Days out/theme parks

Drayton Manor do an annual pass that also includes West Midlands Safari Park.

Twycross Zoo do an annual pass.

Tesco Clubcard vouchers can be used for half-price day tickets to Drayton Manor amongst many other attractions.

I booked half-price Sea Life tickets for my daughter and her family using Tesco Clubcard vouchers.

You'll need to read the terms and conditions on the individual websites, but hopefully that's given you a few ideas to start with!

Another nice day out would be to take the train from Stoke on Trent to Stafford.
When you come out of Stafford station, cross the road and you are at the entrance to Victoria Park.
This has all the traditional park features eg aviary, glasshouse with tropical plants and goldfish, a bowling green, a river with swans and ducks, plus a good children's play area, a big sandpit and a splash park during the summer.
There's also a café and toilets.
My minded children love going there!

Victoria Park g.co/kgs/X6BUasP

Isn't 3 a bit young to be worrying about visits to theme park. i doubt your DGS will really appreciate them.

At his age just visiting the local park, riding on the swings etc there and playing on the climbing frame will be much more fun, or take him for country walks, looking at leaves and insects in detail.

My memories of my DGS at that age is country walks and visiting the gardens of the local stately home, we collected leaves and talked about them. We also visited the local farm shop where they had chickens, sheep and lambs, goats and pigs

I just googled childrens attractions near Stokeon Tren and so many things cme up that were much mor appropiate for children under 7 or 8 - and a lot cheaper than theme parks.

V3ra

Another nice day out would be to take the train from Stoke on Trent to Stafford.
When you come out of Stafford station, cross the road and you are at the entrance to Victoria Park.
This has all the traditional park features eg aviary, glasshouse with tropical plants and goldfish, a bowling green, a river with swans and ducks, plus a good children's play area, a big sandpit and a splash park during the summer.
There's also a café and toilets.
My minded children love going there!

Victoria Park g.co/kgs/X6BUasP

I spent a lot of my young life there, my Grandma lived just over the wall 😀
Happy days!

Is the windmill still nearby? My Grandma's house has gone.

Trentham Gardens was another favourite place to visit.

Waste of money taking a 3 year old to a theme park.....all that queuing is very boring.....and lots of rides he won't be able to go on without an adult

Thanks for all your suggestions

Thomas land is at Drayton Manor. My GC enjoyed that when they were under 5. They did the best ‘visit to Father Christmas’ we have found too.

Maybe FTGD meant that the grandson is her third rather than him being 3 years old.

Amerton Farm Park, or other farm parks in the area, are always interesting and fun for children.

JenniferEccles

Maybe FTGD meant that the grandson is her third rather than him being 3 years old.

Grandson is 3. I'm the grandad. I have 3 days a week where it's just the 2 of us. We go to parks regularly, farms , soft play etc. when it's cold n wet we bake, paint, craft etc. He truly is my little partner in crime.

The season pass idea was to give us more options but would struggle to afford full price admission every 2 weeks or so. Drayton manor seems the better option because of Thomas land and the zoo. Alton towers has cbeebies and only 20 mins away. I haven't been to Gulliver's world since I was a kid so don't know anything about it. As well as ideas I'm also looking at how I could lower the price.

Thankyou everyone for your input

I hope you find an easy and fun solution.

I wish you and your grandson many enjoyable days out

My DD had a Merlin pass which allows entry to most of the big theme parks, Legoland, Sea Life and more.If you Google it will give you a list of attractions and prices.I think you can pay the years price all at once or by monthly direct debit.

You can joins Kidspass and get discounts on theme parks - kidspass.co.uk

Allira

Trentham Gardens was another favourite place to visit.

I recommend Trentham Gardens- I went once and loved it so much I booked an overnight stay and spent my birthday there! That must be ten years ago nearly, so haven't been since then. It may have changed but there is so much to do with a toddler around there. I think the theme park pass would be a waste of money at that age, they just want to run around, maybe get a bit wet and have an ice-cream!

There is CBeebies land at Alton Towers which my grandson loved as a toddler.All their favourite characters have rides and there is also a show every day.He also loved Sea Life which was part of the Merlin pass.

FTGD

JenniferEccles

Maybe FTGD meant that the grandson is her third rather than him being 3 years old.

Grandson is 3. I'm the grandad. I have 3 days a week where it's just the 2 of us. We go to parks regularly, farms , soft play etc. when it's cold n wet we bake, paint, craft etc. He truly is my little partner in crime.

The season pass idea was to give us more options but would struggle to afford full price admission every 2 weeks or so. Drayton manor seems the better option because of Thomas land and the zoo. Alton towers has cbeebies and only 20 mins away. I haven't been to Gulliver's world since I was a kid so don't know anything about it. As well as ideas I'm also looking at how I could lower the price.

Thankyou everyone for your input

If you shop at Tesco I think you can use your vouchers towards days out, as V3ra already mentioned.

had an absolute blast with our 3 1/2 yr old grandson at Chessington a couple of weeks ago. He went on lots of rides and it was wonderful to watch him enjoy himself so much. Cannot wait to take him again. Would not however go during school holidays! A great and fun day out. Yes, expensive but so worth it to see him having such fun. Disagree with posts saying they are too young for theme parks! Chessington caters very well for 3yr olds.

Susan56

My DD had a Merlin pass which allows entry to most of the big theme parks, Legoland, Sea Life and more.If you Google it will give you a list of attractions and prices.I think you can pay the years price all at once or by monthly direct debit.

My DD is a foster carer and gets a free Merlin pass for all her family which is a huge bonus. You have to be a bit careful which one you buy if you have children at school, some are only for off-peak dates but now she has the Gold pass which you can use during school holidays.
The off-peak one would obviously probably be fine for you with a young child though.

FTGD.....what an absolutely fabulous Grandad you sound! As well as all the great suggestions so far don't forget the joys of rock pooling, shell collecting and sea glass seeking if ever you get to the seaside.

Also, a suggestion for a rainy day....... both of you have a matchbox (or something similar) and see how many things you can get in it or decorate a bar of soap - also great fun.

Have fun and enjoy.......these GC grow up so fast.

Check out picniq.co.uk for discounts on theme parks. I got a good deal on Crystal Maze Manchester through them.
Our DS and his family have just got Merlin passes for the year, but they were £250 each!!

At 3 theme parks can be overwhelming. Local parks, trips to the seaside, swimming pool, toddlers end if available, a zoo,there must be loads of activities a 3 year old would enjoy without the need for trips to Theme Parks

The Monkey Forest @ Trentham is well worth a visit. The monkeys roam free and Spring is the time for babies!