Half term is looming, and any parent knows finding stuff to entertain the kids can be quite a tricky feat indeed. Luckily, we've brainstormed ten of the most wackiest, unusual and downright fun activities to do with the family, so you don't have to stress:
1. Learn How to Cook
Forget the stresses of cooking at home – Swinton Park Cookery School offers fun family cookery classes throughout half term and the summer holidays. It's a great day out, plus you get to learn some new skills in a stress-free environment.
2. Watch Ice Cream Being Made With Liquid Nitrogen
Treat your kids to trip to Chin Chin Labs in Camden, and watch how they turn your favourite sweets, fruits and chocolates into ice cream using the power of science and liquid nitrogen. The kids will be amazed.
3. Help a Local London Artist
On Tuesday 29th October, The British Library are hosting a Peter Pan inspired event, where kids can come down and help a local artist create a giant Peter Pan installation. Fancy dress could win you a prize, plus there's story telling and other activities.
4. Ping It
Yes summer may be over, but that doesn't mean you can't head down to your local ping pong table and smash a few games with the family. Ping! have tables all over the capital and the nation, and they're completely free!
5. Badger Watching
Regardless of whether to cull or not to cull, badger watching is an incredible family day out. Dorset Badger Watching is one of the best places in the country for spotting the little black & white trouble makers – but the season ends October 31st.
6. Family Foraging
Kids just love rummaging through sand, rock, stone and mud and that's exactly what Wild About Pembrokeshire offers. They host fantastic courses aimed to help you find an all manner of sorts from food to natural cosmetics.
7. Zip line Adventures
Not for the faint hearted kid – or adult for that matter – Zip World is the longest zip wire in Europe, hurling you at speeds of over 75mph across the stunning Penrhyn slate quarry. But don't worry, there's a smaller zip line for the less adventurous.
8. Go Barefoot Walking with a Shepherdess
Anything that gets your feet mucky, will go down well with the kids, and that's exactly what the Barefoot Shepherdess offers. Well, actually she offers expert walking tours and secret wild swimming spots across Cumbria. Barefoot, naturally.
9. Make Fire with The Canoeman
The CanoeMan offers brilliant day bushcraft courses, canoe rides and wildlife trails in the stunning Norfolk Broads, so your kids will be off the sofa, away from the TV and foraging like Bear Grylls himself in no time.
10. Seal Spotting in Norfolk
We've all seen them on a David Attenborough show, but now you can see the cute sea mammals in person with Blakeney Point Seal Trips. The kids will especially love the boat ride, which takes you straight to the seal colony.
