In the first two years of compulsory education (Key Stage 1/5-7 years), pupils begin to explore their local environment. If the school is lucky enough to have a museum nearby, it will be an important starting point in their development. Further afield, there are activity-based museums such as the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden, the Science Museum and the Wellcome Foundation museums in London, or the various museums of childhood in Derbyshire, Edinburgh and the Victoria and Albert in Bethnal Green; all of which are popular venues for Key Stage 1 students.
Many providers cater for both day and short-term residential adventure activities, and both the National Trust and Forestry Commission run activities specifically tailored for the KS1 age-group.
Children are often interested in the theatre and music, and usually begin with trips to pantomimes and musicals in Key Stage 1. You can find guidance on ‘kids’ theatre in London here, and over in East Anglia there is the Norwich Puppet Theatre with Bristol Old Vic in the West Country; there’s bound to be a good venue near you!
Lakes formed from the flooding of a disused gravel pit, surrounded by woodland, wetland and meadow that supports a wide range of wildlife, with one mile surfaced path around the lake.
Local groups include model boating and angling regularly use this site. The site is managed for recreation and conservation by East Staffordshire Borough Council.
Ride the hipper dipper waterslide 185ft long (bigger than your average flume). Plus 33m pool with diving area for 1, 3 and 5m boards. One of the many fun family places to visit if you're looking for the best things to do in Derbyshire with kids
A variety of activities available to burn off some energy!
A great venue for open water swimming, off road cycling and running, plus a number of watersports with courses just for kids and beginners.
If you and the kids like to walk, run or cycle, there is a 5km course to follow.
Immerse yourself in the world famous story of Irish emigration at the museum that brings it to life. Follow the emigrant trail as you journey from the thatched cottages of Ulster, on board a full scale emigrant sailing ship leading to the log cabins of the American Frontier. Meet an array of costumed characters on your way with traditional crafts to show, tales to tell and food to share.
A land of thrilling rides and the terrific Splashland, amazing attractions and exhilarating activities are waiting to be discovered. From the Runaway Mine Train roller coaster and challenging Mini Diggers, to the indoor soft play Pirate Ship and Tropical House the fun is endless!
Perran Sands is set within an area of outstanding natural beauty along side over 3 miles of Cornish golden sandy beach and above average sunshine. Located on Cornwall's North coast Perran Sands makes an ideal base for your holiday. Cornwall's north coast is famous for it's Atlantic rollers which make it a surfer's paradise.
Loads to do including milking, lamb feeding, pony grooming, and cart rides. Huge indoor play arena with toy tractor circuit and bouncy castles. Vintage Garage and Welsh Guards Museum. Exciting extras: Junior Driving School and quad bikes. Great Tearooms and picnic areas.
The Ecos Millennium Environmental Centre is a unique project in Ireland that opened on 7th August 2000. Ecos is set in a 150-acre Country Park, which has been created from previously disused land that is the River Braid flood plain.
Carsington Water is a popular visitor attraction located a short distance from the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire.
The iconic north London venue offers everything you need for an extraordinary event or great day out with the benefit of some of the best panoramic views of London.
When in Norfolk come and spend the day, not a fortune, at Pettitts Animal Adventure Park, Reedham.
There are rides galore for young children, family entertainment, exotic and domestic animals and birds to see as well as animals to feed and pet.
Play area and frame suited for under 8s, plus sand play, sit on toys, and it's very popular with squirrels so an excellent place to wildlife spot.
A family operated children's fair located in Sherwood Country Park with plenty for the small and mid range kids to play on from the caterpillar roller coaster and the ghost train to the classic tea cup ride and big slide.
Adventure playground plus BMX, football and cricket facilities. And a great new interactive water play area with loads of fun features now runs May through September.
Flambards theme park is the perfect family day out in Cornwall with a large selection of rides and attractions in Cornwall to suit everyone. From the thrill seekers to those who prefer a gentler pace.
Large park with canal-side patio cafe, adventure Play Areas are suitable for children between the ages of 2 and 14, picnicking and fishing opportunities.
Children must be supervised at all times. Colouring and worksheets available for children.
Colliery
This popular Glossop Park has a large children's play area and a miniature railway plus lots of sporting opportunities.
Then look no further. Whether they’ve worked hard on a project or simply just an end of term treat, your students will be spoilt for choice with plenty of adrenaline fuelled rides to let off steam away from the classroom.
This former ironstone quarry has a wonderful children's play area as well as a network of long and short trails through 83 hectares of mixed woodland. The park is home to the Quarryman's Rest Cafe, Jungle Parc UK and the Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway museum.
Jungle Parc high ropes adventure course
Barnford Park is located in the heart of Oldbury, a park donated to the people of Oldbury. With beautiful parkland offering gentle walks, a maze area, children's play area, multi-use games area, community pavilion and grass sports pitches there's something on offer for all ages to see and do.
Lepe Country Park has a wonderful mix of habitats for you to explore; discover what lives along the shore, bird watch over the Solent, North Solent National Nature Reserve and Dark Water Estuary, spot a variety of insects attracted to our wildflower meadows or stroll along the cliff top lined with Monterey and Corsican Pines.
This park's vast open spaces are perfect for family fun, picnics and games as well as their regular events. Gorgeous sensory park nearby if you have younger children.
Near to the Riverside Park is Lockside Park Sensory Garden which overlooks Newark’s picturesque town lock.
Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, working in partnership with Lafarge Tarmac, are setting up an exciting new Forest School Project at Panshanger Park.
Brean Leisure Park in Somerset is the ideal destination for a great family day out. With Brean Theme Park our on site theme park, Brean Splash Waterpark, Brean Golf Club, The Tavern and Dickies entertainment venues and a wide variety of eateries and restaurants you and the family will be spoiled for choice.
The Waters Edge Country Park, provides a relaxing and stimulating day out for people of all ages. Situated to the north of Barton-Upon-Humber, on the edge of the Humber estuary, Waters Edge contains a wide diversity of plant and wildlife. Established in 1996 on a site which had previously been a series of clay quarries, Waters Edge has breathed new life into what was once a derelict area.
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.