If you haven’t already then head to Bolton Abbey…

If you’ve been part of the MooBaa massive for a while now, you’ll know that we are a little bit crazy in love with Bolton Abbey. It’s the most beautiful place simply for a stroll, to learn to skim stones, negotiate stepping stones or for a family adventure in the woods.

Explore the woods

There’s so much to do there without any additional activities but when they lay them on, the people at Bolton Abbey always get it right. There’s icing and sprinkles on the cake next (wild!) Wednesday (29th August), children are invited to discover the nature and wildlife in Strid Wood and take part in the wild Wednesday trail to see if they can score the most points. Finish back at the Cavendish Pavilion to have a go at the senses activity. Free activity, normal admission applies and again children must be supervised by an adult. Collect a free trail activity sheet on arrival at Sandholme kiosk.

Kite making

So that’s Wednesday sorted. How are you fixed for Fridays? If it’s a funday Friday you’re after then look no further than August 24th and 31st. From 11am -3pm, come along and enjoy a family day out and have fantastic fun playing with large outdoor games for FREE (normal admission applies) You can also learn how to make your very own kite, for just £2 or for those who have energy to burn off why not let them have fun on the bouncy castle for just £1 per go.

And if that’s not enough, until 24th August there’s still the fantastic sports trail to check out! Sporting scenes will be recreated along the Green Trail in Strid Wood (great for pushchairs) with some displays being interactive for the kids to have a go at! See if you can find all the different events as you weave your way through the wood to make it to the podium. Collect a free activity booklet on arrival.

If that doesn’t swing you for a visit we don’t know what will…stress-free parking? Great family-friendly food at the Cavendish Pavilion café? Fresh air and amazing scenery? It’s all there and it’s all on our doorstep. Introduce your kids to it and watch them fall a little bit in love with it too. x

We had a (glitter) ball at this year’s Magic Loungeabout!

We make no apology for taking a week or two to report back from the Magic Loungeabout. Our heads have only just stopped spinning from the disco master class that was the legendary CHIC and Nile Rogers.

With the spectacular Broughton Hall lit up to stunning effect (think silhouettes in the windows of people getting ready for a night out in 1712, to a huge glitter ball revolving on the building), Nile Rogers and CHIC came out, aaaaah freaked out and stole the show.

Headliners CHIC, alongside Inner City and the fantastic Charlatans contributed to a brilliant line-up at the north’s best boutique festival billed as ‘a refined unwind.’ As well as the headliners, there were star performances from up and coming acts and a dance tent with none other than Dave Beer – Basics legend.

We never thought we’d hear ourselves say this but it wasn’t just about the music and the dancing. Not now we’ve little ones in tow! A wise parent once advised that you can’t enjoy yourself unless your kids are happily occupied and luckily for us there was plenty to keep them entertained the whole weekend.

There were all the old favourites such as face painting, story telling and tons of arty stuff (loving the sock puppets!), but on top of that there was water zorbing, robotic dancing, DJing classes, illustration and writing workshops, as well as a whole host of fairies, trolls and funny folks. There were interactive children’s entertainers, magicians and magical performances (we loved Dangerous Dave’s madcap puppet show) as well as films and cartoons and even morning yoga and tai chi.

There was a fantastic array of things on offer to keep them occupied but – perhaps predictably – our little ones were most enthralled by the bubbles from the bubble guns that every child seemed to be happily toting, as well as the amazing homemade ice cream. With candy floss and fairy wings galore, it really was a magical weekend.

They had literally thought of everything this year to make The Magic Loungeabout the best and most family-friendly festival in the land (kids under 12 go free with paying adults, but they must have a ticket to enter). There were kids’ loos, a breast feeding and baby care tent, an essentials hut selling (as the name implies, all the essentials!) everything you might need including nappies, wipes, sun cream, ear defenders. This year too there was also a kids’ registration scheme and provision for lost children.

Early evening, there were bedtime stories with marshmallow toasting and a family fire show. With a lovely campfire and special Angel hot chocolates with lashings of cream. We loved listening to the lullabies before bed – who’d have thought it but alongside CHIC’s amazing performance, a simple rendition – one girl, her beautiful voice and a keyboard – of twinkle twinkle little star were the highlights for us!

Our little ones had a ball (between us, aged from almost two, to almost four, with a two and a half year old in the middle) and frankly so did we. A great big glitter ball of fun. We cannot wait till next year! x

Note – Super early bird tickets are available for next year http://magicloungeabout.ticketline.co.uk/