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What To Do with the Kids This Half Term

October 19th, 2010

It doesn’t seem like 5 minutes since the children went back to school after the Summer Holidays and already October Half Term is fast approaching.

With loads of Halloween and Fireworks events taking place, there has never been a better time to treat the family to a theme park break, without it costing a fortune. Thankfully, Play and Stay are are here to help you plan your trip.

If you are looking for something spooky to do with the family this Halloween that will even be suitable for the little ones, then plan a holiday to Chessington World of Adventures and go to Hocus Pocus between the 22nd – 31st October. If you book now you will get 2 days for the price of 1, meaning twice as much family fun.

For these older ones who aren’t afraid to be frightened to the max, THORPE Park is hosting it’s famous FRIGHT Nights event now. Visit the nations thrill capital on the 15 — 17 and 22 — 31 October for lots of terrifying fun. Be warned, this is not for the faint hearted and definitely not suitable for the younger kids.

Alternatively, Alton Towers is holding their Scarefest event, which caters for all ages. Come along between the 16th – 31st October and experience all of the tricks and treats Alton has to offer it’s visitors. There are horror mazes for the brave one’s among you and family fun entertainment for the younger ones. Or, if you’d rather give Halloween a miss, then the Alton Towers Ultimate Fireworks display is a must. From the 5th – 7th November you can book a break with Play and Stay to see the magical event.

LEGOLAND® Windsor is also hosting their annual Wizard’s Fireworks display on the 23rd, 24th, 29th, 30th, 31st October and 6th November. It’s the perfect family break away, with rides, fireworks and a hotel stay all included in the price. And on certain dates you can get your 2nd day in the park for FREE!

So what ever age your kids are, with so much going on, there is something to suit everyone! See www.playandstay.co.uk for more information and our latest prices.

Stay Longer and Save – Summers Deals Not To Be Missed!

July 12th, 2010

Turn a day trip into a mini break and keep the kids entertained for longer this summer.

With so many fantastic deals out there right now, be sure to make the most of them and get real value for money. Here’s our guide to the best offers around this summer. All you need now is your sunscreen and sunglasses and you’re ready to have some summer fun!

Stealth at Thorpe Park

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LEGOLAND®
Can’t decide which them park to take the family to this summer? Well now you don’t have too. If you book a break at LEGOLAND you can get your 2nd day at the park FREE! Now the kids will have plenty of things to look forward to throughout the holidays! Hurrah!

CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES
If you are already planning a trip to Chessington this summer holiday you’ll want to make the most of this deal. Book now and you can stay for a second night at the Holiday Inn Chessington for only an extra £10 per room! From the huge selection of rides to the animals in the zoo, there is something everyone will enjoy.

THE EDEN PROJECT
Don’t worry if theme parks aren’t your thing, you can still benefit from these summer deals. The Eden Project is the perfect place to spend a relaxing summers day walking around the beautiful gardens and taking in the Cornish scenery. If you book a break now, you will get 2 days for the price of 1. Everyone deserves a summer break so book now and make the most of this unmissable deal.

Why not turn your break into a real adventure and explore the surrounding area too. You can add on attractions at each park when you book a break and you’ll receive even more great discounts. Visit places like the London Dungeons or the Waterpark at Alton Towers and make the most of your break. Happy holidays!

LEGOLAND Survival Tips

November 17th, 2009

When we were invited to LEGOLAND by Play and Stay, I did what all responsible parents do in such situations—I asked proper, responsible parents for their LEGOLAND survival tips.

It proved to be a real life-saver. Theme parks are big, expensive places and some inside knowledge can really help you get the most out of your visit. Here are a few of my tips—some from other parents, some we learned ourselves. The hard way.

1. Get there early. Even during term-time, I was amazed to see how many cars were pouring into the car park ahead of us at 10am on a Thursday morning (the park opens at 10am during the winter season). You can pay £5 for priority parking but that’s for parking wimps, frankly. Get there for 10am and aim for car parks A, B or C.

2. On arrival, head down the hill for the driving school. It’s one of the busiest attractions and the queue is shortest first thing—there’s a great driving school for 6-13 year olds and a learner course for 3-5 year olds. Flea loved it.

