Bowhill Country Estate is closed to visitors for the moment under the lockdown regulations. However, local residents are allowed to enjoy walks around green spaces as part of their daily exercise. The estate has asked that anyone doing this parks safely in the visitor car park.

Best for: The adventure playground... zip wire included! FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BOWHILL ESTATE

3. Almond Valley Museum, Farm and Discovery Centre, West Lothian

For anyone who loves animals of all kinds, Almond Valley's Farm is real treat of a day out. There's a petting farm filled with friendly farm animals keen to introduce themselves to visitors, along with an adventure playground, indoor soft play area and a giant pillow (yes, you heard that right!).

Credit: AlmondValleyHeritage/Facebook

Fields, woods and green spaces surround the farm, stretching for almost a mile to the river Almond. Along with the Mill petting farm, the historic Livingston Mill and a number of museum displays and other activity spaces are also on site.

At the moment, the farm is closed under lockdown restrictions in Scotland. A statement on their site reads, 'Another three weeks of closure is a terrible disappointment for all, but is the most responsible course of action to best protect the health of our visitors and our staff.'

Best for: Under 10s. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ALMOND VALLEY FARM

4. Stirling Castle, Stirling

Stirling Castle is the beating heart of all things art, culture and celebrity in Scotland - or at least it was in the 16th century. It's still one of the most cultural days out in Scotland though, that's for sure! Take in the stunning architecture of the Royal Palace and visit the surrounding historic buildings, along with the breathtaking Palace gardens.

For a magical trip into the past, make sure to check out the Palace Vaults and slip into a costume to join the court jesters. Or check out the Regimental Museum, which houses exquisite artifacts from all around the world. Plus if the timing's right, you might just get a visit from some of Stirling's most famous (controversial) residents...

Following the lockdown announcement for mainland Scotland, the castle is closed for the time being. But that doesn't mean the intrigue, mystery and history stops! Check out the castle's blog for fascinating reads all about the history of the castle and its infamous residents over the years.

Best for: Dressing up in the castle's fancy dress box FIND OUT MORE ABOUT STIRLING CASTLE

Credit: Getty

5. Dundee Science Centre, Dundee

As one of the most popular museum centres in Scotland, the Dundee Science Centre is also one of the biggest science centres in the UK. It has over 80 hands-on exhibits for an all round sensory experience that kids will love.

They can have a go at making their own fun, wacky sounds with the Music Mayhem exhibition while little ones under 5 can discover the Musical Mystery Bus, an interactive, live show that runs normally through the day.

The Dundee Science Centre is closed currently under lockdown restrictions.

Best for: Interactive experience FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE DUNDEE SCIENCE CENTRE

Credit: DundeeSciCentre/Facebook

6. Blair Drummond Safari Park, Stirling

We bet you hadn't counted on spotting a tiger on your trip to Scotland! But at the Blair Drummon Safari Park, it's almost guaranteed that you'll come face to face with the Big 5 - along with 350 other rare and exotic animals. Their extensive collection includes zebras, lions, meerkats, elephants and giraffes, so whatever the kids' favourite animal, you're sure to find them roaming around here.

Take a boat trip around Chimp Island, enjoy the stunning sea lion show or take a ride at the fun fair and get your face painted - there's absolutely loads to do! Don't miss the 'Meet the Keeper' talks throughout the day to get even more inspired by these amazing creatures.

The park is also part of the worldwide network of zoos which care for rare species of animals as part of the Endangered Species Breeding Programme. So when you visit the park, you also know you're supporting animal conservation projects in the UK and around the world.

Much like other attractions in Scotland, Blair Drummond Safari Park is closed for now. You can still plan your visit though and check out all the animals that are getting ready to greet visitors again, once the park reopens later this year.

Best for: Value FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BLAIR DRUMMOND SAFARI PARK

7. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle is one of the most iconic sites in Scotland. It overlooks the nation's beautiful capital, often lit up at night. Along with Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle is home to some of Scotland's most legendary royals who fought ancient battles. It was later used as a prison for enemies of the state, unsurprisingly, considering the mighty size of this fortress.

