Share your thoughts on historical days out and events with your children - £300 voucher to be won NOW CLOSED

[JustineBMumsnet]

It can be difficult to keep kids’ boredom at bay during the school holidays. English Heritage sites in London and the East are putting on events throughout the summer to help keep children entertained and they’d like to hear your thoughts surrounding historical days out and events you’ve attended with your children.

Here’s what English Heritage have to say: “English Heritage have a host of sites across London and the East that are perfect to keep your little ones entertained throughout the summer holidays. With a new themed activity each week at each property, your little adventurers will be thoroughly entertained (and may secretly learn a thing or two along the way!) during those long hot (here’s hoping!) holidays.

From London to Suffolk to Derbyshire and everything in between, English Heritage have castles, manor houses and sites with acres of beautiful gardens that are sure to keep even the most active of children busy! Not only are the sites fantastic, but each has a varied event programme for children throughout the school holidays. From becoming a home front hero to learning the ropes as a budding knight; from being inspired by Darwin’s science experiments to taking to the stage 1920s style and from going on a bug safari to playing games like a Victorian – your little time travellers will get hands on with history with English Heritage this summer.”

So, have you been on a really great historical adventure or attended an event which really brought history to life for your children? Do you think events you take your children on should be educational, or purely fun? Maybe you think that they should always be both? Whatever your thoughts or stories surrounding events and days out for your children, share them with English Heritage below.

All those who leave a comment below will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher from a store of their choice.

Thanks, and good luck!

MNHQ

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we have loads of castles near where we live and we try and visit a couple every year, they love Oystermouth, Tenby, Pembroke

We (I) like visiting castles. I like to imagine life in them when they were built and my DS(6) just likes to run around being a knight and stabbing villains. Once we get past the initial whinge of going somewhere 'boring' (ie not a theme park ) he normally has a great time and thoroughly enjoys himself - I think he just convinces himself that he is going to hate it before we even start out!

Do your homework first. Is there a horrible history book / tv programme that is relevent. the library is always a good place to start, I always found that if the children knew a small amount before we went, thne they would enjoy the day more, but remember its supposed to be fun.

Another thought. We used to write an acrostic on the way home. EG, if we went to Hampton Court, as a family we would have to think of something we saw / did beginning with H, A, M etc.
Sometimes these were historical, sometimes just funny. I have kept them all and its amazing how much they actually took in.

DS is only 2 so for us days out to heritage sites are mainly about having loos, somewhere to eat or picnic, and safe and accessible space to explore, run, play (NT gardens or EH ruins are great for this, stately homes full of breakables and stern-faced stewards giving evil stares to families who look as though they might go the WRONG WAY round, not so much).

Organised activities are hit and miss with toddlers. We took DS to see jousting at Old Sarum and he was unimpressed with the main event, but had a marvellous time exploring the ruins and listening with rapt attention to the medieval musicians. Live period music and engaging costumed interpreters are generally a hit. DS loved a WW2 day at a historic farm recently. The volunteer reenactors really made his day, they were approachable and friendly and got down to his level, showing him historic objects he could safely handle and letting him sit in the driver's seat of a vehicle he was drooling over (probably literally). Similarly, he enjoyed an open day at the Ancient Technology Centre in Cranborne, being able to potter about looking at whatever caught his attention and explore the reconstructed buildings.

I think it has to be fun first, with education by stealth on the side. We generally prefer more low key events and places where the day isn't too over-choreographed, so there is room for children to explore and investigate and find out. It's also hard to beat the extra value added by volunteers or stewards who are skilled and enthusiastic about sharing their enthusiasm for the site or subject.

We enjoyed a visit to warwick castle lot of ecents to keep everyone entertained .

I think historical outings are great i dont think a child should ever stop learning just because its the holidays. We headed to Lowther Castle last weekend and the kids were amazed they loved the story about the Yellow Lord and couldnt understand how they let the castle go into such ruin

all kids need is a relevant activity and something to get them excited. try a castle with archery. watching a joust and get them to cheer on the riders. take a packed lunch and include something that they would have eaten 'back then'. most importantly - if they see you enjoying your self and joining in then they will too.

The castle museum in York is a fantastic day out lots to do and see for the whole family x

They liked joining in with a workshop at norwich castle where they got to dress up as kings and queens etc. The actual historical/castle bit was boring to them apart from the visit to the dungeons. Maybe they're a bit too young for just a regular visit but any kind of child-friendly activity would make a visit more likely, esp if it was free.

We spent a week staying in a cottage within the grounds of a statley home in derbyshire. This was fab and we visited the home and educated our son that we lived in one of the house keepers homes and showed him what life was like for them

Hampton Court is a fabulous day out. So much for them to see and learn about!!

We dressed up as Romans and took part in a battle. My children loved it and learned more through the role play

Me and my girls love going to Wrest Park and Audley End and particularly enjoy the Victorian Christmas at Audley End. Always fun to explore the house and grounds. My daughters love going in the various buildings at Wrest Park making up their own games.

My two boys loved going to Warwick Castle, in fact they never got bored of it. Although its not a cheap day out it was really a great day in terms of activities on offer and open spaces to run about. (We often had a picnic to keep the cost down a bit ) and tried to avoid expensive purchases in th shop!

The kids love historical days out where they get to re-enact and take part in dressing up. There was a jousting event at Kelham hall a few weeks ago that they loved!

My son loves castles and museums, his imagination can really take off when we visit these places. For us and him the fun is in the educational side of it, not either or

We love these kind of trips. Whilst as a family we enjoy visiting English Heritage sites on our own, we really like the events that are put on during the school holidays. Framlingham castle in particular puts on loads of events which really help to bring the past to life and as a parent gives extra value to the visit especially as the themes change throughout the year. The adults usually learn a few things too!

I have fond memories of these type of events as they used to do them at Orford castle when I was little. I wish that this was something that they decided to put on again there as my kids would love it.

Days out in castles are always make for a great day for all... The Tower of London is simply amazing! I also recommend the Natural History Museum...

We last be days out that see us all learn something at the same time, and have had some great days out, not just in London and the East, but on holidays we always manage to find something. Some highlights have been Marble Hill House, Avebury in Wiltshire, Eltham Palace, Mottisfont Abbey, Hampton Court Palace and Titchfield Abbey. Some great facts learned, enjoyed the sunshine, and some great picnic spots too!

Wrest Park's St George's Day event was good... Romans stuff, knights and dragons... maybe a Viking too?

We like to visit Leeds castle (been a few times now)its just such an enjoyable and fun day out

we love visiting castles because its educational but also is a physical activity.

we have a national trust card and use it to visit local castles kids love it more than modern activities

Focusing on the volatility of our history helps - anything graphic or gruesome also piques their interest. I should probably be worried.......!