10 Top Tips for Summer Fun with Mini Headfudgers which won’t Break the Bank
Ok. So the six week summer holidays are here. And between you and your family you need to amuse and entertain small people without going too crazy.
Here is our comprehensive Headfudge Guide to 10 fun things which you can do with them which won’t break the bank! With Headfudge being a New Forest based company we are going to concentrate on our local area first and foremost...
1. “On ya bike!”
Firstly, with the forest on our doorstep it would make sense to get out there and explore. Jump on your bikes (make sure you all wear your helmets!) and follow some of the cycle routes listed on the link below. This list, provided by our friends over at thenewforest.co.uk, includes routes between 2 and 8 miles, depending on how far you wish to cycle. It also includes an activity pack print off which you can take with you on your day out including items for the little ones to spot whilst out and about. There are bike hire places dotted around the forest, take a look at the link for more details.
Essentials to take –
Sun cream (as you’ll be on the move it will not feel as warm as it really is so make sure you slap the sun cream on as often as possible to avoid sun damage and protect you from wind burn)
Bottles of water
A puncture repair kit
Spare clothes (what about one of our hoody’s incase it gets a bit chilly?)
Useful links –
2. Crazy Crabbing at Mudeford Quay
Hop in the car (for a mere 30 minutes!) and you’ll arrive at the beautiful Mudeford Quay! Mudeford Quay is a stone’s throw away from the beach. There is a lovely pub, a fresh fish stall, a new play park and a lovely café. Everything you need for a day with the family! There is a handy shop on the Quay which sells everything you will need for crabbing. You can pick up a crabbing line, bucket and some bait for about £5! If you run out of crabs to catch why not hop on the ferry over to Mudeford Spit and enjoy the land train up to the top of Hengistbury Head? There is a café at the top – so perhaps indulge in an ice cream and hop on the train back to the bottom.
Essentials to take –
Something to sit on! (if you have camping chairs, these are perfect!)
If you don’t like touching fish, pack some bacon to use as bait (those nippy little crabbies love it!)
Change for parking and money for the ferry (the land train accepts card)
Useful links –
3. Row, row, row your boat
Staying local to the lovely Mudeford, head west into Christchurch and park at one of the many car parks on the quay. Wonder down to the water’s edge and you can hire a self-drive boat. The boats seat up to 8 people so plenty of space for the whole family! The boats are rented out on an hourly or half hourly basis – it isn’t cheap for the boat hire but I promise you you will not be disappointed! It costs £20 for half an hour or £30 for an hour. You can mooch up and down the river, taking in the views, fresh air and wildlife. The kids will love it as they can drive too!
Essentials to take –
Sun cream! (Being on the water you sometimes don’t realise how warm it is. Slather it on people!)
Useful links –
4. Ahoy there! Set sail in Lymington
Have a pootle into Lymington and enjoy the shops, eateries and quay. If you’re feeling adventures why not take a trip on the Black Puffin Pirate Ship which leaves the quay at regular intervals during the day (you can purchase your tickets from the ticket office on the quay). Kids will be given a treasure map and a pirate hat to really feel like little pirates! The boat heads off out of the quay towards “Skull Island”, turns around and returns to the quay – the trip takes about 30-45 minutes in total. Children will love this trip and will be rewarded with a small treat at the end. If you’re lucky the pirate might even let them drive the ship!!
Essentials to take –
Don’t get caught out like we did – even though the boat is covered, we got soaked with a crazy downpour when we went out so make sure you pack a waterproof if there is even a hint of rain in the air!
Useful links –
This family friendly activity centre is set in the easily assessable Hurn area of Christchurch, not far from the A35. There is loads to do for families with children of all ages from ski bobbing to ringo’s! There is a lovely bistro serving refreshments throughout the day. There is also a huge new play park with a fort, trampolines and rope swings – loads to do for the whole family! Keep an eye on their website as they often have offers running, especially in the summer holidays!
Essentials to take –
Depending on what activity you are taking park in, please check out the website for what to wear to ensure maximum safety and comfort.
Useful links –
6. Get wet & wild at New Forest Water Park
Be a kid for the day at the New Forest Water Park there is fun for all of the family! The park includes an amazing Aqua Park which includes an outdoor, floating, inflatable water park! Please be aware though, children need to be Age 6+ and over 110cms in height and be able to swim. You can hire wetsuits and helmets etc on site, which is really handy! If that is not your thang, there are kayaks to rent or stand up paddle boards. Children need to be 11+ to rent a kayak or SUP but can go out in a double kayak when accompanied by an adult. Great fun for kids and adults! Please be aware, no dogs are allowed on site – sorry pooch! They have camping areas so why not make a weekend out of it?
