Cardiff - day out with toddlers?

[threefeethighandrising]

We'll be in Cardiff for Christmas and DS's 2nd birthday on Christmas Eve.

I'd like to arrange to do something nice with DS and his cousins on his birthday - not a birthday party, just a nice afternoon out somewhere.

The ages of the kids are: 1,2,2,4 and 8, and they'll be at least 4 adults, but probably 7 or so.

Can anyone think of a nice thing we could do on Christmas Eve?

DS likes the usual toddler things - running about, animals, music (but not sitting still!), balls, bubbles etc etc.

Any advice would be appreciated!

TIA

god help you in the crowds on christma eve, but winter wonderland(you can google it-theres a website i think) is in cardiff now open from 11am onwards. theres a fair and stalls a little ice rink etc. my dd (2.4) loved the ferris wheel and the lights and the excitement of it. And its been set up outside the museum, which has a dinosaur exhibition atm and they have a section for toddlers to play and draw. In fact if the winter wonderland is a bit much for you the museum is a nice day out in itself.

Ooh dinosaurs! A definite yes! I remember visiting the dinosaurs at Cardiff museum with my GPs when I was little

I thought it was just a visiting exhibition I didn't know they had them now.

A fairground? Perhaps in a limited way and if we go early. We had a fairground disaster at our local fireworks this year. DS was really excited about one of merry-g-rounds with lots of different vehicles for real little ones, so I let him have a go. He went a little toy car, and I sat on it on a motorbike next to him. I looked ridiculous! I was the only adult on the ride, but I didn't trust him to stay put. Sure enough, half way through the ride, he decided he didn't want to be in the car, actually he wanted to be on a helicopter on the other side of the merry-go-round, and tried to make for it. So I spent the second half of the ride holding on to him while he screamed HEY-COT-TER!!! hysterically.

As we left the park he was still screaming inconsolably, and I could feel people judging me for bringing such a little one to the fireworks (which he loved incidentally).

So, the fair could be hit and miss, but I think the dinosaurs are definitely a winner thanks! I think the adults would really like it too.

The dinosaurs are just visiting- i hadnt realised that they had been here before. if its fine weather the wee ones might like the castle. lots of running around/ history to be had there.

Oh I see. I expect it's a different dinosaur exhibition. The one I went to was 25 years ago!

We're going to the castle anyway a couple of days before. DP hasn't ever seen it. We're going to go on the tour so we can see all the decorated rooms, which are absolutely stunning, aren't they?!

Yes, the Castle is beautiful.

There's the usual hell soft play places around. Jump in Llanishen, Alphabet Zoo on Penarth Road. There's Parc very close to the city centre - join their facebook group for entry offers.

Roath Park will have their Santa boat in operation.

I'll keep thinking

how about cardiff bay - techniquest. You don't pay for 4 yrs and under. brilliant fun - my kids love it.

oh closed on christmas eve. sorry. still a great idea though

We're staying in Llanishen, so Roath Park's not far away. A Santa boat you say?! That sounds great.

I did think of soft play, DS loves it, but I wondered if the 8 year old would get bored?

I found page, it's got lots of good stuff on it.

It's out of town (across the border in fact)and a bit pricey for us all to go, but I'm really tempted by this for another day. Dean Forest Railway. I found one in Brecon too, which would be lovely, but it only goes until next Weds.