Download the family-friendly itinerary and let the kids navigate their way through the castle walls with a series of clues.

Edinburgh Castle is closed at the moment, but you can go on a virtual tour of the exterior and get to know the workings of the castle before your visit.

Best for: Spectacular views over the city FIND OUT MORE ABOUT EDINBURGH CASTLE

8. Deep Sea World, North Queensferry

If you're kids are fascinated with sea life and dream of deep sea diving and underwater exploring, this one must be on your list. As Scotland's National Aquarium there's plenty to see and do. Meet Stella the stingray, enjoy the beautiful range of the tropical fish and get a true ocean-floor experience in the UK's longest underwater tunnel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXqhUtsICNk&feature=emb_title

The aquarium is closed at the moment but will reopen later in the year.

Best for: Shark dives (yes, really!) FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DEEP SEA WORLD

9. The Time Capsule Water Park, Lanarkshire

If you're not sure you can quite rely on the Scottish weather, the Time Capsule is a perfect day out come rain or shine! Little (and big) ones can get caught up in the Tornado Tantrum, before riding high on the 10m Storm Chasers and experience Thunder and Lightening and take on all the twists and turns of of the Tsunami Wave Pool. Then you can cool off under the huge tipping bucket on Splashdown Island or take a gentle trip across the Riptide River.

There's also a newly refurbished ice rink and a fitness centre, so truly something for the whole family to enjoy.

The park is closed under lockdown restrictions, but they have said that re-opening dates will be published on the website soon.

Best for: Rainy days FIND OUT ABOUT THE TIME CAPSULE WATER PARK

10. The National Museum of Flight, East Lothian

If the thought of flying through the skies thrills your little ones, or even mum and dad, then you must visit this former airfield. Explore the history of aviation from the First World War to the present day, including the chance to get on board Scotland's only Concorde.

Credit: NationalMuseumsScotland/Facebook

You will spend hours being entertained with interactive exhibitions, supersonic experiences, historic hangars, an assault course and acres of green grass and fresh air. Plus, under 5s can enter for free!

The museum is currently closed under lockdown restrictions, but will reopen later this year.

Best for: Aviation buffs FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FLIGHT

11. Mabie Farm Park, Dumfries

Mabie's has something for all the family, from donkey rides, to quad bikes, to paddle boating, kids can try new adventures, and explore the Scottish countryside in this beautiful and action-packed farm. Plus, every afternoon, (with expert supervision of course) kids get the chance to feed and handle some of the animals.

They've got all the farm animals you could ever want to see including, Shetland Ponies, Belted Galloways, Welsh Cob Horses, Llamas, Alpaca, as well as Kune Kune Pigs, Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pigs, Goats, Donkeys.

Mabie Farm Park is closed at the moment, but you can still plan your visit by taking a look at all the amazing attractions they have on offer.

Best for: Variety of things to do FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MABIE FARM PARK

12. Jacobite Steam Train, Scottish Highlands

Fans of Harry Potter will go wild as they imagine they're off to Hogwarts on the Jacobite Steam Train, which passes over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, a location featured in the Harry Potter films.

Described as the greatest railway journey in the world, this 84 mile round trip takes you past a list of impressive extremes, from the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, to the deepest seawater loch in Europe, Loch Nevis! Great for train enthusiasts but also a perfect exploration for the whole family.

There's also a full Cream Tea experience to be had on board (pre-book in advance), with chunky sandwiches, scones, cakes and tea and coffee.

Best for: All the family FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE JACOBITE STEAM TRAIN

These are just some of the best days out in Scotland to check out when they open later on this year. Keep your eyes peeled and keyboards at the ready to make that booking!

Best days out in North West England for kids

Grace Walsh — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 07:00:00 +0000

The north west of England has so many exciting opportunities for family days out, just there waiting for people to discover.

