Eight must-see attractions to keep the kids entertained this summer
The school summer holidays are in full swing, but you’ve already exhausted the park, have seen everything age-appropriate in the cinema, and are a little bit stuck on how to fill the remaining weeks.
But fear not! The UK plays host to some of the best attractions around. These include theme parks an hour outside of London, a UNESCO Heritage Site, and a safari park with giraffes and lions.
Below, we’ve outlined eight must-see attractions to keep your kids entertained this summer, as well as a handful of school holiday-survival products
Chester Zoo, Chester
The ultimate tried-and-tested summer institution: Chester Zoo is on hand to make your animal-obsessed kids’ dreams come true.
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Earlier this summer, the CH2 welcomed its first-ever snow leopard cub as part of the programme to save the big cat species.
As well as the adorable bundle of fluff, there are Capybaras to swoon over, Komodo dragons to learn about, and the Heart of Africa, Chester Zoo’s newest and most immersive experience yet.
Off-peak tickets start from £2.50 for toddlers and £27 for children. Passes give you access to five adventure playgrounds, 10 indoor habitats, a digital photograph for you and your family to cherish forever, and so much more.
Book now on the official Chester Zoo website.
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
You may already be familiar with Blenheim Palace, one of England’s oldest houses, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and the ancestral home of former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill.
But did you know it’s also an excellent summer day out for you and your loved ones?
Start your picture-perfect trip in the Walled Garden before heading over to the Adventure Play Area with your little explorers.
There’s an interactive Rowse Honey Nature Trails for those who are minibeast mad, and on the weekends, you can join in with the Stables Exhibition and meet horses and ponies.
If you live close enough to Blenheim Palace, then a Family Palace and Play Annual Pass may be the most cost-effective option.
This costs £165 for two adults and two children and gives you 12 months’ worth of access to the building, its gardens, the parkland and the Adventure Play Area.
The Deep, Hull
The Deep is a public aquarium situated at the confluence of the River Hull and the Humber Estuary.
Home to over 5,000 animals, this summer The Deep is running a special Wreck-inspired event.
Children and adults alike are invited to explore tropical coral reefs and become acquainted with a team of unique creatures who live there.
Amazingly, every standard admission ticket is an Annual Pass - meaning you can have unlimited returns within a year for free!
Book now on The Deep’s official website.
Alton Towers, Stoke-on-Trent
Thousands of thrillseekers descend on Alton Towers every single year - and this summer is the perfect time to treat your family to an unforgettable trip.
If you’re heading to the themepark with little ones, then you’ll want to hit up CBeebies Land, Sharkbait Reef by SEA LIFE and the likes of Cuckoo Card Driving School and The Towers themselves.
If you’re heading to the resort with teens, then thrill rides like the iconic Wicker Man, the Oblivion rollercoaster and the favoured Congo River Rapids are sure to impress.
Book your sensational escape now, with one-day passes starting from just £34 online.
£1 meals at Toby Carvery, nationwide
If you and your children bond over good grub, then look no further than your local Toby Carvery, with the business running a not-to-be-missed promotion from June 30 to August 29.
Children can eat a full English breakfast, cut into pancakes with maple flavour syrup or chow down on a classic roast dinner for just £1 this summer.
You just need to grab a voucher from the Toby Carvery App and purchase an adult main or an all-you-can-eat breakfast.
The business also has fun kids’ activity packs to get them off screens when sitting at the table.
For more information, head to the official website.
Woburn Safari Park, Bedford
Located an hour’s drive from London, Oxford, Cambridge and Birmingham, Woburn Safari Park and its 75+ animals are just waiting for your arrival.
All tickets include a self-drive Road Safari, Foot Safari with keeper talks, and plenty of free indoor and outdoor play areas.
There are special events littered throughout August that your smallest will love, including meet and greets with TV superstars, Hey Duggee (August 10) and JJ CoComelon (August 16).
Plus, a new painting by artist and environmentalist Leah Wood has also just been unveiled, raising awareness and funds for big cat conservation.
The Amur tiger portrait is available to view at the Bedfordshire-based park.
The Eden Project, Cornwall
The Cornwall-based Eden Project is described as a ‘mind-boggling feat of architecture and biological engineering’ and it’s fun for all the family.
