If you’re from a family who frequented many campsites while growing up, we guarantee that you’ll have some great memories to share with your children. Time spent in the great outdoors, running, exploring, and playing games with friends and family will be engrained in your memory. They’ll no doubt form inspiration for what you’ll do with your children. We've put together a handy 'things to do' list for family guests while on site at Deer's Glade.
The Deer’s Glade Holiday Park is fun for all, but especially for kids. As a family-friendly site, we’ve made sure there's plenty available to occupy little people.
So, take them away from the screens and let their imaginations run wild. Although, as we know, children won’t always invest in their imagination and can need a little nudge. Especially the smaller ones who need their adult by their side.
What to do with Children at Deer’s Glade
Play area
First we have the play area. This includes two climbing frames complete with a fireman's pole, slide, and balance beams. There is also a spinning seat, basket swing, and a well-kept sand pit. Great for younger kids.
Goat Enclosure
Guests can visit the goats. Meet Ragnar, Hugh, Sandy, Daphne, and Emma at our goat enclosure—a firm favourite with our younger guests. Visit them to say hi and watch them play. They are very friendly and sociable and love the company. Guests can also feed the goats with food available to purchase at reception shop. The chickens will also be making an appearance over the spring and summer months this year.
Fishing Lake
Our fishing lake is for all the family. Stocked with Carp, Tench, Perch, Bream, Roach, and Rudd, you will require a fishing license, a permit which can be purchased at reception, and your own equipment and bait.
Hot Tub Swimming
If you’re staying in our accommodation, there’s likely to be a hot tub option to book. You’ll find both electric and wood-fired hot tubs on site at the Luxury Glamping Retreats, the Mega Pods and the Stargazer Bell Tents. Hours of fun can be had in the hot tub for kids. Just don’t forget your swimming costumes and goggles!
Treats at the Shop
For that special treat. Take a wander to the on-site shop for all the standard favourites including sweets, ice-creams and access to our Fwip gelato ice cream and frozen yogurt machine.
Study the Signs of Nature
We’re all about nature here at The Glade, so we like to teach the children about their natural surroundings, including the wildlife that lives amongst us. Dotted about the park there are nature signs showing footprints of the animals you might spot, the wild flowers and plant life that grows, and the fish that frequent the lake. Then there’s also the bug house to investigate and search for insects. Look under rocks, around the roots of the ancient woodland trees and in amongst the fallen leaves.
Go on a Scavenger Hunt Around the Park
If staying in one of our Luxury Glamping Retreats, you’ll find a scavenger hunt pack including outdoor and indoor activities. These are also available to buy at reception for a small fee, however, there are plenty of online resources for scavenger hunts. We like the Woodland Trust’s Seasonal Scavenger Hunt ideas. You can also set the task to look for tiny treasures that only fit in a matchbox. If you have a magnifying glass with you, take a closer look. Or look at sensory scavenger hunt ideas like these suggested by online educational resource Twinkl - scavenger hunts by sight, touch, and smell.
Make an Amazing Woodland Den
Den building has to be a firm favourite for any child. Whether it’s collecting big sticks for a teepee style den or a mini house built from sticks and leaves for a teddy or a toy figure. Collect long, straight branches and sticks. Include lots of thin, bendy sticks and materials to cover your den, such as dried leaves, twigs, and grass. There is some small woodland surrounding the holiday park, and there are plans to clear some woodland at our wild camping site, Muntjac Meadow, with this purpose in mind. We’ll let guests know when and if this becomes available.
Stargaze at Night Fall
North Norfolk is an excellent place to stargaze and make the most of our famous dark skies. Being a rural area means we are lucky not to be impacted by too much light pollution. When looking for stars and their constellations at Deer's Glade, you’ll be able to see a lot through the naked eye, but it’s a lot more fun to bring along your Binoculars or a Telescope for a better view. There are several Apps available to download to help identify the stars, constellations, and the planets. Read our blog about stargazing for more helpful tips. We now also have accommodation specifically for enjoying the night sky. Our Stargazer Bell Tents can be booked for Easter and through to the end of summer.
Melt Marshmallows over the Campfire
What child wouldn’t enjoy the fun of toasting marshmallows over a campfire! A simple dessert option or a special treat. Or opt for going the extra mile and toasting a marshmallow to make s'mores. All you need is a pack of biscuits and a sandwich that gooey delight in between two. Chocolate digestives are the best, we’d say. Just make sure the chocolate isn’t on the outside and have some baby wipes at the ready. For camping and caravanning you can hire a fire pit from reception, but all accommodation includes a fire pit as standard. Wood is also available at the shop.
Play Games with Friends Old & New
If there’s a group of you, or you’ve befriended fellow campers, our lawns are well maintained and there’s some good central space for a game or two. You can play football, cricket or rounders, but be aware of your fellow camp neighbours. Or play some easy kiddy favourites like these…
- What’s the Time Mr Wolf
- Tag, Stuck in the Mud or Duck-duck-goose
- Bring your swingball set
- Sleeping bag races
- Frisbee throwing
- Hide & seek
- Floor is Lava
There are endless activities to enjoy when camping or glamping. The list goes on, however, we all need a bit of peace and although as parents it’s important to be alert, present and be a participant when the time arises, it’s also important to have some down-time for yourself without needing to entertain. For such times, the bonus is that when you feel you need a bit of holiday time yourselves, there’s wifi on site for when you need a screen to be switched on. Enjoy!
To find out what else you can do when visiting Deer's Glade in the local area, take a look at 'