Tag: kids

We’re going to the Zoo – do you wanna come too?

If you are looking for something to do then I heartily recommend a day at Newquay Zoo. Just a short 25 minute drive with lots of parking on arrival (pay &display) it is easy to get to. Booking online is required at the moment and tickets and timeslots can be booked at www.newquayzoo.org.uk

Don’t let the rain put you off – we had the pleasure of visiting the zoo in the rain just yesterday and with plenty of shelter spots and so much to see we barely noticed the rain. I thought the rain might mean the animals would be hiding in their enclosures but if anything they were more lively than ever. So don’t be put off!

Japanese Garden

You might think that zoos are only for families for children but think again. The gardens and grounds at Newquay Zoo are beautifully kept and absolutely stunning to walk through. I was particularly mesmerised by the Japanese Garden next to the Otters. Such lovely planting and so immaculate. Very inspiring.

We spent a long morning at the Zoo from around 10am to 2pm, but we could have spent longer! The penguins were very entertaining. One little penguin reluctant to get into the water, he kept waddling around the edge trying to get in or find the best spot to get in, and eventually dived in triumphantly from the side! I could have watched them all day. Lots of different penguin personalities. They are surprisingly fast in the water too!

  • Swimming!
  • This lego model was amazingly big!

If you get a chance then do give the cafe a try (saves on packing a picnic too!). We only stopped for a coffee and a doughnut but the menu looked good and reasonably priced too. I was very pleased to see they recommended the Cream Tea served #jamfirst! The doughnut I had looked like a zebra and was thoroughly coated in coated – delicious. It’s also good to know that the Zoo promotes recycling and our cups (& lids) were not made from single use plastic! Hurrah! Guilt free consuming all around.

  • Zebra Doughnut!
  • Cafe
  • Menu

Dotted around the Zoo gardens are lots of play areas for children, plenty to keep them busy including a main play park, an assault course and a long slide.

Assault Course

The Zoo has a huge variety of animals, from lions & zebras, to reptiles, a farm area, penguins, parrots & exotic birds, peacocks, tortoises, armidillos and monkeys.

I don’t want to give away too much because really you need to explore it all yourself.

Have a lovely day out at the Zoo and let me know what your favourite animal was! (mine was the red panda!)

Maybe you’ll meet one of the friendly peacocks?

Don’t forget to book online before you go!

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Things to do in Cornwall by a 7 year old

By Beatrice aged 7

My name is Beatrice and I love going to Cornwall. I want to encourage other children to go to these fun places where adults can have fun too.

These are my favourite things. All of the places are near Rock Cottage and Padstow.

Pasties and Ice-Creams

I always enjoy a cocktail sized pasty (perfect for kids) to eat by Padstow harbour while I watch the boats. After my pasty, I love a Roskilly ice-cream from the little shop on the corner of the harbour. They have lots of flavours so I find it hard to choose but I like strawberry the best.

Going to the Playpark

The playpark is round the corner from Rock Cottage and only takes about 5 minutes (or less) to walk there. The playpark has a climbing frame with a big slide, a roundabout and a big basket swing. It also has a playhouse, some rockers and some normal swings. It is one of my favourite places to go because I can also run around in the field next to the playpark.

Bodyboarding

I am really good at bodyboarding. There are lots of beaches to go bodyboarding in Cornwall but my favourite is Holywell Beach, it sometimes has big waves and sometimes it has small waves. It feels like flying on to the beach. I make sure I stay between the red and yellow flags so the lifeguards can see me.

Tin Mines

I have been to a few tin mine museums. I once went to a National Trust tin mine where I got to sew a pasty made out of felt. I like watching the machines and learning about history. There is a lot for kids to do.

Making a stream on the sand at the beach

When I am at the beach, I like to make a stream. At both Polzeath beach and Holywell there is a fresh water stream running over the sand to the sea. I dig out the sand towards the stream and make a big hole with walls out of sand. I like to work with the other kids on the beach to divert the water into pools with dams. I also like to sit on my bodyboard in the pools and float around.

More ice-cream!

On the beach you can buy Mr Whippy ice-creams from the ice-cream vans which park actually on the beach on the sand! Not far to walk for ice-cream!

Crabbing

When we are at Padstow Harbour I like catching crabs and seeing the little pincers. Crabbing is where you get a net with a string and you put it into the water with some bait. When you feel a tug, you pull it back up and put it in a bucket of water. At the end you release the crabs back into the water. They “scuttle scuttle” back into the sea.

Chocolate Factory (Kernow Chocolate Factory)

What can I say about the chocolate factory? It’s fun to watch the chocolate being made and you can test the chocolate. Sometimes we have hot chocolates made in the cafĂ©.

Roly Poly Fudge

In Padstow town there is a shop called Roly Poly Fudge where you can see the fudge being made through the window. You can smell the melted fudge!!! It is very yummy.