9 budget family days out to keep you active
Now that the days are getting longer it’s easier to head outside for some family fun. There are lots of things to do with the children that won’t make too much of a dent in your family finances and, with Easter’s school holidays on the horizon, these acti
1. Get on your bike and explore a forest park
There are miles of old railway lines at the Afan Forest Park so just take your bikes with you to enjoy the family-friendly trail.
There are picnic and refreshments stops along the low-level Y Rheilffordd trail which you can start from the park visitor centre.
If you don’t own a bike then you can hire one. A half-day hire for an adult hardtail bike is £20 (£30 for a full day) and a child’s 20” bike is £13 (£20 for a full day). Where: Afan Forest Park, Port Talbot.
2. Play tennis in the park
You can spend the best part of the day at the park in the centre of Pontypridd and let off some steam into the bargain by making the most of the facilities.
Give tennis a go by using one of the four open access tennis courts where you can just turn up and play for free.
And, if anyone has any energy left, there’s also a free children’s playground.
The interactive visitor centre at the refurbished Lido Ponty opens from March so you can pop in and learn more about the history of the historic lido.
And, don’t forget, when the sun comes out, you can go for a dip at one of the three heated swimming pools. Where: Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd.
3. Take a trip to the beach
Beaches are not just for the summer, they are just as much fun in the colder months and are great for stretching legs.
Most beaches aren’t too far from a village where you can retire for a spot of lunch or afternoon tea knowing that you’ve earned it after a bracing seaside walk. Where: Any beach in Wales
4. Ride a pony at a farm park
Pony riding is one of the attractions at Cantref Adventure Farm which has both indoor and outdoor play zones and animal
shows. At the horse riding centre you can ‘own a pony for a day’ or join Farmer Ken in the lambing barn and you might be lucky enough to see a lamb being born. It’s open weekends and school holidays until April 6. Admission fees apply (£6.50 for both adults and children) and pony rides will be extra. Where: Cantref Adventure Farm, Brecon. 5. Revisit the National History Museum Because, let’s face us, most people in Wales have probably been there before, but there is such a lot to see and do in the open-air museum if you’re not a regular visitor you really should go again.
Entry is free but if money is burning a hole in your pocket you can treat yourself in one of the tearooms or restaurants. Where: St Fagans, Cardiff
6. Become a farmer for the day
Green Meadow is a working farm set in more than 120 acres and, as well as having a range of rare breed animals, gives you the chance to watch milking demonstrations and ride on tractors and trailers.
You can also get stuck into the farming life by booking a slot to become a farmer of junior farmer for the day at one of the farm’s Experience Days. Admission charges apply (adults £5.75, children 2-16 £4.65). Where: Green Meadow Community Farm, Cwmbran.
7. Experience life underground as a miner
Go 300ft underground at the industrial heritage museum to see what life was like as a miner.
There are galleries and discovery trails above ground, too. Where: Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenavon
8. Watch red kites feed while huddled in a hide
A 200-acre working farm in the heart of Mid Wales is well-known for its red kite feeding centre.
Gigrin Farm overlooks both the Elan and Wye Valleys and is set in countryside near Rhayader. There are set feeding times, so check exact timings with the farm so you don’t miss out.
Other attractions include a farm trail, gift and coffee shop plus a picnic site. The standard entry fee is £6 for adults and £4 for children aged 5-15.
Where: Gigrin Farm, Rhayader.
9. Talk to the animals
The Animalarium north of Aberystwyth is home to endangered animals and birds and many of the animals are unwanted pets. Among the animals at the zoo you’ll find lizards, snakes, lions, crocodiles and meerkats. Buy a family ticket for two adults and two children (£30) and stay all day. It’s open from 11am-4pm until the end of March and then from 10am-6pm until October. Where: Borth Zoo, Ceredigion.