A day out with the family in Leicester

Fun in Leicestershire for the kids (and the parents!)  

Want to have a fun day out with the kids? It doesn't matter if it's on a rainy or sunny day, there are plenty of things to do in Leicester that will keep the kids entertained and make for an enjoyable family outing. This blog post is for parents who want to find ways to enjoy themselves while their children have fun too. We'll talk about indoor activities that allow the kids to stay active while mom enjoys coffee (or wine) and kid-friendly outdoor adventures like kayaking!

First, let's talk rainy days out in Leicestershire. Here are some ideas for what you can do: 

1. Visit Leicester Museum and Art Gallery

At the Leicester Museum and Art Gallery, formerly known as the New Walk Museum, kids can learn about their massive, scaly, prehistoric cousins in the dinosaur exhibit, then blow their little minds learning about cosmic wonders in the Wild Space exhibit. Let the kiddos romp around and fiddle with the interactive exhibits while expanding their minds. All free of charge! 

2. Play Laser Tag at Laserforce

Are you ready to win Parent of the Year? Your kids are going to flip over this one.

Laserforce is a futuristic game that allows players to embody a space hero (or villain) in the flesh. Don your glittering battle suits and grab your (super safe, infrared-shooting) laser gun and prepare for WAR! Be quick to determine who are friends, foes, or aliens within the immersive, fast-paced arena.

Laserforce practically guarantees a great time for all participants, irrespective of age or experience. Even Moms are enthusiastically encouraged to join the battle!

3. Explore The National Space Center 

The National Space Centre is always an exciting place for kids with lots of hands-on activities and exhibits. Kids will love exploring Space Town and playing games in Earth Plaza. At the end of the tour-de-space, treat your little ones to some astronaut ice cream!

Now, for sunny days in the Midlands:

4. Feel the wind on your face kayaking with Let's Get Lost

The UK is home to beautiful rivers and lakes, so why not take the plunge!

Explore nature with your kids from your kayaks, paddling along the mellow River Soar. Or, if you’re keen for a break, relinquish your parenting duties to LGL staff (just for a little while, of course), hop on a kayak, and paddle to the pub while the kids are taken care of!

Let's Get Lost loves to help families bond on the water. Family time, time in nature and a good workout- a day on the water will surely tick all your boxes.

5. Enjoy a walk in the park or along the water

The Midlands are full of excellent options for you and your family to enjoy obstacle-free outdoor spaces that are safe for kids. Stroll through Fosse Meadows Country Park or maybe have a picnic at Thornton Reservoir. Bring the dog to Abbey Park and toss the frisbee around (and maybe let the kids join in too)!

6. Watch an outdoor movie screening under the stars on Jubilee Square!

Jubilee Square hosts tons of free film showings, many of which are excellent choices for kids and parents alike. Bring a picnic blanket, some popcorn, and snuggle up!

Whether you want an activity that will get your kids’ energy out or you just want to relax together as a family, there are lots of options in Leicestershire for whatever your goal maybe! If you need some help planning the perfect day with your loved ones, be sure to visit Let's Get Lost and let us plan your trip for you. We can't wait to help you make memories with your family!

7 Outdoor Benefit For Kids

Let’s Get Lost was created to help people get outdoors, explore, connect deeper with their close ones, and for children’s growth and developmental stages in life we consider it to be an essential part of their upbringing, so have shared 7 top benefits to being outdoors for you to check out.

1. Mental Health

Lifting your mood and lowering anxiety are two ways being outdoors may be good for mental health. When in nature, people may experience a more positive mood and better cognitive function. Memory improves, as does the ability to focus. Some people also experience a boost in creativity.

2. Active

Being active has both physical and mental benefits. It improves your fitness, makes you stronger, and helps you manage health conditions and stay out of the hospital. Physical activity helps you take back control, be more independent, and can help you live well for longer

3. Social

Social interaction helps young children to start to develop their sense of self, and also start to learn what others expect from them. ... Putting them in preschool or child care helps your child naturally come out of that phase. Sharing, setting boundaries, and problem-solving all come from socializing and interacting.

4. Exploring

It helps children grow in important ways. First is the growth of intelligence. A toddler's interest in learning about the world encourages him to use his senses–tasting, touching, seeing, and smelling. His senses help him understand how things are different from each other and how they work.

5. Discovering The Local Area

Using the local environment enables children to develop a sense of belonging to the local community. Children learn best through first-hand experiences and going out into the local environment, or even further afield, enables children to explore and experience the different features found locally to them

6. Fresh Air

Getting outdoors on a regular basis can also improve your child's health and wellbeing as the fresh air cleans their lungs, ridding them of impurities such as car fumes and dust.

7. Family Time

Family time is an essential factor that helps to create strong bonds, love, connections, and relationship among the family members. Spending quality time with family does help in coping with challenges, instill a feeling of security, inculcate family values, fill kids with confidence, and much more.

9 Incredible Sports You Have To Try This Year In Leicestershire

Leicestershire isn't well known for its outdoor sports but when you just do a little bit of research you can discover some amazing sport to try this year. Check out these 9 incredible outdoor sports we recommend trying this year in Leicestershire.

1: Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing - is a sport that consumes a lot of precision and accuracy. While doing this sport, you are mainly attached to a rope that can save you from falling down when making (predictable) mistakes. This sport is totally different no matter where you do it, as you can view wonderful sights of UK each step of the way. Call of the Wild’s, in Wales, climbing sessions are usually based in the Brecon Beacons, a beautiful area to cut your teeth in this fun world. There are different sites used when training beginners. Don’t worry too much as you’ll receive full instruction so plummeting to your demise isn’t a very likely outcome. It’s another way to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family.

