Legoland, Billund, Denmark

Legoland, Billund, Denmark

Sani Resort Greece

Legoland, Billund, Denmark

Well, when the three co-founders of BROOD and six of the mini BROOD’s set off on an adventure to Legoland Denmark there was bound to be plenty of ‘brood moments’ along the way and that there was! 

BROOD crew in LEGOLAND

Legoland Billund – flight

It was an extremely short flight from Manchester to Denmark – which is always welcome when travelling with little ones – in fact it was such a short flight that if you live in the north of England, it will actually take you less time to get to Legoland Denmark than it would to drive to the one in Windsor! When we arrived in Billund, it was only 15 minutes to get to the Legoland hotel from the airport, which again was perfect for the children especially as we arrived late at night. Despite it being so late when we checked in the kids couldn’t contain their excitement as to how amazing the Legoland Castle Hotel was, and neither could the adults if truth be told! 

The hotel rooms themselves were set up perfectly for children and adults alike. Especially for a family of six, as it’s very rare that you can get a hotel room so fitting for your family. We had two bunk beds and a king-size bed in our room, both slightly segregated into their own little areas, which was perfect for the evenings. Once we had managed to bring the kids down off the ceiling of excitement, they each jumped into their beds with a promise of an exciting day ahead when they woke up. 

Legoland-peppa-pig
Legoland-peppa-pig
Arion Athens Hotel, Athens, Greece
Lalandia Billund Denmark

Lego house and Lalandia

The next morning once we’d got the kids ready, they sat nicely and played with the Lego that was provided in the room, which meant we were able to get ready in peace – this is not something to be underestimated! Then we headed downstairs for the hotel breakfast, it was a buffet with plenty of choices. Scheduled for our first day was a trip to Lego house and Lalandia – which is home to Scandinavia’s largest water park. We decided to go to Lego House first, thinking it was probably best for them to go swimming towards the end of the day. The hotel reception staff had informed us that Lego House was approximately a 20 minute walk from the hotel, and just as the nine of us were about to set off the heavens opened! Even though we all had coats on, the rain was so heavy that we decided to buy some of the yellow Legoland ponchos for backup. In hindsight, instead of the ponchos we probably would have been better off getting a taxi there. The rain didn’t dampen the children’s spirits though and they couldn’t wait to dive into all of the various activities that greeted you as soon as you entered Lego House. There was an array of mind blowing Lego models from huge dinosaurs, and miniature villages, to a tree that was the centrepiece of the staircase that went up three floors! The children were thoroughly entertained throughout their time at Lego House and it was so refreshing to see them diving into Lego bricks to build things and not once asking for any kind of technology. As we prepared to leave Lego house to go to our next destination, we couldn’t believe it had started snowing! Only when team brood go somewhere at the end of April, could it snow! So we figured out how to get a taxi and went straight to our next destination Lalandia – which was only a two minute walk from our hotel, so it was very handy to go back there for changes of clothes, etc. As well as being home to Scandinavia’s biggest waterpark, Lalandia was also filled with restaurants, trampolines, soft play areas and shops, including a supermarket – which was very handy to get the children’s drinks and snacks from. 

Arion Athens Hotel, Athens, Greece

The kids absolutely loved it in the waterpark and spent around two hours in there up and down slides, in and out of the pool, riding the waves. The youngest two couldn’t go in for that long, but there was a seating area with a viewing platform which had an enclosed play area so they were equally as happy as the older ones. It was a great afternoon and afterwards, we all enjoyed pizza from the takeaway pizzeria, which was really reasonably priced, and a few pizzas to share with drinks from the supermarket was perfect for us all.

After their tea settled, we let the kids go into the soft play area and ensured that they were worn out in time for bed. As we came out of Lalandia to go home the sun was shining and it was really warm – we’d enjoyed all four seasons in one day!

