Half Term things to do with a 5 yr old in Leicester

LE3

Help please!
I'm going to be babysitting a 5 yr old boy for a couple of days over 1/2 term and need some ideas of things to do/places to go - I know the little boy well but the thought of having to entertain him for a whole day is a little daunting!
I'm near Leicester - can't afford Twycross Zoo or Twinlakes this time round ...

miradene

I do not know Leicester but there are always cheap and free activities. Try local museums, picnics in the park etc. The following site is a good reference guide of things to do in your area.

http://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/search.php?county=Leicestershire

Hope you have a few fun days.

madderrose

My kids love:

Brocks Hill http://www.oadby-wigston.gov.uk/pages/brocks_hill_country_park. Nice cafe, adventure playground. Also Welland Park in Market Harborough is great.

The city museums are good (and free!) but I don't think there are any dinosaurs at New Walk museum as they are refurbishing that gallery so I'd recommend either Newarke Houses http://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council-services/lc/leicester-city-museums/museums/newarkehouses/ or Abbey Pumping Station http://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council-services/lc/leicester-city-museums/museums/abbey-pumping-station/.

Or how about Foxton Locks http://foxtonlocks.com/?

Bradgate Park? http://www.nationalforest.org/visit/index.php?control=main&action=location&LocationId=1627

LE3

How old are your kids madderrose?
I'm worried that at 5 he'll be bored with museums - and again I'm not sure that there's much to see/do at Foxton locks for an active little boy ...
I'd thought of Bradgate Park but am guessing that after an hour or so, boredom will set in & the parking is so expensive for a very short visit ...

madderrose

LE3 wrote: »

How old are your kids madderrose?
I'm worried that at 5 he'll be bored with museums - and again I'm not sure that there's much to see/do at Foxton locks for an active little boy ...
I'd thought of Bradgate Park but am guessing that after an hour or so, boredom will set in & the parking is so expensive for a very short visit ...

Mine are 9, 5 and 3 (girl, boy, boy respectively!). They are generally happy to rampage around outside, hence the parks suggestion but they'd be quite happy at the museums too. At Abbey Pumping Station you can flush a fake poo down a toilet and see what happens to it - what's not to like for a 5 year old boy !

Another thought is Gorse Hill City Farm http://www.gorsehillcityfarm.org.uk/.

Admittedly the above suggestions may not keep you occupied for a whole day. What days do you have him for? There may be some special events out and about somewhere.

money_saving_diva

Another vote here for Welland park at Market Harborough. Although it will be very busy next week. You could then do Foxton Locks after. You could do a scavenger hunt at foxton locks - write a list/print off pics of objects for him to find - an ivy leaf, 3 different shaped stones etc makes your walk along the canal a bit if an adventure. You could also show him about locks before you go? What they do etc? Borrow book from library or print pics off of Internet.

narabanekeater

In Mounsorrel theres a lovely little farm and I cannot remember what its called but im sure if you google it it will come up. Its quite cheap to get it. Also they usually do free activities at The Beaumont Leys shopping centre

carlislelass

Space centre?

John_3:16

Buy a kite and go to Bourough Hills and Bradgate. If you have him on a Tuesday Melton cattle Market, I think it may be Melton day on Monday can be busy if I remember right.

Noah'strolly

Abbey park. They have pets corner with rabbits, birds and goats, a boating lake which will be open over half term, tea room, toilets on both sides of the river, lovely grounds with ornamental flower beds and tree covered areas, a large play park (with play equipment for all ages), ruins of the old abbey and you can feed the ducks, geese and swans. Take bread for the birds and carrots or cabage for pets corner. We usually bring a picnic and splash out on icecreams from the tea room later. They also do some nice home made cakes but we never rated the main courses. It costs nothing to get in but if you park in the big car park nearer town it's pay and display. There is a little car park up near the B&Q crossroads which is free but often full or you can park on the road outside the little car park.

Noah'strolly

Not sure where you are LE3 but my boys can spend hours at the local play parks and always make new friends. Just take a drink and a snack. There are nice small parks in LFE and Kirby Muxloe and Western park. Also, if its raining, I'd recomend the kids AM cinema at Vue at Meridian and Odeon kids at Freemans common they show a 6 month old film at about 10 or 11 am for around £1 each. Vue is showing "Mars needs moms" at 10.30 lover half term its a PG £1.25 just smuggle a juice carton and snack in or you'll spend a fortune at the concesion stand!