If you’re looking for some fab days out in the East Midlands this summer but don’t know where to start, I’ve got you covered! Whether you’ve got an aspiring zookeeper, little thrill seeker or adventurer in tow, there’s sure to keep everyone in the family happy! Have an amazing summer!
West Midland Safari Park – Bewdley, Worcestershire
Take a walk on the wild side this summer at West Midland Safari Park! Take the family on a drive through safari to see tigers, cheetahs, elephants, zebra, rhinos, including the super cute baby rhino Ekosu! Check out the African Village to see some lemurs and meerkats, take the Discovery Trail to watch talks on more fascinating creations or head to Animal Encounters to see some small and cute critters up close! Find out more.
National Centre for Craft & Design – Sleaford, Lincolnshire
With five amazing galleries featuring fascinating exhibitions from varied artists, as well as lots of free craft activities, little artists will love this creative filled day out! Families of all ages can take part in some fab arty sessions every Tuesday until 29th November at Tots Tuesdays, which includes making miniature worlds, ceramic painting and more. Find out more.
Gloworm Festival – Worksop, Nottinghamshire
**Pay No Booking Fees When You Book Through Picniq**
Saturday 20th – Sunday 21st August
Take the whole family down to Gloworm Festival this August for a fun-packed weekend of music, art, workshops and loads more to keep you entertained! The festival is primarily a family festival and there is loads to do for kids! Such as, Peppa Pig Story Time and a dance workshop on the Saturday and then on the Sunday kids can meet Peppa Pig, Thomas the Tank Engine and Ben and Holly! Book your tickets through Picniq and pay no booking fees! Find out more.
Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre – Grimsby, Lincolnshire
Free entry for 1 person with every full paying adult with Days Out Card
Learn some fascinating facts about the fishing industry (often described as one of the toughest jobs in the world!) at Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre. Little ones can get dressed up in fishing gear whilst navigating around to discover what life was like for trawler-men and their families in the 1950s! Grab free entry for one person with every full paying adult with our Days Out Card! Find out more.
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo – Dunstable, Bedfordshire
**Save 13% On Tickets**
With over 600 acres ZSL Whipsnade is home to more than 2,500 amazing creatures from every corner of the world. See elephants, lions, bears, giraffes… and so much more! The kids will love meeting all their favourite animals up close and if they want to blow off some energy there is also a Hullasbazoo play area, farm yard and a steam train! Find out more.
Carsington Sports & Leisure – Ashbourne, Derbyshire
This action packed family day out offers something for everyone! Whether your little one wants to take to the waters with sailing, windsurfing and paddlesports, or fancies a lovely bike ride around one of Carsington’s many routes, they’ll be spoilt for choice! Find out more.
Longleat Safari & Adventure Park – Warminster, Wilshire
**Get An Exclusive 20% Off Tickets**
Take the family through the self-drive safari at Longleat and you will see a whole host of exciting animals from your car! There are cheetahs, cheeky monkeys, elephants, lions, tigers and many more. Out of the car, explore the Adventure Park where you can walk through the penguin enclosure, feed some deer or even venture into the bat cave. This year they have also had two incredibly cute six-foot tall baby giraffe arrivals, one boy and one girl called Perseus and Tara. Find out more.
Highfields Happy Hens – Derby, Derbyshire
1 child goes free with Days Out Card
This lovely farm offers lots of fun for little ones, such as a chain walk, hopscotch and trampoline. Bring along a picnic to take in some sunshine, or if you’re feeling fancy head to their tea rooms! Budding farmers will also have the chance to make friends with some cute animals too. Grab our Days Out Card and you’ll get a child’s entry for free! Find out more.
Kidsquadz – Retford, Nottinghamshire
For an action packed and adventurous day out, Kidsquadz offers some an hour of “mud churning wheel action”! Choose from a range of bikes and zoom through woodland, dips, twists, turns, and even up ramps! Find out more.
Tropical Butterfly House – North Anston, Sheffield
Come along to see some amazing wildlife and fascinating daily shows featuring birds of prey! You’ll also get the chance to see some snakes, cheeky meerkats, marmoset monkeys, otters, lemurs and more. Head to their indoor rainforest to see see beautiful butterflies, fruit bats, crocodiles and other interesting creepy crawlies! Find out more.
Gulliver’s Kingdom – Matlock Bath, Derbyshire
With over 70 rides, attractions and experiences aimed at younger children between the ages 2–13, this is the perfect day out for your little thrill seekers! Enjoy rides such as the ‘Dino Falls’ ride, the log flume, dodgems, pirate ship and more! Find out more.
