some ideas - Lancashire - from someone who knows!

[pixiepins]

working for a kids club in the hols means we have to do 4-5 trips a year somewhere different every year if possible so here are my thoughts on a few trips we've been on in the Lancashire area!

1. Cheeky Monkeys a newish soft play area in bamber bridge (preston). the kids loved it! and the cafe was fab! good food and fairly cheap! it's not too pricey about £3.75 i think! (we got group booking rates) It has a toddler area (no big kids allowed) a kids area with over 35 activities, a football/basket ball arena and a playstage with music and dancing!

2)Blue PLanet Aquarium
pricey but good! lots to do..and the kids can touch the fish in parts! good talks and info to read! should last half a day!

3)Southport Pleasure Beach
ok...not my fave of trips! more for the big kids not too much for the little ones! traumatizer is good though!

4)Gullivers world
a theme park for tiny ones! lots for them to do...not too great for older/bigger kids! lots of grass to picnic on though!

5)Blackpool Zoo
all the children we take love this zoo...again lots of grass to picnic on and a wide variety of animlas and talks etc! gift shop nightmare though! BEWARE!

6)Eureka!
long way to go...esp with 60 kids on a bus! but it's ok. i think i've been 3 too many times! the kids like it though and it's all hands on! and all for kids! YAY! again the gift shop is a bit poo! but if you like all things tacky and stamped with the name of the place you're at you'll love it!

7. Manchester Museum of Science and Industry not as poo as it sounds...the kids love it especially the science bit on the top floor! there is a tour of the sewers..lots of poo related jokes from the kids! and it has smell effects apparently! if you want something educational or a bit diff then go here p.s. they also have travelling roadshows in so its worth checking this before you go! One a few years ago about bugs was really good!

hope this is some help...i've not added all the trips i've been on, some are just painful memories that should never be allowed to resurface! to do so would result in me needing therapy and a stiff drink!

Just to add Pleasureland at Southport shut down a few weeks ago - saw that on the news.

There is a nice soft play place in Leyland called Buddies that is also not expensive and a good cafe. Zoom Zone in Whittle-le-Woods near Chorley is also fairly new - I like it in some ways but on the whole, it's not as good as Buddies.

For older children, the National Football Museum at Deepdale - Preston North End's ground is free and very good. However, if you are going of a weekend, check whether PNE are playing at home as it shuts early if they are (and traffic won't be so great either!)

Chester Zoo is meant to be good but never been myself.

Would be interested to hear of any farms that we can visit with a young toddler.

kateab

Several farms in Lancs:

Cronkshaw Fold in Rossendale - mostly for schools visits but I think it's open for individuals
Farmer Ted's in Ormskirk
Farmer Parr's in Fleetwood
Windmill in Burscough
Docker Park near Carnforth
Thornton Hall Farm near Earby

Also Bowland Wild Boar Park near Chipping

Will def be trying some of these, priceless info when my toddler is driving me vertical.
Kateab - a few farmy type places i know of. Docker park farm, think its carnforth but you'll find it on Morecambe website, not been myself but meant to be ok. Bit further afield in Cumbria but I have been to: Ducky's Farm - Flookborough, its all quite new and geared up for younger kids ie: bunny holding, lamb feeeding etc And big soft play centre inside. Again i'v not been but there's Wild Boar Park at Chipping (Clitheroe way).
Have you been to the new "Giddy Kiddies" Preston? Sounds like your from that way

Ursula how did you do that thing with the websites.... AMAZING