3. There’s a ride in Duplo Land called ‘Extreme Team Challenge’ that you can’t really see until you get right to the front of the queue because it’s covered with shrubbery. Just so you know, it will involve you sitting on the floor of a small, wet dinghy and being hurled down a chute at 35mph. At the end of the ride, you will appear to have wet yourself. Take it from someone who has been there.

4. If you take a picnic, try and time lunch with a show at the Duplo Theatre—it’s a perfect picnic spot and next to the playground. The show when we visited was a pretty funny Pop Idol parody.

5. Right next to the Duplo theatre is an open area you might walk through to get to the playground. Be aware this will put you in the direct firing line of a series of water cannons wielded by small psychopaths—oh, alright, they’re just kids. But still, you might want to put your waterproof jacket on.

6. Save the wet rides for the end of the day. That’s really Pirate Falls at the bottom of the hill and Viking River Splash at the top of the hill. And take spare clothes for the kids to change into—or take our a second mortgage for one of the electric people dryers available on-site.

7. On Pirate Falls, the camera takes your photo RIGHT as you start down the big slope. Don’t close your eyes and scream like a fool—it’s not photogenic.

8. Measure the kids before you go. Most of the more exciting rides are only suitable for children over 1m and the staff measure every child every time, so knowing in advance will spare upset on the day.

9. The chocolate waffles are amazing. Especially when you’re cold and soggy after Pirate Falls.

10. Take an iPod for the Pirate Falls queue. They play the most annoying pirate music EVER on a loop, along with a video of something involving Justin from Mister Tumble. If you’re queuing there for half an hour (as we were) the iPod may be all that saves you from screaming insanity.

Single Parent Dad goes to Alton Towers

November 5th, 2009

Alton Towers is somewhere that holds many happy memories for me. From my childhood, when my mother used to take me with my sister; in my youth when I was free to go on my own with friends; and most recently when it became an annual trip for my late wife and I on her birthday.

Even though I have taken the boy all over the country to all sorts of places Alton Towers was not really on my radar as I simply discounted it as not age appropriate. We came close to going when they opened the hotel, and waterpark, which runs term-time specials for toddlers and their carers, but never got around to actually arranging a visit.

Then over the summer, some of our friends, who have a daughter nine months younger than my son, told me about what a great time they had at Britain’s biggest theme park. The thought of taking Max quickly entered my head, that is, after I had stopped teasing my friend’s daughter about ‘Alton Flowers’. “It’s called Alton Towers, not Alton Flowers silly,” she would say. “Then why did you call it Alton Flowers?” Was my jovial (or should that be juvenile?) retort.

So when Play and Stay offered to send us, I was intrigued to find out how much fun the Alton Towers Resort could be for a near five-year-old and his dad.

On arrival we discovered it is still extremely well organised, and also still a decent walk from the car park, but there is the monorail which I suppose counts as your first ride of the day.

If you’re feeling extra flush you have the option to pay £15 for priority parking, which means you can park right outside the entrance to the park. But as I am tight, I opted for the normal parking which still costs £5, which I must admit to still being a little miffed by.

Once inside we headed down Towers Street, and turned right for Adventure Land, which seemed like a great place to start for us. It turned out I was right. After a quick toilet break we were straight into the Berry Bish Bash, which is a sort of soft play area combined with firing squidgy balls at each other. My son thought this was hilarious, especially as one of the biggest targets – and thus most popular – appeared to be his dad. We also went on Old MacDonald’s Tractors, which I thought a little tame, but my boy obviously enjoyed pretending to drive a tractor.

The Beastie was higher octane, and we both enjoyed being thrown around on that. A quick drink and climb on some playground equipment, and it was time for lunch. The excellent map lays out the great food choices available, and I opted to bribe my son with a KFC, in exchange for him thinking about going on Enterprise, a ride I had identified as enjoyable for me, and that he passed the minimum height requirement for. Sadly, while he agreed to go and have a look, his hesitance – and the queue – put me off.

No matter, as there were plenty of other rides for us to enjoy. We had a good time on the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ride, the Peugeot Driving School was an instant favourite for him, and there were more soft play adventures within Cloud Cuckoo Land.

Since being damaged by fire, the Skyride is still out of action, which is a mild irritation legs can get tired walking over the vast area the park occupies.

