With half-term approaching fast you may start to feel overwhelmed but rest assured we have some fun and exciting ideas for the whole family. So sit back, enjoy a cup of tea whilst you read all about the activities and ideas we have for you.
The National Trust
This is one of the best outdoor experiences for the whole family. Whether you enjoy long walks, exploring castles or having a look around stately homes this is for you. Not for you? The National Trust also has everything from caves to a winter challenge for the children,
The National Trust quite often offer lists of things to do or find on your walks, such as:
- Cook on a campfire
- Go welly wandering
- Go stargazing
- Discover wild animal clues
- Hunt for fossils and bones
These are just some of the exciting adventures you can get up to with the children and other members of the family at National Trust locations around the UK.
Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust supports and maintains hundreds of acres of woodlands around the country. Joining this charity will not only help protect more trees and species of animals but will also give you a great information pack full of fun and ideas that you can do in your area during the half term. You will have the opportunity to match leaves with your swatch book as well as having fun creating plenty of arts and crafts with some of the ideas that you will find in the pack.
Activities with the Woodland Trust include:
- Community tree planting
- Bird ID walk
- Sunday trolls
- The secret world of trees
- Hedge planting
Having awesome experiences outdoors with the Woodland Trust is so much fun; knowing that you are also helping a charity at the same time is a great feeling.
Treasure Trails
Sometimes getting the kids to spend more time outdoors can be a bit of a struggle, the Treasure Trails is so exciting that you won’t have any problems motivating them to join in no matter their age or ability. Treasure Trails have produced an awesome set of adventures for the UK, no matter if you live around the trail’s location or are just visiting the area; you will be sure to find out some new and exciting facts.
There are 3 types of trails to choose from:
- Murder mystery trail
- Spy mission trail
- Treasure hunt trail
Each trail is self-guided so you can enjoy it at your own pace whilst learning about all the exciting facts and places of interest. The whole experience is rewarding in itself but being able to work together as a family is more-so!
Whether visiting a new place or staying to learn more about your own surroundings, the Treasure Trails are a great place to visit.
Thomas Land, Drayton Manor
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls an epic adventure awaits, why not go and visit Thomas and all his friends this half term? This is a really exciting day out (or short break with a stay in the amazing Thomas themed hotel) with plenty to see and do. Not only will you see Thomas and his famous friends but walking around the 15-acre zoo there are many animals to discover, from birds of prey to meerkats and monkeys to snakes. There are lots of rides for both adults and children alike, there are plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants across the park for those little breaks.
There is so much fun to be had at the park including:
- Welcome to Thomas Land show
- Exciting rides
- The fat controllers ‘to-do list’ show
- Dinosaur trail
- The goodbye and goodnight show
Looking to save a bit of cash here are some of our top tips, pre-booking your tickets online can save you some time when arriving at the park, buying a photo pass online will allow you to keep those precious memories at a fraction of the on-site cost and taking a packed lunch can be great fun for the children when eating in the large outdoor play park. Drayton Manor offers amazing adventures for you and your family.
Heritage Railways
If you are looking for something that the kids will enjoy, including the big kids, then you can’t go wrong spending a day riding on a vintage steam or diesel engine at your local heritage railway. These places are a very special experience allowing you to experience a snapshot of what life was like in the early to mid-1900s. With hundreds of railways around the UK, you will be spoilt for choice, each railway has its own quirks and unique personality. The volunteers have such a passion for their work that it is an absolute pleasure to visit and seeing the kids’ eyes widen as they hear the whistle of the steam train is a true experience to cherish.
Some of the choices available include:
- South Devon Railway
- Nene Valley Railway
- Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
- Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway
- Snowdon Mountain Railway
With plenty of exciting railway experiences to choose from you may need to allow for a few days to cover your favourite ones. The Heritage Railways will really inspire your children and show them a piece of our wonderful history.