Ideas for day out with niece & nephew

C.W

Hi! I'm a bit stuck and thought the family forum might be a good place to start.

I have a niece (aged 10 - very girly) and a nephew (aged 5 - proper lad's lad) and I'll be looking after them both this Saturday.

It's the first time I'll be spending time with both of them all day without other family members. I have taken my niece out for the day before and, aside from being a little cheeky (which I can handle), she's fairly easy to keep occupied but I've never taken my nephew out before and certainly not them both together.

I'll have the reins from 11am onwards, so I was hoping for some ideas of where to take them. I have a thing for taking them somewhere where they may learn something (such as when I took my niece to the Science & Industry Museum) but I want it to be suitable for both age ranges that may interest them without feeling like school.

I considered something like the zoo or sealife centre, but seeing animals outside of their natural habitat makes me uncomfortable (and I know they've been to the zoo before with Grandma). I did think a sanctuary might be a good idea though, but not seen anything yet.

I'm happy to travel about outside of Manchester as I do drive.

Bargain visits and the like would be great too, then I might actually treat them to food whilst we're out!

Thanks in advance!

missbiggles1

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g187069-Activities-Manchester_Greater_Manchester_England.html

C.W

missbiggles1 wrote: »

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g187069-Activities-Manchester_Greater_Manchester_England.html

Thanks for the link. I have a similar one for myself, but the majority on this list isn't suitable for young children (the Birdcage & many other bars, for example - won't be taking them there. haha), or doesn't work because of the age gap. Climbing would have been interesting but they have separate times for their clubs for the different age groups (plus it's only an hour).

Ah well. I shall continue to search.

sheramber

http://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/things-to-do/Manchester

CruisingSaver

Would they enjoy Chill Factore?

C.W

CruisingSaver wrote: »

Would they enjoy Chill Factore?

To be honest, I don't know. The main problem seems to be that a lot of the activities are under 6s go to one area whilst over 6s go somewhere else (as is the case with a lot play centre types).

I plan to compile a small list of potential activities, then pass it onto my niece who'll check with her brother what they fancy. They just weren't much help when I asked them out right what they wanted to do (the response being: I don't know). :P

Dazi

How far away do you not mind travelling to?
This is only about an hour away from Manchester
https://www.eureka.org.uk
My DGDs love it there, their ages are 7,6 and 4

CruisingSaver

C.W wrote: »

To be honest, I don't know. The main problem seems to be that a lot of the activities are under 6s go to one area whilst over 6s go somewhere else (as is the case with a lot play centre types).

I plan to compile a small list of potential activities, then pass it onto my niece who'll check with her brother what they fancy. They just weren't much help when I asked them out right what they wanted to do (the response being: I don't know). :P

Looking at their website your nephew would be able to do tubing (now called downhill donuts) and sledge o mania with your niece.


It all depends on whether they're into that sort of thing. There's also airkix in the same complex but I'm not sure of the age restrictions. Plus you've got the Trafford Centre over the road with the cinema and restaurants.

BigAunty

I took my Niece (age 13) and Nephews (age 3 and 5) to a sculpture park (many interactive elements), a petting zoo (they were given animal feed and had a session petting Guinea pigs) which also gave the youngest two a turn on a Carousel, then to a local park where they were given lunch, food to feed the ducks, their complete choice of icecream, giant bubbles wands to play with which drew a large crowd.

I asked the 3 year old what was the best bit of the day and he said 'Bouncy Castle' so what I learned from the day is that you don't really need particularly special events at child friendly sites 'cos you can never tell what they like or will strongly remember. That kid got kicked off the bouncy castle after a couple of minutes when it deflated....

thriftyemma

Dazi wrote: »

How far away do you not mind travelling to?
This is only about an hour away from Manchester
https://www.eureka.org.uk
My DGDs love it there, their ages are 7,6 and 4

My kids (7, 5 and 4) LOVE eureka too. But OP's niece is 10, and I think she may be a bit too old for it. For instance, they have lots of exhibits on how the body works, the eco system, a miniature shopping village. I think my 7, nearly 8, yo is getting a bit too old now.

How about Blackpool? It's only an hour from Manchester, and there's loads to do. Plus if you have tesco clubcard vouchers, there's loads of offers. For instance £9.50 of vouchers gets you one pleasure beach day ticket.

suejb2

How about the beach, Lythm is just an hour away. My two love it,thought they are 12 and 10 we also took their 5 and 3 year old cousins last time. Few arcades and rides bouncy castle and donkey rides on the beach. Nice chippy near the traffic lights. We also did Southport this summer holidays. I much prefer either to brash Blackpool.

If you want to stay local Play Factore ( under Chill) at the Trafford Centre but it's expensive. Lego land and Sea life at the Trafford Centre.

Not sure where you are, Runamok near Haslingdon is fab.

The viewing park at Manchester airport.

Good ol' picnic in your local park.