things/places/things to do with the kids in the 6wk hols

ijustloveabargain

ok the kids(3)break up today and i want to take them on days out within 2 hrs drive from manchester
weekend breaks and anything really just to fill the hoildays up

any ideas/rec
and any good web sites

sorry dont like museums kids get bored after abit

thanks

ijustloveabargain

kids are 9/6 n 5 if helps

bigc2910

I am in the same position as you! Three children aged 12, 3 and 1, I have spent pretty much the whole day online compiling a list of places to go suitable for the age ranges and reasonably priced within about the same driving distance!

Heres my list so far,

Dunham Massey, Quarry Bank Mill,Tatton Park, Sale Water Park (feed the ducks), all have various activities going on, good outdoor picnic areas ideal for dry weather. (Im joining the National Trust and plan to visit as much as weather allows)

Walton Park (sale) And Chassen Road Park (urmston) both have those little trains that you can ride on around the park. Again Brookside Garden Centre in Poynton is nice, has a train and suitable for all.

Jodrell Bank - Macclesfield, Liverpool Docks - Spaceport,loads of events through the hols, River Mersey Cruise (there is a pirate cruise on the 7th august that looks good!). And if you have Tesco clubcard vouchers they can be exchanged for Camelot,Diggerland and the Lego Discovery Centre at the Trafford centre.

I ve also devised an 'alternative wet weather box' in case the acitivity we have planned is not suitable thanks to our great British weather! With things like swimming,the Lowry Centre have lots going on ,Trafford Centre, Library,Arts and crafts day (saving boxes like mad) I plan on having Fridays as a 'big day out' which is subject to a reward system through the week to encourage good behaviour! I am getting the older ones to sign an agreement to keep to bedtimes and up by 8am ready for whatever we have planned! It may sound strict but having learnt from past experience it pays to have a plan as everything soon unravels when you have bored children and a stressed out mummy!

Things we do at home, camping in the back garden,treasure hunts/paperchase, baking/decorating biscuits, movie afternoons (popcorn/make tickets).
They will also have a holiday diary each to write in and stick leaflets,tickets etc and last year we held an Awards Ceremony, at the end of the holidays with Catagories like Funneist Moment, Best Day Out, Best Diary Entry etc its a nice way to round off the holidays and celebrate surviving!!!!!

bigc2910

Oh and we go to Legoland Windsor every year and its fantastic for all ages! More than 2 hours though more of a weekend trip, some good deals though dependant on budget! Lots of free child places, and they usually offer a cheap next day return to the park that you can buy while your there.

*onlyme*

Do your kids like swimming? If so, have a look at this http://www.schwimfree.co.uk/index.php#home

The bottles of water sell in Tesco for 47p each.

Our local hotel has a swimming pool and they are taking part in this scheme. They have set hours for the free swimming so I am booking one session per week with my DD during the hols. We can walk there or cycle so cheap way to break the day up a bit.

Hope it helps someone

greenface

Around Chester can fill a few days with The Zoo- the croccy trail -Delamere Forest- Greenacres Farmpark-chester river dee- Jodrel Bank (mentioned)blue planet in Ellesmere port

greenface

Also being from Mankchester your not too far from going to visit a decent football club. ( about 25miles down the M62 ) Lots of european trophys play in red.;)

ijustloveabargain

bigc2910 wrote: »

I am in the same position as you! Three children aged 12, 3 and 1, I have spent pretty much the whole day online compiling a list of places to go suitable for the age ranges and reasonably priced within about the same driving distance!

Heres my list so far,

Dunham Massey, Quarry Bank Mill,Tatton Park, Sale Water Park (feed the ducks), all have various activities going on, good outdoor picnic areas ideal for dry weather. (Im joining the National Trust and plan to visit as much as weather allows)

Walton Park (sale) And Chassen Road Park (urmston) both have those little trains that you can ride on around the park. Again Brookside Garden Centre in Poynton is nice, has a train and suitable for all.

Jodrell Bank - Macclesfield, Liverpool Docks - Spaceport,loads of events through the hols, River Mersey Cruise (there is a pirate cruise on the 7th august that looks good!). And if you have Tesco clubcard vouchers they can be exchanged for Camelot,Diggerland and the Lego Discovery Centre at the Trafford centre.

I ve also devised an 'alternative wet weather box' in case the acitivity we have planned is not suitable thanks to our great British weather! With things like swimming,the Lowry Centre have lots going on ,Trafford Centre, Library,Arts and crafts day (saving boxes like mad) I plan on having Fridays as a 'big day out' which is subject to a reward system through the week to encourage good behaviour! I am getting the older ones to sign an agreement to keep to bedtimes and up by 8am ready for whatever we have planned! It may sound strict but having learnt from past experience it pays to have a plan as everything soon unravels when you have bored children and a stressed out mummy!

Things we do at home, camping in the back garden,treasure hunts/paperchase, baking/decorating biscuits, movie afternoons (popcorn/make tickets).
They will also have a holiday diary each to write in and stick leaflets,tickets etc and last year we held an Awards Ceremony, at the end of the holidays with Catagories like Funneist Moment, Best Day Out, Best Diary Entry etc its a nice way to round off the holidays and celebrate surviving!!!!!

first of alll THANK YOU :T
you have been busy n thanks for taking the time in replying n writing all this ill b sure to check most out
we lov tatton park and ive used all ma tesco vouchers for blackpool zoo n tinpin bowling

i lov all your ideas soo thank you

ijustloveabargain

what is Walton Park???coming up as a best western hotel

ijustloveabargain

greenface wrote: »

Around Chester can fill a few days with The Zoo- the croccy trail -Delamere Forest- Greenacres Farmpark-chester river dee- Jodrel Bank (mentioned)blue planet in Ellesmere port

thank you the croccy trial looks great and we will defo be going there
do you kno any nice hotels were we can stay(family of 5 )with pool would be excellent

ps £50 for 5 of us any discount anywhere?

bobbyboybob

ijustloveabargain wrote: »

ok the kids(3)break up today and i want to take them on days out within 2 hrs drive from manchester
weekend breaks and anything really just to fill the hoildays up

any ideas/rec
and any good web sites

sorry dont like museums kids get bored after abit

thanks

I no you said u don't like museums but minning musem at wakfield if fantastic, you get to go down the mine not just see crappy boring stuff on top. Or their is always alton towers