How To Keep Kids Entertained This Summer
Well, it’s that time of year again! Schools out for summer and the kids are running around the house again. It can be a bit of a challenge keeping them busy all day, and while we’re not too far into the holidays many of us are running out of ideas. Not to fear though, we’re here with heaps of ways to keep your wee ones entertained with ideas for days out in Aberdeenshire and beyond as well as indoor and outdoor activities they’ll love.
Restrictions are finally lifting across the whole of the UK, so there’s no better time to really get out and about than this summer. Whether it’s just your little ones to keep happy or if you have guests, our summer activity ideas for kids are sure to keep them busy, burn off energy and maybe even teach them new skills!
Getting Out And About In Aberdeenshire And Beyond
At Taylor’s, we’re pretty lucky to have our shop in one of the most beautiful parts of the UK, and now that we can enjoy all that Banchory has to offer we’re helping you make the most of it! There are heaps of things to do right on our doorstep, so here are a few of our favourites.
The Barn
A multi-arts centre with heaps of fun activities on offer year-round, The Barn is host to a hive of creativity. With music, theatre, comedy, dance, film, art exhibitions, workshops and children’s events to choose from there’s always something to do that gets the whole family doing something fun and creative.
On the 27th of July, The Barn is throwing a brilliant event that kids of all ages will love. “The Swings” features two aerialists performing on a giant set of, you guessed it, swings. A unique event you won’t soon forget, this is a Banchory activity you don’t want to miss.
Drum Castle
An ancient castle with historic ties to Robert the Bruce and the Jacobite revolution, Drum Castle is a fun and educational day out. The castle interior is now open for public tours from Thursday to Monday, so you can spend the weekend feeling like royalty!
The castle itself is a fantastic way to teach the wee ones some Scottish history (although maybe skipping the gory details) and the woodland surrounding the grounds have great walks. The woodland walk even has a brilliant playground that kids will absolutely love, and give the grown-ups a break. Once you’ve built up an appetite with all your exploring, you can pop into Mary’s Larder, the castle cafe named after the sister of the Laird of Drum.
If you fancy getting some more culture in your life this summer, then the castle also hosts live outdoor theatre on the historic grounds. On the 22nd of July, you can see a performance of The Further Adventures of Doctor Dolittle, for a cultural experience that’ll keep the little ones entertained.
Royal Deeside Railway
The ultimate day out for any train (or just Thomas The Tank Engine) obsessed kiddo, The Royal Deeside Railway is a heritage train station they won’t want to leave. The original train station was opened in 1853 and was often used by the Royals on their way to Balmoral. Nowadays, you can visit the station and take a short trip on one of the classic steam trains.
The picturesque journey is only a mile long each way so it won’t take too long, and it’s a great adventure for all ages. Once you’re back at the station, you can pop into the train carriage cafe and recharge with a cake and coffee. This one’s a wonderful experience for young children and you can happily spend the whole afternoon there.
The Banchory Violin Trail
Spend the day exploring the beautiful sites of Banchory and see some equally lovely art pieces while you do it. The Banchory Violin Trail is a fun and exciting art discovery experience the whole family can enjoy. There are twelve individual pieces of art you can find dotted all around Banchory. While you make your way through town, you’ll find artists information explaining the inspiration behind each piece. With themes ranging from local heritage, wildlife, folklore each violin is unique.
There are stops all over Banchory, and one of them is Taylor’s on the High Street! That’s right, our own shop is hosting one of the gorgeous artworks on the violin trail, so why not come and pay us a visit?
How To Find A Great Day Out Near You
If you don’t live around Aberdeenshire and aren’t paying a visit to our wee part of the world this summer, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to find fun and educational days out near you. Drum Castle is part of the National Trust, and there are plenty of incredible ideas for places to visit on their website so there’s no shortage of things to do. You can also pop over to Great Days Out UK for some more suggestions!
Our blog is chock full of activity ideas, including Fun Kids Summer Crafts, Upcycling Furniture, and How To Throw The Best Barbeque Ever, so stay tuned for more updates.
