Suggestions for a low-key birthday in Liverpool

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It’s my DH’s 40th birthday in a couple of weeks. We’ve got something nice planned with family for the weekend after but want to do something nice on the actual day (it’s a Wednesday). The budget’s been blown on the weekend away so I want something relatively cheap (£100 or so) and fun to do with DC2 and DC1. Everything I think of is either expensive, not fun with the DCs, too much for the DCs and not DH or weather dependent. HELP!

I have asked him but he just says he doesn’t mind.

Escape room? Treasure hunt?

I think the DCs are too young for that, plus it might be a bit flat on a weekday afternoon.

He’d be happy to just have a nice lunch and then we’ll have cake etc at home. Has anyone got any fun ideas? The DC are quite good but everything has a shelf life. We went to Cosmo once, which was a success but recent reviews are dismal.

What age are the DCs?

Ages? I'm guessing young?

Sorry! I’d put it in to OP but just realised it looks like I’m talking about my 2 children. They’re 1 and 2 (nearly 3)

Has anyone been to Quirky Corner?

No but it doesn't look very child friendly.

I'd go to the seaside, why not go to Blackpool? Take the kids in the arcades and for a run around on the prom and drive through the illuminations with fish and chips.

Or Southport if on the train

Blackpool could be good if the weather is nice. We go to Southport quite often so maybe something different. Yeh only sticking point is that I don’t drive and it feels a bit off making DH drive that far.

If you’re thinking of the seaside, St Anne’s is nicer than Blackpool. There’s a nice beach, a little pier, trampolines, a splash park. Further down is Fairhaven Lake where you can hire a rowing boat. You can drive through the illuminations from there too, south to north.

To be honest, no e of thus sounds "low key"- that would be kids make him a card and give him a cuddle. If you want stuff suitable for toddlers, it won't also be suitable for a 40 year old man. What does he think? And won't he be at work anyway?

Well obviously it’s all relative. He’ll have a cuddle and a card made by DC but it will be nice to mark the day, he’s had a really shitty year and his DM has just died so it will be a bittersweet day.

He would be happy with anything but that’s not the point. He deserves to be treated. A day at the seaside with fish and chips is pretty low-key for a big birthday. I felt that’s I had to explain the situation otherwise people would be suggesting things that were far more elaborate. Obviously the toddler/ 40 year old thing is an issue- hence the post. And no he won’t be at work. He’s taken annual leave as he has a stressfukn
job and could do with a break and a nice day where he’s treated.

Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind for sure.

Quirky quarter is great and worth a visit, however maybe not be suitable for really young kids. How about the crazy golf place in Liverpool one.

Crosby beach is always a nice place to go.

I'd do the quirky corner definitely, a family ticket is £40 but you might just need 2 adult ones, I can't remember the ages it needed to be.
There are so many fabulous places to get food from in Liverpool nowadays, what kind of food does he like?
The baltic market always has good food.
For £60 left for lunch I'd choose the casa Italia with kids wanting to eat as well.
Or the free state kitchen for a burger if he prefers that?
(Some of our kids would eat anything so we could go anywhere but the other is really difficult to feed anything but beige so with him were restricted and those places are always fine if it's quiet inside)

Mine enjoy the Albert Dock, mooch around museums and food but it doesn't feel very birthdayish.

There is a science museum called eureka over the water in Seacombe, if you do fancy going the beach, maybe go there and drive down to New Brighton for a walk around the arcades and then fish and chips on the beach.
I'm not sure how much that is for entry though.

Dp's last weekday big birthday we went to the baths and grabbed a Costco pizza and cake on the way home because our kids were too tired to go for food anywhere then 😂

Ah, Blackpool might be a bit of an assault on the senses if he's stressed and grieving.

What about Brockholes? Only half an hour or so driving. You could print off a simple nature bingo sheet for the kids (bird, tree, leaf, gate, pond etc) and take flasks of hot chocolate and a picnic lunch. Fresh air, a nice visitors centre and a toddler friendly relaxing day out.

www.lancswt.org.uk/nature-reserves/brockholes-nature-reserve

We went to New Brighton last week after work and it was surprisingly enjoyable. We did the rock pools, walked to the light house then went to the pub for tea, there's also bubbles soft play there which is very clean and great for little ones with a separate area.

Eureka is good but more for older ones, it is on the dear side for entry but has free entry for a year included.

Don’t make him drive. Do quirky quarter and box park, that’ll be a lovely day.

Or, if you liked Cosmo, Bon pan?

What's the beach near Liverpool with the metal statues? That was a really lovely beach.

Do you have a soft play that serves a decent coffee? Not restful but can still be a fun few family hours given it'll be quiet.

Local aquarium or similar? Ok it's not very 40 YEAR OLD MAN but it is DAD WITH SMALL KIDS and ultimately it's just about a nice day together to celebrate him

There are plenty of places that are family friendly so of course they're suitable for babies and a 40 yo man!

Another vote for Crosby beach, accessed on the Northern train line from Central Station. In the city centre consider eating at Brasco Lounge (booking might be needed) or Rudy’s, both of which are rated by locals. Ferry ‘cross the Mersey too?

What about the safari park outside Liverpool. Not sure how far it is but we went for a day out when my daughter was in Liverpool for a competition (we're from Dublin), everyone enjoyed it.