The forthcoming run of spring and summer bank holiday weekends brings the insatiable need to get out and spend some quality time as a family. Whether it’s a meal with the kids, a trip to the park or a chance to immerse yourself in Liverpool’s culture, Merseyside is not short of ways to spend a great family weekend. With so much on offer it can be a task in itself to decide what to do. That’s why we’ve scoured the city and its surrounding areas to bring you a guide to the best family activities.
The great outdoors
Treat your little monkeys to a day up in the trees at Jungle Parc in Croxteth Park.
This fun-fuelled family attraction is the perfect choice for thrill-seekers with more than 40 different activities including zip-wires, cargo nets, Tarzan swings, flying trapezes, suspending logs and wobbly bridges.
Not just for kids, mums and dads can get into the swing of things too with activities on offer for anybody aged four and over.
As it’s located within Croxteth Park, visitors can make a full day of it and also take advantage of the park’s café, free parking and admire the historic Croxteth Hall and Victorian walled garden.
Jungle Parc’s prices range from £10-£18 and height and weight restrictions apply.
Cultural and creative
It’s no secret that Liverpool is bursting with culture and when it comes to exploring the city’s museums and galleries with the family, Tate’s offering is up there with the best.
Let the children take the lead as you explore the gallery’s various exhibitions and remember it’s okay to talk at the Tate so the day doesn’t have to be spent shushing the youngsters.
Designed with families in mind, the Clore Learning Centre is a space for playing and creating and until 2 May children are invited to interact with Matisse’s iconic artwork, ‘The Snail’.
Turner Prize winners Assemble have also teamed up with the gallery for a series of creative workshops as part of the its current Art Gym programme.
Highlights during the initiative include an Easter Chocolate Hunt on 27-28 March, allowing families to spend the day following a treasure map leading to treats hidden around the gallery.
Meanwhile the café at Tate Liverpool is currently running a ‘kids eat for free’ offer.
Food and fun
If you’re willing to take a short trip outside of the city then Hickory’s Smokehouse in West Kirkby is the ideal place to head to for a family meal out.
At Hickory’s the kids are the most important guests and their Very Important Kids (V.I.K) menu proves it. Complete with a selection of treats from across the pond including mac ‘n’ cheese, pancakes and Lucky Charms.
Picky eaters have the option to build their own wrap from a selection of fillings and sauces and then the aspiring chefs can create their own dessert.
The food isn’t the only thing on the V.I.K menu and once they’ve finished their meals the kids can enjoy a film in the 3D cinema room or, if the sun is shining, they can explore the secret garden and Hicksville play school.
A break for bookworms
Within a stone’s throw from the playground at Calderstones Park, the family can enjoy breakfast, sandwiches, snacks, salads, soups and desserts at The Reader Cafe.
With both indoor and outdoor seating, this café is the perfect pit stop be it rain or shine and even offers a selection of books that can be enjoyed while you re-fuel.
If the family is after an extra treat, The Reader Ice Cream parlour is just around the corner and offers the best selection of flavours supplied by Cheshire Farm Ice Cream.
The Reader Organisation has also arranged lots of fun, family friendly activities planned for visitors dropping by during the Easter holidays.
Until 17 April children aged three to six can enjoy ‘The Wonderful World of Oliver Jeffers’ at Calderstones Mansion.
The immersive exhibition explores the best-loved work of the writer and illustrator including ‘How to Catch A Star’, ‘Up and Down’, ‘Lost and Found’ and ‘The Way Back Home’. Tickets also include entry to The Reader Organisation’s Storybarn.
Rainy day play
Children’s soft play areas are a great way to keep the little ones entertained for a few hours, especially if the weather takes a turn for the worst.
Nowhere does play areas quite like Bubbles World of Play in New Brighton though and, as the UK’s largest indoor play area, it offers a concept that is fun, educational and promotes fitness across 30 different zones.
Areas within the attraction range from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Dinoland.
Parents will also be free to relax and make use of the onsite restaurant and free wi-fi facilities and, with free parking at Marine Point, there’s no need to rush back to top up the parking meter.