Essentials to take –
Your wetsuit (if you have one!)
Towels
Spare, warm clothes
Water/refreshments
Useful links –
7. Hit the waves!
Improve the children’s water confidence and skills with some surf lessons this summer. Sorted Surf in Boscombe, Bournemouth, run two-hour surf lessons for the little ones, Monday to Friday from 12-2pm throughout the holidays. The cost for the two hours is £100 but this includes the hire of the wetsuit, use of the board and the lesson taught by a fully qualified lifeguard and surf instructor. What’s more, if you don’t fancy getting wet yourself, you can enjoy a free coffee curtesy of Sorted at the lovely Urban Beach, a stone’s throw away from the beach! If you’re feeling tempted, they also do adult lessons which are £30 for an hour, which will be a group session or £50 for a one to one session.
Essentials to take –
Swimwear to wear under wetsuit
Towels
Spare clothes (including something warm for when you get out of the water)
Refreshments
Useful links –
8. Get your hands dirty at Sandy Balls Activities
Sandy Balls Holiday Park near Fordingbridge has loads of activities to keep the small people entertained this summer. From pond dipping to zorbing there is something for every taste and age! Varying in price from only £5 for an hours session, these pocket money worthy activities are great for family bonding time and making the most of the great outdoors! The activities are extremely popular and get booked up quickly so don’t delay! Check out their website for the whole range of what is available this summer. Sandy Balls is a holiday village so why not extend your day and stay in one of their lodges, caravans or why not camp for the weekend?
Essentials to take –
The dog! The site is dog friendly so your fury friend can come along and join in the fun.
Refreshments - there are cafes and eateries on site but feel free to bring a picnic with you
Sun cream/hats/spare clothes/wellies
Useful link –
9. Family Friendly Festival
This weekend Dorset’s famous Bestival is happening! Set in the stunning grounds of Lulworth Castle, this family-friendly festival is on from the 27th to the 30th July. The mini ones will love seeing the famous CBeebies heroes Mr Tumble and Mister Maker, there is fun for all ages! There is a bouncy castle, face painting, soft play, a sand pit and SO MUCH MORE! And for us adults, there are the usual festival attractions and lots of fabulous acts playing such as Madness, Brian Wilson (presents Pet Sounds), Louisa Johnson and Mark Ronson – check out the website for the full line up and ticket prices. It is always a fantastic family-friendly festival with a chilled back vibe and great music. You could go for the day or camp for the weekend!
Essentials to take –
If you are going for the whole weekend, check out our blog ‘Are you Festival Ready’ to ensure you have everything you need for a fun-filled festival - http://www.headfudge.com/single-post/2017/07/13/Are-you-festival-ready
Just going for the day?
Spare clothes
Water
Sun cream/sun hats/waterproofs
Camera
Blankets to sit on
Useful link –
10. Woodland adventures at Moors Valley
Moors Valley is a local treasure. There is so much on offer here for every age! With it’s nature trail including loads of wooden structures for kids to climb and explore, a tree top trail and it now features the very popular Gruffalo and Stick Man trails. There are also two huge play parks, one for the smaller ones and one for the slightly more adventurous zip wire riding bigger ones! There is a railway which runs at weekends which takes you around a part of the huge site. There is Go Ape if you are feeling brave! There is now the opportunity for younger kids to get involved with a Junior Tarzan ticket (6-12 years) – or if you little one is under 6 but above a meter they will also be able to take part (T&C’s apply). There is a huge lake to walk around or sit and enjoy a picnic or an ice cream. You can hire bikes or Segway’s to see the site on wheels! There is a huge café selling refreshments and ice cream stops dotted around the site. They have events running throughout the year so check out their website for up to date details.
Essentials to take –
Depending on what activity you are doing –
The usual sun cream/sun hat/wellies/waterproofs
Spare clothes
Blankets to sit on
The dog – they will love the open forest!
Please be aware though, there are no bins on site (except a couple of dog poo bins!) so you are asked to take rubbish home to protect the wealth of wildlife at the site, so take a couple of spare carrier bags for litter.
Useful links –
So there you go. Plenty of ideas to keep you entertained! And don’t forget, if you do anything from our list, please don’t forget to tag us in your photo’s on Facebook or Instagram! Have fun!
