How to entertain a toddler at Northumberland cottage for the weekend?

[Namechangeddddd14393039576998689]

Hi all,

Hoping I could get some ideas from anyone who has done this before. I'm heading up to a cabin in Northumberland at the weekend with family. It's an hour from the beach and due for rain. I have a very active 2.8 yr old and I wondered if anyone has an ideas on how to keep him entertained. I'm thinking a couple of long walks and national trust visit, but worried about the rain, as we both get bored inside and he needs lots of activity to burn the endless energy he has off.

I don't think we're anywhere near a soft play or pool.

Thanks!

Just take him out in the rain and explore.

It's only rain and he isn't made of sugar.

Yes I am aware of that, just wasn't too keen on walking for hours in a downpour.

My 2yo is similar, needs exercising like a dog. I put her in a rain suit and go out. If it's really impossible, we build an obstacle course out of furniture, gradually adding new obstacles, or kick a soft football around indoors. She also loves playing with a miniature basketball hoop that goes over the back of a chair.

Where are you going? It’s a huge county!
There’s a farm shop in Stocksfield with a soft play.

Northumberland is massive so it depends where you are but if you’re an hour from the beach, I assume you’re in West Northumberland. In which case you’ve got the following:
Kielder (soft play, bike hire, Christmas experience, bird of prey centre, swimming pool)
Brocksbushes which has a massive soft play that’s actually not awful to be in as an adult but you have to book. There is also a lovely farm shop and cafe.
Wheelbirks ice cream parlour (with kids play area).
swimming there is Prudhoe (waves and fountains), the wentworth in hexham, a pool with a toddler splash area at Ponteland. If you’re up near the wall you can book the Glendale pool which is a private pool you can hire. All the above public pools also have softplays.
outside of pools there is vindolanda which has an inside museum if it’s raining, the Roman army museum.
there are quite a few national trusts doing Christmas things at the moment - wallington, Cragside. Belsay (English heritage) is brilliant.
Have a wonder around Hexham, the abbey and go the mr wolf’s toy shop.
And there are all the castles …. I could go on!

I forgot to say there is also the theatre in hexham which has a show for pre- schoolers as well as a panto.

Buy at least one new toy for the house - a roll-back car or a puzzle or paint with water or something for when you get home after the wet walks.

Wellies and waterproof suit and jumping in puddles followed by a bath, singing in the bath.

bake cakes, sing songs, treasure hunt

Which bit of Northumberland @Namechangeddddd14393039576998689