If you're looking for things to do with kids over the holidays then you've certainly come to the right place. Virtual tours and Zoom games are great for lockdown but all these fantastic places will soon be ready to visit again when the lockdown is lifted. Be sure to plan your visit in advance and tickets will fly off the shelves!

Best family days out in the North West

1. The Southport Treasure Trail, Southport

This is one activity that's still open to local residents in the north west of England. This Southport Treasure Trail is a self-guided experience, all open in the fresh air and allowed as part of the daily exercise rules for lockdown.

As you follow the trail, you solve sneaky clues embedded into existing buildings and monuments to discover the location of the buried treasure at the X-marks the spot. It all starts at the town end of Southport's pier and goes all through the traditional seaside town.

It's suitable for everyone, age six right up to 106. Approximately 1.1 miles long, the trail should take around one and a half hours to complete and just one trail booklet is needed for 4-6 people.

Credit: Getty

Best for: Imaginative kids! FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SOUTHPORT TREASURE TRAIL

2. Lyme Park, Disley

If you love a family stroll in the park, then you'll love this North West England attraction. Along with hosting a number of children's events throughout the year normally, there's also an adventure playground and a beautiful terrain to explore.

As a National Trust property, the 1400 acre Medieval park is full of deer and tranquil gardens, built in the Victorian times. There's something for everyone to explore - and eat. The Timber Yard Café is almost a reason to visit the site itself as it's a great option for a takeaway coffee to drink while walking the grounds. Food options include delicious rolls, paninis, salad and all kinds of cake.

It's another beautiful space in the north west of England, open during lockdown. A statement from Lyme Park encourages visitors over the next few months but says, 'In line with government guidance, outdoor spaces only are open daily for local visitors to access for walks. We ask all visitors to follow guidance on social distancing to keep everyone safe. Please continue to book your visit in advance.'

Best for: Getting outdoors FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LYME PARK

2. Walby Farm Park, Carlisle

Being an all-weather attraction, this is one of the days out in the North West best suited to the unpredictable English climate!

Credit: Walby Farm Park/Facebook

Sat very close to Hadrian's Wall, this unique farm boasts Cumbria's biggest indoor play area. It's also got loads of exciting outdoor play spaces, a nature train and of course, plenty of animals. There's three Alpacas (called Amber, Inca and Alvis) to visit, calves, chickens, ducks, goats, guinea pigs, horses and donkeys, pigs, rabbits and reindeer - among many others!

If you're feeling brave, you can have a go on the 24ft Demon Drop slide (suitable for adults too!) or if you're more of a speed demon, take a ride on the go-karts.

The farm is currently closed under lockdown restrictions but if you're lucky, you might catch lambs being born over February, March and April on the live lambing cam.

Best for: Being great fun whatever the weather FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WALBY FARM

1. Lakes Aquarium, Ulverston

For a small fee, you and the family can enjoy the most beautiful of days out in the North West by checking out its stunning lakes - with over 30 amazing, naturally-themed habitats on show. Pay a visit to the playful otters or say hello to the less friendly piranhas, there's just so much wildlife to see. The underwater tunnel, home of the diving ducks, is an unbelievable experience and will give everyone a walk to remember.

A statement on the aquarium's website reads, 'Following on from the most recent government announcement, the Lakes Aquarium is currently closed. We hope to re-open again soon, and will let you know as soon as we are able to. Stay Safe!'

Best for: Rainy days FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LAKES AQUARIUM

4. Cheeky Monkeys, Chorley

Bring out the animal in every child with a trip to this MASSIVE jungle-themed adventure play facility. If you're chasing one of the more adventurous days out in North West England, then this is certainly the one to go for.

Credit: cheekymonkeysfun/Facebook

There's a multi-level climbing structure with so many opportunities to scale, scale, run, huge, tunnel and tussle. Daily entertainment is also laid on by various members of the animal kingdom, so every cheeky monkey will have something to do.

