You’ll know me by now – I love going out and doing things with the kids across the country. We have the travel bug and whether we are abroad or on a staycation in the UK, I am always looking for child friendly things to do wherever we are – as a family, I want to make sure everyone is equally happy.
I like to take the children different places in the school holidays – I like to plan to do as much as we possibly can around my work. Working from home for myself means I don’t get the holidays off unless I really plan for it and finances allow – but I always try to make sure we do some fun family things whilst the kids are off.
I don’t want to do the same old things that we can do on our doorstep – you know the things, they are the places you go to when your children are bored at home and you just need to get out or the weather is too appalling to be out and about, enjoying the fresh air.
Suffolk is somewhere I’ve visited before and as it is almost three hours away from our home, is somewhere we haven’t visited too often with the kids – but I want to change that. We can either leave home early to spend the day there and get home late or we can stay overnight – this seems like the more feasible option and I’ve been taking a look at the Suffolk Cottage Holidays website to see if there’s suitable accommodation for us, should we decide to head down there in the next school holidays.
There is so much to do for children in Suffolk so I’d really like to take them there – but as always, it’s all in the planning. Here’s a few of the places I’d love to take my children which I know they would love!
Pleasurewood Hills Family Theme Park
Suitable for all ages, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Pleasurewood Hills was in Norfolk, seeing as it is located just ten minutes away from Great Yarmouth. However, it is a Suffolk attraction, residing in Lowestoft, and a popular one at that. There are rides and attractions for all ages situated within 50 acres of land – 35 rides, shows and attractions to be exact. There is something for everyone, ensuring no one in the family fees.
Africa Alive
This is an outdoor attraction that enables you and your family to explore the sights and sounds of Africa. You can get up close to lions, meerkats, giraffes and so many more African creatures. It is set in 100 acres of countryside. There’s even a Discovery Centre and the free Safari road train.
Framlingham Castle
Suitable from ages 4 and over, this castle is a stunning building in a stunning location. Entry includes access to the Lanman Trust’s Museum of local history and there is an exhibition in the Poorhouse that may seem to take your fancy.
The displays within the castle talk about the struggles for power Framlingham has had over the years – ascensions to the throne and tragic stories of famous figures. The castle offers spectacular views that the whole family can appreciate and enjoy.
East Anglia Transport Museum
Suitable for all ages, this museum offers both a fun and educational experience. The museum shows the development of mechanical transport over what is almost a century. There are plenty of vehicles here that have probably been long since forgotten so you may be introduced to new to you vehicles just like your children may be. You can head along their period street, indulging in the past – or you can check out their Trolleybus service. Looking for a ride? Try the Woodland Tramway – I bet the kids will enjoy it.
The Southwold Mystery Treasure Trail
My final suggestion for kid friendly things to do in Suffolk is the Southwold Mystery Treasure Trail. When I take the kids out on days out further away from home, I like to try and do some things that are a little out of the ordinary. We can do soft play, bowling and the cinema close to home so if I’m travelling a little way, I want something fresh and exciting to do.
This is suitable for older children so it may not be for you if you have younger children but it certainly looks like a lot of fun. It is a self guided trail where you search out answers to the clues that have been set on permanent Southwold features. You have to eliminate the suspects to find out who the true culprit is. These can be done in your own time – take as long as you need. On average, they can take roughly around two hours and you walk a few miles. This is a lot of fun for older children and gives their brain a workout on a fun little trail.
I’m hoping that we get to head over to Suffolk in the school holidays soon – it’s a fabulous beautiful county on the coast and will make for a lovely place for us to head to and spend some time as a family. I’m thinking the day trip should probably turn into a long weekend so I can manage to fit all the fantastic attractions in and perhaps even find some more fun things to do – what do you think?
*Collaborative post*