7 things to do with the kids

New Ark adventure playground

Let the kids explore their adventurous side at New Ark adventure playground. It’s hidden away off Eastfield Road (Sainsbury’s end) in Peterborough, and has an adventure playground, eco garden and a little farmyard, all within a wooded area. There’s a toddler session on Wednesdays from 1-3pm, and daily after school sessions for registered children. Otherwise New Ark is open daily over school holidays for anyone. Check www.newarkplay. co.uk for more information on times and prices.

7 things to do with the kids

Once the kids are back at school, it feels like summer is over. But this month often brings beautiful, warm days, so don’t don the winter coats just yet. There’s still plenty of time to get out and about and enjoy the last days of summer.

Deepings Lakes

Right on our doorstep is the beautiful Deepings Lakes nature reserve. It’s such a big space you often feel you have the whole place to yourself. Take a container or plastic bag and enjoy picking some of the wild brambles that seem to be growing all over the place at this time of the year.

Hamerton Zoo

Take your own little monkeys to meet the REAL monkeys at Hamerton Zoo Park in Sawtry. As well as monkeys, see cheetahs, tigers, wallabies, wolves, camels, sloths, anteaters, zebras and a lot more. There’s also a bird aviary, reptile house and farm animals. Bring your own picnic to eat in the ground (there’s a covered picnic area too), or eat in the café. See www.hamertonzoopark. com/ for opening times and prices.

Sacrewell

Sacrewell is always a firm favourite with families, no matter what time of the year. The Mill House reopened in July after a £1.8 million restoration and conservation project part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and it is great to see this now that it is finished. There’s always plenty going on at Sacrewell, with special events often in the weekends. See www.sacrewell.org.uk for more.

Belton House

If you haven’t been up to Belton House yet to see the new playground, now is a perfect time to head over. The £1.4 million renovated playground opened in April and has been extremely popular with local families over the summer. And away from the playground, there are the grounds to explore as well as the indoor Ride Café. See more at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/beltonhouse.

Woolsthorpe Manor

Another National Trust property, Woolsthorpe is just up the A1 near Colsterworth. There is a fantastic Science Centre in a converted barn with lots of hands-on experiments for the kids to play with. Look out for Apple Day on 11 October with craft stalls, children’s apple crafts and activities with an orchard flavour. More information at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/woolsthorpe-manor.

Fineshade Woods

In recent years the Forestry Commission has really been thinking about families. After the successful Gruffalo trails and activities last year, this year many Forestry Commission woods (including Fineshade) have been turned over to Superworm - Superworm is superlong. Superworm is super-strong. Watch him wiggle! See him squirm! The Superworm trail at Fineshade Woods runs until 31 October.

For more suggestions of things to do and places to visit with children, visit littlemissadventures.net – a blog by Michelle Board, a Deeping St James local and mum of one.

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