Summer

Paddling Pools/Splash Pools in Hampshire, Berkshire and Surrey

Posted by Louise NorthHantsMum on in Outings, Seasons, Summer, Swimming 0 Comment

It’s tooooo hot today, so if you are looking for somewhere to take the children and cool off, this post might help.

Don’t forget to keep covered, even when you are in the water in the sun!

If you are looking for local Lido’s in Hampshire, check out my post from a few years ago which has a list of local Lido’s and their details.

Also, check out Chineham Splash Park which opened in 2016.

Hampshire

Eastrop Park

Eastrop Park has a paddling pool that is VERY popular in the warmer weather.

There are two car parks and the first one always gets very busy, very quickly.

If you walk into town, there is also a splash area on the way, although I’m always a bit dubious about the quality of the water here.

Fleet Pond, near Farnborough, also has a very small beach.

Gosport Splash Park

Gosport Splash Park was refurbished a few years ago and it looks brilliant!

It’s open from 10am till 7pm from March to October.

Berkshire

Wellington Country Park, Berkshire

A new splash Zone opened at Wellington Country Park in May 2016.

It’s suitable for all ages up to 8 years old.

California Country Park, Finchampstead

California Country Park, Berkshire, has a fenced off paddling pool.

A NHM Secret Reviewer did a Review of California Country Park in 2014 so if you need more details about the Country Park, check out this post.

Beale Park, Berkshire

Beale Park has a paddling pool which is open from Easter Weekend.

There is an entry fee to pay to get into Beale Park.

Surrey

Frensham Ponds

Frensham Pond is a natural area which has a proper beach.

A NHM Secret Reviewer very recently reviewed Frensham Common which provides details about the area.

Summer “Bored Sticks” Jar

Posted by Louise NorthHantsMum on in Summer Holidays 0 Comment

This is a follow up post to the post I did in January about Winter “Bored Sticks” Jar, but with ideas tailored for summer.

I will add to this, as and when I come up with more ideas!

Summer “Bored Sticks” Jar

  1. Make Gloop with buttons
  2. Getting the plastic balls and the tent out
  3. Make cookies
  4. Do some painting
  5. Do some glueing and sticking
  6. Make some birthday cards
  7. Feed the ducks (Black Dam Pond is the best place for this I believe)
  8. Build an obstacle course in the garden (Ikea have some great things for this. We bought one of these tunnels at Christmas and it’s great as it folds away but can be used inside and outside. Great with loads of plastic balls inside on a wet day and great as part of an obstacle course outside on a nice day.)
  9. Build a tent
  10. Have a picnic with pretend food
  11. Have an outdoor picnic with real food. Basing Wood is great for Picnics. Or click on the links HERE and HERE for more picnic suggestions.
  12. Draw something
  13. Read a book
  14. Make a gift for someone
  15. Go to the park. Dinton Pastures, California Country Park,
  16. Go to the beach
  17. Make a musical instrument
  18. Find something in your house that starts with every letter of the alphabet
  19. Learn ten words or count to 10 in a different language
  20. Play with or make play dough
  21. Let Dad choose something to do
  22. Let Mum choose something to do
  23. Play a board game
  24. Dance to some music
  25. Make cupcakes or fairy cakes
  26. Do a craft project or google one to make with empty plastic bottles, toilet roll holders, old christmas cards
  27. Make coloured spaghetti
  28. Do some dried food cooking
  29. Watch a film
  30. Make some DIY coloured sand
  31. Create a village from any toys that you have
  32. Design a memory board
  33. Make a scrapbook of a recent event
  34. Visit a castle. Odiham Castle is the closest castle
  35. Go to the kids club cinema at Odeon or Vue
  36. Go out for dinner somewhere. Check out these posts HERE and HERE for suggestions. Or check out my recent review on Giraffe.
  37. Take your toys out into the garden
  38. Listen to an Audio Book
  39. Go Swimming. Check out the post HERE for details of local swimming pool
  40. Find a local splash pool.
  41. Get the paddling pool out
  42. Play pooh sticks at your local stream or brook
  43. Organise a play date with friends