If you can prise kids away from the frame, there's also football and trampolining, supervised climbing and more. Plus, the second Wednesday of every month is exclusively dedicated to guests with autism and ADHD.

Best for: Tiring out energetic kids FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CHEEKY MONKEYS

3. Lancaster Maritime Museum, Lancaster

This Maritime Museum is definitely worth a look-in if you're about in Lancaster, especially on rainy days out in the North West. You'll leave with a valuable understanding about Lancaster's maritime trade, the history of the port, the Lancaster Canal and the fish industry of the Lune Estuary and Morecambe Bay.

Learning is made fun through sound, smells, reconstructions and audiovisuals. There are also four restored local fishing vessels and an aquarium for you to see too - not bad at all!

The museum is currently closed under lockdown restrictions, but the museum have said they will, 'will publicise our plans once they are in place.'

Best for: Price - accompanied children go free FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE LANCASTER MARITIME MUSEUM

5. Hyde Leisure Pool, Hyde

This leisure pool isn't just for swimmers, although there is a fitness centre, spa and cafe as well. Children that love an active, unique and exciting swimming experience will adore a trip to Hyde Leisure Pool in Hyde.

Credit: Getty

It features a Red Ripster Aqua Slide, wave machine, water cannons, geysers, and a bubble pool, as well as all the standard swimming facilities. The popular lazy river style area is so much fun and pulls you along - no swimming required, just let the water do the work for you. There are also swimming lessons available for all ages.

However, it's closed at the moment due to lockdown restrictions.

Best for: All ages FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HYDE LEISURE POOL

8. Mersey Ferry River Explorer Cruise, Liverpool

All aboard people! This 50-minute journey on an iconic Mersey ferry is a must if you're in Liverpool. You'll be able to witness the rapidly-changing South West waterfront first-hand. The guide commentary makes the experience even better by giving you a greater understanding of the local history and sights.

The family can enjoy a day out which is relaxing, educational and most importantly, enjoyable. Just be sure to keep a close eye on the weather and dress accordingly!

Service is currently suspended but will resume in the next couple of months.

Credit: Getty

Best for: A sunny day FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE MERSEY FERRY RIVER EXPLORER CRUISE

10. Onchan Park Mini Golf, Onchan

This is one of the most popular leisure attractions in the north west of England, for both locals and tourists. Onchan Pleasure Park has its own boating lake and a large play park, alongside their mini golf site.

It's a wonderful trip out for the entire family as everyone can take part in the mini-golf or crazy golf games, before a race round the playground, down the slides and across the swings.

There's also the Dance Factory and Jump Zone, which feature a dance studio, an indoor soft play area and trampolines. While adults can take in a few sets of tennis or jump in on a leisurely game of bowls.

Travel to Onchan is restricted under lockdown at the moment, with many hospitality sites closed.

Best for: Value FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ONCHAN MINI GOLF PARK

11. National Football Museum, Manchester

Inspire your kids to get sporty with a trip to the National Football Museum. It's a world-class home for the greatest collection of football memorabilia ever assembled – over 140,000 items – including the FIFA Collection. Fans of football will love the exhibitions of past and present and the interactive galleries that explain all about the ‘beautiful game’. Plus, it's free!

Credit: NationalFootballMuseum/Facebook

The museum is closed for the moment under lockdown restrictions but will reopen when the lockdown lifts.

Best for: Football fans FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL MUSEUM

12. World Museum, Liverpool

Credit: worldmuseum/Facebook

Discover treasures from around the world, explore outer space and meet live creatures with attractions including The Bug House, The Clore Natural History Centre & The Living Laboratory. With a range of exhibitions and interactive displays there are events to entertain and educate all the family.

Best for: The whole family FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE WORLD MUSEUM

These are just some of the best days out in North West England, with quite a few still open over the next few months when lockdown lifts.

