We know that staying active with your kids is important no matter what season. So, If you're looking for suggestions to get your kids involved in extra activities, Surrey and SW London have a huge range of opportunities to keep your offspring active indoors and out. From snowboarding or skiing on the dry slopes to getting messy with paint, the choices are endless...
1. Craggy Island Climbing Centre
@craggyguildford
Location: Unit 9 Cobbett Park, Slyfield Industrial Estate, Moorfield Road, Guildford GU11RU
Prices: From £24
Did you know climbing has now become an Olympic sport? So, as you can imagine, the benefits are endless, including flexibility, balance, health and general strength, which are all important elements in day-to-day tasks for younger kids.
As most children are climbing up everything in sight, why not take them to Craggy Island Climbing Centre, which is designed for that very purpose and let them enjoy doing it in a safe and ridiculously fun environment!
From aged five to teenage years, all its classes and courses are tailored for age group and ability level, and each climber follows a structured programme of achievement. Who knows you might have a young Olympian in the making!
2. Happy Hands Pottery Painting
Location: 18B Lower Street, Haslemere GU27 2NX
Prices: Studio Fee (£3.50) + Pottery Items (prices start from £3.95)
What child doesn’t enjoy a good messy painting experience? It's a great opportunity to let them freely express themselves and get creative without spilling any paint on the carpet! Winner!
At Happy Hands Pottery Painting, there is a wide range of ceramic products to paint from including tiles, plates, money boxes, mugs and vases, and it makes a good sentimental gift for a loved one too. So, if you are looking for one on one time with your little one or want to watch them in action, now is your chance to have an hour or two of fun with painting and decoupage activities.
3. Go Ape
Location: Bucks Horn Oak, Farnham GU10 4LS
Prices: From £18
This award-winning forest adventure has kids flying through the air with the greatest of ease! Used for film sets for well-known classics such as Gladiator and Skyfall, you can imagine how amazing this place is! Children will burn lots of energy on rope ladders, zip wires, trapezes and a massive 41 crossings, all housed high amongst the canopy.
Open every Saturday - Sunday, it is suitable for all ages, especially with the introduction of Tree Top Junior, which gets even the tiniest tots involved. If you want something fun a little closer to the ground, explore the forest on one of the park’s bike trails to make your day out even more exciting!
4. The Lightbox
Location: Chobham Road, Woking GU21 4AA
Prices: (Donations Suggested)
Museums offer a dynamic opportunity to expose children to a variety of fulfilling experiences and The Lightbox is a great chance to discover Woking's story. This interactive museum divulges into the town's history from the 19th century to the present day.
There are also two spacious galleries that host a huge range of exhibitions and as well as art and history, there is often the chance to explore science and the natural world, usually with a family friendly theme. Plus, lots of hands-on activities and interactive displays to keep children and adults occupied - what more could you want from a day out?!
5. Sandown Ski Centre
@sandownsports
Location: More Lane, Esher, KT10 8AN
Prices: 2 x 2 hours £90
Aside from being a fun day out for your children, Sandown Ski Centre provides the perfect opportunity for them to sample skiing or snowboarding for the first time. It has a Junior Club, which runs on Saturday mornings and caters for children whether they have skiing experience or not.
It is advised all sessions must be booked in advance to enable the centre to allocate the correct number of instructors for the sessions. Plus, there are private lessons available for those over seven-years-old and they also offer snowboarding tuition for the over 10s with full support and age-appropriate challenges.
6. RHS Garden Wisley
Location: Woking GU23 6QB
Little ones just love having the freedom to run around and play. So, wrap up warm and discover the beautiful, wildlife and plants and explore over 200 acres of gardens at RHS Garden Wisley. A perfect opportunity to play with your tiny explorers amongst the fresh outdoors.
Don’t miss the garden’s exotic collection of rare, endangered species at The Glasshouse and engage your kids’ imagination with a walk in the Battleston Hill woodland gardens. Plus, if you are looking for some extra family activities, RHS Garden Wisley is full of surprises throughout the year, but check before visiting. We've got some of their best events listed here.
7. Godstone Farm
@godstonefarm
Location: Tilburstow Hill Road, Godstone RH9 8LX
Prices: From £3.60
If you want your children to learn and have fun, Godstone Farm could be the place to visit. There is so much to do, including a variety of animal experiences, outdoor adventures and indoor play. It is home to over 500 animals both large and small, with opportunities to meet horses, sheep, cows and llamas, and get up close to piglets, rabbits and chicks in the newly extended animal handling area.
Children can let off steam in the Wiglet’s Play Village with an exciting soft play area where little ones can climb up obstacles and whizz down slides. Also, make sure you leave time for Den Building, navigating the Woodland Maze, riding on the tractor, going back in time with the resident dinosaurs and much more.
9. Gravity Force Trampoline Park
@gravityforceuk
Location: Unit 6/7 Admiralty Way, Admiralty Park GU15 3DT
Prices: From £5pp
Gravity Force really is as fun as it sounds! From tots to teens and family too, it’s great for anyone who loves being active and having fun! It boasts a huge expanse of wall to wall, floor level, fully monitored trampolines, with dedicated trampolining sessions full of bouncy energy-burning active fun!
Sessions are for ages four and up, giving jumpers full access to the park. Also, once a month the trampoline park turns into a haven for some rather fun witches, wizards, superheroes, pirates and Disney characters, all ready for Gravity Force’s extravagant and alternating themed weeks.
