What are you doing today with your children? (school summer holidays)

jellyhead

Sorry others replied while I was typing that lol!

My 4 year old is 115cm tall and has been loving alton towers since he was a baby. As I said in my very waffling post above it all depends on how many other children you have and what you want out of a day out - do you want to go on all the big rides yourself?

There's absolutely loads for your boy to do, really. Probably one of the things I love most about Alton is that most people have the idea that there's nothing for small kids, which is great because it means they don't go, so the rides for small kids never get busy

jellyhead

Anyway, we have had annual passes for a few years and have been to alton a lot, so I could talk for england on the subject

I have to go out now, but if you want to know which rides my 4 year old went on yesterday etc. let me know. The website might have a map, but if it doesn't tell you the height restrictions I can probably tell you all of them, well the minimum heights for if you're with an adult anyhow, which is what we do. I saw someone yell at staff yesterday when her boys couldn't go on something together, because the smallest one had to be with an adult.

mummy_Jay

It's only my boy and me, so it sounds like its worth the trip. Thank you ever so much, your comments have really helped.

jellyhead

Ah, if that's the case then you could have a fantastic day, really With your voucher it's probably cheaper than drayton - are there any drayton offers out there? Alton charges £5 for parking though! They have 'express' parking for £15, right next to the theme park gates, or there's a monorail from the £5 car parks. Some might say express parking is worth the money, but I think it's far too expensive.

Spendless

Husband never took the kids to a fishing lake yesterday as the wet weather put him off, instead mid aftenoon he took him to fish at a nearby canal and DS caught his first fish.

Today I have been to the best place so far this hols, somewhere I've always been half aware of but never visited. It's a pub that has quite a large outside playing area, several swings, slides, climbing frames to play on. The equipment is 'older' but not ancient and my 6yo loved it. My 9yo spent the time playing in the swimming pool they have. It's raised and 4ft deep, not sure how long or wide but big enough for an adult to do several strokes in it. Kids have to be supervised by an adult. There's loads of patio benches and tables on a large slabbed area, which meant I could sit near enough DS to keep an eye on him, whilst still being able to see DD. Food is served but only until 2pm then not until 5pm. We arrived between these times so no eating out bill to add on to the day.:D All it cost me was for a round of drinks (1 adult, 2 kids cokes) and a bag of crisps each.:T Didn't even have to pay to park.

It reminded me of being at a 'holiday site where the kids swim and play in the park. Probably due to the time we went, the place wasn't packed nor was it dead. DS found several similar age like minded boys to play in the pool and DD found twice as many littllier children to play on the equipment with. The one gripe which isn't the pubs fault was the amount of wasps there were, it's on the edge of countryside and I should imagine they were attracted to the smell of the drinks. Landlord said they'd ordered some repellants to hang from each parasol but they hadn't arrived yet, but were expected in next couple of days.

bestpud

We've been either on the beach or in the swimming pool most of the week. :j

I'm home now until I finish work Saturday night but dd(7) is going back there with my dad, sister, niece and nephew tomorrow (my mum is still there).

If anyone wants a dog friendly area, I cannot fault Wiseman's Bridge/Coppet Hall. It is lovely; not too crowded and dogs are welcome pretty much anywhere, even the beach! My 4 month old pup has had a great time and is still there with my mum now! It's just a short walk from Saundersfoot, where dogs are also welcome but not allowed on the beach.

Best bit of all is I've spent virtually no money as there is none of the expensive seaside attractions there. :T

We've just been to Macdonalds too and got one of the cinema vouchers on dd's Happy Meal box, so we will be off to see Ice Age 3 one day next week! :j

And, I had no idea Alton Towers is good for littlies so I've learnt something new on here tonight! I've always dismissed it thinking it is a lot of money and dd won't have anything to do!

jellyhead

We're going to thomas land on sunday, I'm really excited lol!

Today we went to a stay and play session at the children's centre for 50p. The theme was fruit so they read handa's surprise, and did lots of cookery. I was amazed that my boy ate pumpkin and sunflower seeds! He's a really picky eater, but tried everything because there were other children there. It was a ball of stuff mixed with melted chocolate:)

jellyhead

spendless that sounds fab! keep nagging about the wasp things then maybe they'll get them earlier for next year.

karren

my 2 off camping with dad today for 3 days as we split our hols to sort out childcare in the hols, so im going down to help set the tent up etc, then coming back about 9pm as im early shift tom, late monday off tue so im coming back and fro to feed dog etc.
the site was only ten pounds a night so its cheap and cheerful.
But found out today the cost of he dancing outfits, they are thirty five pounds each and shes in 4 bits of the show in varouis outfits!!!!!!!!
and new shoes etc ,im going to be bankrupt at this rate!

Spendless

karren wrote: »

my 2 off camping with dad today for 3 days as we split our hols to sort out childcare in the hols,

When I eventually:rolleyes: find work this is what I expect we will have to do as we have little family help and whilst there is childcare available it's expensive for 2 over several weeks. Could you tell me more about how you make it work -thanks.

I also wanted to ask BrokeBrunette at what age did she find that her kids went off doing their own thing.