Great Days Out
Below are some of my favourite 'Great Days Out' for families. I'll be adding to the list over time, and as I find new and exciting places to visit with my kids. Not only are these places great for staving off boredom, but they also have fantastic educational value as well. Many of them are located in the South West, where I live, but equally I've included some places further afield.
On a Rainy Day
@t-Bristol: My whole family loves @t Bristol, affectionately known to us as 'Diggers with Balls'. This name came about when my son was tiny, and his favourite exhibit was a proper metal digger arm which you use to scoop up plastic play-balls (happily it's still there and he still plays on it every time we visit). @t-Bristol is a science centre in the heart of Bristol. It's suitable for children of all ages - literally as soon as they can walk, they'll find something to enjoy here. The interactive exhibits change regularly and since we've been visiting topics have included dinosaurs, the human body, flight, colours, sports, animation and many more. The team put on science shows which the children also love. We've been members now for three years, and I'd recommend it to anyone living in the Bristol area. To my mind, @t-Bristol is better for young kids than the Science Museum in London.
The Egg Theatre, Bath: This children's theatre is designed in the shape of an egg (obviously), which is suspended above the cafe/foyer area on the ground floor. It's right next door to the Theatre Royal in the centre of Bath. They put on a whole range of different children's theatre performances, some even suitable for 2-3 years plus. They also have various workshops, story telling sessions and drama classes (these are very popular - book early to get a place). If you arrive early, there's a small children's play area in the cafe. Join the mailing list and get advance notice of what shows are on. If you drive, the best place to park at is the Charlotte Street car park and walk down across Queen's Square. Alternatively use the Park & Ride to get into town.
Noah's Ark Softplay: A soft play area that is great for both younger and older children. They'll get something out of a visit to Noah's Ark from about the age of 2. For older children there are some air powered 'guns' that shoot plastic balls. There's also a very tall corkscrew slide which they'll love going down over and over again (I had to go down it with my kids down the first time they did it but after that they were off!). The cafe serves reasonably priced food, including an all day breakfast which smelled great when someone was eating it last time I was there. Noah's Ark is on the A4 to the south of Bristol. The are a few downsides: it can get a bit noisy when the guns are going constantly, parking is a bit of a nightmare, and it can get a bit cold as it's in a large warehouse type building.
On a Rainy Day
@t-Bristol: My whole family loves @t Bristol, affectionately known to us as 'Diggers with Balls'. This name came about when my son was tiny, and his favourite exhibit was a proper metal digger arm which you use to scoop up plastic play-balls (happily it's still there and he still plays on it every time we visit). @t-Bristol is a science centre in the heart of Bristol. It's suitable for children of all ages - literally as soon as they can walk, they'll find something to enjoy here. The interactive exhibits change regularly and since we've been visiting topics have included dinosaurs, the human body, flight, colours, sports, animation and many more. The team put on science shows which the children also love. We've been members now for three years, and I'd recommend it to anyone living in the Bristol area. To my mind, @t-Bristol is better for young kids than the Science Museum in London.
- Play Value: 9 out of 10
- Educational Value: 8.5 out of 10
- Parental Feel Good Factor: 8 out of 10
- Value for Money: 7 out of 10 (day tickets are quite expensive, but if you join for a full year it's great value)
The Egg Theatre, Bath: This children's theatre is designed in the shape of an egg (obviously), which is suspended above the cafe/foyer area on the ground floor. It's right next door to the Theatre Royal in the centre of Bath. They put on a whole range of different children's theatre performances, some even suitable for 2-3 years plus. They also have various workshops, story telling sessions and drama classes (these are very popular - book early to get a place). If you arrive early, there's a small children's play area in the cafe. Join the mailing list and get advance notice of what shows are on. If you drive, the best place to park at is the Charlotte Street car park and walk down across Queen's Square. Alternatively use the Park & Ride to get into town.
- Play Value: 8 out of 10
- Educational Value: 8.5 out of 10
- Parental Feel Good Factor: 9 out of 10
- Value for Money: 8 out of 10 (although 5 out of 10 for the cafe, which is pricey in an organic, yummy mummy, typical Bath-esque kind of way)
Noah's Ark Softplay: A soft play area that is great for both younger and older children. They'll get something out of a visit to Noah's Ark from about the age of 2. For older children there are some air powered 'guns' that shoot plastic balls. There's also a very tall corkscrew slide which they'll love going down over and over again (I had to go down it with my kids down the first time they did it but after that they were off!). The cafe serves reasonably priced food, including an all day breakfast which smelled great when someone was eating it last time I was there. Noah's Ark is on the A4 to the south of Bristol. The are a few downsides: it can get a bit noisy when the guns are going constantly, parking is a bit of a nightmare, and it can get a bit cold as it's in a large warehouse type building.
- Play Value: 9.5 out of 10
- Educational Value: 5 out of 10
- Parental Feel Good Factor: 7 out of 10
- Value for Money: 8 out of 10 for the soft play entrance fee, 9 out of 10 for the cafe
