Kiki's Kabin North Shields Review

This post is an advert for January 2024. Any shares/edits beyond that date have not been asked/paid for. Information correct as of January 2024. This post was published by our writer Gaia who visited with her daugher Ada (5). 

It's important to check with venue direct for the most up-to-date info before heading out, especially regarding prices and opening times as information can change over time.  You can do that here: https://www.kikiskabin.co.uk/

How to Spend 5 Hours in Amsterdam with Kids

AD. - this post contains affiliate links and includes a mix of information photos taken on press trips and trips I have taken and paid for myself. All activities mentioned in this post were chosen and paid for by myself. 

This post was published in Jan 2024 and updated in June 2024. Prices and info were last checked on this date and are subject to change - check with attractions direct for the most up-to-date info. 

The DFDS Mini Cruise is a cheap way to enjoy a weekend away with kids. You get two nights on board a ship and time in Amsterdam. It is best to see this as a full trip away - your break starts from the second you step on board, rather than just a few hours in Amsterdam.

9 Northumberland Coast Playgrounds to Visit

This post was published in Jan 2024. Please check with venues direct for the most up to date info. 

You can access most of these playgrounds (I feel like Druridge Bay is the only one that would be tricky) by bus. Check out the Arriva X18 service timetable and you can read my blog about Visiting the Northumberland Coast by Bus. 

If you'd like to see a map with the locations of these playgrounds, I have added one at the bottom of this post. 

Explorer Trail Circular Walk at Gibside

 
We love this walk at Gibside and have enjoyed it a fair few times now. It's one of our go-to walks with Fozzy as there is lots for him to sniff, the paths are mostly wide, it's pretty quiet and it includes the dog exercise field at the Stables where he can safely run around as we enjoy a coffee. 

Access to this walk is included with National Trust Membership / admission to Gibside. 

• 2.2 miles / 3.52km circular route 
• Dogs welcome on leads (there is an enclosed exercise field where you can let them off lead en-route)
• Lots of activities to try en-route including a play area, animal sculptures, den building zone and low ropes course 
• Cafe at the start/end
• Pushchair accessible - step-free, roughly surfaced paths with a few steep gradients
• Suitable for a powered mobility vehicle - there are two available to hire 
• Toilets at the start/end, Strawberry Castle Play Area and Stables 
• Well signposted route 
• Should take 1 hour but you can easily extend this by spending time on activities 

Tynemouth Aquarium Review

 This post is based on a visit in November 2023. Please check with venue direct for the most up-to-date information, especially regarding prices and opening hours. 

One of the first posts on this website was a review of Tynemouth Aquarium (back then it was Blue Reef). 10 years ago, I paid £18 (with some money off vouchers) for us to visit and felt like it was a bit of a rip off. 

Whitburn to Seaburn Pushchair Friendly Walk

This post is based on a visit in November 2023. Please check with venues direct for the most up to date info. 

We are gradually trying to walk the full North East Coast with Fozzy. In this post, I'm going to share the stretch between Whitburn and Seaburn. 

It's 1.2 miles each way and should take around an hour to walk there and back. This walk is very easy to continue onto Roker. If you did this, it would be around 2 miles each way and take around 1hr 20 mins and you'd pass a further two playgrounds.

Cawfield Quarry Walk, Stargazing & Picnic Spot

This post is based on a visit in January 2024. Please check with venues direct for the most up to date info as this can change. 

 

Cawfields is a free entry section of Hadrian's Wall which is open 24/7. There's a car park and it's accessible by bus. It's the easiest way to reach a Milecastle by car (Milecastle 42 is a very short walk from the car park) and a fantastic place to start a walk along Hadrian's Wall with excellent views.