What is your favourite family day out and why?
We love days out as a family and there’s nothing better than when there’s a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy (and it’s not just all about the kids!) One such favourite of ours is Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park in Suffolk. We have been visiting for years – our children love playing in the parks, forest and giant bouncy pillows, while us adults also get to have a wander round the shops, enjoying sampling all the local produce on offer. Then, together we can all enjoy visiting the many different animals the
farm is now home too, along with a meal in their ever popular café.
Share your 3 top tips when going on a family day out?
1. As our children have got older, days out have certainly got easier. But my number one tip is still the same since they were toddlers - snacks, snacks and more snacks. Having a day bag loaded up with small (preferably dry like crackers, crisps or dried fruit) snacks that take a while to eat, always helps.
2. Reading ahead is my second tip, I always read reviews when buying products and days out are no different. I place a lot of value on what other parents think of an attraction or event and get so much useful advice reading through them prior to going. Knowing what age is best for a certain attraction,best times to visit or even comments about what not to do - these little nuggets of info are so useful in helping me to prep for days out to run smoothly.
3. Lastly my third tip is going with the flow. Now this is one I'm continuingly working on personally too! But I definitely find that the more relaxed I am on a day out, the more chilled my kids are too. How to do this? It’s still a work in progress here, but I find doing all my packing for a day out the day before helps, plus not cramming too much into one day makes a difference for us too.
Tell us a day out that is your 'hidden gem’?
My hidden gem near us is Felixstowe. A beautiful seaside town on the East Anglian coast. Not half as well known as its famous Suffolk beach sisters – Southwold and Aldeburgh. Yet this quieter seaside spot has a gorgeous sandy beach to play on, arcades for the kids and now, even an upcycled shipping container village full of shops, street food and entertainment to enjoy by the sea.