Alton Towers has an impressive Sea Life centre

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The obligatory water ride came in the form of the Battle Galleons, a very funny concept that lets you fire water cannons at targets and other parkgoers as your boat travels around. Our cagoules instantly became an excellent idea. After this, we needed warming up and, after fumbling for the right change, used one of the giant dryers. It was also an apt time to go and have a look around Sharkbait Reef, a new attraction for 2009, completed in collaboration with Sea-Life.

This centre adds to those we have visited in Birmingham and on Anglesey, and had a number of different attractions we had not seen before, which was an added bonus.

At Alton Towers there were plenty of rides we did not get to go on, like the Runaway Mine Train and the Rapids, but I fully expect to go back at some point and give them a try then.

Read more about Single Parent Dad at http://singleparentdad.blogspot.com

Time for a holiday… and then another

October 5th, 2009

We have a new boy to introduce to the class today. Everybody, this is Ian and he runs the popular parenting blog Single Parent Dad.

Ian is dad to four-year-old Max and is Play and Stay’s latest guest blogger. We’re sure you’ll all get along wonderfully.

Everyone looks forward to their holidays.

Well, perhaps not everyone. If you are Judith Chalmers they probably become a bit of a chore, however, most people will look forward to their jaunts, and count down the days to when they begin.

Life can be a bit like that. Without getting too deep, having something on the horizon that you are looking forward to can make the perceived boring “now” much more bearable.

Over my lifetime I have taken many different holidays to many different places and that have lasted for many different durations. The way in which they have been organised, played-out and their purpose has altered massively too.

The holidays in my childhood were totally out of my hands, yet totally awesome as I had nothing to do with the organising or paying side. I would just get head-deep in all the fun that was going on, like digging sandcastles on the beach, or better still, knocking down the ones that my father had laboured over.

In my youth they became all about drinking and silliness, and once that was rid from my system they became more about a break from work, and relaxation of both body and mind.

Next was going on holiday as a couple, which became all about spending quality — and by that I mean uninterrupted — time together. This became, or was to become, even more important when two became a family, and there was a little one to pack stuff for (and remember to put in the car).

Since being widowed, holidays have been about many more things; environment changes, inspiration, exploration, peace, focus, challenging the norm, and taking myself out of my comfort zone. But all these holidays have had one thing in common.

When they are done, I really feel like I really need another so I can recover.

In the early days it was because my excesses had shattered me, and a return to the norm became even more exhausting than it was before I had left.

Then it was because I would discover that no one would have done my work while I was away, neither was there a magical elf on my doorstep to greet me and deal with the mountain of washing I had returned with. These days that mountain is no smaller, granted it is made of smaller clothes, yet the summit is still lofty.

Breaks with toddlers are also beautifully exhaustive; emotionally and physically. I love going away with my boy and experiencing new people and places with him. The joy on his face is totally infectious, and there are regular happy tears on our adventures. But we do both return shattered, me much more than my ever-ready powered four-year-old of course.

Over these last summer holidays I arranged a series of short breaks, segregated by equally brief stints at home. There was a purpose to my plan — to keep our holidays fun-packed, and to make the days at home really feel like a holiday too.

Our days at home were filled with visiting places, visiting people or even hosting friends, themselves in the middle of their own holidays.

There were also fabulous, and I mean fabulous, service stops. It was like we ran the summer on two sets of clothes. One current, one washed at home waiting to be ironed, and the two would switch over at our pit-stops. It made the perceived need for another holiday diminish a little, but not fade completely.

I really just need holiday, after holiday, after holiday. Thinking about it, maybe Judith doesn’t have it so bad after all.

The Adventure Bag

September 21st, 2009

As if the Play and Stay staffers weren’t enough for our lovely readers we’ve invited two of the UK’s top parent bloggers to write exclusive posts for us.

First up is Sally Whittle, mummy blogger extraordinaire at Who’s The Mummy where she discusses life with four-year old daughter Flea.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below and if you want to join our select panel of bloggers then get in touch.

I have this theory about parenting. Faced with the awesome responsibility of not raising a serial killer, new parents latch on to anyone who can tell us the “right” stuff to do. That’s why we spend £5 a week on classes to help our children walk along a bench in a straight line, or to hit a tambourine.