Legoland Denmark

We were up early again the next day as the children were super excited to go to Legoland Park, which was once again just two minutes from our hotel, with just one road to cross, that was a zebra crossing so it was nice and easy. There was so much to do at Legoland Park, we started by asking all the children what was the one thing that they most wanted to visit that day, and taking into account the two little ones Iris, 2 and Hartley, 4, would most love the new Peppa Pig land. We visited attractions like the Ninjago Land and a host of different rides that were all suitable for all different ages. Archer at only five-year-old proved to be the biggest daredevil of them all! We actually got to see an awful lot in one day and packed in lots of activities. Legoland Park doesn’t stay open too late either, which we only realised as it approached 5 o’clock that the park was starting to close rides – which helped us to get the children out of there and wind down for teatime. We knew we had the next day in the park to continue the fun which definitely helped take any stress off trying to cram everything in, so I would definitely recommend having two days in the park if you can. It’s definitely worth having a buggy for the little ones too, you can hire from Legoland, although I’d say whenever you travel anywhere having a little buggy at the airport for any child even under the age of five is super helpful. Our five year-old wanted to hop in it occasionally as you do end up doing an awful lot of steps in one day. I think we counted 16,000 steps one day, and 17,000 steps the next, so definitely get prepared in that sense. 

The next day we visited the sea life centre inside Legoland Park, as we hadn’t got around to that the day before, which the kids loved and we also had the opportunity to revisit some of their favourite rides and places, which cemented that Ninjago Land and Peppa Pig World were right up there. Then of course came the gift shop, but as they had all been so well behaved we did promise them that they could pick something out of the gift shop on the last day. The choice was overwhelming for them, so I would allow plenty of time for them to keep changing their mind and decide on what they want, especially when you are sticking to a budget. 

Is Legoland Billund worth it?

Absolutely! The children all enjoyed Legoland so much that they got quite teary when they were leaving and we had to make a promise that we would one day all go back together. And as adults, although it was tiring, it was so worth it. The children’s faces were lighting up each and every day with all the different things that were going on and we would all highly recommend Legoland Billund. We will definitely be returning and it would probably be nice to add on a few extra days to explore some of Billund as well. The Danish people and teams at Legoland were particularly helpful, and it felt very clean and safe. So if you’re looking for a fun mini break with the children, then I would put Legoland straight to the top of your list!

https://www.legoland.dk/en/

legoland Billund
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HOLIDAYING AFTER A SEPARATION

HOLIDAYING AFTER A SEPARATION

School’s out again in October. For some families that means jetting off for some last minute sun, but if you’re separated from your child’s other parent, you might run into some challenges that you will need to address before you set off.

Legoland, Billund, Denmark

Legoland, Billund, Denmark

The three co-founders of BROOD and six of the mini BROOD’s set off on an adventure to Legoland Denmark there was bound to be plenty of ‘brood moments’ along the way and that there was!

GET CLOSER TO DINOSAURS THAN EVER BEFORE AT JURASSIC WORLD: THE EXHIBITION!

GET CLOSER TO DINOSAURS THAN EVER BEFORE AT JURASSIC WORLD: THE EXHIBITION!

JURASSIC WORLD: THE EXHIBITION

We were lucky enough to be invited down for a special preview of Jurassic World:The Exhibition at the Trafford Centre which following its worldwide success came roaring into Manchester this week, and it did not disappoint! 

We were honestly blown away throughout our journey round Jurassic World and it truly was an incredible experience for the whole family. 

Jurassic World: The Exhibition is a family-friendly exhibit of massive proportions based on one of the biggest blockbuster franchises in cinema history. Visitors walk through the iconic Jurassic World gates, explore richly themed environments, encounter a life-sized Brachiosaurus, Velociraptors, including fan-favourite Blue, and the most fearsome dinosaur of all, the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex. 

Guests are able to imagine what it would have been like to roam amongst these breathtaking creatures, interact with baby dinosaurs, including “Bumpy” which the children immediately recognised from the popular animated series Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous which is currently streaming on Netflix.

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T Rex Jurassic World The Exhibition

Following an initial launch in Melbourne, Australia,Jurassic World: The Exhibition, one of the fastest selling exhibitions in history since its launch, has become a global success with over eight million visitors. The exhibition has opened its gates to excited fans in numerous cities around the world such as Sydney, Toronto, Houston, San Diego, Chicago, Paris, Shanghai, Cologne and Berlin.

