Find inspiration for all the activities you can do as a family.
Travel planning is one of my favourite things to do in the evening (other than watching The Mummy Diaries. I know. Kill me). Allllll the anticipation of looking at the best countries to visit when, top hotels, adventurous spots, looking for bargainous flights – the works. Many an hour has been lost to it.
As well as travel planning, my other top thing to do is thinking up cool responsible adventure ideas that I could attempt one day when the kids are older and don’t need me as much. These are a little more deering-do than those on my family adventure ideas list. I’m not sure where this love of adventure came from really. My mother despairs.
We spent the week of October half term in Northumberland. I’ve always wanted to visit this stunning part of the country. I had visions of windswept moors, deserted beaches and castles at every turn, and it didn’t disappoint. We visited as a family of three generations so it was important we did things that catered for all ages. Here’s a round-up of fun things to do in Northumberland with kids.
There are obviously many other amazing things to see and do in this friendly but wild area of England but digging out your hiking boots and going walking in Northumberland should be your number one activity if you are lucky enough to come up here. Ancient Hadrian’s Wall, dramatic moorland and craggy hills, wild and wonderful quiet beaches, there’s nowhere else quite like walking in Northumberland.
Geocaching for kids – a free and easy way to stir up some adventure on your doorstep. In fact, you can have a go at geocaching anywhere in the world, but I like the fact that it’s a good activity to try when you’re feeling a bit bored or uninspired by your local environment and want a quick, mini adventure with your children.
Mum of two Sarah Logan shows how a heroic amount of determination, regular running and a much needed confidence boost from a very special charity helped her stay positive during her cancer treatment.
We tried glamping for the first time in Dorset at Featherdown glamping, and were very pleased we did. As its name suggests, it offers glamorous camping. If you like the idea of camping and getting closer to nature, but can’t face a whole week with kids, glamping is a great midway choice.
Watersports were made for the Jurassic coastline. Our trip to Dorset was the perfect opportunity to continue with part of my ‘4 adventures in 4 months with a 4 year old‘. I abandoned the idea of wild swimming as my son can’t swim yet, so probably not the best idea. However there was still plenty of choice to do some adventuring offland. We chose sailing for June and kayaking for July. Snorkelling is another option, and Kimmeridge Bay is actually a brilliant place where you can do it even if you can’t swim, as the water levels are so low.
I couldn’t find any small boats to have a go on with my son. Most operators seem to only offer sailing courses, or trips if you are already qualified. I found a few places near home which occasionally take out families for a hour or so to show them the ropes, but nothing was happening when I wanted to do it. Luckily we did find Moonfleet Adventure Sailing.
Think of an old pirate ship – big white sails, flag, ship dog, and you’ve got the Moonfleet ship! It’s very rough and ready, and a real man’s ship. We were given a brief tour, and there are no luxuries on board. Expect to shape up and chip in on here. Luckily, our son was keen and was super excited to help pull up the mighty sails and lower them down again, and even sail around some of the harbour.
We went out for the shortest time, which is two hours. It was plenty. We all went, so that included my two year old son, though I probably wouldn’t bring him again, as I spent most of the trip clinging onto him and making sure he didn’t trip over odds and sods on the deck.
Highlights of the boat according to my son was the dog and the biscuits. I’m not sure we would go again to be honest. Maybe one to save for when kids are a bit older.
Sailing a tall ship, Portland harbour
Tall ship sailing
Kayaking at Studland Bay, on the other hand, was a downright win. It was so successful, my two year old had a paddy because he wanted to have a go as well, which he did. Again, I looked for places that offered kayaking or canoeing for young kids, but the only operator I could find was Foradventure, on selected dates. They do look very cool, so another time maybe.
However, it’s so easy to hire kayaks at Studland Bay for 30-60 minutes and just paddle around the shallows of the bay – which are just perfect for first timers. Very calm and pretty. My husband took the kids out and I watched from afar as I’d had a recent eye operation, but its safe to say we will definitely be going out on kayaks or canoes again somewhere near us.
My children can’t swim, so life jackets are a must (and for those who can swim too), so we’ll make sure we choose very calm and shallow waters. And we’ll carry on with our swimming lessons!
Kayaking, Studland Bay
Jurassic Coast Activities offers kitesurfing, windsurfing, kayaking, coasteering and paddleboarding. Land and Wave offer coasteering, paddleboarding, family survival skills and sea kayaking. You can learn to sail with Shell Bay sailing. Shallow snorkelling is available at Kimmeridge Bay. And of course, if you can swim, the world (or sea) is your oyster.
Dorset with kids is a must-do holiday. Dorset has always appealed to me as a fantastic UK holiday destination, particularly now with kids (it’s not called the Jurassic Coast for nothing). Plus who needs to fly abroad in summer with this gorgeous weather in England?! Here’s my itinerary for families who want to enjoy the best of coastal Dorset with kids.
Mother of two Fiona Orrell from Lancashire is almost halfway through a year-long adventure walking one section of the Coast-to-Coast trail every month with her husband. After a tough year, walking has been like therapy for her.