But when you think about it, the things that are the most fun aren’t usually organised. They’re almost certainly not the sorts of things that are designed to boost your child’s development or give them a head start. Flea and I did the activity class thing, but it’s fair to say she’s not big on organised fun.

At swimming class, Flea didn’t want to take her float off – which is pretty smart when you think about it because she was 18 months old and couldn’t swim. It’s hard to fault that kind of logic, really.

At a musical group, she didn’t understand why we kept listening to nursery rhymes, and repeatedly asked, “When are we having some guitar music?” That’d be my fault for introducing her to The Smiths, then.

Perhaps our most traumatic experience was at a language skills class, when Flea made the grave error of talking when it was time for listening. The look the class leader fixed poor Flea with reduced her to tears.

These days we’re big believers in disorganised fun. We’ve created a special bag that lives in the car, and it’s called The Adventure Bag. Inside The Adventure Bag is everything we need to go off and have fun somewhere. There’s a picnic blanket, water bottle, spare set of clothes and our camera. There’s also a Spider-Man figure and three small dinosaurs. Because you should always have a dinosaur or two on your side when you’re having adventures.

Over breakfast, Flea and I think about what we’d like to do. While I’m drinking coffee, Flea likes nothing more than considering her options, and will eventually say, “Mummy, I’ve got a brilliant idea.” Our adventures this year have included visiting museums, exploring the Lake District, various zoos and safari parks, numerous beaches, one theme park and one day when the GPS broke down, the town of Harrogate (we were supposed to be in Ilkley, I’m still not completely sure what went wrong).

Wherever we go, we buy a small badge or pin, and stick it on The Adventure Bag. Over the years, I hope the bag will become covered in images that are a visual record of all the places we’ve been together. Already, the bag holds lots of lovely memories of the first place Flea went sailing, the day she discovered dinosaur bones, the long afternoon we spent having a barbecue on Brighton beach and the day we went to Chester Zoo and spent the entire day looking at different varieties of monkey.

I figure that when Flea is a teenager and would rather poke herself in the eye than be seen in public with her mother, I’ll have all those memories of our adventures, thanks to The Adventure Bag. And you know what? I bet those memories will be a lot better than anything involving church halls and a tambourine.

Is it Right that ADHD Sufferers Jump the Queue?

September 11th, 2009

Highlighted last week in The Times, hyperactive children are able to skip queues at major theme parks in and around the UK.

Though it may come as welcome relief for parents whose children suffer from attention-deficit disorders, teachers have hit out at the move, saying that it undermines their efforts to teach children how to be patient.

The question is: are teachers right to criticise the scheme?

A difficult one, isn’t it?

Not for Andrea Bilbow, it isn’t. The chief executive of the National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service (ADDISS for short) has clearly made up her mind on the issue. She reacted rather glibly to the teachers’ growing concern by telling The Times: “I know many primary schools let children with ADHD go ahead at dinner time and it stops scenes, what’s the problem?” She even hinted that “criticism of the tactic showed that teachers were ignorant of the condition”.

Blimey.

Bilbow explains: “Children with ADHD are very impulsive and just can’t cope in a queue or when there is a delay in gratification”.

Fair enough, I suppose; I mean, when you put it like that. But then, shouldn’t kids with ADHD learn to deal with having to wait for things? When will they learn otherwise? You can’t be 36 and just barge in at the front of the queue in Homebase – someone will tip a load of compost down the back of your jumper or something.

Now, I wouldn’t even pretend to know the complex ins and outs of dealing with a condition like ADHD, but just the teensiest bit Googling will throw up all sorts of criticisms over the stance taken by Ms Bilbow. It’s a contentious, if not rather grisly topic.

The Disability Discrimination Act currently puts the onus on the attractions to accommodate all visitors. Theme parks around the EU are somewhat forced, therefore, to follow government orders.

Thorpe Park are being very diplomatic about the whole affair. A spokesperson for the Surrey-based theme park told The Times: “Any guest that can provide a letter from their doctor that describes their illness or disability and states that they cannot stand in a queue is provided with a priority wristband.”