There are unique rainforests and Mediterranean biomes to explore, outdoor gardens hosting over 20 plant-based exhibits, as well as the Nature’s Playground, which champions imaginative and sensory play.
Children under five can enter the Eden Project for free, with adult tickets starting from just £38.
Passes will grant you unlimited entry to our Biomes, Gardens, seasonal events, art exhibits and free daily tours for one year.
...and the holiday packing essentials
If you’re thinking of heading to any of these stellar attractions this summer, then there are a handful of summer holiday essentials we recommend tugging along with you.
Not only are they likely to make your life easier on the day, but they can easily be integrated into your and your child’s lives in the future.
Because, let’s be honest, everything is so much easier when it’s all smooth sailing, right?
Draper Foldable Cart
£91.99 from Amazon
Whether it’s beach days or picnics in the park on the cards this summer, transport everything you need for the perfect afternoon in the Draper 03217 Foldable Cart.
This four-wheeled godsend is built with a strong steel frame that can carry a maximum load of 80kg.
When not in use, the handy trolley can be folded away for easy storage. The £91.99 essential also comes with a lifetime warranty if bought via Amazon.
CUKTECH power bank
£89.99 from Amazon
As festival season is well and truly here, you may want to think about investing in a power bank to charge your electronics on the go.
This one from CUKTECH comes with a 3.2ft cable that provides tech with 70 percent power in just 20 minutes and is also deemed airline safe, so you can stick it in your carry-on luggage.
Power up to three devices at once, including MacBook and Lenovo laptops and HUAWEI and Honor phones.
The CUKTECH 15 Ultra Power Bank is available from Amazon for £89.99.
TESSAN multi-charger and adapter
£16.99 from Amazon
Whether you and your family are jetting off abroad or you know your tikes are going to need everything charged at once, then the TESSAN Universal Travel Adapter has you covered.
Currently on sale for £16.99 (19 percent off), the five-in-one adapter covers over 150 countries, including Japan and the USA, South Korea, France and Spain.
Each international travel adapter has one universal AC outlet, two USB and two USB-C ports, meaning that it can charge a handful of devices like iPhones and Nintendo Switches at the same time.
BabyBjörn portable toilet seat
£35.90 from BabyBjörn
This adjustable Training Toilet Seat from BabyBjörn is made for sturdy and safe usage, with rubber edging and a special splashguard preventing spills.
Made with BPA and PVC-free plastic, the portable toilet seat comes with a two-year guarantee and is available in three calm colourways: White/Grey, White/Black, and White/Turquoise.
96 percent of parents recommend the product; it’s a must-have when it comes to travelling with your toddler who insists on using ‘the big toilet’ when out and about.
Pad Creator instant print tablet
£129.99 from Amazon
Introducing the Instant Print Tablet from Pad Creator: the ultimate alternative to traditional screentime.
Designed to appeal to your creative kids’ needs, the Pad Creator tablet is equipped with a 5mp camera and a built-in thermal printer so they can instantly print pictures with no drying time.
With the 8” screen and stylus, your little ones can draw with flair. The tablet also has a journal mode so they can squiggle and show you exactly what’s on their mind.
Nab your complete creative studio from Amazon now for £129.99. If you’ve left it a bit late, don’t worry, because Prime members also have the benefit of next-day delivery.
Swingball set
£20 from Argos
This classic Swingball set from Argos will transform a boring garden into a hub of fun.
Forget losing balls over fences; this tethered tennis‑ball never strays, so even the most competitive match stays contained.
Kids (it's designed for ages five and over) can get stuck into the action with barely any assembly; just stick it in the ground and play.
The fast spiral action means non‑stop fun, and watching mini‑athletes race the spiral is pure gold. Durable, height‑adjustable, and built for the garden, it’s ideal for energised outdoor play without the chaos.
Buy from Argos here.
Bestway inflatable paddling pool
£49.99 from Halfords
We’ve got our fingers well and truly crossed that the sunny weather will continue through August into September, and if that’s the case, this jumbo paddling pool will be the perfect addition to your garden. Providing some much-needed summertime fun, it’s much sturdier than ‘pop-up’ models and folds up nice and easy to save space in the shed. Just think about how much fun they'll have splashing about in it.
Topics: Shopping, Travel, Travel Deals, Parenting, UK News
The LADbible Team