What’s in My Bag: Summer Essentials for Family Days Out

Let’s be honest – us mums are basically the unsung heroes of any family day out. While the kids are buzzing with excitement and the other half is “just grabbing the chairs”, we’re the ones making sure everything is packed for a fun, stress-free and safe day in the sun. Because when the sun finally shines here in the UK, we all want to make the most of it – and there’s no time for forgetting the essentials!

So, if you’re planning a beach trip, picnic in the park or a day at your local splash pad, here’s my trusty checklist of summer must-haves that I always pack in my bag…

Essentials for Every Parent's Backpack: A Family Day Out Checklist

**Collaborative Post**

Embarking on a family day out is always an exciting adventure, but ensuring you have everything you need can be a challenge. When you become a parent you quickly realise that those handbags you used to cherish are no longer up to the job and the changing bag quickly becomes your best friend. But as your children get older and you suddenly find yourself needing your hands free to chase energetic toddlers around, a parent backpack quickly becomes your best friend. Not only is a backpack more practical and spacious but it is easy to carry and leaves you hands free to enjoy your day and chase little ones around.

A well-packed backpack can make all the difference, turning a potentially chaotic day into a smooth and enjoyable one. In this blog post, we'll explore the must-haves that every parent should consider packing for a family day out.

Weymouth SEALIFE Adventure Park and Aquarium

After missing out on so much last summer I was determined to try and get out as much as we could (safely of course) this summer. The kids were so excited about the possibility of play dates, days out and even a camping holiday and we all wanted to make the most of our summer holiday. We decided to book a week away camping in Weymouth over the summer and as soon as we booked our camping trip and we knew it would be in Weymouth I knew I had to plan a trip to the SEALIFE centre! 

I have heard so many fantastic things about this SEALIFE centre in particular and the kids (and myself) are fascinated by the ocean and everything in it, so I knew it would be a trip we could all enjoy. 

A Splashing Day Out at Cotswold Country Park and Beach

How lovely has it been to have the sun shining, especially since last week saw a bank holiday/half term AND the sun shining, a combination practically unheard of here in the UK, right? So with that in mind we knew we wanted to make the most of having some family time in the sun and decided to head over to Cotswold Country Park and Beach, a short drive from where we live, situated in Cirencester. 

Cotswold Country Park and Beach is situated within the wider Cotswold water park and features a family friendly inland beach area complete with its very own swimming lagoon area (part of the South Lake). The water is manned by lifeguards during peak times and section of the lake is partitioned off specifically for swimmers and visitors to the beach to use so kids can't go too far out onto the lake. 

The beach area scoops around the lake in a semi circle shape offering plenty of space for visitors to sit and enjoy the sand and the water without feeling too overcrowded. Or if you would prefer to sit on the grass there is a raised grass verge behind the sand (with steps leading down to the beach) around the lake area too, meaning there is ample space and seating for everyone to enjoy their visit without feeling overcrowded. 

The Parking Lot Social - Cinderella Pantomime

 Christmas looked very different for so many of us this right, myself included. Cancelled plans, missing family and traditions that simply couldn't happen. As we all so desperately tried to find comfort in the smallest things and keep the magic alive for our children, for many it was a Christmas that just didn't feel quite "right". 

Whilst we were very lucky to be able to be together a family this Christmas, we were still so disappointed at all the plans we had to cancel, the kids missing the last few days of school due to isolating, no trips to see Santa and Christmas traditions that we just couldn't do. In the run up to Christmas it felt so hard trying to get into the "Christmas Spirit" with one of the kids isolating and not really being able to leave the house. 

Christmas Lights and a Drive Around the Silverstone Circuit!

There isn't much that has been "normal" about the run up to this Christmas has there? Plans have had to be cancelled, family gatherings banned and many of us facing the prospect of spending Christmas isolating or without family. I hold my hands up and admit I have been finding the whole situation very hard, I know Christmas is "only" one day and all that, but the rest of the year we have just muddled on through. However having so many plans cancelled, traditions abandoned and knowing that our Christmas celebrations with family just won't be the same this year makes it so hard to just brush aside.

Looking at the Christmas lights is one thing me and the kids love doing as Christmas approaching. I love seeing all of the beautiful bright lights lighting up the dark skies and entire streets and it never fails to make me feel all warm and Christmassy inside. But of course with many people facing a much different Christmas this year, lots of people have scaled back lights this year or not bothered at all. 

So when I spotted that Silverstone were creating their very own "Lapland" light show this year, I excitedly signed up for the pre-registration to try and get my hands on some tickets! 

Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo **REVIEW**

Last week we headed off for a short break at Bluestone Wales and I really wanted to explore a little and find a day our for the kids whilst we were there, that's when I came across Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo!

Searching their website and discovering they had been given the Best Day Out in Wales award I knew this place was going to be good but I definitely wasn't prepared for just how good!

Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo has over 750 animals for you to visit and you can also get up close to furry and feathery farmyard friends in the farmyard barn. If you want more than animals though, no worries as Folly Farm has over 16 different rides in their vintage themed fairground, as well as 8 outdoor adventure and play area's. With this in mind Folly Farm really does have something to keep every member of the family happy.

A Magical Christmas Experience at LaplandUK.

When the email landed in my inbox to tell me we had been invited along to review a day out at Lapland UK I could barely contain my excitement! I rang my husband and definitely struggled keeping it a secret from the kids.

If you haven't heard of LaplandUK its an immersive family theatrical experience that replicates Father Christmas' arctic homeland of Lapland. Your visit will take you on a magical journey through a magical winter wonderland accompanied by elves as you help them out with jobs such as toy making and gingerbread decorating. Of course your trip wouldn't be complete without meeting Father Christmas who provides a personal meeting with your child complete with a beautiful present to take home. 

As part of the experience each child will receive a personalised invitation inviting them to LaplandUK which will be sent discretely along with your confirmation. You can choose when to give these to your child since their is no date on them, we chose the evening before so they would be all excited to go the next day!

Exploring the Caves at Wookey Hole! *REVIEW**

Last weekend we took James and Evelyn for a day out to Wookey Hole Caves. Located in Somerset in the South of England are Wookey Hole Caves a fantastic family day. 

Here you can visit the Wookey Hole caves and find out all about the history of these magical caves and caverns but that isn't where the fun ends. There is so much more to do at Wookey Hole including exploring the fairy and dinosaur gardens, mini pirate golf, paper making, penny arcades, mirror mazes, fantastic circus show, diving and paper mill museum and much more! 

We started our day out at the caves, the ques were relatively long but went down quickly meaning waiting time was minimal and a lot of the queuing area is undercover which was great for us as it was raining when we arrived.