How to make Easter baskets: Easy DIY Easter basket idea

Esme Clemo — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 12:39:19 +0000

Use our easy guide on how to make Easter baskets at home to make your very own DIY Easter basket this year with the kids.

If you're looking for things to do with the kids at home at the moment, then Easter crafts are a great way to keep them busy and celebrate the season at the same time. Little ones will love to make and decorate their very own Easter basket. Plus, once it's complete, it will be perfect for egg hunts in the garden or around the home.

All you need is an old carton, some coloured card and paper to make this super simple craft project. For a mess-free make, swap the pastel paper cutouts for stickers and use sticky tape instead of glue.

Once the basket has been decorated, it's time for the fun to begin. Simply order Easter eggs online to fill the baskets with at the end or leave clues around for your kids to find on an egg hunt.

How to make Easter baskets at home

To make an Easter basket at home you will need:

Old fruit tea box or similar sized cardboard box
Hole punch
Wired ribbon
Blue and green card
Pastel paper
Scissors
Glue stick

For craft supplies, check out Wilko

Cover an the old box with dotty paper. Punch a hole either side of the box and thread a length of wired ribbon through, knotting ends inside.
Use the large egg template (below) to cut 2 egg shapes slightly bigger than your box from blue card. You may need to enlarge or reduce the template depending on the size of your box.
Cut the bottom edge of the ‘eggs’, measuring them against the box, so that they sit flush.
Cut grass from thin green card, stick onto one of the egg shapes, trimming edges to neaten. From the pastel coloured paper, cut out a butterfly, flowers and a rabbit. Using our photo as a guide, arrange and stick to the tips of the grass.
Finally, glue each blue card egg either side of the box.

How to make a Mother's Day card for Mother's Day 2021

esme.clemo@ti-media.com (Esme Clemo) — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Make this floral Mother's Day greetings card for a special lady in your life.

Learn how to make a Mother's Day card with a quilling paper craft project that's easier to achieve than it looks with twisted strips of coloured paper, for a perfect DIY Mother's Day gift.

A homemade Mother's Day card is the perfect way to mark this special date. As lockdown will mean that Mother's Day celebrations will look a little different this year, send some love through the post with a gorgeous handmade card.

This papercraft version is created using a quilling technique where small strips of coloured paper are coiled and then pressed into shapes. It's the perfect way to create 3D petals and leaves. This craft is perfect for older children and adults, but we've also got loads of Mother's Day crafts for kids here too. So there are plenty of things to do with the kids to keep them engaged while doing something special for mum at the same time, including giving her a bit of peace and quiet while the little ones are crafting. This can help and avoid making her first Mother's Day a disaster like Goodto.com's Family Editor Stephanie Lowe had to experience.

How to make a Mother's Day card

To make a Mother's Day card you will need:

Green ink pen
Card blank
Slotted quilling tool
5mm x 54cm quilling paper strips in light green, green, pink, purple, yellow, red, and blue
Cocktail stick
PVA glue

For craft supplies, check out Wilko

How to make a Mother's Day card:

Start by quilling the green papers into leaves. Cut two green papers into 20cm lengths and one light green paper into 12cm lengths. Take each paper, place the end into the slotted tool, and twist it around into a coil.
Coil the entire length of paper and then release it from the tool. Allow it to unfurl slightly before squeezing into a leaf shape between your thumbs and forefingers. Apply glue to the loose end of the paper with the cocktail stick and glue in place. Allow to dry.
Cut two blue strips into five 18cm lengths, one pink strip into 9cm lengths, one purple, yellow and red strip into 15cm lengths. Repeat the quilling process to coil the papers. Leave the yellow coils round and shape the rest into teardrops between your fingers. Glue to secure.
On the card blank, use a green ink pen to draw a line of stems at varying heights. Arrange the quilled petals at the top to form flowers and place the leaves partway down the stem.
Apply glue to the underside of the quilled papers and push down onto the card. Allow to dry completely.

