Many of us will be sticking to staycations this summer. Families are skipping flights and organising old school road trips, or making fun packed itineraries filled with local activities and events.
You are probably likely to be professionals at keeping your kids entertained after the three lockdowns we have all endured! Maintaining that same momentum should hopefully get you through the summer holidays…
So, we thought we would help you out, by suggesting a range of ways to keep the kids and hopefully the whole family happy!
Be quick … from personal experience as soon as we start sharing our ideas they get booked up very quickly!
Enchanted Leornadslee
Set in the beautiful Leornadslee Gardens, in Lower Beeding, West Sussex. This fantastic event is running from 30th July to 8thAugust – a fun filled afternoon and evening perfect for the entire family. Be ready to explore a magical woodland trail, filled with lots of music and amazing theatrical performances of spectacular visual and sound installations. If mermaids, mythical creatures, and fairy’s sound like the perfect mix, then this wonderful trail followed by an interactive show will most definitely be a hit! It’s a big eclectic mix of live music, gnomes, a vintage fairground, circus performances, a boutique market, and a range of global street food and a range of drinks to keep you all going.
The music stage has a diverse range of gipsy jazz, folk, and rock performances as well as, a spectacular trapeze show, baby unicorn rides, workshops and so much more!
Treasure Island Adventure Park
Treasure Island in Eastbourne is a pirate themed adventure park, your children are sure to love! Try your luck at miniature golf- an 18 hole golf course with many obstacles along the way, such as caves and bridges. The kids can explore the outdoor play park, where they can climb aboard a shipwreck complete with slides, bridges and zip lines or perhaps a splash about in the paddling pool to cool off! Further, there is also an indoor soft play area spread over two levels with slides, zip lines and plenty of other fun activities. Don’t worry, there is a comfortable seating area for the adults with refreshments and snacks available from the cafe- Aye Aye!!
Go Ape
Located in Crawley’s Tilgate Park and surrounded by a beautiful lake and lush woodlands is GoApe. Its high rope courses include, a Tree Top challenge and a Tree Top Adventure, depending on your skillset. If you’re not so sure about being suspended high above the ground, they offer Segway adventures, that way you can comfortably stay close to the ground!
Fly down zip lines, tackle wobbly bridges and swing like Tarzan from across the treetops whilst basking in some really beautiful scenery! Kids have the opportunity to join a group of other children their age, or they can join the adults and you can go as a family. If you still have enough energy after your adventure, you can further explore the large children’s play area, hire a rowing boat across the lake or take part in one of the many walking or cycling routes through the beautiful parklands.
Ardingly Outdoor Activity Centre
If the great outdoors and water sports is a family favourite or you would like to get into it then Ardingly Activity Centre offers families the chance to sail, windsurf, row, kayak, powerboating, raft building plus many more water-based activities to choose from.
Whether you are a regular pro or an absolute beginner, there is an opportunity for everyone to try out an activity or even join a multi activity day where you get to try out more than one sport. It’s a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a day out on the water or to learn something new. Children as young as 6 are able to participate with qualified instructors.
Outdoor Theatre: The Jungle Book
A brand-new musical adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s family favourite The Jungle Book will be showing at Hatchlands Park in Guildford on the 18th August. With the original music, audience interaction and then the chance to meet the characters after the show, it’s a perfect treat for the whole family! Make sure to bring some seats or rugs and cushions to sit on and make yourself comfortable with a picnic dinner to enjoy whilst you join Mowgli and his friends!
Discovery Walk
A lovely family nature trail set in the great outdoors, amongst 40 acres of beautiful Surrey countryside. Priory Farm welcomes visitors of all ages. The children’s nature trails are set high in the lush green hills, filled with exciting quizzes, fun facts and a Giants Chair to sit upon! Rush down the wibbly wobbly bridge down to Fern’s House, pass the Fairy City along the colourful woodland walk, and feed the hungry fish down by the lake with some fish food! Meet the resident, feathered Guinea fowl which roam around the farm, you will be sure to spot at least one or five!
Lastly, finish off with a delicious ice cream at Wendy’s or a fresh pastry from the farm shop!
Port Lymphe Animal Reserve
Have you ever wanted to go on Safari? Unfortunately, Africa might be a bit too far away however, there is an authentic safari experience in Kent, giving the opportunity to see some of the World’s most endangered animals. Port Lymphe have some incredible animal residents such as lions, tigers, cheetahs, apes, and gorillas. You get to ride around the local savannah on an authentic African safari vehicle, which takes you around the 100 acres of beautiful Kentish countryside. There is also a children’s play area where they can climb, swing, and jump around till their hearts content!
What’s more, if you wanted to make a short stay out of it, they have a spectacular and very unique 4* hotel and treehouses to choose from!
We would love to hear which activity you decided to try out this summer with your family!
If you are thinking of moving in Surrey, Sussex or Kent why not take a look at our current property portfolio – we would be delighted to have a chat with you about your dream home. Just give us a call to book a valuation – we can’t wait to speak with you!
Please note : Some of the photography used in this blog is from the organisers / owners of the activity or events, we hope you love that we have shared information about your activity or venue. If you are the photographer we are very happy to credit you, photographers are currently unknown.