Norwich

You really can’t compare Norwich to the likes of London, Birmingham and Nottingham, it’s tiny in compassion to those, so naturally won’t have as much.

I’m not sure I can add anything to what other people have suggested unfortunately as we’re 13 miles outside of Norwich so don’t spend a huge amount of time there with the kids, but there’s been lots of suggestions, like a PP suggested, I would make a list of all the free stuff and rotate those and then add in the odd paid thing.

Not in Norwich, no and not all free, but we are so lucky in Norfolk with attractions for kids, DH’s family are from Oxfordshire and whenever they visit they never stop going on about how much we have here for children compared to where they are. Petits, Wroxham Barns, dinasour park, bewilderwood, Pensthorpe, How Hill, Holt Country Park, Yarmouth pleasure beach, Hemsby arcades/ funfair, Thrigby Hall, Amazon Zoo, Banham Zoo (sorry, just remembered you don’t like zoos 🙈) 3 National Trust properties around Norwich (they all have free stuff to do for children, granted though, a lot is in the holidays) I guess what I’m saying is, if Norwich lacks slightly, it’s kind of compensated for in other areas.

Take a train ride to lowestoft for the Free First light festival in June, on the beach.
pottery painting In Halesworth at Purple Pumpkin or visit Southwold beach, there’s a lovely arcade there..
mine are older but enjoy Retro games in Castle Mall..
there may even be a Scouts Squirrels group near you

I would find out all the free things going on in the city and put it on a calendar and work from there. Once you've got the free things on there then you can fit in a more expensive thing occasionally.

Chapel field park sometimes has things on.
Norwich theatre Royal - Young children's shows and workshops at the weekend.
Theatre Open day in the summer is good.

Cinema - children's club are cheap.

The Garage and Open often have children's things on in the city centre.

Science Festival in October on at weekends

Minis Ruby starts from 4, rugby is a cheap sport and eats into your weekend a few clubs in Norwich.

Once DD could swim we spent one winter visiting the inflatable sessions at all the pools in Norfolk.

Beach in the winter is brilliant, splash suit, wellies, bucket and spade, car picnic.

Aww... I've got a soft spot for Norwich:) lived there in my twenties pre kids so maybe no useful advice. But having two children of my own now, when they were 4 we pretty much did parks, soft play, swimming and the odd classes for kids (like little football etc..). I'd have though Norwich has a soft play and a swimming pool, so not sure it's too different from anywhere else?

So glad my kids are older 🤣🤣🤣🤣

As with most things it is what you make of it. Yarmouth has a great beach and a lovely fanfare with lots of age appropriate rides.

Mousehold Heath for a walk, runnning up and down the slopes and the rope swings

Prices have gone up everywhere, though.

London: Family ticket for one off visit to Harry Potter: £160
Nottingham : crazy golf indoors, family ticket, £30
Sheffield: Kelham island museum is free, fair enough
Brum: Dudley Zoo & castle, family ticket, £59 on a bank holiday, no extra donation

Are Norwich equivalents dearer?

on a side note, I saw Kelham hall today, wow!!! so pretty.

Another place though a bit run down was always a hit was The Playbarn in Poringland.

Definitely check out UEA gymnastics! When my one’s were little we went every week. 1 hours session at around 10-11ish and then cafe for early lunch was enough to fill the day.

Feeding ducks at Whittlingham Broad then head into Trowse to the park and cafe there.

Long Stanton Spice Museum?

The waterways part of GY with the little boats and the beach hut cafe etc is actually really pleasant and away from the amusements etc I sent a total GY snob to that end and she loved it 😂

Definitely not, it is like death row for birds.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11817029/Best-beach-Britain-Norfolk-seaside-town-braced-tourism-boom-TripAdvisor-vote.html
My friend sent me this earlier- I mean it’s the Daily Mail but still!

Hyper at Horsford or Jump for Joy in Rackheath?

So been here to the South of Norwich for a number of years. I have always found Norfolk quite good for kids, but it does depend if you can travel. Thoughts: Cinema City- really good and cheap options for kids, marvellous cafe for the adults. Bewilderwood as already mentioned. Great Yarmouth really nice and does not take itself too seriously. Just down the coast for Horsey and the wildlife including the seals- a marvellous walk can be planned here. The forum’s children’s library. Jarrold’s childrens books section. The Marriotts way- traffic free cycling out to the countryside, great for little ones. Kayaking down the river, which you can do out from central Norwich, but much more pleasant if you go out a bit. Beccles Lido- outdoor swimming is great fun. The dinosaur park- though little ones grow out of this. Therefore Forest, particularly Go Ape. Cycling though the Holkham (back entrance so you go past the deer). Followed by Holkham beach.

Would you like to go to an owl sanctuary?

Underrated comment.

A-ha!