Where To Try - The Tower Climbing Centre

What it costs - Starting from £5 per person, plus £5 equipment hire (if needed)

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2: Kayaking & Canoeing

Kayaking - Too often, we obsessively glorify new fitness fads, overlooking some of the tried and true activities that aren’t as flashy. While we like to check out the latest workouts and crazes, it’s always nice to get back to basics and the outdoors will always be our favorite fitness center. Kayaking is one of those classic activities that puts you right in the center of nature and provides an excellent workout. We love paddling and we think you should try it.

Where To Try - Let’s Get Lost

What it costs - Starting from £30 per person

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3: Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving - Have you ever dreamed of scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef? Just imagine sinking down into the warm waters, exploring coral gardens, and seeing this wondrous world through the eyes of a fish. Learning to scuba dive is easy and is your passport to a brave new world.

Where To Try - Stoney Cove

What it costs - Starting from £25 per person

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4: Snorkeling

Snorkeling - is a simple and fun activity that can easily be enjoyed by the whole family - children, parents and even grandparents ! All that’s required is that snorkelers must know how to swim and be moderately comfortable in the water. A few accessories, such as buoys, inflatable noodles and even a vest can provide the youngest children with some extra buoyancy, so that they won’t get tired as quickly and will be able to enjoy the water for a longer period of time.

Where To Try - Leicester Underwater Exploration Club

What it costs - Starting from £5 per person

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5: Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking - At Everards Meadows you can enjoy miles of peaceful traffic-free cycling along brand new waymarked cycle paths, or take the Great Central Way and explore the city of Leicester by bike.

When you arrive, they’ll give you a map and talk you through the waymarked route options, including shorter family-friendly routes, taking in kids' play areas, and cafes.

Where To Try - Rutland Cycling

What it costs - Starting from £10.99

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6: Paddleboarding

Paddleboarding - You don’t have to travel all the way to the River Nile in order to give it a go! Perhaps not as dangerous as other activities on this list, paddleboarding offers a number of different options to ride, such as rivers, lakes, and even the sea. Dependent on your need for an adrenaline rush, your location will offer that much-needed excitement. You can find paddleboarding schools across the UK.

Where To Try - Leicester Windsurfing & SUP Club

What it costs - Starting from £5 per person

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7: Bouldering

Bouldering - This sport is for those who find rock climbing too mainstream. Performed without ropes, harnesses, or any safety equipment, bouldering is usually done for less than 20 feet (six meters). Also, most climbers use climbing shoes for better grip and chalk to keep the hands dry.

Where To Try - Social Climbing

What it costs - Starting from £7 per person

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8: Parkour

Parkour - An intense activity, and one that requires you to be physically and mentally fit, parkour (or free running) enthusiasts must jump over, slide under, climb or otherwise navigate obstacles in their path from point A to point B, all without breaking stride. This may sound easy, but barriers like stairs, pillars and road blocks can test your physical stamina and endurance.

Where To Try - Jump

What it costs - Starting from £10 per person

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9: Skydiving

Skydiving - is a natural adrenaline sport. This adventure sport will literally make you scream from the bottom of your lungs, jumping out of a plane has that effect on people. When making that jump, it’ll go down as one of the most memorable events in your life time. Skydiving gives you a sense of freedom like no other, and the scenery from up above is second to none. This sport should totally be in your bucket list. Be sure to take lessons first and remember to check if the skydiving school is approved by the BPA (British Parachute Association). This skydiving experience is absolutely worth trying during your time in the UK!

Where To Try - Just on the outskirts of Leicestershire at Skydive Langer

What it costs - Starting from £230 per person

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5 Top Tips for taking your dog paddling

We loved this article from Go Paddling so much we had to share it…

Thinking about taking your dog paddling? No!? You should! Paddling with your dog is a great way to include them on your adventures. After all, dogs are part of the family, so it’s only natural that you want to take them with you. To help you get started, we’ve got some handy tips…

5 top tips for taking your dog paddling

1. Protect your pooch – It may seem obvious but it’s important to take your dog swimming before you take them out. It gives you and them confidence. Even if your dog is a good swimmer, a well fitted dog buoyancy aid with a lifting handle is a must. The fit and handle are super important if you need to lift your dog back into the boat. You also need to think about things like drinking water, a small first aid kit (including Vaseline), vet wrap and gauze.

2. Claw patrol – Ensure you have proper covers on your kit so your dog can’t damage it with their claws. It’s worth having airbag covers in your canoe, and drybags come in handy too, doubling up as a dog bed, especially on paddleboards!

3. Fur the love of nature – Sorry to lower the tone, but a good supply of poo bags is an essential part of any doggy adventure, plus a dedicated ‘storage’ box like an old tupperware clip box. Also be aware of the environment you are in and be careful of other wildlife. Dogs love to play duck chase, so use a lead if you think your dog might be feeling a bit cheeky!

4. Paws for thought – Shocking we know, but not everyone loves your dog as much as you. Ask people you are paddling with if they are comfortable having a dog there before you head out.

5. Fun unleashed – Above all, have fun but remember to be safe and respectful. Think ahead and pack a bag of treats including floating tennis balls, a frisbee and food. Scope out trips you can do where there are dog friendly pubs or picnic sites where your dog can run.

Now you’re ready to go paddling with your four-legged friend. Don’t forget to take lots of cute dog pics along the way!

Content curtesy of: Go Paddling