Wollaton Hall and Deer Park – Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
This amazing building, home to the National History Museum, has a collection of three quarters of a million specimens that make up its zoology, geology, and botany collections! You’ll also find Nottingham’s Industrial Museum in it’s outbuildings. Little explorers can take walk around the beautiful grounds or even a segway tour! Wollaton Hall and Deer Park will also host this years Splendour Festival on the 23rd July, hosting the likes of Jess Glynne, The Human League and more! Find out more.
Matlock Farm Park – Matlock, Derbyshire
This amazing 600 acre farm is perfect for animal lovers! They’ll love the chance to cuddle a rabbit and see some lovely llamas whilst learning some interesting facts about the countryside! Find out more.
Lincolnshire Wildlife Park – Skegness, Lincolnshire
Bring the family to this amazing zoo, which houses the largest collection of parrots in the UK! You’ll get to walk through bird enclosures to make friends with over 100 different species of lovely birds, as well as having the chance to see some playful meerkats, lemurs, unusual Brazilian coatimundis and even Bengal Tigers! Find out more.
Sherwood Forest Fun Park – Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
This lovely family adventure park, located in Sherwood Forest Fun Park, has lots of fun rides such as the Caterpillar Coaster, Jumping Jack, Terror Castle, Pony Express and Cups & Saucers and more! Find out more.
White Post Farm – Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Visit this real life working farm to get an insight into rural life! Meet some lovely animals, including cows, calves, llamas, sheep, donkeys, deer, pigs and chickens! Pay a visit to their pet shop where you may even find a lovely new addition to the family! Find out more.
Jimmy Beans – Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Designed for children under 10, Jimmy Beans is a fantastic play frame with a giant astra slide, rope-bridge, sky glide rollers, dizzy disk, mouse holes and more! Toddler’s have a separate area just for them to enjoy, which includes ride on toys and an imagination corner where they can learn and play. Find out more.
Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre – Leicester, Leicestershire
This fab charity centre has lots of fun outdoor experiences designed to educate and motivate people of all ages! Everyone can have a go at abseiling, aerial trekking, air rifle shooting, archery, bushcraft, canoeing and more. They even have holiday schemes, an adventure club and offer birthday parties too! Find out more.
Bradgate Park – Newton Linford, Leicestershire
This amazing 800 acre park has lots for mini explorers to discover! Head to the Visitor’s Centre to learn all about the history of the park, have a lovely picnic to take in some sunshine and let the little ones let off some steam! Be sure to keep an eye on their events listings, as lots of fab activities take place throughout the year. Find out more.
Northampton Trampoline Centre – Northampton, Northamptonshire
This fab trampoline based day out, suitable for all ages and abilities, is a great place for kids to get active and will leave them jumping for joy. They also offer birthday parties! Find out more.
Rookery Open Farm – Towcester, Northamptonshire
Bring your budding little farmers along to Rookery Open Farm where they can make friends with lots of lovely animals! Meet pygmy goats, cattle, pigs, geese, ducks, chickens and lots more. They’ll also love the fab indoor play area, with a special dedicated play area for under 4’s. Find out more.
Catanger Llama Trekking – Towcester, Northamptonshire
Try this day out with a difference at Catanger Llama Trekking! These lovely llama’s will walk around with you whilst you take in some of the stunning countryside. Find out more.
Canons Ashby – Daventry, Northamptonshire
Little historians will love this medieval priory, house and gardens, which dates back to 1790, full of beautiful objects to admire including tapestries and antiques. Little ones can even complete a quiz as they take in the amazing grounds! Find out more.
Si5 Spy Missions – Brackley, Northamptonshire and Nottingham
Home to over 2,500 animals, as well as covering 600 acres, animal lovers are sure to have an amazing day out! You’ll have to the chance to see elephants, tigers, cheetahs, bears, wolves, chimps, giraffes, lions… and so much more! Find out more.
Rockingham Castle – Market Harborough, Leicestershire
This stunning family home, built by William the Conqueror, was a royal fortress for 450 years! With views of over 5 counties, there’s sure to be lots of room for the little ones to explore! Inside you can pick up an Eye Spy booklet to learn about the Castle or try their quiz. Find out more.
The Heights of Abraham – Matlock, Derbyshire
After taking a cable car to scale some great heights and take in stunning views, little explorers can discover some amazing caverns and let off some steam at their play area. There’s also some insightful exhibitions to visit, as well as yummy food to eat in their lovely lit caverns! Find out more.
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