Take a walk on the wilder side of kids' activities this summer with our guide to the rather more weird but wonderful days out for all the family to enjoy.
A river barge with a difference, give your kids an unforgettable experience by taking them on board this vessel for a fantastic theatrical puppet performance. Based in Little Venice near Marble Arch, London, each year during the summer the floating theatre makes a tour of the river Thames. Visit the website for details of what's showing over the summer break and how to book tickets puppetbarge.com
Get your kids digging, driving, and dumping to their hearts' content by taking them on an action packed day out to DiggerLand! At DiggerLand, kids and adults can ride in and drive different types of construction machinery such as Dumper Trucks, Mini Diggers and Giant Diggers (all under strict supervision). They can even learn about how the machinery works too. Boasting four parks across the country in Kent, Co. Durham, Devon, and West Yorkshire, visit diggerland.com for more information.
For a day out like no other, let the kids run wild in the enchanted forests of Groombridge Place Gardens. A 17th century property and gardens, there is absolutely loads to do and see for children and adults alike. Open a rustic door and discover the ancient secrets of the mysterious forests! Meet with a ZeeDonk (a zebra-donkey cross - one of only two in the UK), giant rabbits, strange and mystical plants, and have incredible adventures in the serpents' lair, Village of the Groms, the Tree Fern Valley and Blue Pool, and the Dinosaur and Dragon Valley. For more information on this brilliant family day out visit groombridge.co.uk
Get your kids letting off a bit of steam by bopping and boucing along to the hippest tunes at a child-proof disco! With bubble machines, baskets of instruments, tents filled with toys, a chill-out area, plus a yummy, healthy food spread, and plenty of dancing for mum, dad, and little ones, this really is a fun day out for everyone to enjoy. Visit babylovesdisco.co.uk to find one near you.
For slightly older children forget expensive African safaris, the Highlands of Scotland boast some incredible wildlife and natural features, making a Scottish Safari perfect for budding David Attenboroughs. Spot the likes of Red Squirrels, Reindeer, Mountain Goats, Bank Voles, and Brown Hare all living in the wilderness of this stunning scenery. For more information visit highlandwildlifesafaris.co.uk
Sprinkle a little miniature magic over your family and take them on a fantastic day out to The Forest of Dean Model Village. Showing visitors the local area in miniature form, this wonderful model village even reveals accounts of the magical myth of the forest. There are also plenty of rides, playgrounds, and a cafe to keep you busy all day. Visit forest-model-village.co.uk for more information.
Bring the fantastical tales of Roald Dahl to life for your little book-worms by taking them on a delightful day out to the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre. See this much-loved author's unique archive, and find out where all his brilliant tales came from. Head to the story centre for dressing up, storytelling, and poetry all Roald Dahl-style. There are even special 'wondercrump' workshops on throughout the summer including chocolate decorating, buckswashling animation, revolting recipes, puppet-making, and George's marvellous experiments. This is one museum not to be missed. Visit roalddahlmuseum.org to find out what's on.
Inspire a little awe and wonder at the natural world in your child by taking them to a FairyLand Trust workshop. It uses myths, legends, folklore and magical traditions to introduce ecology and natural history, and works to encourage the exploration and discovery of wildlife and natural places and things through enjoyment and by stimulating the imagination. Visit fairylandtrust.org
Journey on an underground adventure along a subterranean river, through a great waterfall, deep inside the spectacular Labyrinth caverns and far into the past, into a world of myths, legends and storytelling, with the King Arthur's Labyrinth Underground Adventure. Along with the river voyage, your kids can search an exciting maze in the Bards' Quest for Welsh legends and stories of the Otherworld, and they can even try out some craft activities too. An enchanting day out, this is really one family activity not to be missed. Find out more here kingarthurslabyrinth.co.uk
And if you enjoyed these reviews, watch this space for even more over the summer!