Zoom games for kids: 12 best games to play on Zoom with children

Emily Stedman — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 15:43:36 +0000

Age suitability: 4 and over | Minimum number of players: 2 or more

The old favourite makes our list of best zoom games for kids and is a great one for the little ones. Simply get your zoom call set up, and get one of the children to be Simon. He or she will shout out commands such as 'Simon says touch your nose' and the kids have to follow along on camera. However, if an instruction does not start with 'Simon says' then players should not copy. The winner is the child who follows Simon's commands correctly.

Hangman

Credit: Getty

Age suitability: 6 and over | Minimum number of players: 2

This classic word game is another that is incredibly easy to adapt for video. Simply share your children’s screen and select Zoom’s whiteboard option. Then get the kids to take it in turns to come up with a word and draw out tiles to represent the word’s letter (one letter = one tile). Encourage the other call participants to shout out letters of the alphabet to try and guess the word. But of course, remind them to be careful, as each wrong guess equals a body part. The winning player will guess the right word before the man has been fully hung.

Best zoom games for kids aged 7 and up

BINGO

Age suitability: 7 and over | Minimum number of players: 3 or more

https://youtu.be/EOXbOUPLrt0

Introduce the children to the world of two fat ladies and legs eleven. Thanks to the guys at My Free Bingo Cards, you’ve got everything you need to set up bingo zoom games for kids. Ahead of the video call, get one player to download and distribute the bingo cards to the other players. We recommend printing out the cards for ease.

Once all are assembled on the call, choose one child to be the designated bingo caller, who will shout out the numbers from the bingo number generator. Depending on how you want to play, the winner is the kid who crosses off a full horizontal line of numbers on their card. Or the child who crosses every number off their card - otherwise known as a full house.

Tuku Tuku or 5 second challenge

Age suitability: 7 and over | Minimum number of players: 2, no more than 20

https://youtu.be/z3GWKWV1oSI

Time is of the essence in this trivia game - with players having five seconds to come up with three answers to the question cards. Start by helping the children to download Tuku Tuku onto a smartphone or tablet. Then have them share the screen with the others on the call. Open the app, select play and type in the number of players (you’ll have the option to customise names on the next step). Identify whose turn it is, uncover the card, read it out and press start.

The player will have 5 seconds to answer questions like ‘Name 3 things that grow on trees’ and ‘Name 3 girls names that start with D’. If the child manages three correct guesses they will move one place on the multi-coloured board at the top of the screen. The one to win will be the first player to cross the finish line. Note - once your kids have got to grips with the game, there’s the option for them to add their own questions in too.

Charades

Credit: Getty

Age suitability: 7 and over | Minimum number of players: 2

A classic family Christmas game that can be enjoyed all year round, charades can be played virtually too. Simply get kids on the call to take it in turns to act out well-known children’s TV, film and book favourites. The winner is the one who guesses it correctly first. Stuck for ideas? Use this kid-friendly charade generator that challenges them to re-enact popular examples like Scooby Doo, The Cat in the Hat and Thomas the Tank Engine.

Among Us

Age suitability: 10 and over | Minimum number of players: four, preferably more

https://youtu.be/sYvKjZKunyo

Free multiplayer mobile game Among Us is one of the most popular games to come out of the pandemic. In September 2020, the game had over 86 million downloads worldwide.

The game is set on a spaceship, with players as crew members working together to keep the ship functional and able to return to earth. Each crew member has tasks assigned to them. These could be anything from refuelling the ship to wiring the electrics. However, one crew member is actually a secret imposter out to sabotage the crew’s efforts. In addition to causing havoc to tasks, the imposter can also sneakily kill crew members. It’s up to the group to figure out who the imposter is. But an incorrect guess will kick your kid out of the game - so use zoom to confer wisely.

