In berkshire? With a toddler? Any suggestions?

[LizzyIzzyLou]

We did Odds Farm this morning and dd loved it. Shes 17 months and it was perfect for her.

I'm on leave this week and would appreciate any suggestions for us to fill the rest of the week, its meant to be great weather as well!

We live in Reading but have the car so dont mind travelling

Watching the boats going through one of the locks on the Thames. Boulters Lock in Maidenhead is good and you can walk over the bridge to Ray Mill Island - small cafe there.

Launchpad discovery center in Bracknell (opposite Coral Reef water world). We took 26 month old DD over easter and she loved it. Really for older kids, but they have a ball pit, a great outdoor playground (free) and lots of hands-on stuff. 17 months might be a bit little though (though there were lots of little ones there - they get in free). They do special toddler days.

Great suggestions, hadnt thought about the boats. Just googled that lock and found out there is a guinea pig enclosure on the island which dd will love.

I googled Launchpad and it came up with the lookout centre is that the same thing Lionstar?

Beale Park just beyond Pangbourne. Animals various (inc meerkats ), paddling pools, mini railway, climbing frames.

Wellington Country Park (just down the A33) -lots of running about space, play areas (inc wet play) mini railway, creatures etc

The Wyld Court Rainforest over towards Abingdon is quite nice with tinies. Indoors (hot) so good if wet.

A bit further afield, the Marwell Zoo near Winchester is lovely.

(That's my set of toddler outings from Reading!)

hi!
i live in woodley!
the park in the lookout centre is fab for little ones. we took ds (22months) last week.

also carnival pool in wokingham is great. lovely, warm paddle toddler pool with a little elephant slide and shower type water feature and another larger pool also suitable for little kids.

have been meaning to go to odds farm. have you been to beale park?

Yep same place. It is actually in Bracknell Forest which is a huge area for walking and exploring. There is a bike hire centre there too and always hundreds of families biking about.

great for little ones

Oh yes, had forgotten about Wellington CP - they often have theme days with petting zoos, dog shoes etc. Great place for picnicing.

Also further afield is the Watercress line around Hook - they have Thomas theme days (though the next one isn't until August) If you little one likes trains it's a great day out.

That should read dog shows LOL

Beale park is fab - don't forget swimming stuff for LO as the paddling pool should be getting nicely warm. I loved it as a child myself (was always known as the peacock farm to us), and DS loved it too

Thank you so much for all the great suggestions.

The thomas day sounds great so I'll have to remember that for August.

I didnt know Wellington had theme days, I'll have to see whats on there.

Is Marwell good for younsters? I thought she might be a bit young?

Beale park looks great, havent been there since it was peacock farm

yes the peacock farm
it was the holy grail of outings as a child!

Lionstar is there a website where I can more out about the watercress line?

I thought it was just my family that called it that ! My parents even went there when they were courting

Found the website Lion

I had loads of school trips to peacock farm

Just done some googling and tomorrow is toddler day at the lookout centre so we'll go and check that out tomorrow.

DH says we'll have a family day at beale park at the weekend.

Can I have opinions on whether you think its worth taking dd to the beach one day this week? DH says its not (she too young, wont appreciate it etc) what do you oh so wise Men think?

MNers not Men (bloody spellcheck)

Enjoy the lookout centre!

I'd say beach at any time is good, my DD is always begging to go, but it involves getting up early (!). We'll definately be going soon now the weather is warmer - West Wittering beach is great.

We also went to Marwell for DD's 1st birthday and she really enjoyed it. We'll be taking her again soon as she loves animals. It's very big and takes hours to walk around - big hits with DD were tigers and the otters!

I've never been to West Wittering beach Lion. I think I'll give it a try this week. I wont need to lug loads of stuff for just me and dd will I? DH is trying to put me off, think hes jealous he has to work

DD also loves animals so I think Marwell would be a big hit

here's a website for West Wittering - it has a (pay) car park, cafe, toilets and lots and lots and lots of sand . It is a bit of a drive though (as is any bit of coast from here!), hope your DD is OK in the car.

You can take as much or as little as you need! Don't forget suncream and water though . It can be breezy too, so pack some warm layers just in case.

DD is very good in the car - luckily. She'll sleep on the way back.

That website is very helpful, thanks Lionstar