That, I suppose, is the fairest way to broach the subject for the time being. But what about the future? Should kids with attention-deficit disorder be allowed to skip in front of everyone else just because they can’t be patient? I mean, how many six-year-olds do you know that have the patience of a saint? My mum and dad had to stop buying me advent calendars when I was about eight because I used to scoff all 24 chocolates by noon on December 3. Of course, the counter argument is just as telling: should ADHD kids be forced to wait around in line, regardless of how much torrid distress they’re put through?

It’s a tough call, certainly. We’d love to hear what you think though.

Three Random Reasons to Celebrate in September

September 7th, 2009

It’s depressing enough that school is back in session: traffic, earlier mornings, packed lunches and for the unlucky few, lots and lot’s of tears. To make matters worse, that beautiful summer weather is almost gone and the clouds and rain are back. When you think about it, September kind of sucks.

Sure enough, there are a few things to celebrate like birthdays, but when the sun was shining and the weather was sweet there was always a reason to move your dancing feet. Not one to be cowed by the rain or brought down by little things like traffic, I’ve come up with a list of three random reasons to celebrate with your family in September.

1. 09/09/09

Yes, it looks like a crazy code or some sort of newfangled maths but 09/09/09 is actually a pretty great reason to have a celebration of some sort. Have a party on the ninth day of the ninth month of the ninth year of this century and you’ll see what I mean. Firstly, it’s something like a visit from Hayley’s Commet or a Blue Moon, it’s not every day that you get a triple numbered date so have yourself a little party. It’s just a Wednesday but make it special with an amazing desert or cake and it will definitely be a special night for the whole family. And if you want to make it extra special why not start your celebrations off at 09:09.

2. International Talk Like a Pirate Day

Everyone loves pirates, fact. Pirates are the loveable scoundrels most recently personified by Johnny Depp as that awesome pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean movies. International Talk Like a Pirate Day may have started as a bit of a joke but now it raises thousands of pounds for charity annually. Even without that, it’s a nice way to be goofy with your family, so don ye eye patches me hearties because this year’s September 19 celebrations will be in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

3. The Weather

22 September is the official start of autumn. And after a summer full of hot days and warm uncomfortable nights I’d say that the autumn weather is a cause for celebration. Celebrate the change and feel happy that you get the chance to put on your favourite jumpers again. When the leaves start to change colour and your world is awash with oranges and reds and yellows there is nothing better than an appley celebration. What do I mean? I mean apple pie, candied apples and apple cider. Make the beginning of autumn awesome with a family duvet day complete with some appletastic goodness.

Weird and Wonderful Theme Parks Across the World

September 1st, 2009

Recently I came across a news story describing a Ferrari theme park due to open in Abu Dhabi in 2010. The park is set to become the world’s largest indoor theme park, with a red-roofed dome in the shape of a Ferrari GT. It will have more than 20 attractions, including the world’s fastest rollercoaster, a full-size racetrack and the region’s first Ferrari store.

Somewhat intrigued by the idea of a theme park based around the Ferrari, I went on a mission — to find a selection of other weird, wonderful and fascinating amusements parks. So brace yourself for robots, aliens, Lego and much more as I reveal my findings….

LEGOLAND:

Legoland Resort

Oh LEGOLAND! A family favourite and one I could not miss from this blog. Children over the years have had great fun building all sorts of wonderful Lego creations. So, what a great idea to turn a childhood favourite toy into a unique theme for an amusement park.

LEGOLAND has proven extremely popular worldwide with parks located in Germany, England, Denmark and the United States. Malaysia is also set to jump on the LEGOLAND bandwagon by 2012.

Suoi Tien Park:

Suoi Tien Resort

Diverting from Lego, I take you to Suoi Tien Park, a land of bright colours and Buddhas! Yes that’s right, this unusually themed park is based around the Buddhist religion.

Aptly named attractions such as Heaven Palace have somewhat distorted my previous conception of Heaven. I pictured chillaxing on clouds, however, here you splash around in a water park designed to look like the afterlife.

Think that sounds quirky? Well what about Hell Palace, similar but with frowning statues? Now I don’t know about you but I’m not sure if I could “let my hair down” and have fun if I am being glared at by sculptures. Will I face judgement if I visited Hell Palace over Heaven Palace? Where are the terms and conditions for this place?

