Can anyone think of a special day out with a nearly three year old girl?

[fanison]

We’ve done farms recently, she’s quite timid and not particularly adventurous … I don’t really like zoos. I’m struggling for ideas and need inspiration!

Whereabouts are you?

We’re actually based in Derbyshire but willing to travel up to an hour or so

I don’t think three year olds need much to keep them amused. Mine loved picnics. Beach time is good, things like little train rides, or somewhere with an exciting park. Splash parks at this time of year. Depends what you have in your local area, if weather not so good mine liked those little play places where they set up different shops etc.

Sundown adventure land is amazing for small children. Handy if you are East of England. Peppa pig world down south. Both quite expensive though. National trust always a nice day out. Usually got woodland play, fairy houses etc.

By special does it have to be a big day trip type thing or is it just a nice day she will enjoy?
I think at 3 low key things are underestimated. Even just asking what she wants to do and letting her feel in control, so if she wants ice cream right after breakfast and then the park then why not?

Derbyshire Mark Eaton park really nice day out and free. Gulliver's Kingdom nice day out but expensive. Loads of great National trust places like Longshaw or Clumber Park and Chatsworth, pay to go in playground or just wander in grounds and paddle in river. Watch out for crayfish.

To be fair at least some of it’s for me! So for instance markeaton is great but we’ve been there sooo many times it feels a bit dull and samey (to me I’m guessing not her.)

Gulliver's Kingdom.
Doncaster Dome swimming pool has recently been refurbished I believe, not sure if it's open yet. Lots of fun slides etc, not just a pool.

Do you drive? If so, here's some ideas:

Carsington Water near Ashbourne. Really nice day out. It's a Severn Trent reservoir with a play area, a pretend stone circle you can walk around, all sorts of little play places around the walkways, and a cafe/visitors centre.

Or Sunnyside Soft Play near Ilkeston (right on the other side of Ashby De La Zouch). It's a 5 floor soft play and my LOs LOVE it.

Also Foremark Reservoir. Lake + walks + cafe + play park.

Thanks, we haven’t been to Sunnyside I haven’t actually been to Carsington for a while, might go there!

Aquariums are always a good shout at that age I think. Both of mine have loved them from babyhood.

@fanison The food's really affordable at Sunnyside and the play slots are generous in length but you have to book in advance as they're often sold out on arrival (even when it doesn't feel too busy inside). They also have a mini golf but we haven't tried it. We like the Garden King soft play here in Swad too, the soft play's a bit smaller so maybe not worth the trip if you're far from here, but it's worth going when there's something else on e.g. the spooky walk they do around October or the Winter Wonderland they do in December. Our three year old lives for soft play atm.

Which side of Derbyshire? Barnsley Metrodome, Cannon Hall Farm, Kirklees Light Railway are a good trip out if you’re N Derbys.

Bolsover Castle?
Sherwood Pines?
Conkers?

YY to Sundown and Gullivers though

Thomas Land at Drayton Manor Park? DD loved it at the age. She also loved the National Forest Adventure Farm at Tatenhill.

Does it get very busy at Thomasland? I’ve never been. I like national forest but we went to bluebells not so long ago which is similar.

My almost 3yo girl would LOVE - going to a cafe for a babyccino and colouring in, a bike ride, going climbing (especially without her brothers), a picnic in the park, going on a lunch date, making potions in the garden. I think she’d prefer all of that to a planned big day out.

Sunnyside is near Ibstock so Leicestershire way. Pretty decent as they go. If you’re travelling that way then rebound inflatables in Ashby is good also, they do sessions for younger kids in the week I think so she doesn’t get too trampled.

Although at that age my kids were happy with a park they hadn’t been to before with a picnic. They loved watching planes take off and land at East Midlands airport too, there’s a museum there but that might be a bit old for her.

I’m sure she’d be fine with anything (although I can’t persuade her in a bike) but it’s nice for me to do something a bit different.

Sorry yes Ibstock not Ilkeston! 😅 It's the other side of Ashby De La Zouch, about 25-30 mins from Swad.

When mine were little they loved going to aquariums.

Very simple things that they really enjoyed was going to lots of different playgrounds in different towns and villages - as well as different swimming pools. It just made a great change from the same-old.

What about Conkers?

I like Conkers but we went quite recently.

It does in the school holidays & at weekends. Otherwise no, not really.

We went to Crich Tram museum last year with my 2 year old who loved it. They have a soft play area and outdoor play area. Tram rides are included. There is a museum and a walking path.

Thank you! I’ll give that a try then, bet she’ll love it!