At the launch we spoke to Milan Rokic Executive Vice President for Neon Global – who are the producers of Jurassic World, to hear a little more about Jurassic World: The exhibition and its journey so far. 

“Manchester is our 22nd city on our global tour and currently, we also have Jurassic World in Melbourne, Australia, and in Mexico City. We had taken this exhibition to London in 2022 and we’re looking at a return season to London in the foreseeable future, but we also would like to expand to the rest of the UK as well. 

It’s a family experience, so it’s from the ages of five through to 95 to enjoy – you know. We’ve had all sorts of people come along, because this movie franchise has been around for 30 years, so we’ve all had different connections with it. But ultimately dinosaurs is something that everyone likes to connect with. So I think that bringing children along and seeing the joy in their face is what it’s all about. 

We own an animatronics company in Nashville, Tennessee, so we create the dinosaurs there. And it takes a lot of work to put these together, and then to make it theatrical, because you want it to be close to what the movie experience is as well.” 

And it was exactly that. We were fully invested in the experience and it’s hard not to get swept up into believing the dinosaurs are real! 

If you’re looking a for great family trip this Summer, then make sure Jurassic World; The Exhibition is on your list. 

Information and Tickets

Jurassic World: The Exhibition will be presented starting 2nd August, 2024 for a limited time at the Trafford Centre Manchester, Peel 7 car park, opposite John Lewis. Tickets are on sale now exclusively on www.ticketmaster.co.uk

 

General admission prices for Jurassic World: The Exhibition start at £13 for children (ages 3-15). Family and group tickets are also available as well as special pricing for senior citizens and students. Please note that all tickets are valid for a specific time slot.

Jurassic World The Exhibition
Jurassic World The Exhibition
Jurassic World The Exhibition
THE POWER OF 10 MINUTE WORKOUT

THE POWER OF 10 MINUTE WORKOUT

The Power of 10 Minute workouts Should busy mums be embracing shorter workouts to get better results? Mum and personal trainer Jenny Francis-Townson investigates WE know the power of regular exercise in transforming our physical and mental wellbeing. But when you...

HOLIDAYING AFTER A SEPARATION

HOLIDAYING AFTER A SEPARATION

School’s out again in October. For some families that means jetting off for some last minute sun, but if you’re separated from your child’s other parent, you might run into some challenges that you will need to address before you set off.

Legoland, Billund, Denmark

Legoland, Billund, Denmark

The three co-founders of BROOD and six of the mini BROOD’s set off on an adventure to Legoland Denmark there was bound to be plenty of ‘brood moments’ along the way and that there was!

Family Friendly Holidays: School Holiday Getaway Inspo

Family Friendly Holidays: School Holiday Getaway Inspo

School Holiday Inspo<br />
Sani Resort Greece

Sani Resort, Greece

Sani Resort’s largest hotel looks out upon the azure waters of Cape Sani from its beachfront location, surrounded by 7km white-sand beaches. From watersports and mountain biking to being pampered in the spa, Sani Beach’s lavish environment ensures uncompromising experiences for all the family.

While away the hours on secluded beaches, Ammos beach and Sani Hill beach, ripe for exploration by children and adults alike. As too is the pine fringed Bousoulas beach, open for all. Or take a restful dip in the infinity pool — breathe in the Mediterranean spirit as you gaze out over azure waters.

From double rooms to family-friendly suites, sun-drenched balconies, private gardens and floor to ceiling windows, our wide variety of rooms means there’s something to suit everyone’s wants and wishes. A large-scale hotel experience, the thoughtful touches of each room, from the Bose SoundDock to Anne Semonin products, remain luxurious and ever personal.

Bella Italia, Lake Garda, Italy

Big hearted Bella Italia is alive with possibilities, brimming with facilities and dedicated to bring the fun
Bella Italia lies on the south eastern tip of Lake Garda, at the start of the ‘Olive Tree Riviera’, and offers a beautiful holiday location for active families.
You couldn’t pick a place more perfect for kids who love fun and anyone who loves sightseeing. There is direct access to the lakeside beach, although the fabulous pool complex with its four pools (including children’s pool, lagoon pools and waterslides) offers loads of fun for all ages. At weekends throughout June, July and August, the ‘animatore’ provides a variety of entertainment too! Off parc, the cycling path between Mantova and Peschiera (also within walking distance) runs past the entrance. Then, after a busy day, you can feed your hunger in the superb restaurant, which offers wonderful views of the lake.

