20+ BEST FAMILY FUN TRIPS OUT WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

Listed below are some of our favourite day trips out to enjoy as a family. I've also given some ideas that are on our 'fun bucket day' list. From fruit picking to trampoline parks, hopefully there will be something that you can add to yours:

• Soft play - Suitable for a variety of ages and an opportunity to develop motor development. We went as a family to a large local soft play, for my husband's birthday no less (his choice - how times have changed!) and we had such fun together.

• Fire and Rescue Service open day - Find out if your local fire station is hosting any open days where you can meet the firefighters and other members, climb on board a fire engine and learn how you can keep you and your family safe.

• Local animal rescue centre - A wonderful way to expose your children to animals and provide an opportunity to explain how we should care and respect animals. This is all whilst having a more personal experience and supporting these fantastic charities.

• Sunflower picking (when in season) - A great day to enjoy the fresh air and be amongst the beautiful scenery. Your toddler can help you pick, cut and you can then enjoy your blooms at home. Most places that offer sunflower picking usually have a maze for you to get lost in too.

I spy with my little eye - can you spot Big Bee and I in the sunflowers?

• Walk and picnic - A wonderful way to enjoy nature locally and spend quality time together as a family. As well as your picnic, you can take a ball and some bubbles to enjoy too.

• Visit a castle - An excuse to dress up and tell stories whilst roaming around these magnificent buildings. You can ask your toddler(s) questions such as, if you were to be a queen/king for the day what would be the first thing that you would do? Or what would your crown be made out of and look like? Research the different events and workshops that may be on before your visit. Before you go you could also make some medieval crowns, ruffs or coins.

• Lavender fields - A sight to see and smell! Not only a photo opportunity, but you can take a picnic along to enjoy too and create some family memories together. As a momento of your visit, make sure to purchase some lavender to take home.

• Pick your own (PYO) - Whether it be pumpkins in autumn or berries in summer, PYO is such a fun family day out. It's something for all the generations to enjoy and will no doubt bring back memories for some. You can introduce new words, such as polytunnels and talk about pollination. One tip, take a spare t-shirt for any messy toddlers to hide any evidence (if you know what I mean). We also took a picnic along with us to enjoy after all our efforts, but mostly strawberries were consumed!

Strawberries as far as the eye can see!

• National Trust house - With a huge number to choose from all over the country the options are endless - from historic house, to castles and gardens. A guaranteed day of fun when you head out to one of these beautiful national treasures.

• Ride a steam train - Sure to be a big hit with the little ones, and a unique way to spend time together. You can even head out for a fun-filled day with Thomas & Friends.

• Peppa Pig World at Paultons Park - If Peppa Pig is as popular in your house as she is in ours, then this surely has to make your list. Be warned though, it is not cheap. After advice, we're currently re-mortgaging the house to afford to go!

• Beach - Slap on some suncream and grab the bucket and spade, what could be more perfect? You can build sandcastles, make sea people/mermaids/monsters with sea weeds, shells etc., go shell hunting, paddling in the water and jump over waves, try and skim (of throw) pebbles into the sea, draw in the sand, go on a rock pool adventure at low tide, and see if you can spot creatures like sea anemone, crabs and fish.

Do you wanna build a sandcastle? Come on let's go and play!

• Garden centre - A zen sanctuary to potter around and enjoy smelling the flowers. A great place to talk about different heights, shapes and colours of plants. Maybe buy a pack of seeds to sow when home, or a plant to pot together? Local garden centres to us have a café and play area that the children can enjoy to. Alternatively, adults could always play the game 'can I leave without spending anything on plants' - I'm notoriously terrible at it!

• Museum - We have visited the Horniman Museum and Gardens as a family and the children absolutely loved wondering around. Big Bee was asking lots of questions and both were engaging with the different displays. Exposure to museums is said to foster a child's curiosity and spark their imaginations, so get on down to one asap! The Science Museum, Natural History Museum and our local observatory are also on our list to venture to.

• Trampoline park - This was 2 hours of such fun, and the resulted in all participating individuals taking a nap afterwards. For all the mums out there, it's also a fantastic way to test out your pelvic floor (needless to say, I still have some work to do!). The children absolutely loved it and have not stopped talking about it since. There was a session for under 4 year olds at the trampoline park we visited and you can play with the hoppers, balls, jump on the different sized trampolines and dive into the foam pit. If the persistent questioning as to when we will be visiting again continues, then it is likely to be very soon!

Those who don't jump will never fly!

• Local touring shows/productions - Check to see if there are any local productions touring. This year we have been to see the puppet show, The Hug (Half Moon Theatre) and The Twirlywoos. The children were captivated by both.

• Swimming (outdoor pool weather permitting) - Any form of swimming can be a sure way to have a fun time together as a family, but if you have a local outdoor pool that you can enjoy in the warmer months then that will be the cherry on the icing.

• Hire a pedalo/boat - We did this the other weekend and we all have a blast. Hubby did a good job not crashing into others, but there was room for improvement when trying to avoid the shallow waters. We did some people watching, counted and named the ducks, and played I spy.

Watching the ducks and world go by whilst munching on a rice cake - obviously!

• Ceramic painting - Not only a fun activity, but you get to take something home (once fired) to use or enjoy as a keepsake. It also encourages concentration, is calming and provided an outlet for your little ones to express themselves.

• Farm trip - Is there a better day that feeding the animals at the farm, potentially holding a rabbit and making pig, horse, cow and sheep noises all day long? Bringing the farm books to life is another way to teach your children to love and respect the animals, and create memories as a family.

• Plane spotting - If your children are anything like mine this is sure to be a big hit! Find a local airport and a recommended spot to watch planes take-off and land. Bring snacks/lunch and water - you could be there for a while.

• Butterfly house - You can get up close and personal with these magical and beautiful creatures, and learn about their habits and daily life. If you're very lucky you may even have one land on your head! Before going, you could discuss the four stages in the metamorphosis of butterflies and make some butterfly artwork together.

Hello little butterfly!

• Local events/festivals - Farmer's market, free puppet shows, local music or food festivals, school/church fairs and fates, sport's clubs events, charity fundraisers etc. Research what is happening local to you - it's a wonderful way to get involved and support the community too.

• Woodland treasure hunt - Check out my post on 'THE BEST TODDLER WOODLAND TREASURE HUNT' for an idea to be amongst nature, stretch the legs and to test the whole families' detective skills.

• Trip to the library followed by a babyccino and cake - Encourage their relationship with reading and books by visiting the local library, and then pop into a local coffee shop for a drink and treat afterwards.