Not having any children yet myself, what I recommend here has come from speaking with friends who have young children and reading the latest issue of Raring 2go!, which is a FREE guide on places to go and things to do with your children in the Aberdeen area.
My friend, who has a son of a year and a half, is always looking for new places to go on a family day out. When quizzed about her favourite family days out in and around Aberdeen, she told me about the following places: Hoodles Play Barn in Oldmeldrum, Rambos Kids Adventureland at Codonas on the Beach Boulevard, and Hazlehead Park.
Hoodles Play Barn is a thirty minute drive from Aberdeen and comes highly recommended as it has a fantastic soft play area for children, with an enclosed outdoor area in the courtyard. There is also a coffee shop where parents can relax and the soft play frame has recently been extended, so there is lots to do for children of all ages. Why not check out the Paddock Fun Day on Sunday 4th July, from 9am – 5pm.
Rambos Kids Adventureland, at Codonas, is separated into the Under 3’s and the Over 3’s areas, both of which can be seen from the parents seating area on the ground floor. The Under 3’s area includes a ball pit, a castle with slides and bridges, and the Over 3’s has three floors, featuring a bouncy castle, a free fall slide, bridges and walkways. The ground floor also has a ‘Lite Bites’ area, with food for both adults and children.
Hazlehead Park is a large park (180 hectares) on the outskirts of the city and has a big children’s play area. But what my friend really loves about this park is the pet’s corner, which has a variety of animals for children to look at, including llamas, ponies, rabbits, miniature donkeys, tropical fish and peacocks. Last weekend when it was hot and sunny she spent the day in Hazlehead Park and said she had a brilliant time with her partner and son.
Something that she has heard great things about but hasn’t done yet, is a trip on the Alford Valley Narrow Gauge Railway. It is Scotland’s first two foot Narrow Gauge passenger railway and runs every 40 minutes from Alford to Haughton Park. In April, May and September it only runs at weekends but during the summer months it goes every day. It costs £2.50 for adults and £1.50 for children (under 15 years). So if you’re looking for something different, I’m sure this would be a fun day out.
If you want more ideas on things to do with your family this summer, pick up your free copy of Raring 2go!, which is packed full of suggestions on where to go in the area, as well as features on getting active, clubs and classes and party ideas. Alternatively, visit Raring2go! here.
Written by Emma R
