Days Out

Ah, the dreaded days-out. After a long ride in the car or on a train, and having blown a wad of cash, it’s easy to feel jaded following a trip to one of those over-rated theme parks or other “family-friendly” destinations. Not to mention the fact that the kids have been left irritable after the experience. But don’t despair, it doesn’t have to be like that.

There are lots of things that, as an adult, seem distinctly ho-hum. Like riding the London Underground. Or picking strawberries. Or taking long walks in search of pretty stones or glimpses of robins or red squirrels. But to a child these can be wholly absorbing and interesting activities: they’re novel, shiny and new. A day out to see and learn about A Whole New World doesn’t have to be Disneyland—it can be as simple as a hop between city and country, or a small but special adventure.

The Village Green Preservation Society

You and your family could be city folk. Here’s a checklist:

•    Is your nearest bit of green is the small, tidy patch of grass and pansies in the middle of a roundabout?
•    Is your local park maintained diligently by your council, and mowed every Tuesday by men in overalls and safety vests?
•    Are the flowers in your area colour-coordinated?
•    Do your children believe that apples, strawberries, and milk are made by Mr and Mrs Tesco in the back of the hypermarket?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, your children may relish a day in the countryside. You’re probably a short train or car ride from a farm or village where you and your family can pick berries or apples (depending on the season), or see farm animals – get a sense of where food really comes from.

Urbanity without calamity

Conversely, you and your family might live in a farm or village. In the UK you probably won’t be far away from a city and the sights it has to offer. Of course, taking your family to a big city requires your kids to be briefed on urban etiquette— don’t wander off or talk to strangers. But a glimpse of a big city, a ride on a bus or underground train, and a visit to a museum or two, could be an eye-widening experience for your youngster, just as much as a journey into a different world as a ride in some upsy-daisy roller coaster thing.

Garden-variety adventures

You don’t even need to stray far from home to enjoy a day out, or a few hours out. You can turn a walk with your child into an adventure by simply giving the walk a mission or purpose. Just start by saying “Let’s find…” and have a lovely day looking for interesting stones, or taking snaps of cool buildings.