We LOVE May.
Mother Nature has most definitely got a spring in her step and everything is so deliciously green which means lots of days outdoors with the kids. There’s also two bank holidays to make the most of too which both Hector and I love because it means an extra day with Ste. With a three day weekend in store there’s plenty of hours in the day to pack in an exciting activity or two; we thought we’d share what we’re getting up to this weekend.
Lottie
With a four (Molly) and a three year old (Alice), the Bank Holiday is our great excuse to get out exploring. We have finally finished most of the house so there is no long list of DIY to plough through. Weather permitting we will be heading to the Stick Man Trail in the Wyre Forest. The girls love the story and these trails are a great way to while away a few hours running through woodlands and generally having childhood adventures. You can find the trails all over the country. We will also most likely take a trip to The West Midlands Safari Park. It is only 10 minutes from our house so we get there early to beat to crowds and have a lovely time spying all the animals. There is the cutest new baby rhino that I am so looking forward to seeing, utterly adorable. Oh, and there will probably be a BBQ or two; it is a bank holiday after all.
Laura
We’re hoping to visit The Conservatory at the Barbican on Bank Holiday Monday, the perfect hidden tropical oasis in the heart of the city and only half an hour away from us here in Kent. Bertie’s middle name should be curious at the moment, and I know she’ll just love exploring through tropical plants and spotting the exotic fish swimming lazily in the ponds. My botanical obsession will no doubt be fuelled a little further, too!
Becky
Leo turns three this bank holiday so it’s bouncy castles and lots of cake in the garden for us! We also did boring house stuff last bank holiday so it’s only fair that we spend this coming weekend doing lots of fun things instead as a trio before baby no 2 arrives…
Fern
We’ll probably be heading to The Lost Gardens of Heligan over the Bank Holiday weekend. It’s always a lovely day out, the gardens are so varied and there’s just so much space to run around in! Plus we can take the dog, which is always essential for our day trips AND the cake is good too. On our last visit in February the daffodils were out in full force, so I’m looking forward to seeing how many more flowers and plants have bloomed. There are activities on for older children, but at the moment 16 month old Elle is happy with looking at the animals and running off in the opposite direction to where we’re walking 😉 If anyone is coming down to Cornwall for half term I’d highly recommend it.
Lolly
Hector is now 19 months and is obsessed with animals to the point where I think he’s going to burst with excitement whenever he spots one. It’s super endearing and something which will very much form the theme of our bank holiday adventures. Being Midlands based, logistically we’re pretty much in easy reach of quite a few big attractions so we’re spoilt for choice really. Like Lottie we’re considering The West Midlands Safari Park or possibly The Butterfly Farm in Stratford as an alternative which I adore and given his fascination with the creatures I know he’ll like too. Plus there’s always the option then to walk by the river with an ice-cream afterwards weather permitting.
If we’re feeling incredibly brave then we might venture to Thomas Land at Drayton Manor which I’ve heard good things about from friends and family. It all depends on the weather and if we can bear to face the inevitable crowds…I know Hector will be in his element amongst the trains and rides though.
Lisa
One of Lyra’s favourite toys at the moment is her Jellycat Bashful Monkey, Mr Bananas. (She’s just turned two). As such we’re going to take her to the Monkey Forest in Staffordshire. Hopefully the sun will shine and we can pick up some posh chutney and Scotch eggs from Brown and Green and have a picnic in the nearby Trentham Gardens. There’s also a fairy trail and a barefoot walk which will no doubt be a hit, and to get my retail therapy fix I plan on popping into the Yellowstone Art Boutique.
Hopefully we’ve given you some inspiration on what to do with your own littles this weekend. There’s so much to do! Perhaps you’ve got other delicious adventures planned…why not tell us all about them in the comments box below…
Stick Man Trail and Fairy House Images by Lisa Carpenter Photography.
We’re on holiday….we always try and make a week of long bank holidays as we have to take less time off work and our holidays go further.
We’ve already booked somewhere but my obsession with glamping grows still further and I’m Has anyone actually taken a toddler and survived to tell the tale?
My hubs has taken the two older girls a couple of times, Rebecca. They all love it! The first time they all slept in the garden as a test run which was adorable. He is a mega camper, all the gear and every idea. I hate it but will get involved as the kids get older, martyr face. Will probably go for a camping/glamping compromise…
Frankie (4) is obsessed with castles (thanks Disney) and so we’re either going to go to Leeds Castle. It’s super close to us as we’re in Kent, plus I’m a history nut so everyone’s a winner. The husband will no doubt find the coffee shop for a slab of cake! All I have to do is try to get it through to Frankie that neither Elsa, Anna or Rapunzal live there…. x
Hi where is the fairy house? I can’t see any mention of it in the text but it looks magical!
Oh my goodness, Lottie, I didn’t realise you live near the West Midlands Safari Park! I grew up in Bewdley and spent a couple of (hate to say it) terribly depressing school/uni summers working there. Hopefully it’s improved since the wasps nests, pervy ‘managers’, and 75% mark up on plastic tat of my day… All that said, the Wyre Forest is such a lovely area, not least the forest itself and the servern valley rail way. My hubby and I are currently plotting to escape London so that we can move to that part of the world. In fact, we’re on our way there now for the bank hol! Hope you’re having a glorious one.
Hi Jen (big wave!). Yep, we are the other way in a little village just outside Droitwich. May be selling soon so I’ll keep you informed 🙂 Um, well the kids enjoy it but we don’t ever venture in to the shops and always take our own food. It’s lovely and sunny up here at the moment so hopefully you will have a good weekend and definitely make the move. Such a pretty area. Have a great Bank Holiday xxxx