What to do...

[CardyMow]

In February half term with DD (almost 12yo), DS1 (almost 8yo), and DS2 (6yo). Soft play is out, as DD is too tall for both adventureland AND go bananas, and DS1 is too tall for adventureland, and go bananas won't let me take his GF food in with me. Needs to be accessible by bus, not doing zoo as still too cold (always do that in either Easter hols / may HT). HELP! (having tall children is not always good!)

Do you have the kidaround booklet? I get mine from DS's nursery bu t i think the library has them too. Its my first port of call for "what shall i do with him" panics!

Colchester castle is doing a medieval tales event - normal admission though. Every day during half term at 11, 12, 1, 2.30 and 3.30.

Abberton reservoir are doing a winter wildlife faces thing where the kids search for minibeasts then make a mask of their discoveries. Tuesday 16th 10.30 - 2pm £5

Fingeringhoe wick nature reserve - tues 16th wildlife trackers for 8-12yr olds. 10.30 - 3 £10.

Free event at the natural history museum on 16th and 17th - meet the Green Man and celebrate the nature and history of the land. 11.30, 1.30 and 3pm.

Theres loads going on at Abberton and Fingeringhoe that week. Finding something warmer might be a problem though!

Swimming? Cinema? Bowling? Roller Skating or Quasar?
I have the same problem with a DS(13) and DD1 (5) DD2 (3).Difficult to find something to do all together.I usually do one of the above.
Or go by train somewhere like Clacton.

Pooter...you are the font of all knowledge!
I presume that the Clacton, Abberton and Fingeringhoe options are out for Loudlass as it will be too cold, like the zoo.

I reckon the bowling is a good idea. The roller skating brings back some memoried for me...perhaps we should all go!

Anyway, Loudlass...I hope you find something to do that you will all enjoy. If I think of anything I will come back and post something more productive.

Yeah, ok mung, lets go rollerskating - you with 3 or 4 wks to go and me on my due date!! Great idea

It may help things along!! It would be great for my SPD

I can't get to Abberton or Fingrinhoe, as I don't drive, so am limited to where I can get by bus and train. Not averse to shorter train journeys. DD and DS2 have muscle probs and other physical difficulties, tried bowling, DS2 can't, he can't rollerskate either, and we can't go quazar because both me and DD have photosensitive epilepsy. Same for swimming, I need 3 adults with me with no other children, haven't been swimming since my dx.Fark. I've always just resorted to soft play hell until this year. Even DD is quite happy with that, but 2 of them are too tall now. Double poo. I may bite the bullet and do the London museums again, even if it does cost a fortune, do the science museum early on in the week, and go back later on in the week to do the Natural History museum, although I might try to fit in the green man thingy. My DC's seem to be too big to get given a copy of kidaround any more, and most of the activities seem to only be accessible if you drive.

Although I wouldn't mind watching 2 heavily pg people rollerskating....

Not going to happen Loudlass

No wonder you need ideas - must be a nightmare trying to find things accessible for all of you.

....the TV is accessible.... I'm trying to be a bit more proactive about actually doing something with them in the cold holidays, but it's easier said than done! It wasn't too bad when they were all quite little, but having one infants age, one juniors age and one secondary age is quite a bit more difficult!

How about a bit of Geocaching? Its fun for all the family. You could come with us on Monday and see what you think of it.

If you do go to Londno, try the South Bank instead of crossing town to the Natural History and Science Museums. Also check out the Royal Albert Hall

Had a look, but think with 2 of them having SN, DS2 can only walk short distances, he'd need his mac major, so anything muddy is out. He needs his mac major to get round the zoo even. Would there be more to do in Ipswich? train fare there is dirt cheap, but usually only go for the clothes shops. Did the Royal Albert last year as DD sang there with her school choir. Couldn't get DS2 to shut up be quiet for long enough to take him to anything at the south bank that DD would also sit through, one or the other would create a fuss. Suppose I'll just fall back on the museums as they all like the science museum as there is lots for them to do, and DS2 hasn't been to the Nat. History museum since he was a baby, and he's ...err...dinosaur obsessed atm, as are te other 2. I much prefer the summer hols, as there's always loads on in Castle Park to keep them happy. Can't even do Hollytrees as DS2 only went there last week on a school trip!! Anyone got any easy to get to from the train station ideas in Ipswich? (would manage one bus from station)