Christmas With The Kids: UK

Our favourite family friendly events for the festive season throughout the UK…

Lillie: ‘When is it Christmas?’
Mummy: ‘A couple of weeks yet Lil.’

Lillie: ‘Next week you mean?’
Mummy: ‘Yes, ok. Next week-ish’

Christmas Adventure @ Stockeld Park, Yorkshire
until January 3 2009
We’re slightly gutted that we live approximately two and a half hours from Stockeld Park. Quite simply because it looks to us like the most exciting winter wonderland going this year. They’ve got Santa! They’ve got Nordic Skiing! They’ve got ice skating (Lil: ‘what are those people doing mummy?’)! They’ve got a shop full of lovely gifts for everyone. Not only that but there’s a snowflake maze, a stunning enchanted forest and Christmas trees to buy too. We might just make the journey anyway…

Cine Kids @ Quad, Derby
until December 31 2009
As you may or may not know the cinema was a surprise hit with Lil. Admittedly not such a massive hit as the extra large popcorn she porked her way through during the screening but a hit nonetheless. So we heartily recommend Derby’s Cine Kids where special screenings aimed at the small’uns take place on several days during the festive season. Among those movies being shown are A Christmas Carol, Up and Fantastic Mr Fox while until December 12 there will also be morning screenings of In The Night Garden for the under 5 crew.

Meet Mr Toad @ The River & Rowing Museum, Henley
December 12 & 21 2009
If you’ve had it up to here with Father Christmas already, how about a festive visit with a difference? Mr Toad and his Wind in the Willows pals are rocking up to Henley’s River and Rowing Museum for two days of pre-Christmas story telling, crafting and gift receiving for all ages.

On the 12th Ratty and Mole will be in attendance and children over 5 can be left unattended (giving you some much needed peace).

Piccadilly Snow Gardens @ Manchester
until January 3 2010
With something for all ages, Piccadilly Snow Gardens will keep everyone amused - even grumpy teens - for an afternoon. Last year’s popular snowslide is back while a gigantic snow globe (you can get inside it!), the Ice Palace which is home to, of course, Santa and a bungydome where Mummy will absolutely not be spending any time bouncing off the 200 mince pies she has already consumed this year. Oh look, there’s a cafe too, how handy!

West Somerset Railway’s Carol Trains @ Minehead
December 14 - 16 2009
Back in the days before Granwa Granwa lived at the castle, they lived near one of the stations for the West Somerset Railway. Mummy votes this to be Much Better Than The Loughborough One (sorry Loughborough). We very much suspect that Luke (2), who is obsessed with Thomas and friends would muchly appreciate the festive choo-choos pulling out of Minehead and Bishops Lydeard later this month. There’s carols (no doubt including ‘Little Lorchessus Lay Down His Swedehead’) accompanied by a band plus the opportunity to enjoy train travel the old fashioned way. There’s a Santa special too…

Wild Winter Wonderland @ Blackpool Zoo
December 19 & 20 2009
For two days only Father Christmas makes a flying visit to Blackpool Zoo. For £10.50 each kid gets a meet and greet with the big man himself (’bampa cause’ as he’s known by Ted), a brunch, the opportunity to help feed Donner, Blitzen, Dasher, Rudolph and…um, the other reindeers, plus a craft session too. The price includes admission to the zoo and winter, so we’re reliably informed by the guy who does the till at Woburn’s cafe, is the best time to see the animals because they’re all up and about and keeping toasty.

Storytelling at Santa’s Igloo Village @ Edinburgh
December 12 & 13, 19 - 23 2009
Edinburgh really get in to the festive spirit (Leicester, take note!) every year with tons of fabby stuff for adults, tots and everyone in between. It’s difficult to choose our most recommended event but Santa spinning yarns at the amazing Igloo Village - it’s like a mini, coloured in Eden Project, imagine! - surrounded by pretendy penguins and glowing snow sounds like a magical experience we wish our mummies and daddies had taken us to. Why not Mummy? WHY NOT?

Meet Father & Mrs Christmas @ Wallington, nr Morpeth
December 12 - 13 2009
It’s not just Mr Christmas but his long suffering missus (We ain’t fooled by that ‘the kiddies left brandy out for me, I couldn’t say no’ schtick either Mrs C) who drop in on beautiful National Trust property Wallington this December. Mrs Claus tells stories while Mr gives a hand making Chrimble crafts and chatting to the kids. Until December 23 Wallington will be open seven days a week for bracing turns around the gardens and last minute gifts from the shop.

Moscow State Circus @ Birmingham Star City
December 10 2009 - January 10 2010
Now, I appreciate that Little Granwa (aka Mummy’s Mummy) doesn’t come off too well here, what with her never inventing igloo village for me. But she never took me to the circus either, what with it being mean to Dumbo and all that. Likewise Daddy (Lil & Ted’s Daddy that is) doesn’t really hold with the carefree beating of animals for entertainment. There’s no lions, elephants or bears oh my at the Moscow State Circus though. Instead this is wholesome, cruelty free fun for kids who definitely aren’t scared of clowns.

Celebrating Christmas @ Warwick Castle
December 12 2009 - January 3 2010
Mummy likes castles. But there’s something that has put her off visiting Warwick - probably the fact it all seems a bit not-castley. By which I mean, it’s like a castle at Disney Land. ANYWAY. Christmas should be all Disney-ish and therefore I willingly recommend Warwick Castle to you this December. There’s a mega tree (like, 55ft mega), Christmas shows, a Scrooge-themed dungeon for your bah-humbug types (I’m looking at you Grandfathers) and the opportunity to eat your brekkie with Santa too - for an extra fee which includes bacon.