All parents know that keeping kids entertained, without screens, can be a challenge.
This challenge becomes ever difficult if you’re new to an area and aren’t sure what’s on offer. And when you have kids of different ages, it can be hard to please them all with the same activity!
Settling into a new home becomes much easier when you know your little ones are enjoying their time there. And besides, moving home with kids can be a stressful experience in itself! So we’re here to provide some insight into what you can get up to in and around Crawley – for the whole family.
1. Tilgate Park
Tilgate Park is sure to top a lot of lists like these. It makes for a great day out for the family when the weather is nice enough to enjoy the great outdoors! Miles and miles of woodland, grass, lakes and carefully kept gardens are a great picnic backdrop, or a chance to wear out little legs on winding walks. The property is bursting with things to do including the Tilgate Nature Centre, with 100+ species to ponder over, and the watersports centre, where you can hire rowboats, canoes, kayaks and much more.
2. K2 Crawley
Crawley is proud to offer the facilities of the K2, one of the best-equipped leisure centres in the south of England. For an active day out or even just a couple of hours in the pool, the K2 is unmatched in the local area. Outside of London, the K2 contains the only Olympic-sized swimming pool in the South, making for an impressive swim.
You’ll also find a variety of sports pitches for hire, from football to squash, as well as a climbing wall for energetic climbers. You can enjoy the facilities yourself too, of course, with a quality gym for keeping the whole family fit.
3. Crawley Museum
For rainy days, the Crawley Museum is a great place to find out a little more about your local area. The objects and exhibits tell stories from Crawley’s past, with both permanent and temporary exhibits, showing the small beginnings of the town since the iron age. Celebrate the communities around the town through the ages with fascinating artefacts and oral exhibits.
4. Go Ape Tilgate Forest
If you’re looking to entertain younger and older kids alike, the Go Ape Centre at Tilgate Park is an excellent option. The high ropes course has several sections of different difficulties, suitable for every age. The Treetop Challenge is a physical and mental challenge, while fun at the same time! While you’re there, why not embark on a Segway adventure and explore the forest on two wheels for an afternoon?
5. Crawley Karting
Go-Karting is an all-round crowd-pleaser, especially with tiny motorheads! Professional racing engineers have designed the 3-tiered track at Go Karting Crawley to be the ultimate challenge for beginners and seasoned racers alike. They can compete with their friends or siblings to be top of the leaderboard or fight to beat track records if they’re feeling ambitious.
6. Buchan Country Park
Buchan is another sunny day spot, recognised every year since 2010 as one of the best green spaces in the UK. Picnic spots are plentiful, and this park is perfect for stretching the legs of your four-legged friends too. Set the challenge of finding the wooden sculptures hidden around the site on your woodland wander and keep the whole family busy for an afternoon! You can also stop by the CoffeEco Mobile Barista on weekends for a refreshing drink.
7. Hawth Theatre
Whether you’re looking for an evening without the kids or a production to please the whole family, Hawth Theatre’s programme is perfect. From popular comedians like Frankie Boyle to pantomimes featuring West End superstars, almost every day has something unmissable hitting the Hawth’s stage. You’ll find all kinds of art here too, including life drawing sessions in backstage studios.
8. Ifield Watermill
The Ifield Watermill is the only of its kind in West Sussex that still uses its original water source, the neighbouring Millpond. The watermill is believed to have been used from 1660 and rebuilt a number of times throughout its life. Running off donations from generous investors, the mill was restored from a deteriorated state in 1974, and it’s a lovely location for families today. Bring a picnic and explore the gift shop too!
Come rain or shine, you now have a few things to suggest to bored faces on an empty day in or around Crawley. And if you’re looking to move to Crawley, Bishop’s Move is always here to offer a bespoke service. Get in touch today.
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