Storyteller

Credit: Getty

Age suitability: 8 and over | Minimum number of players: 3 or more

Put their imagination to the test and get the kids to collaboratively create their own story. Once all the children are assembled on Zoom, have them click on the 'Chat' button. They'll then need to take it in turns to write a line of the story and submit it to the chat. Have them include funny characters and crazy plot twists. Then when the story is completed get them to act it out on camera. Have props like hats and sticks at the ready to help them do the story justice.

Virtual Scattergories

Credit: Amazon

Age suitability: 7 and over | Minimum number of players: 3 or more

The much loved family game Scattergories makes for a great zoom game for kids. Children can think up their own 5 categories - for example, girls names, animals, things you find in the fridge - and select a letter to play. You then have one minute to think of something for each of the categories beginning with that letter.

You can also take advantage of Scattergories online which has done the hard work for them. With this handy online tool, you can select pre-prepared categories, create your own game and then share the link with others on the call to join. The website automatically generates the random letter and has a timer at the top of the page. When time is up, kids can see what their opponents come up with and can discuss (or challenge it) on their zoom call.

Best Christmas crafts for kids: Easy festive crafting ideas for families

lucy.buglass@futurenet.com (Lucy Buglass) — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 08:00:54 +0000

Christmas crafts for kids are a great way to get into the festive spirit and encourage children to get creative. Our easy Christmas crafts are great for toddlers and younger children to do. Plus, if you scroll down, we've got some crafting ideas for older kids too, to keep them entertained.

What better way to pass some chilly winter days than getting the whole family immersed in festive decorating? Not only does it save you the hassle of spending too much on Christmas decorations, it's also a lovely way to proudly display your children's artwork around the home. What's not to love?

We have plenty of great ideas for Christmas crafts for kids for 2021, along with out guide to the best craft advent calendars, so if you need inspiration, scroll down for our full list of Christmas crafting ideas. That should keep them busy when you're stocking up on top Christmas toys for the big day!

Best Christmas crafts for kids

Hand painted Christmas art

This Christmas art is a great way for little ones to get hands on - literally! Kids will love creating their own handprint wreath and it'll look lovely on display over the festive season. All you'll need is paper or canvas, paints, a pencil, a ruler and a willing pair of hands. How to make hand painted Christmas art.

Toilet Roll Santa

Put your empty toilet rolls to good use this festive season, and make an adorable Santa Claus! All you need is a cardboard loo roll, pom poms, glue, felt, a pipe cleaner, googly eyes, and anything else you might want to decorate your little Santa with. How to make a toilet roll Santa.

Toilet roll three kings

It's not Christmas without the three kings! It's so easy to make them out of empty toilet rolls, all you'll need is white, black and orange paper, skin-colour paint or pens, googly eyes, glue, patterned paper, glitter or gold card and scissors. How to make toilet roll three kings.

Handprint Rudolph

Kids as young as 3 can get involved making this fun reindeer craft, as it's super easy and all they need to do is draw around their hand. Adult supervision is required to carefully cut out the handprint, but other than that, kids will love getting involved in making this fun and simple Christmas craft, which can be used as a Christmas tree decoration. How to make handprint Rudolph

Handprint Christmas tree card

Handmade Christmas cards are a lovely way for little ones to spread some festive joy this season, and these make a lovely gift for family members! You can decorate it however you'd like, but we've gone for the classic sparkles and sequins. How to make handprint Christmas tree card

Snowman pencil topper

This pencil topper is a great way to add some festive fun to your child's stationary. It's very simple to make too, as all you need to do is wrap a white pipe cleaner around the top of a pencil and decorate it with a pom pom head, a ribbon scarf, glittering eyes, or whatever else takes their fancy! How to make snowman pencil topper

Snowmen tin can bowling pins

This fun craft doubles up as a Christmas game, and it's a fun way to make use of used tin cans and encourage your kids to get creative. To make these cute snowman bowling pins, you'll need paint, felt, glue, scissors, white paint, and any other decorations you might want. You could even challenge little ones to make the funniest face! How to make snowmen tin can bowling pins

