I read an article recently
And one line of it has struck a chord with me
Reiterating something I know to be true
At least with my own children
The less toys they have the better they play
And they are much more thankful for a magical experience
Than for a toy, any toy, they may be given on Christmas morning
The article states
And so I thought I would share some experience ideas
Memories that I would like to make with my own children
Experiences I believe they would be grateful for
And treasure the memories of for always
Wingham Wildlife Park Animal Adoption and Visit
We have a very exciting fast growing zoo close to us in Kent
Wingham Wildlife Park has Kent’s only chimpanzees
And now also has two orangutans
I think that we are going to be spending a lot of time here going forward
As when William is not planning on becoming a Military Historian
He wants to be a Primatologist
I would love to adopt a chimpanzee in William’s name
And then take him to see it at the park
Along with all the other wonderful animals
Wingham have just created adoption gift boxes
So that you have a little something for Father Christmas to deliver
A wonderful gift for little wildlings
Sandwich Animal Experiences
Sandwich Wildlife Park is another amazing place close to us
Offering wonderful animal experiences that young children can enjoy
Some experiences start from just four years old
William would love to meet a sloth
While Esther would like to get up close to a wolf
And Bea would love meeting the meerkats
Lots of animal experiences available for all ages
So do go and have a look if you think it is something your children would enjoy
Warner Brothers Studio – Harry Potter Tour
If like me you have a Harry Potter super fan
Tickets to Harry Potter World would be a magical gift indeed
We bought Esther and William tickets for their birthday back in July
And after a long wait we will soon be going on our visit
To see Hogwarts In The Snow
We are all very excited
We have been reading the books and watching the films
In preparation and anticipation for our wizarding adventure
The perfect experience gift for Potter fans
I have also discovered while researching this post
Harry Potter Walking Tours in London and
These would be amazing presents for young witches and wizards too!
The London Eye
Every time that we get the train in to London
Bea asks if we can go on The London Eye
Esther and William have been on The Eye
But Bea never has
She has never
Surely one of the things Father Christmas can do
Is make a child’s wish come true
The London Eye is a wonderful way to see London with little ones
To play I Spy with Iconic London Landmarks
Take binoculars
Take a Things To Spot In London Sticker Book
Or a Peppa’s Day Out In London Sticker Book for younger adventurers
Take them to see London from the sky
The Eye!
Museum of Childhood
This would be a wonderful gift
To step back in time and discover childhood and toys through the ages
At the V&A Museum of Childhood
It is also free apart from travel
I think I would present this gift with a homemade ticket or invitation
Perhaps attached to a vintage style teddy bear or rag doll
A lovely place to spend some time learning and exploring the past
I think my children would have a wonderful adventure here
Theatre Tickets
I think that theatre is so important for children
Edie at two and a half is a seasoned theatre goer
She loves to see shows
Especially stories that she loves
Brought to life on stage
Bea loves musicals
Her first was Annie at The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury
She has just started coming with us these past few months
And absolutely loved Nativity The Musical there too
Esther and William have been regular theatre goers for four years
I think if you are wanting to give a gift that lasts a lifetime
Introduce your children to the theatre
London Aquarium
For little adventurers
A trip to The London Aquarium
Is a wonderful idea
We have been many times
And it is such an amazing place to explore
Brilliant for babies, toddlers, children and adults
I love the penguins
The children LOVE the shark tunnel
It is such a wonderful sensory experience
A brilliant family day out
Owl Experience
One of our favourite family days out
There is The Kent Owl Academy
We have had a workshop with them recently
And they were excellent
All the children had a wonderful time
And we all learned lots
Esther is now keen to have an Owl Experience
I think she wants to imagine she is a witch with an owl of her own
The Kent Owl Academy has special experiences designed with children in mind
They would make a wonderful Christmas present for any little owl lovers
Owl
Enchanted Fairy and Elf Photoshoot
I often see these shoots advertised locally
Enchanted Elf and Fairy Shoots
And think how much my girls would love them
Edie and Bea in particular LOVE fairies
And they love to dress up
They also both love a camera and love putting on a show
I think that this experience would be such fun for them
And the photos from their shoot could be used to decorate their shared bedroom
I would give this gift with a printed decorative invitation from a fairy
With some dressing up clothes or fairy accessories
I think this is a fun gift idea that they would truly love
It is currently just £10 Buy A Gift
A Christmas bargain!
The Original Tour London Sightseeing Tour
My children love going to London
They love exploring our capital city
They love learning about it’s history
One of the best days out we have ever had
Was a day On The Buses with The Original Tour
A hop on and off tour of the city
With a boat trip on The Thames included
And engaging, informative guides on both transports
This is a fun and educational way to see the city
And I know my own children would be so excited to do it again
I would present this gift with a toy bus for younger children
Or with a book about London for older children
London For Children by Matteo Pericoli is one of our favourites
Afternoon Tea
When Esther and William turned one I took their two grandmothers
And the twins
For afternoon tea
I would love to take the children to tea again
There are some wonderful afternoon teas
Created for children
Or with children in mind
Cafe Rouge have one at the moment based on The Snowman
And you can enjoy a Mary Poppins Afternoon Tea
On the 31st floor of The Shard
I actually think setting up a cream tea at home
Could be made just as special
It is what we did for Edie’s first birthday a few years ago
This gift could be presented as an invitation
Perhaps with a pretty tea set
I love this idea!
Yes Day
Give a voucher for a Yes Day
A day where your little ones get to make all the decisions
Where you have to say yes to all their demands
Within reason
Setting some ground rules is probably a good idea!
I have been meaning to do this with my children
And it has never yet happened
2020 is going to be the year
But I think rather than a present from Santa
This one will be one from me
Given to the children on New Year’s Eve
With a date for each child
Agreed with Daddy
On their voucher
So that we can start planning
And it has to happen
