Half term days out

Wisley RHS Gardens
National Trust at Polesden Lacey
Hobbledown and Bocketts Farms
Train up to London to the zoo
Ride on a bus or train and a McDonalds or a pizza
Trip to cinema as there’s usually a film for little ones.
All depends on where in Surrey you are.

MissInterpreted

*Well soft play isn’t difficult you mainly sit and watch*
Had to laugh at that - not when your GS is hyperactive you don't!

I find myself like a jack in the box at soft play. Trips to the loo, come and watch me do this, getting drinks, I'm stuck, this boy/girl is being horrible, finding snacks. It's all go.

Well soft play isn’t difficult you mainly sit and watch
Had to laugh at that - not when your GS is hyperactive you don't!

I have always found the local libraries hold some very good events in the school breaks. No walking involved and lots for smaller children to do. Does your local council put on half-term and school holiday events? Many do and again there is a varied programme involving sport, dance, craft, lego and animal based events. Migration, Peppa Pig's Cinema Party and Hey Duggee are on at my local cinema so have a look to see if something suitable for little ones is on near you.

Hobby craft are offering a 30 minute session modelling Easter animals for £5.
We have done a couple of their workshops and have been pleased with them. All materials are included and the clearing up is done for you!

We combine it with a drink in our local 'posh' hotel, which is actually cheaper than most of the coffee shops, and a walk to the park playground if the weather is good.

Our grandsons are staying for a few days during half term, so we’re going to Knole Park, a National Trust property, with deer, a vast area of parkland and woodland, with lots of climbing for them and to generally letting off steam. Then we’ll go to Zizzi for pizza, unless we take a picnic. 😊

A few age appropriate games to play, flying a kite, swimming.

Do you have a ‘paint a pot’ studio/cafe, nearby? Kids love to paint their own mug plate or novelty and you can all do one of your own.

Well soft play isn’t difficult you mainly sit and watch
But take ear plugs 😁

Patsy70

Godstone Farm is perfect for little ones. We used to take our granddaughters. I would take a picnic, including all their favourite food, as sometimes cafe prices can be exorbitant.

Oh goodness, that took me back! I remember taking my own children there many years ago.
I expect it's changed a bit since then 🙂

Children love farm parks and there is usually an indoor play area now, too, if it rains.

National.Trust properties are always great with children without necessarily dragging them around whichever house. No plastic in sight!

Brighton Aquarium
.

Ashdown Forest is Winnie the Pooh country. Fabulous walks and there is a House At Pooh Corner shop in Hartfield village, everything Pooh! Ashdown Forest Centre on Broadstone Warren, nr Forest Row is very good and informative for children and the best walks from here. Picnic benches everywhere.

Mine also love a snacky/deli picnic lunch, things like salami, cold meat, olives, crisps and similar, Ritz biscuit type things, little squares of different cakes. If they're very young you can use a dolls teaset too.

My grandchildren all love a boat trip on the Thames, guessing you can boartd one from Hampton or somewhere on the Thames in that direction? We're further in so I'm not sure.
My daughter takes them into town by train and they board the boat somewhere central, depending on what else they want to do that day. There's an adventure playground in Battersea Park and an Aquarium near the Eye.

Leeds Castle, Howletts zoo, Moat Park. And of course London has so much to offer.

Hobbledown farm near Epsom is meant to be very good

Farm visits / petting zoos Amused many of them there.
Little theatre productions. The bubble man is outstanding.
Adventure playgrounds
Llama walking
Owl handling
Donkey rides
Garden centres often have kids stuff and nice tearooms

Have just looked up Brookland motor museum and adults cost £22 and children £9 00 so sadly no longer free.

Young children love a bus or train ride as they often travel everywhere by car with their parents. Anywhere they can interact with animals too, like a petting zoo. Museums need to have hands on activities for the appropriate age group.

Would definitely recommend Brooklands motor museum. It's free to go round (It's basically a Mercedes showroom but has lots of racing cars on display. My gd (4 1/2 at the time) loved the racing track .There's a small charge but well worth it and they get a driver's certificate too! She was very proud that she learnt to 'reverse park' too!

Bus to a nearby tea shop, drink and and biscuit and home again?

Anywhere with animals is popular with little ones.

Some National Trust places have child friendly events over half term

Godstone Farm is perfect for little ones. We used to take our granddaughters. I would take a picnic, including all their favourite food, as sometimes cafe prices can be exorbitant.

Have a look at Elm Nursery Children's Farm and Plant Centre, Sutton Green, Guildford GU4 7QD

There is a cafe and play area.

You can feed some of the animals. The guinea pigs are irresistible!

The atmosphere is relaxed. It's aimed at younger children and makes for a pleasant few hours, weather permitting.

GrannyG57, why not do a surprise picnic at your own home - push the furniture back a bit in the lounge, blankets on the floor, perhaps a makeshift tent with an old bedsheet for the children, and some cushions scattered around too.
Food need not be expensive - sandwiches to their taste, some iced biscuits perhaps, flask for you and DD and squash for the children.
Even if it is cold and damp during half term you will all be dry and making lovely memories too.