Northumberland nights
Kielder Observatory sits in the middle of Kielder Forest, one of the largest protected dark sky parks in the world. Family astronomy sessions are available throughout the year, but more adventurous is an evening trip organised by the observatory in conjunction with wild camping outfit Wild Northumbrian. This offers the opportunity to observe the skies from the remote village of Tarset. Pizzas from the outdoor stone-baked oven, chocolate brownies, toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate take care of physical needs, while astronomers from the observatory provide a tour of planets, star clusters, nebulae and distant galaxies. And budding Brian Coxes and Maggie Aderin-Pococks can also opt to stay overnight in one of the onsite yurts or tipis at a 10% discount (from £72 for four).
• Tickets, including food, £27.50. Wildnorthumbrian.co.uk. Kielder Observatory’s Wild Northumbrian Stargazing trip is suitable for all ages and runs on 6 and 20 February, 5 and 19 March, 6.30pm-9.30pm (other dates will become available)
All creatures, mainly small
The Wildlife Trust has an excellent searchable database of outdoor events around the country throughout 2016. It is passionate about involving children with the outdoors, and offers family-friendly walks, pre-school wildlife clubs and special family events. Southampton Wildlife Watch, for example, has a bird count and make-a-bird-feeder session in February, the opportunity to make woodland tools in March and, in May, the chance to use a digimicroscope to view oceanic plankton at the point where the river Itchen meets the sea at Southampton Water.
Treasure hunts with GPS
There’s a lot of fun to be had on modern-day treasure hunts using GPS. Beginners’ guides to geocaching are available online with GPS unit recommendations. A simple web search will reveal caches in your area, and it’s a brilliant way of getting even the most reluctant tweenies out of the house. To start you off, the National Trust has put together its top 10 places to go geocaching at its properties from Somerset to Suffolk: many are short enough to allow even small children to take part. In Scotland, the Mull and Iona Ranger Service has posted details of some of its 55 geocaches.
Walk London like a muggle
To thrill the Harry Potter readers in the family, take a self-guided, themed London tour created by Richard Jones, a Blue Badge guide and author. He says it can be done in a day but recommends taking a more leisurely two days. If you have younger siblings in tow, simply select the number of stages you can manage; the tour is broken down into 13 short sections, so just select the bits that work for you.
As a bonus, it doubles as a London treasure hunt: kids are set things to look for among statues and street furniture, giving parents a chance to marvel at some of the other beautiful bits of London that often go unnoticed. The tour concludes with a visit to the entrance to Platform 93/4 at King’s Cross, where a luggage trolley partly embedded in a wall makes for a great photo opportunity. The only (optional) cost is a like on the creator’s Facebook page.
Sights for dinosaur eyes
The Ordnance Survey website has a great beginners’ guide to fossil hunting, which includes suggestions for where and when to go and what to take with you, such as books of tide times and old newspapers for wrapping any delicate finds in. Go find yourself a dinosaur!
Dog days on the moors
A walk with a difference for families who love dogs, Pesky Husky offers the opportunity to take an hour-long hike across the North York Moors, starting off from the company’s centre at Staintondale, with some of its resident sled dogs. Those with adrenaline-hungry teenagers can opt for a trekking session, where they drive their own team of dogs – pulling a two-wheeled scooter – around Pesky Husky’s purpose-built trail. Both options include a visit to the kennels to meet the dogs and hear all about their background.
• Open year-round. Prices from £25pp for 90-minute hike, or 2.5-hour combined hike and trek with dogs harnessed to scooter, from £40, 01723 870521, peskyhusky.co.uk
Go to ski school in Scotland
CairnGorm Mountain, the most popular ski resort in Scotland, has opened a new ski school this season. There are group classes for over-eights, and for younger kids at peak times such as half-term. Under-fives, however, must have a one-to-one lesson. When they make it beyond the seven green runs, there are six blues, eight reds and one black piste to tackle.
• From £35 for a snowboard lesson, cairngormmountain.org
