Day out with the family – stuck for ideas?

Day out with the family – stuck for ideas?

August 15, 2014 0 By Jane
[mla_gallery]

I’ve always found that the UK has been a great place for days out with the family. For many decades, a day out for me consisted of a day at the seaside with games and a picnic lunch on the beach, combined with paddling at the edges of the water and complaining about how cold it was! However, there are now many more things that you can do to spend time together and keep the children entertained during the long break from school.

Where can we go?

The good news is that every area of the UK is filled with attractions that the whole family can enjoy. One of the latest additions to the tourist map that is a must for my family is the Warner Bros. Studio tour that takes visitors right into the heart of the Harry Potter movies, complete with amazing Hogwarts and Diagon Alley sets. Children that have read the books or seen the films will be spellbound by the attraction and are sure to want to go back again.

Alternatively, I think it is a good idea to introduce them to a little bit of culture and encourage them to learn new things while having fun at the same time. Children that are interested in science or in how things work generally will love visiting science museums. Cities such as London, Liverpool and Manchester have well-known science museums, and the addition of interactive exhibits makes this a great choice for the whole family. If a member of the family has a specific interest then seek out a specialist museum; for example, the Merseyside town of Southport has a lawnmower museum that should delight any gardening enthusiast!

One of my favourite days out is just to pick a town and go there to see what it has to offer that is a little bit different. Without this “just do it” attitude I would never have found out that Brighton has some unusual attractions. For families with children aged 11 and over the sewer tour is a possibility. This will definitely give everybody something to talk about when they get home.

I love a day out at a stately home. While some people do not necessarily want to tour a home to see how the other half lived in years gone by, these great houses tend to have other attractions too, with gift shops, picnic and play areas, beautiful gardens and expansive parks for the family to explore. Organisations such as the National Trust offer family memberships, and I’ve found this to be more cost effective.

Why Staying Closer To Home Can Be The Easiest Option For A Family Holiday This Year

Why spend this time together?

It can be so easy to lose touch with children as they are growing up, particularly in the modern world as they want to spend time on their computer games and online. Getting out and about will remind them that there is more fun to be had, and it is possible for the family to have fun together! While parents and children are on holiday at the same time, it is a great opportunity to bond with them and create memories that will last forever.