Hi I want to take the kids somewhere this saturday, girl 4 boy 20 months and stay over as we haven;t bee on holiday. I am looking for suggestions as to where to go, Flamingo Land, Blackpool pleasure beach kind of places but I suspect the rides might be too big for the kids. I looked at both haven and butlins for a fri-mon but the prices were horrific. Anywhere within around one and a half hours drive ideally. Does anyone have any suggestions. thanks

Cleethorpes isn't too far away and there are loads of b&b's there, I'm sure they wont be full at this time of year and will probably be the cheapest option unless you take a tent and find campsite.

Have sent you PM.

you can probably find good cheap accommodation at southport - which has undergone something of a regeneration of late

try laterooms.com for cheap hotel deals

Have you tried the American Adventure I believe they have made it for only under 12s now.

just checked for american adventure and was surprised to see it has closed down. Frenchie suggested a day pass into Butlins which sounds appealing. I checked the Butlins website before I posted and was shocked to see the cheapest deal available fri-mon was about £280 - we have to leave Sunday as I can't get monday off work so wasn't prepared to pay that for two nights. I had hoped as it wasn't school hols and last minute I could get a bargain. Thanks all

what about gullivers kingdom at matlock bath, thats geared very much toward the smaller visitors or there's always the cable cars and caves there as well, river walks, especially if the weathers nice!!

I went to the Mega Center today with my 5 month old and he loved it (me too ofcourse) :hehe: and it is free for under 1's and £2 for over and you can stay in all day. It has a little cafe and stuff so you can sit with the adults and have a coffee while the kids play

Gullivers Kingdom is a great idea and we do go to the Mega Centre a lot, I just wish it opened on Sundays. However my plans have been scuppered as my partners brother called last night and casually mentioned they woudl be arriving Thursday for 3 nights! Noticed in my daughter's nursery today, teddy bears picnic at Rother Valley on 5th July, don't have any more details than that.

We've got a thread with detailed info on local days out on the shortcuts sticky. You might it useful :)

For those of you who have been to the mega centre: what is the toddler bit like? I went a few years ago but with older kids so I didn't pay any attention to the toddler bit and I think it had had a refurb since then anyway. Thanks.

For those of you who have been to the mega centre: what is the toddler bit like? I went a few years ago but with older kids so I didn't pay any attention to the toddler bit and I think it had had a refurb since then anyway. Thanks.

Well i liked it :) but then again we took our kiddies on most things (not so we could try them honest :P) and i think me little 1 did too.lol. They have got a little ball pool for them and a bouncy castle which is great fun! they also got another little bit with a little slide and a bouncy thing plus little toys for them to sit on floor and play with.

we have got loads planed,we are off to chester zoo on lilys birthday was thinking of stoping in a travelodge to make it an adventure for her.We are going away next weekend cant remember where though:loopy:.we are also off to gulivers kingdom.and also cannon hall farm.ohh and sundown on tuesday,my girls are 5 and 3.one of these may suit you?

White post Farm (also Butterfly Park across road from it on the road to Newark. Great fun places for a day out. Stop at the retail park near Sutton in Ashfield on the way back for a little retail therapy.

you can get 10% off the entry price plus 2 free bags of animal food (whitepost farm)if you're an member of www.localkids.co.uk
check it out!