Highlights from our half term break
Phew! How was your half term? Ours here in Hampshire (UK) was busy in so many ways.
It marked the start of Mr Tin Box working away for eight weeks, so I was keen to have a full diary to keep my mind off it. We had invites to go out with friends whose children were on holiday. Plus, we had a trip to London planned.
All in all we had a great week and I wanted to share some of the highlights:
Messy play at home
Tin Box Baby got to try out full bodypainting during the first weekend of the holiday. Mr Tin Box was packing his bags so I needed something to occupy the girls. Messy play is always a hit.
Farm fun at Staunton Country Park
We last visited Staunton in the summer. There’s a farm, pony rides, walled garden, hot houses and maze. However, TBT was so excited by the adventure playground that we couldn’t get round it all during out first visit.
Last week we had the chance to return as its an ideal place to meet one of my lovely friends who lives close by. This time we got to see the hot houses and maze, as well as attempt a pony ride. TBT backed out at the last minute, bless her. Maybe next time!
The whole park was decked out for Halloween with hundreds of pumpkins, face painting and an arts and crafts area. Unfortunately we missed the Halloween activities as they were only on for part of the day. TBT was a bit sad she couldn’t have her face painted – there were tears – but we made up for it later in the week.
A wet beach walk
We managed to pick one of the wettest days of the week to meet up with a friend and her two boys for a walk along our local beach. It started off fine but by the time we got back to the car it was tipping it down. Even so, Tin Box Dog had a great time and had quite a few balls thrown for her.
Halloween at Tudor House
Towards the end of the week we got together with another friend and her daughter for a girls day out. We were aiming to do something outdoors but the weather was rubbish again so we went to the Halloween event at the Tudor House and Gardens in Southampton.
Entrance was free for the day and this 800-year-old property was heaving with families. There was face painting, crafts and ghost walks – although nothing too scary for the little kids. TBT was thrilled when one of the face painters offered to turn her into a tiger rather than doing one of the Halloween designs on offer. This really saved the day as TBT was still smarting after missing out on the face painting at Staunton.
Once the girls were covered in paint we had a look around the house and gardens, and then made some spooky spiders in the education room.
It was a really fun couple of hours in a place I wouldn’t ordinarily have taken my two pre-schoolers. It’s worth noting that, while the house has been made fully accessible, you’d be better putting babies in a sling for your visit because of the different levels and uneven floors.
The Family Travel Show
Mr Tin Box arrived home on Friday. Hurray! On Saturday morning we all set off for the Family Travel Show at London Olympia. This was our girls’ first trip to London. We also worked out it was TBT’s first trip on a real train. She loved it.
The show gave us the opportunity to talk to a lot of family travel companies ranging from those offering adventure tours to luxury resorts and self catering holidays. With my blogging head on, it was great to meet up with the people behind some interesting brands like Carnival, Martinhal Resorts and OPUS Camper. There were also talks by experts in travelling with kids. We got a lot of inspiration from the day.
I was also pleasantly surprised about how family friendly the exhibition was. We booked the girls into the free creche run by Esprit Ski as it seemed like too good an opportunity to miss. However, they could have easily stayed with us the whole time as there was so much for them to see and do.
TBT had her face painted as a tiger for the second day running and came away with a pile of goodies from the different companies. It all made the day a lot more relaxed for us.
So that was half term for the Tin Box household. What did you get up to?
Disclosure: I was given free tickets to the Family Travel Show. We paid for all other entrance fees and activities where applicable. All opinions are my own.
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It sounds like a really lovely half term with a great mix of fun things to do. I read someone else's blog about the Family Travel Show, it sounded fab and looks like TBT was really excited to be on a train X
It did take a few days to get over it all but then we got straight back into being busy so we don't miss Mr TB too much. We must coordinate blogging diaries soon! X
Thanks! It was great fun. See you again tomorrow! X
She will and hasn't stopped talking about having her face painted. Messy fun really is the best 🙂 X
TBT keeps talking about having her face painted. I doubt we'll ever be able to walk past a face painter ever again 🙂
Urgh, 80 hour weeks sound gruelling. At least Mr TB is only away for a short time this time. Keeping busy, which I know from all your great blog posts, makes things a lot easier X
Yep, if I'd known quite how messy we may not have done it 😉 The show was good and it was the first year so I'm sure 2016 will be even better x
Aww, thanks! X
I nearly went to the Baby Show but couldn't quite fit it in around other commitments. I'd love to say I'll go another year but two babies is my limit 🙂
Totally agree – keep busy and the time flies 🙂
It was great fun and created quite a bit of mess – a success all round 🙂
Tudor House does loads of seasonal events. They have a Victorian Santa next month. We might have gone but we have quite a lot of Christmas activities planned already x
TBT was painting her little sister at one point – oops! We did get a lot of inspiration from the show. Too much – there's not enough time (or funds) to do it all X
I commuted on the train for a couple of years and still loved it 🙂
Oh looks and sounds like you had a great half term. Lovely round up and photos. Thank you for linking up to Share With Me and I hope to see you again tomorrow for another great round. #sharewithme
I love how you got up to so much in the half term – you must be exhausted now! Good to hear about the Family Travel Show. So sorry we couldn't meet. But there is always a next time 🙂 Hope you're not missing hubby too much. Thanks for linking up with #MondayEscapes
Wow look how much you crammed in to the break! Oh I love the tiger face painting, two days in a row too – she'll expect it every day ha ha! The pic of your girls body painting is just so adorable – it's so so messy but such a lot of fun 🙂 Thank you so much for linking up to #ParentingPicks lovely 🙂 Mim x
I love the messy babies! haha They had a super fun time that's for sure. 😀 It's so nice to see the smiley happy faces. 😀 My daughter loves to paint too, and she especially loves to have her face painted.
Wow what a jam packed week! I love walks on the beach! And Halloween at the tudor house sounds like so much fun!! I'm glad Tin Box Tot managed to get her facepainted in the end. She looks so good! The travel show looks like so much fun, I'd love to go to something like that. I'm sorry your partner is away for so long, I hope he's back in time for Christmas and you've got plenty of fun things in your diary to keep you distracted. My partner works 80 hour weeks in high season (he's a chef) and is gone so much that it feels like he's away. I know how difficult it is to be without them and it really does help filling your time. Thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather 🙂 x
Wow sounds as if you have had lots of fun this half term. Absolutely love the body painting with the kids…. How brave are you with all that mess lol. The Travel Show looks so much fun. I really need to go next year x
Such fun adventures with your little ones! I remember these days as being magical and tiring, but so worth it for the wonderful memories you are making. Your pictures are priceless. Keep making those memories!
Looked like you had a wonderful time despite the weather. We recently went to The Baby Show at Kensington Olympia which was also a lovely experience. We're yet to try messy play with paint, but that does look fun! Thank you for sharing #Busydoinglife
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
When hubby is away for so long if you keep the kids and yourself on the go non stop there;s less "when's daddy coming home?" Sounds like you handled it perfectly.
Ah wow you got up to so much!! I LOVE the picture of them painting on the cardboard, just fantastic!! 🙂 #parentingpicks
A fantastic half term break. It looks like TBT is trying to paint TBB in the first photo, a great messy play idea. 🙂 At least you more than made up for it with the face painting, lots to do and see, the family travel show sounds quite exciting too, hope that you've been inspired to go on lots more adventures?!
Thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather 🙂 x
Sounds a fun week. We considered Staunton for the Halloween activities but did something else in the end! Not heard of Tudor House, but sounds good fun. #sharewithme
It does look a busy one – and you can't beat a train ride at that age. I wonder when they become less exciting.. 🙂 #mondayescapes