The summer holidays have begun! This summer things are slightly different. Many of us, may have chosen to have a staycation, with everything happening in the world due to the Covoid pandemic. So, what can we do to entertain the kids during this 6 weeks holiday. Here are my recommendations for Fun Days Out for toddlers during Summer 2020.
Firstly its great that parks and playgrounds have reopened. A fun picnic in the park, is alway a nice afternoon out, and doesn’t cost anything. But, if you want to take the kids out for the day in Surrey, here are my top 10 of best places to go.
Mulligans Pirate Golf, Woking
A fun, crazy golf course in Woking. with a pirate theme. There are only taking online bookings at the moment, and social distancing must be adhered too. There are some new rules in place that can be found at the website. This will keep your kids entertained for around an hour and then perhaps you can get a drink or a snack at the golf club restaurant.
Details and to book can be found at the website
Nania Trial, Banstead
If its a lovely day, why not go for a nice walk with the kids. In Banstead woods, they have a lovely Nania trail, which consists of beautiful wood carvings of characters from the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. This includes a large Aslan, and a life-sized wardrobe. The Banstead Woods Nature Trail) is about 3 miles / 5km long with some hilly areas but nothing too extreme and good paths throughout. It will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to walk around. Dogs are able to go off leads, however, there are some areas near which have livestock, so keep this in mind.
The Magic Gardens, Hampton Court
Such a great magical playground, for kids to play and let their curiosity and imagination run wild. The Magical Gardens is open 7 days a week throughout August. If you are a member of the Historic Royal Palaces, it is free to visit the Magical Gardens, otherwise, you have to pay. You have to purchase a ticket for the palace to go to this, and the costs start at £24.50 for a adult, £12.20 for children over 5 and under 5s go free. With many staying at home this summer, it maybe worthwhile and more cost effective. to get a membership for the Historic Royal Palaces, as you could then visit a few more places with the kids, like the Tower of London.
You must book in advance and their is a time limit of 90 minutes in the Magical Gardens. You can’t reserve a time slot, so, be prepared on nicer days, it may get busy.
Why not take a picnic and go to Bushy Park whilst there. This is a beautiful park, with a playground and you may even spot some deer whilst there.
Alice Holt
This is a favourite of mine, as I always used to take my children there when they were younger. It definitely had to make the list of fun days out for toddlers in the Summer, as apart from the parking, it doesn’t cost anything. I always used to take a picnic, however, there is a restaurant there, where you can buy drinks, ice creams and food.
You can hire bikes if you don’t have one, but there are several bike routes around the woodlands. The Gruffalo trail with Gruffalo sculptures is a favourite with kids. Its a nice way to spend a day out in the fresh air!
The playground is currently closed, due to the Covid situation, but that will not stop your kids having fun!!!
For further details, please visit https://www.forestryengland.uk/alice-holt-forest
Garsons Farm Pick your Own Fruit
A PYO ‘Farm Pass’ is required to enter the farm and must be booked in advance of visiting garsons. The cost of this pass is deducted from your total bill of what you have picked, as long as the value is the same or more than what you are picking. There are lots of fruits and vegetables to choose from and you can even pick Sunflowers.
It’s a fun activity for the kids to do and also good with encouraging eating of healthy fruits and vegetables. Get your child to wear old clothes, as they may end up covered in red, if picking the strawberries!!!
Currently bookings are limited to 3 adults. Cars containing more than 6 individuals will not be permitted entry. Further details and to book a slot, can be found at the website.
There is a lovely restaurant at Garsons Farm if you wish to get some food, or why not take a picnic and just outside, is a lovely green which has a pond and a great place to feed the ducks and let the kids run around.
Paint your own Pottery
Included in my list of fun days out for toddlers in the Summer, is something for those days where the weather is not so nice, why not get your child to do some pottery painting. It’s a fun way to spend a few hours, and let them be creative.
Appletree Studios in East Horsley are open, but you do need to book, as they are offering reduced hours. from Wednesday to Saturday only. Alternatively, you can purchase takeaway paint and foam kits to create something at home.
There are so many items that you can choose from to paint. From functional items such as bowls, plates and cups through to lovely decorative items that are very popular with the kids. There is definitely something for everyone!!!!
I still have the egg cup holder I painted years ago with the kids, whilst my son painted a train money box and my daughter a pretty dog ornament. If you have just had a baby, these places are fantastic to do footprints on a plate where you can personalise with the name, birth date etc. We did those with both our children when they were newborns, and I still remember the fun we had trying to do them and this was 14 and 15 years ago!!!!
A Day Trip to the Beach
WEBSITE HERE
A trip to the beach, has to make the list of fun days out for toddlers in the summer. With a nice day, you have got to consider a day trip to the beach! I know many of the beaches, like West Wittering you have to book, and also many of them have been so busy, which is a worry, during this time. However, Littlehampton tends to be less known than some of the more popular destinations.
If you go to right side of the beach, West Beach, where dogs are allowed it is a lot quieter and not so commericals It has a lovely little cafe before you get to the beach. You need to put in Littlehampton golf club for the sat nav, to make sure you reach the right part.
On this side of the beach, there are no life guards, so you need to take this into consideration.
Take a portable bbq and enjoy the British Summer!
So, these are my suggestions for things to do with your toddlers over the summer holidays, but, would love to hear from anyone who has any other suggestions to add to the list! With August 1st tomorrow, enjoy that summer sunshine before Autumn comes, as, it really is just around the corner.