When it gets round to spring and summer, open farms are fantastic.  Combining farm activities like lambing with fun areas for the kids you can easily pass a few hours tiring your little ones ready for bed.  Moreover kids can learn about animals first-hand and even associated things like the fact milk doesn't come from a shop, but from a cow.

Rookery Open Farm in Stoke Bruerne is an excellent example – the farm itself has a variety of animals – from horses and some really fat pigs to a barn full of rabbits, guinea pigs, chipmunks and baby goats.  There are pens that the kids can go in and 'regular' events like chick hatchings.  On top of this there is massive play-barn with an inflatable tractor and a café to grab a cup of tea and cake (well you need the energy, don't youÂ…).  I have also been to a kids party there and the tour and animals kept 15 toddlers to 4 year olds happy

The location is tops too.  Stoke Bruerne has a couple of excellent eating pubs just down the road from the farm and on a nice day sitting by the canal with a well earned lunch and happy kids reminds you that turning off the telly is often the start of a great day out.

- Crawford Warnock