Tag Archives: Child-Friendly

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Kid-Friendly London Itineraries

Child having fun

No matter what age your children may be, London is a great city to take them to. Whether you plan to be spending your time in the sophisticated West End, or the edgy and upcoming East End, here are a few kid-friendly itineraries to consider.

West and North London
If you are staying around the West or North end of London, then start your day off at the ZSL London Zoo. The oldest scientific zoo in the world, having opened its doors in 1828, children of all ages love seeing all the animals that are housed here, from the giraffes to the penguins. Since the zoo is right on the doorstep of Regent’s Park, head to the park for a picnic lunch and a bit of exploration. Once you have eaten and relaxed, walk to the south end of the park, where you will find Madame Tussauds. This is a great activity for children, as they will delight in seeing wax statues of all of their favorite celebrities.

East London
To begin your kid-friendly day out in East London, head to the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green, which will delight both children and adults with their nostalgic toy collections, as well as the many toys available for children to play with. After the museum, take a stroll around the Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, which is a leafy oasis that has been created on the old Eastern Curve railway line. This is a great opportunity to show your children exactly how their food is grown, which is something that kids in London often do not get to experience. This is also a great spot to grab some lunch, while your children play in the large sandpit outside the café. If the weather is pleasant, head back to Bethnal Green, to the Victoria Park Kid’s Fountain Playground, where the gushing fountains in the Splash Playground will keep your children entertained for quite a while. Finally, if your children love animals, the Lee Valley Riding Centre offers one hour pony trekking sessions for families, and this will take you through the area’s stunning nature reserves and patches of woodland.

Central London
There is no shortage of child-friendly activities to take part in in Central London, with one of the most popular being the London Eye. Make your way there as early as possible in order to avoid the crowds, before taking a stroll along the banks of the river. The Natural History Museum should be your next stop, as there are so many interactive activities here that will enable your kids to really learn about natural history in a hands-on way. Nearby is the V&A Museum of Childhood, which again has plenty of child-friendly daily activities, from treasure hunts to storytelling sessions. If your children enjoy museums, Ripleys Believe it or Not is not too far away, and will no doubt delight them, while those who would prefer to spend some time outdoors can spend the rest of the day exploring the famous London landmarks in the area, from Big Ben to Westminster Abbey.

London is such a kid-friendly city, and you will never be short of activities to do with your children. From the museums of Central London to the nature and wildlife of East London, these are just a few of the child-friendly activities that you will find in the city.

Travel |

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Planning Your Summer Vacation

Couple in a yacht

With the holiday season over and many cold months ahead, there is no better time to start planning your summer vacation. From taking the time to choose a unique destination to planning creative and unforgettable activities, we have put together some of our top tips for when it comes to planning your summer vacation.

Choosing a Destination
One of the best advantages to planning your summer vacation well in advance is the fact that you can take the time to choose a unique destination. If you are quite flexible about where you go, then it could be worth scouring the different options available to you at this early date. Whether it be a VIP holiday package or a luxury tour around a certain country, planning your vacation in advance means that you will have first pick of all aspects to your vacation. You may also find that destinations that are always busy in the winter empty out a lot more in the summer, from the southwestern states of the USA to the colder regions of Australia, so it could be worth taking this into account.

Considering Accommodation Options
We all know that companies such as AirBnB are giving conventional hotel chains a run for their money, and if you have never used these websites before, your summer vacation is the perfect time to start. If you are planning to visit a major city, such as London or New York, you will likely find somewhere not only cheaper than a hotel but with a fantastic location and all the amenities that you need. However, there are still some instances where a hotel would be more convenient, so be sure to carefully evaluate your situation as well as the people who you plan to travel with. If you are going to be traveling with young children, hotels will usually offer activities and facilities that are catered to them, leaving the adults with much more free time on their hands. Booking well in advance also means that you will have a much wider selection of hotels, as well as rooms, to choose from, so you are extremely likely to be able to find one that works perfectly for you.

Researching Activities in Advance
No matter where you may have decided to visit for your summer vacation, it is always wise to do some advanced planning on the different activities available in the area. This gives you enough time to plan your activities creatively. For example, instead of visiting the local zoo, you would have a much better time seeking out a local wildlife sanctuary. If you are visiting a new city, you will be able to find a number of walking tours on the internet that you can print out, as well as information on when certain museums are hosting special events and VIP nights.

It may seem early to begin planning your summer vacation, but experts say that now is the perfect time. Not only have you given yourself enough time to carefully plan your holiday, but the thought of your exciting summer will provide you with plenty of motivation to get through the upcoming months.

Lifestyle |

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Celebrating Special Events with Kids

Children celebrating Christmas

Special occasions are always worth celebrating, but this can often be more difficult to plan, and do, when you have children with you. To help you to all have as much fun as possible, OROGOLD has put together some top tips on celebrating special events with kids.

Choose a Child-Friendly Event/Venue
If the special occasion that you are celebrating is a holiday, such as Christmas or new year’s eve, it is important to choose a venue that is geared towards children. No matter where you go, there is likely to be a wide variety of child-friendly events. This will usually include plenty of activities aimed at children, keeping them entertained throughout the event and ensuring that parents are able to relax and have a good time as well. Another advantage to a child-friendly event is that there will be many other kids present, meaning that your children will be able to meet new people and make new friends.

Make Sure the Venue Appeals to Adults Too
While keeping your kids entertained may be your top priority, OROGOLD suggests ensuring that the child-friendly event or venue that you have chosen appeals to you personally as well. A special event should be fun for the whole family, and your kids will enjoy themselves much more if they know that their parents are having a good time as well.

Let the Kids Have a Say
Children enjoy being involved, and this applies to planning a celebration as well. Whether you are choosing where to go, what to do, or when to go, allow your children to express their thoughts and ideas, involving them in all of the planning. This means that not only will they know exactly what to expect, but they are likely to enjoy the event much more as they played a part in its planning.

Family playing volleyball.

Interactive Activities
Most special events aimed at children will offer interactive activities that parents and kids can take part in together. While these may not seem too exciting to you, your kids will appreciate the effort that you put in to having some fun with them, and this is also likely to make the event much more memorable for them too.

Photographic Souvenirs
No matter what sort of special event you attend with your children, OROGOLD reminds you to bring a camera, so that you can treasure the day for years to come. If your kids are creatively-inclined, you may want to purchase a disposable camera to give them for the day, so that they too can record the event in their own way.

When celebrating a special event, OROGOLD believes that it is important to involve your children as much as possible. From allowing them to suggest ideas for the planning of a celebration, to choosing a venue that caters to the needs of kids, these tips will ensure that the whole family has a fantastic time at the next special event you attend.