If your kid loves their dinosaur toy they probably love Dinosaurs so with the school Easter holidays coming soon, why not take them on a Dinosaur Themed Day Out? We are spoiled for choice when it comes to UK Dinosaur Attractions so hopefully we can give you some helpful advice.
With the Easter school holidays ahead of you, you may we wondering what to do to entertain the kids. The chances are that you are reading this blog because you or your kids are mad about dinosaurs. At Best Years, we are mad about dinosaur toys but also fascinated by the whole dinosaur story. There is something about dinosaurs that interests both adults and children, so we thought we would come up with our Top Dinosaur Days Out. These are our top treats and many are inexpensive, low cost days out. If we have missed your favourite dinosaur destination, do send us an email - we would love to hear from you.
If you are lucky, you may even be able to pick up a Best Years dinosaur toy at some of these places!
1. Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure, Norfolk
If you are in the east, you may want to consider a Dinosaur themed day out at Dinosaur Adventure Park in Norfolk. With its dinosaur trail, pterodactyl tree house, jurassic zipwire, dinosaur themed adventure playground, Jurassic Putt Crazy Golf and Dinomite indoor play area if the weather is a bit iffy, it is a great place for the kids to burn off some energy. They even have a climb-a-saurus! During the Easter holidays, an Egg-cellent Easter is planned with Dippy's Chocolate Factory.
If you are in London or the South East, why not consider a trip to see the Crystal Palace dinosaurs? This dinosaur trail is free to enter and offers the opportunity to see some of the world's oldest dinosaur statues. Constructed in 1853-55, these palaeontological statues represent the first ever attempt anywhere in the world to model extinct animals as full-scale, three-dimensional, active creatures from fossil remains. Some of the statues are wildly inaccurate compared with modern interpretations. Who decided what they should look like is a subject of historical debate.
This would make a lovely day out on a dry day - why not take a picnic and enjoy the great outdoors and burn off some energy.
3. Knebworth House Dinosaur Trail
Young children will love the dinosaur trail in the Wilderness Garden at Knebworth House. With 72 life sized dinosaurs and historic creatures among the shrubbery, there is plenty to discover. Children can learn about the Woollly Mammoth, T Rex and other dinosaurs whilst exploring the woodland pathways. With wind up sound boxes children can make the dinosaurs roar and there are dinosaur footprints to discover. The wilderness area within the Gardens features Willow Huts, bird song sound box and garden sculptures as well as the Bug Hotel and Giant’s Chair - a highlight for many young children.
And don't forget to visit the Adventure Playground to burn off even more energy - interactive water play, a zip wire, climbing equipment and a drop slide. Sounds like plenty to keep older children busy. Picnics are welcome so why not make a full day of it?
4. Dinosaurs Gallery, World Museum, Liverpool
Although not the largest exhibition in the UK, the World Museum wins our vote. It has life size skeletons of dinosaurs and a time tunnel where you can see how the world has changed. In the Clore Natural History Centre, you can handle dinosaur bones, fossils and rocks which most children will love. There is also a planetarium, aquarium and much more, so visit for a couple of hours or even make a day of it. With free entry, you can treat yourself to lunch out and it will still be an inexpensive day.
5. The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site
If we have some lovely spring days over the Easter holidays why not head to the beautiful Jurassic Coast? There are 96 miles to choose from, running from Dorset all the way to East Devon and there are 185 million years of the Earth's history to be discovered! Who can fail to be excited about finding a fossil - a thing of wonder and the teacher will be impressed when your child take it in for Show & Tell (do schools still do that?) From Charmouth and Lyme Regis, you can join guided fossil walks and there are museums at Lyme Regis and Bridport. If you do go fossil hunting, follow the guidelines to stay safe and be responsible fossil hunters - www.jurassiccoast.org has some great advice and information. If the weather is not so good, pop into the Lyme Regis Museum who have a collection of large collection fossils, information about Mary Anning, the famous fossil collector and the birth of palaeontology. This Easter, they are offering a range of activities including fossil polishing, dinosaur origami and dragon clay modelling among others.
6. Dinopark, Carrutherstown, Dumfries
If you are in Scotland and have dinosaur mad kids, why not plan a day out to Dinopark. You can take a trip through the Dino Mine, visit the Dino Den to hear stories and find out interesting dino-facts, have a bounce on the bouncy dinosaur and dig for fossils. An ideal dinosaur themed day out for younger dinosaur lovers.
7. Dippy the Diplodocus is now in Coventry at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum after a nationwide tour. Another free exhibition so a great day out with the kids this school holiday - be sure to book your free slot as school holidays get busy.
7. Land of the Living Dinosaurs, West Midlands Safari Park
This attraction opened in 2016 and is the UK's largest animatronic dinosaur exhibition - which may be too realistic and a little bit scary for some! The safari park has a fantastic drive through safari, a small theme park, a sea lion show, opportunities to feed animals and the new Land of the Living Dinosaurs. Given its central location in the West Midlands, this UK Dinosaur attraction easily makes it into our top 7. Let us know if you have visited and what you think.
Let us know your top dinosaur days out - we would love to hear from you.