Bella Italia, Lake Garda, Italy Review
Arion Athens Hotel, Athens, Greece

Arion Athens Hotel, Athens, Greece

You will experience a warm Greek hospitality in a truly convenient location in Athens’s city center. The lively area of Psiri – Monastiraki, is easily accessible with a direct connection from Athens International Airport (ATH) and Piraeus port. Within walking distance of Athens’ top attractions such as the Acropolis, Plaka and ancient archeological sites, the 3-star hotel is yet hidden away from the bustling center and welcomes its guests in a cozy atmosphere.
Travelers are fascinated by Athens, one of the most attractive and charming capitals of Europe with a long history and iconic monuments. Ancient and modern co-exist in perfect harmony with each other and the historic center is a truly open-air museum. The emblematic metropolis offers a unique experience, a journey in its thousand years of history, including the chance to see renowned monuments and experience the lively city all within walking distance from Arion Athens Hotel. You will get an inspiring feeling, which cannot be described, watching the Attic blue sky, surrounded by the coastline and mountainous landscapes, while enjoying the unique spirit of the Greek life and Greek “philoxenia”.

THE POWER OF 10 MINUTE WORKOUT

THE POWER OF 10 MINUTE WORKOUT

The Power of 10 Minute workouts Should busy mums be embracing shorter workouts to get better results? Mum and personal trainer Jenny Francis-Townson investigates WE know the power of regular exercise in transforming our physical and mental wellbeing. But when you...

HOLIDAYING AFTER A SEPARATION

HOLIDAYING AFTER A SEPARATION

School’s out again in October. For some families that means jetting off for some last minute sun, but if you’re separated from your child’s other parent, you might run into some challenges that you will need to address before you set off.

Legoland, Billund, Denmark

Legoland, Billund, Denmark

The three co-founders of BROOD and six of the mini BROOD’s set off on an adventure to Legoland Denmark there was bound to be plenty of ‘brood moments’ along the way and that there was!

DISNEYLAND PARIS: EDITOR REVIEW

DISNEYLAND PARIS: EDITOR REVIEW

Disneyland Paris 

If you’re looking for an extra special holiday to enjoy with the children, then it really is hard to beat a Disney holiday. We’ve been on two Disney holidays now and both were filled with lots happy tears. Our first trip was on a Disney Cruise back when we only had our oldest two children, so this year we did decided to give Disneyland Paris a go, to see how our little ones tolerated the flights and the rides. 

Although most of the rides you can queue for, there are some of the attractions that require booking in advance such as the shows, and the Marvel Avengers Hero Training Centre – so be aware of this to avoid disappointment! It’s worth noting that if you’re pregnant or you have any children with a disability then you can access the special assistance which will mean you don’t have to queue for any where near as long, but once again you will have to book in advance and make sure you have all the correct documentation with you. 

If you don’t want to eat fast food or snacks the whole time that you’re there, you’ll need to book the restaurants in advance 

As much your days at Disneyland will be fun packed, they will also be tiring for everyone in the family, but especially the little ones, so a buggy is an absolute must. We hired one, but as you can’t take them out of the park it meant we ended up carrying our two little ones at the end of the day to get back to the hotel which wasn’t ideal, so if you can I would recommend taking your own if you can. 

If you don’t have park passes for each day of your trip you can still take in some Disney magic by spending some time in Disney Village. You don’t need a park pass to wander around, it right by both parks and it’s filled with Disney themed restaurants, bars and shops, so save your money on your park day visits and let them know they can pick up their favourite toy on the Disney Village day. If you are staying in any of the Disney Hotels than you can get access to the Avengers centre, within the 5*Marvel Hotel, which is really fun and filled with fab photo opportunity’s that the kids will reveal in. 

Avengers Hotel Disneyland Paris
Lolo Stubbs & Rob Stubbs and their Family at Disneyland Paris
Hair Made Easi

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