We went to a birthday party at Monkey Bizness soft play in Southampton in late 2021 and found it offered just the right degree of challenge for my three (almost four) year-old and her just-turned-five year-old cousin, who was the birthday girl. There’s what is essentially a two storey structure but it isn’t strictly on... Continue Reading →
Cinema with Kids – Juniors and Baby Screenings
Going to the cinema with children may be an obvious suggestion for things you can do as a family – particularly on a cold or rainy day – but did you know there are special screenings for children and even babies? I’m going to cover both types separately, as they are very different – but... Continue Reading →
Days Out with Children – Box Hill, Surrey
Box Hill is a well-known beauty spot with fantastic views over the South Downs – but did you know that it’s also a great place to go for a walk with children, with a dedicated ‘natural play trail’ with plenty of things to climb on, swing from and explore? I’ve lived in this area for... Continue Reading →
Little Seedlings Softplay at Dobbies Garden Centre, Wallington
I was really pleased when the soft play area opened at Woodcote Green garden centre as it’s only a few minutes from where we live. Dobbies, the garden centre chain that recently added Woodcote to its portfolio, runs something called Little Seedlings, which includes soft play and a monthly children’s gardening club, and we have... Continue Reading →
Easter egg hunt for children without chocolate
Easter is great fun for children, and not just because of chocolate. I think it is important to teach children why we celebrate Easter, whatever your religious beliefs - but for our family, as we don’t practice any religion, we don’t spend a lot of time on that aspect.My four year old daughter is mainly... Continue Reading →
Bounce at the Barn Softplay at Flittons Garden Centre, Wallington
We are very lucky in that recently not one but two new soft play areas have opened within a few minutes of us – and they are both smaller-scale places much more suitable for smaller children than some of the other soft play providers near us. Bounce at the Barn is an inflatables-based soft play,... Continue Reading →
Crafting with Kids: Valentine’s Heart Suncatchers
Here’s a fun Valentine’s craft activity you can do with children where they will need adult help at the start and end but can go to town by themselves in the middle. And you have some pretty valentines decorations you can use again next year or something you can give away as a handmade gift.... Continue Reading →
How to make your own Story Spoons
This week is National Storytelling Week in the U.K. - I hadn’t heard of it until recently so if you are as unfamiliar with it as I was, there are some great resources here. The idea is to encourage and promote storytelling, whether that is folktales and fairytales or telling your own story. There are... Continue Reading →
Kidspace Croydon – soft play review
Indoor soft play is a great idea on a rainy day (if you don’t mind it being busy) but I thought last week it would also be the ideal way to keep my three-year-old out of the sun when we were in the middle of a heatwave. The lure of air conditioning outweighed the fact... Continue Reading →
Butlin’s Bognor Regis – Dining Plans, Restaurant Reviews and Which Accommodation to Choose?
I’ve written a detailed review of our Just for Tots break at Butlins Bognor Regis and also written a separate post on how to book activities at Butlins, as a lot of people have been asking about that. What I hadn’t done yet is review the accommodation and restaurants - as I’m sure a lot... Continue Reading →