We’re not one for New Years resolutions. Why bother setting boring tasks and strict things to stick to. Surely it’s much better for the soul to list out things to do that you would actually like to do. A bucket list of ideas and activities for the year ahead. With that in mind, we sat down with the kids and complied a list of awesome kids activities to do and see in South Wales in 2018.
So here it is – Our 2018 Bucket List of Awesome Kids Activities in South Wales
Kids Activities South Wales
Horse riding on Ogmore Beach
What can be better than galloping across the beach with the wind in your hair? Not that we will be, as we’re novices at best. So it will be more like clinging on for dear life with a tidy plod or at best a bit of a canter. But this year a horse riding trek is on our list of things to do. And, with the most stunning scenery and backdrop there can’t be many better places to try a spot of horse riding than at Orgmore-by-Sea.
If you fancy it, you can find out more information here at www.rideonthebeach.co.uk
Paddle boarding in the Gower
One of our favourite beaches in the summer months is Langland. We love it there as it has so much to do for families, what with good waves, fantastic rock pools and the Brasserie for a post beach glass of wine. Sometimes the sea is so calm here, it becomes dotted with paddle boarders. Until recently I’d never really seen the point of them, but I’ve started to change my mind. It just looks so idyllic. So we’ve all agreed to give it a go this year.
After some web browsing we came across www.supgower.com who give lessons and have board hire.
Sea fishing off the rocks
The boys have expressed an interest in fishing. We went once on our holiday in Greece. You weren’t really supposed to catch anything with the flimsy rods they provided but it gave the boys enough of an appetite to want to try it again. Our plan is to fish off the rocks for sea bass, you never know, we may even catch one to barbecue later. At least that’s the plan anyway.
Family Bike Rides
We all love cycling, getting on the bikes and taking a picnic or stopping off in a pub or cafe for a bite to eat. Last year with biked along Aberavon promenade a number of times as it is pretty quiet most of the year and is about the right length for an easy cycle. This year we would like to bike along the Porthcawl promenade to Rest Bay. We would also like to try cycling through Hensol Forest and going further afield to the Peregrine Path in Monmouth. This later route zig zags across the Welsh-English border along the River Wye. Its about a 12 mile round trip, but you could always tackle part of it and stop mid way for a picnic.
To find out more about the Peregrine Path have a look here at www.sustrans.org.uk
White Water Rafting
Firmly on our list of things to do is white water rafting at the Cardiff International White Water Centre. The rafts seats up to six people and at certain times they run family sessions where the water levels and speed of the water are lowered for families. Anyone age 6 and up can have a go.
My eldest son has already had a go as he went to a white water rafting party last year. Since then we have been desperate to all have a go together.
If you’re interested you can find out more here: www.ciww.com
Pottery Making and Painting
Our youngest son loves doing anything that is creative. For Christmas he asked for a pottery wheel, and whilst Santa delivered it probably wasn’t the best pottery wheel in the world. However, we have found a place close by in Pontyclun, that teaches pottery and also has plenty of pre-made ceramics to paint to keep even the youngest happy. And what with us living just outside of Ewenny, renowned for its pottery, it would be rude not to give it a go. So this is one for our rainy days activities.
For more information visit: www.thelittleblacksheep.co.uk
Go on a Treasure Hunt with Geocaching
A smart phone with data allowance is all you need to take part in geocaching. Geocaches can be found all over and usually consist of a camouflaged plastic tub containing small prizes, usually small toys. If you find it you can swap one of the items for something you have taken with you. They also include a notebook for you to leave the date and a comment on what you have found. You just need to download an app and then use the geocaching website to pick one to seek out in your area.
You can find out more about Geocaching here at www.geochaching.com
Kids Activities and Places to Visit in South Wales
Caerphilly Castle
We love Castles, and as yet the boys have not visited Caerphilly Castle which is Wales’ largest and Britains second largest castle. Last year we visited the fairytale Castle of Castell Coch, but this year we intend to visit a real medieval fortress.
Apparently the design of the castle is based on a concentric ring of walls, something not seen in Britain before. It also has an lots of water defences and huge gatehouses to explore. Then of course there’s the famous leaning tower.
For more information visit: www.cadw.gov.wales
Big Pit and Blaenavon Iron Works
Big Pit is a real coal mine where you can go 300 feet underground and see what it was like for coal men to work down in the mines. I remember really enjoying my school trip there when I was younger and I would love to take the boys so they can learn more about our welsh history.
Close by is the Blaenavon Iron Works where the BBC Coal House series was filmed. Here you can explore the furnished cottages and find out what it was like for working families at the iron works.
I think this would be a really educational and fun day out, although I have to admit it was the adults who added this one to the list!
Further information can be found at: www.museum.wales/bigpit and www.cadw.wales
Dan yr Ogof
Our boys, like most, are massively into Dinosaurs. So this year we plan to visit The National Showcaves Centre which is home to one of the world’s largest collections of life sized dinosaur models. With over 130 to see ranging from the terrifying Tyrannosaurus Rex to the loveable Diplodocus.
Then of course there are three caves to explore; the Dan-yr-Ogof, the Cathedral Cave and the Bone Cave each with a different experience with winding passage ways and underground waterfalls.
They also have two covered play areas and a farm area to explore too which will help keep our youngest happy. We haven’t been there for around 5 years so we’ve all agreed that it’s time to pay it another visit.
For more info visit: www.showcaves.co.uk
Brecon Mountain Railway
Brecon Steam Mountain Railway runs from Pant, not far from Merthyr Tydfill to Torpantau, takes in the most magnificent views of the Brecon Beacons. You can visit the workshop where the locomotives and carriages are repaired and can visit their new Steam Museum. We know a couple of people who have really the Santa experiences but we’ve never been. I think as a family we’ve only ever been on a train once.
There are a couple of special events planned through out the year but we’ll just head there one weekend and try to tie it in with a walk along the reservoir.
You can find out more here: www.bmr.wales
Folly Farm
We love Folly Farm as there is just so much to see and do. They have over 750 animals at their zoo including the adorable giraffes and penguins. They now even off animal experiences where you can get to feed the giraffes, lions or penguins. There are also the usual farm yard animals to visit and get up close too.
On top of that they have plenty of outdoor play areas, picnic spots, a vintage fairground and an indoor play area.
We’ve been many times and never get bored. The last time we went the youngest was a baby but now she’d love it. So this year it is firmly on our list. Based in Pembrokeshire its only about an hour and half drive from Bridgend.
For more information visit: www.folly-farm.co.uk
We hope this list of kids activities South Wales has given you some inspiration on where to venture with the kids in 2018. If it has why not pin for later or share. There’s also more ideas in our 2017 bucket list post. As always we love to hear your ideas too. So please do let us know what is on your list in the comments below.
(As you know we generally take all our own photos, but as we haven’t been to the majority of the above, the photos have been sourced from www.Pixabay.com. Folly Farm and the bike ride pictures are our own)
