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Original poster

Where to take a 9 year old for a weekend?

31 replies

froggirl · 07/05/2024 10:35

Me and DH are taking our 9 year old nephew away overnight for the first time in the Summer holidays.

Where would be good to go/ what to do with him?

We don't have kids so not sure what the best things are at the moment and don't want him to be bored.

We're in NW England and don't want to travel more than 1-2 hours as it's only an overnight.

He likes outdoorsy stuff but he has a chronic illness and gets fatigued easily, so it can't be a full on adventure weekend. He also likes the usual movies, games, art and crafts, etc. that most 9 year olds like.

OP posts:
sunflowerfan · 09/05/2024 22:26

Alton Towers ... stay the the hotel and go to the waterpark on the second day

ageratum1 · 09/05/2024 22:32

Beamish?
Forbidden corner?

Whyamiherenow · 10/05/2024 00:40

Depends where in the north west you are based and how much you want to spend but great day trips with overnight options. There are some great options in Cumbria aside from the usual adult friendly walking with plenty of affordable accommodation. Here are two suggestions.

lowther castle - the play park there is really cool and not overwhelming. Rheged is nearby with an amazing cinema. Brougham Castle and Brougham hall are also close and worth a visit.

muncaster castle - there is loads to do there including a bird of prey display.
Ravenglass and Eskdale railway is near enough to muncaster castle for a trip a following / preceding day.

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9 year olds
Ilovelurchers · 10/05/2024 01:24

If you want to stay North, Lake District? Loads to do for kids in Bowness - arcade, mini golf, take a boat out,,,,,,

Or York?.Jorvik viking centre always a winner.

Depending how far south you are willing to venture, and how much you want to spend, London - go to see a show and get one of those show/hotel deals, and you could also go and see London Zoo? Did this with my daughter when she was 11 and we had a cracking time.

Ilovelurchers · 10/05/2024 01:25

Should add, Bowness has a cinema too - really is a great place for kids that age.

Letsnotupsettheapplcart · 10/05/2024 22:53

Ireallywantadoughnut36 · 09/05/2024 09:39

I'd go over towards York, there's lots of stuff there- Jorvik centre, DIG, the old city walls and it's not far from the coast if you wanted to do a beach trip somewhere like robin hoods bay. There's also Forbidden corner which is amazing, outdoors and interesting but probably only an hour or twos activity so he wouldn't get too tired. Then if you're in a city you could chill with a cinema trip or grab a pizza if he's flagging a little.
Stratford on Avon is also a good shout, there's nice countryside/outdoor activities there (the river has boats you can hire, you're near the cotswolds for walks and animals, compton Verney nearby has lovely outdoor bits for children) but also the mad museum, butterfly farm and magic alley if the weather is bad. It also has a nice cinema if you need a few hours of quite time for him
Chester zoo is really great if he's into animals and you wanted to stay more local
Alton towers might be a bit much for him but they do good deals and also have the wtaerpark there which is a bit less intense than the theme park
Or you could look for glamping sites and just have a relaxed weekend toasting marshmallows, having bbqs, doing the odd walk, playing games - depends whether he gets bored easily (this would be my 8 yr olds dream trip as he loves sitting around with a book and being outside, but my other child would be really bored!)

Came here to say York. So much to do with kids and relatively compact. Brilliant place to visit

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