There is nothing better than a day spent making memories with the family. But as any parent will know, days out with young children can be difficult to organize. There are lots of things to think about such as buggy access, high chairs and changing facilities. Not only that, toddlers have a lot of energy and need space to run around and activities to keep them busy. Take away the stress and follow this guide to toddler-friendly days out:
Petting farms
If you live in a town or city, why not head out to the countryside and enjoy some rural experiences? A trip to the farm or petting zoo is a perfect day out for young children because there is plenty to see and do. Try your hand at feeding the goats, petting the rabbits, or watching the pigs play in the mud. If you are not admiring the animals, there are other activities to try such as games, play parks and sand pits.
If you are not animal-fans in your family, why not try visiting a fruit farm? Pick-your-own farms are fun and interactive as well as showing children where their food comes from. Can you name all the different berries? These centre are designed for families and are therefore buggy-friendly and provide baby changing tables.
There are petting zoos and farms open to visitors up and down the country. Here are some top picks to check out:
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Gorgeous gardens
Beautiful gardens filled with colourful flowers, fragrant herbs and rows of vegetables – the perfect day out for a family with toddlers. Gardens are a wonderful setting for toys and games which the organizers usually provide. Even if the garden does not provide specific activities, you can make your own games. Choose your favourite flower, who can spot the biggest pumpkin or who can find the most acorns?
If in doubt, have a good run around the safe, enclosed garden. Most gardens have a café or refreshment stand available so you can re-energize and enjoy a snack. Plus, there are plenty of high chairs to go around! If you prefer to bring your own lunch, there are countless picnic spots in the most gorgeous locations. A fantastic way to get down to earth and enjoy the natural world around you.
The RHS, National Trust and National Garden scheme are all great places to look for gardens open near you. Check out their websites here:
Find more about The RHS here »>
Visit The National Garden Scheme »>
Open-air museums
Open-air museums come in all shapes and sizes. From historic villages to art exhibitions, there are plenty of great outdoor days out to choose from. These sites are an ideal choice for a family day out because you can get involved or sit back and enjoy the sights. Sometimes your little ones might not be in the mood to concentrate, so just enjoying looking the exhibitions as you walk by is enough.
However, most outdoor museums and arts centres have great activities available for younger kids. Whether it is giant lawn games, play equipment or just open spaces to run around, there is something to keep everyone busy. With big open lawns or even a picnic bench or too, you are sure to find space to sit and rest during your day. Keep an eye out for toddler favourites – farm animals, sweet shops and dressing up costumes.
Here are some of the top open-air museums in the UK – Beamish is a firm family favourite not to be missed:
The Weald and Downland Living Museum, West Sussex
Beach days
What is not to like about a day at the beach? Some of the best beach spots to take toddlers are those with rock pools. These mini ecosystems provide little explorers with a safe place to play. Larger rock pools can be used for safe paddling and swimming. Smaller pools have lots of interesting wildlife including bright seaweed, silver fish and shiny shells.
Why not take a net and see what you can find? Of course, there are classic seaside favourites to enjoy such as donkey rides, ice cream and sandcastle making. Beaches are fantastic for a day out as they provide a new sensory experience for your little ones. You can take a small pop-up tent with you which makes the perfect are for nap times and a changing space.
These are some of the top toddler-friendly beaches in the UK:
Wembury, Devon
Whitesands Beach, Pembrokeshire
Sandsend, North Yorkshire
