I have put together my top ten posts of 2019 and my top 10 travel posts, so thought I would round off the series with my top 10 days out posts from the year too.
Days out with the kids has been my blog niche since I started blogging 9 years ago and we still love travelling and exploring the country, particularly our local Dorset area.
1. Jawsome Sharks at Weymouth Sea Life Centre
We were lucky enough to be invited to be Sea Life Ambassadors for 2019 and enjoyed regular trips to Weymouth Sea Life Centre.
The great thing about Sea Life Centres is that they put on regular different events throughout the year to get the kids interested in conservation and looking after local wildlife and in the last year they have updated many of their exhibits and introduced a colony of cute Fairy Penguins.
2. Crabbing at Mudeford Quay
The kids love going crabbing, in fact Sebby has been asking to go this week.
Locally, we tend to go Crabbing at Mudeford Quay, although Poole Quay and Swanage are also good locations to visit. This post is one of my top read of all time and is one of the first on my blog!
3. A visit to Kidz Island, Portsmouth
We always seem to head west for days out with the kids, so this year we made a concerted effort to explore the coast in the opposite direction.
Southsea is a brilliant place to visit with kids and this year South Parade Pier launched their new Kidz Island attraction with lots of fun activities to do on the end of the pier.
4. Horrible Histories® Pirates at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a fantastic place to visit with the kids and last year they launched their Horrible Histories® Pirates’ exhibition, based on the best-selling series by Terry Dear and illustrator Martin Brown which gives youngsters an action-packed insight into the mysterious and murky world of pirates across the ages.
5. Santa Flights on the British Airways i360
Finding a good Christmas themed day out can be a challenge and this year we boarded the British Airways i360 for a Santa Flight.
The pod glides up 450ft into the air, offering 360-degree views across Brighton & Hove, the South Downs National Park, the UNESCO Biosphere and, on the clearest days, all the way along the coast to the Isle of Wight and is a must see if you are in the area!
6. Thorpe Park VIP Experience
With older children in the family, finding days out can be a challenge and I wanted to do something a little bit different for Abbey’s 21st birthday back in 2014.
We booked a Thorpe Park VIP Package which saw us jump the queues, enjoy a champagne reception and allowed us to take part in a coaster climb, which offered fab views over the park and all the way to London.
7. Cirque Berserk – Brighton
Set on the lawns next to the King Alfred Leisure Centre in Hove and a stone’s throw from the shingle beach, Cirque Berserk combines centuries old skills and traditions, alongside a contemporary approach and modern staging.
We all thoroughly enjoyed the death defying stunts and acrobatics, but it was mostly definitely Paulo Dos Santos as the clown who stole the show.
8. The World of Dinosaur Roar at Winchester Science Centre
Another of my Christmas entries, The World of Dinosaur Roar is still on at Winchester Science Centre.
As well as the normal exhibits, there are dinosaur-themed activities throughout the centre including a live science show, mini fossil festival, dinosaur dig, meet the rangers, baby triceratops and raptor, hands-on activities, selfie-head and storytelling and best of all, it is all included in the entry price to the science centre.
9. BRICKOSAURS at Marwell Zoo
Marwell is also known for running exciting events and this Easter they unveiled the BRICKOSAURS! – a collection of life-like LEGO® brick dinosaurs on display throughout the grounds.
We actually went to see them twice as they had an initial launch at Easter with more being revealed in the summer.
10. Dorset Adventure Park
Regular readers of my blog will know that my kids are thrill seekers and for his birthday this year, Isaac asked to go to Dorset Adventure Park.
The kids had a great time, although April in a waterpark was a little on the chilly side.
I have a feeling we might be back there again this year too.
Has this post given you any inspiration for days out in 2020?
Days out with the kids from the Dorset area – I would totally recommend going fossil hunting at Charmouth. My kids had been learning about Mary Anning as part of a dinosaur topic at school so were thrilled to go to the beach where she discovered her Icthyosaur as well as many other fossils. My son even wanted to put a toy dinosaur on her grave in the cemetery there. You can go on guided fossil hunting walks on the beach or just get stuck in. Not long after a storm is a good time, as new stuff will have been uncovered and not picked over by all the other hunters yet.
We love Charmouth and have just been to Kimmeridge. A guided tour is on our list for this year
Crabbing! Definitely crabbing as I was introduced to it for the first time ever in 2019!
So many wonderful days out and memories made visiting these places. We have Marwell on our list for visiting this year – plus we always love to visit a SEALIFE Centre, although we haven’t made it to the Weymouth on yet.
Let me know if you come down this way, we would love to catch up
What an awesome display of your top 10 days out posts. I love being able to look back at moments in the prior year. It’s one of the best joys of being a blogger for so long.
You did have a fun filled 2019 with your family! I have not experienced crabbing yet, but I sure would love to! I will have to find out if there is any place near me where we can engage in that activity.
We love days out too! Many places to visit this year.
I love that you are making all theses amazing memories on your days out. Thanks for sharing this with us. I can’t wait for my days out.
2019 was a good year for you filled with lots of memories. I love looking back at the year to see all the wonderful things we do.
Omg so many fun adventures with your littles!!! Hope 2020 brings just as many crazy fun adventures