East Wittering - things to do with kids

[glassofwine]

Am off to my DM's caravan with the three small people and just me for a few days this week. This is the first time we've gone without DH and I'm a bit nervous about it. Obviously there's the beach, but they don't like going all day every day and also I'm v worried about just one of me and three of them in terms of keeping an eye on them on a packed beach. So, although we will go to the beach I was wondering what else I could do with them in the area - I know Mum has taken them to a soft play in Chichester before, but apart from that I know nothing. Any ideas? They are 7, 4 & 3

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We always go to West Wittering...if you go right down to the furthest part of the car park on the beach there is a really beautiful board walk thru the dunes...takes a good hour or so to get thru

There is a great open air museum just north of Chichester called the Weald and Downland - it sounds boring, as it is primarily ancient buildings, but it's great - a big lake with lots of friendly ducks to feed, piglets, sheep and shire horses to see and lots of space for kids to run around safely in. It's quite expensive, but you can go for a whole day, and take a picnic. They do have activities for kids on Wednesdays, during the holidays. There's also the Flying Fortress, a huge soft play frame thing near Ford, although it's a bit full on for me and I think Fishbourne Roman Palace are doing some kind of children's activity programme at the moment. I'll try to think of some other stuff!

If you want something cheap, and probably wouldnt appeal to all children but on the road from chicester going down towards wittering and bracklesham there is a wonderful pick your own farm, with a huge selection on things to pick. Maybe grab a punnet and fill it with raspberries and blackberries? My three year old loves it! Also if you go to itchenor you can take boat trips around the habour, there are resident seals there but have never been so i cannot vouch for that. website www.chichesterharbourwatertours.co.uk/index.html Although its not the cheapest trip at 6.50 for an adult and £3 for a child... but i hope one of those idea's helps

Took my 3 camping in East Wittering last week - they are 6, 5 and 1. We ended up going to the Earnley Butterfly park and gardens one day which was OK but quite pricey. They were happy just flying kites and playing on the site especially if we had brought bikes (which we didn't!). There is also the fun fair at bracklesham bay but just drove past it so don't know what its like. Ate fish and chips on the beach - wasn't packed at all - but cold and windy. The canal boat tour is good and there is also a harbour tour starting from the marina I think. Also the museum at Ford is good for boys anyway - lots of old planes.