‘Tis the season to be jolly, but kids can get jolly bored if they’re cooped up all day. So we’ve come up with some family-friendly ideas for trips out during the Christmas school holidays – some festive, some fun, and all reachable by Stagecoach bus.
For just £3 for a single journey – children aged five to 15 pay £2, and up to three under-fives can travel free with an adult – or free for older people with a bus pass.
Don’t forget to use the Stagecoach bus journey planner to find the best bus routes to get you there – you can find it at https://www.stagecoachbus.com/plan-a-journey
Snow Play, Theatre by the Lake, Keswick
Bus route: 78, X4/X5, 554 & 555
What would you do if winter decided to outstay its welcome and moved into your house? That’s the premise of this interactive play, where winter and spring have a showdown that involves a giant snowball fight. Billed as a Christmas treat for children aged three and above, the audience will also get to build a snowman and blanket a house in snow. On from December 29 to January 4, you can book here. It’s one of several festive shows at Theatre by the Lake this Christmas, including The Wizard of Oz.
Christmas lights, Cockermouth
Bus route: X4, X5 & 600
Bus stop: Town centre
Cockermouth is known for having one of the twinkliest lightshows in the north and the displays on Main Street set the scene for the festive season. You could coincide a visit to the light show with some last-minute Christmas shopping in the town’s many independent stores, which include upcycling and crafts shop Recreate & Make; Zebra, which sells mid-range European women’s fashion; Market Place Print Studio which can do bespoke print runs; JB Banks ironmongers; chocolatier Choc of the North and The New Bookshop.
Winter Stories, Florence Arts Centre, Egremont
Bus route: X7, 22, 30 & 32
Bus stop: St Thomas Cross roundabout
Has storytelling been drowned out in your home by constant telly and tablet watching? If so, try this interactive storytelling session for children aged three to eight. Participants are encouraged to dress festively, bring a blanket to snuggle under, and get involved with the actions and sound effects. It’s on from 11.30am to 12.30am on December 20.
Tickets cost £5 per family and can be booked here
Christmas bingo, party and games, Whitehaven RLFC, Coach Road
Bus route: 2, 2A, 3, 3A, 22, 29/29A, 30, 32 & X7
Bus stop: Whitehaven town centre
It’ll be eyes down, look in for all the family at a bingo and games night run by autism charity Bee Unique on December 22. The event, at Whitehaven Rugby League Club from 5.30pm, is free with money being raised through the sale of bingo cards. A raffle, tombola, hotdogs and bar are also promised, plus disco.
For details, click here
Soft Play and Clip ’n Climb, Maryport Activity Centre
Bus route: 300, 30, 60
If the little ones are bouncing off the living room walls, a trip to a soft play centre might be a safer alternative. Maryport Activity Centre is open through the holidays and has a three-tier adventure play area, plus another space for toddlers. The centre also runs Clip ’n Climb sessions with climbing supervision for youngsters aged four and up.
To find out more and to book, click here
Swimming, Workington Leisure Centre, Griffin Street, Workington
Bus route: 29, 29A, 30, 50, 51, 52, 60, 300 & X4/X5
Bus Stop: Workington bus station
Jump in, the water’s lovely… and there’s even two pools at Workington Leisure Centre. The main one is 25 metres long for some serious exercise, while the teaching pool has a moveable floor that adjusts the depth depending on who’s in there. The Swim For All sessions are great for families, while children aged 11 and over who want to clock up some lengths can join the Swim For Fitness sessions. The centre has a climbing wall too. To find out more and to book, click here.
Kong Adventure
Bus route: X4/X5, 78, 554 & 555
Bus stop: Keswick bus station
Since we’re surrounded by incredible crags in the Lake District, perhaps the children are inspired to give climbing a go in a safe environment? Keswick’s Kong Adventure in the centre of town caters for children of all ages, including the under-fives. Kong Adventure has what it calls a Hard Play area in the cafe where little ones can climb while adults have a cuppa – but phone ahead to make sure they’re not hosting a birthday party.
Rapunzel, Carnegie Theatre, Finkle Street, Workington
Bus route: 29, 29A, 30, 50, 51, 52, 60, 300 & X4/X5
Bus stop: Workington bus station
It’s likely your little ones will know this story from the Disney movie Tangled – so they should be up for a live version of the hair-raising tale. The baddie, Mother Gothel, will be familiar, but not the heroine, local hairdresser Dame Fanny Follicle, who along with her silly son Pascal helps dashing Prince Ryder with his rescue. Performed by the Workington and District Amateur Musical Society, it’s on from Boxing Day until December 30. Too book, click here.
Derwent Pencil Museum, Southey Works, Keswick
Bus route: X4/X5, 78, 554 & 555
Bus Stop: Keswick bus station
If you’ve got young artists in the house, pencil this one in for a weekend visit. You enter through a replica graphite mine and follow the journey of pencil production from cottage industry to the modern day. And if the 8ft colouring pencil doesn’t wow the kids, they’ll probably enjoy spending any Christmas money they received in the museum’s shop. Click here for details of opening hours over the holidays.
Fitz Park, Keswick
Bus route: X4/X5, 78, 554 & 555
Bus Stop: Keswick bus station
Did Santa bring a new football, skateboard or scooter for Christmas? If so, the kids will need somewhere to try them out, and where better than the local park? Fitz Park is a belter, with a huge children’s playground, multi-use games area for football and basketball, and loads of open space for running around. It’s perfect for an hour or two of simple, fresh-air fun.