Christmas tree pinecones

We recommend these cute pinecone trees for children age 5 and up, and once you've collected your pine cones, all you need to decorate them is green paint, some paint brushes, green glitter and air drying clay. They're a great way to decorate small spaces in the home, or they could even be a festive centrepiece for your table. How to make Christmas tree pinecones

Wooden spoon angel

Angels are a popular symbol of Christmas, and your children can make their very own angel by simply repurposing a wooden spoon. To bring this angel to life, alongside the spoon you'll need 2 silver pipe cleaners, 1 gold pipe cleaner, 2 white felt A4 sheets, 1 pink felt A4 sheet, 1 white paper plate and a pink ribbon. How to make wooden spoon angel

Christmas paper chains

With just three equipment, this paper chains craft couldn't be easier! With paper, scissors and glue, you and your little ones can get crafty and made your own festive bunting that make perfect decorations this festive season. You could even use leftover wrapping paper to make it super festive. How to make Christmas paper chains.

Stamped Christmas wrapping paper

If you don't fancy buying wrapping paper this year, you could always make your own! It's so easy to do and little ones will love adding a personal touch to gifting. Children will need adult supervision with this one - at least in the setting up stage so you can use the craft knife to create the potato stamp. All you'll need is brown paper, a festive cookie cutter, potato, craft knife, paint and a paper plate. Pop on some Christmas tunes and have fun! How to make stamped Christmas wrapping paper.

Best Christmas crafts for older kids

Cardboard reindeer head

Suitable for children age 9 and up, this cardboard reindeer head is an adorable and easy craft to make this Christmas. All you need is our free craft templates, some cardboard, a craft knife, a pencil, some scissors and decorations. You could even make several if you want all of Santa's reindeer! How to make cardboard reindeer head

Cardboard snowflake wreath

This clever craft transforms paper towels and toilet roll tubes into a pretty hanging cardboard snowflake wreath, which is a great way to use household supplies you'd otherwise throw away. All you need is some spray paint, a ribbon, and anything else you want to decorate it with. It's a great craft to make for all ages. How to make cardboard snowflake wreath

Christmas wreath cushion

Great for older children, this Christmas wreath cushion is inspired by The White Company and is a great activity to work on together this festive season. To make one, you'll need a sewing machine, cushion pad, felt, scissors and a pompom trim. It'll look lovely on your sofa over the Christmas period. How to make Christmas wreath cushion

Handmade Christmas card

Add a personal touch to your Christmas gifting with handmade Christmas cards. This is a great way to let your imagination run wild, and family are sure to appreciate all the hard work your children put in! Suitable for all ages, it's so easy to decorate your very own card. How to make a handmade Christmas card

Personalised clay decorations

Great for older kids, these easy-to-make hanging alphabet decorations will look lovely on your tree or other festive display this year. You could spell out a Christmas themed word, or the names of your children, or just initials. Time to get creative! How to make personalised clay decorations

Christmas star decorations

Another craft for older children, these star decorations can be sewn together to create festive bunting that you can put up around the house. You'll need a basic sewing kit, our star template, some felt, and you're ready to go! How to make Christmas star decorations

Origami Christmas trees

One of the most popular paper crafting techniques is origami, and these little Christmas trees will look lovely in your home this festive season. You'll only need three equipment too; A4 sheet of green stiff paper or card, scissors and a ruler or paper creasing tool! How to make origami Christmas trees

Toilet roll Christmas decorations

Stars are a popular choice for Christmas decorations, and there's a super simple way you and your little ones can make them out of toilet roll. These require scissors so they're best for older children, and they can be hung on the tree or other places in your home. How to make toilet roll Christmas decorations

Christmas patchwork decorations

Teach older children how to sew with these Christmas tree decorations. These are easily customisable as you can use scraps of any fabric, and they'll look lovely hanging on the tree this festive season. If you're short on time, there's even a quick sew tutorial. How to make Christmas patchwork decorations