On a happier note, the Tien Dong beach features an impressive sculpted waterfall, bearing the face of an emperor and you can even head over to Crocodile Kingdom, where you can feed some of the 1,500 live crocodiles. What this has to do with Buddha I don’t know.

Alien Apex Resort:

Alien Apex Resort

I never thought I would write about Lego, Buddha and aliens on the same day, but here I am. Fancy taking a trip to Roswell, New Mexico in 2010 for the opening of the Alien Apex Resort? I know what you’re thinking; how original! Yes I am afraid there are plans to place Roswell at the heart of alien activity once again after the famous incident in 1947.

Nevertheless the UFO-themed amusement park is said to include an indoor rollercoaster that’ll take passengers on a simulated alien abduction, which does sound sort of cool providing there’s no probing involved.

Robot Theme Park:

Robot Theme Park

Now, this I had to include. South Korea are intending to build two robot theme parks, with the first to be finished in 2013. Yes 2013 is a little while off but after all the theme is pretty “futuristic” (ha, at least I make myself laugh).

Robots are used in the nation’s key industries and the government are keen to promote the robotics industry. Apparently you will be able to see (what I can only picture as R2-D2 look alikes) compete in various events. Nothing screams “good day out” like watching robots in battle… right?

So there you have it, a selection of weird yet wonderful theme parks which exist or should exist soon. The question remains, what theme would you like to see as the basis for an amusement park?

You Know What I’d Do? I’d Ban it!

August 14th, 2009

As you are no doubt aware Alton Towers have taken the earth-shattering decision to ban skimpy swimming costumes for their male guests. They’re making them go naked – no, no, no, that was a joke; they’re making them cover up by insisting that all men wear swimming shorts while at the park and at the Splash Landings pool.

Now, if you ask me – and no, no one has – this piece of legislation is long, long-overdue. The Speedo look might just pass on the Continent, but in Blighty it’s a bit rich isn’t it? Plummeting temperatures, the threat of a downpour constantly hanging over us like a drizzly sword of Damocles? Give it a rest. Those alpha males who took to Alton Towers in little more than a pair of briefs no bigger than your average train ticket must surely have been northerners, because, as a rather delicate southerner, there is simply no way I’d brave the outside after a dip in the pool in anything less than a full-body wetsuit, a scarf and thick woolen mittens.

Anyway, that rather grisly episode is behind us all now: history has closed the page on that menacing chapter.

The only question that remains is: why stop there?

Below is a list of things I’d like to see banned from Alton Towers. Feel free to tack some on at the end. We’ll get a list together, then I’m writing to Mr Towers…

Everybody loves a good poncho

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Right, first up, I’d ban the selling, acquisition and the donning thereof of ponchos. I’m not talking about genuine ponchos, you understand; I’m not having a dig at the Hispanic overcoat of choice. No, I’m talking about the sorry excuses for ponchos that get handed around every time it gets a little bit damp. They are, effectively, shopping bags with eye-holes cut in. There is simply no way that one could protect you from one of Mrs Tittlemouse’s delicate sneezes, let alone a gale force storm. It’s preposterous:

Dad: The heavens have opened, let’s take shelter!
Mum: Don’t worry dear, I’ve got three-and-a-half yards of cling film here.

No, no, no. They’re out: right out.

What else?

Photos. Yep, I’d ban photos. Why is it that the second you step off a ride someone wants to sell you a mug with a picture of you screaming on it? I can understand the appeal when it’s a ride like Rita, Queen of Speed, but when you’ve just hopped off the Squirrel Nutty Ride I think photographic evidence is bit over-the-top. No one’s putting that on their mantlepiece.

That brings me, rather neatly, to the Squirrel Nutty Ride itself, yes I’d ban that too. Yes, I know it’s a ride for little children. It lets them “travel in their very own acorn”, but I maintain that this wasn’t made clear to me at the time… the boys from the stag do still won’t talk to me.

You know, I’ve got quite a taste for all this banning lark, it turns out… I’d ban queues, I’d ban bum bags, I’d ban loud noises, I’d ban really scary rides, I’d ban the lot.

Sorry about that. I seemed to got a bit carried away there. Anyway, if you have any suggestions about what you’d like to see banned from Britain’s theme parks add it on here, I’m drafting the letter as we speak…

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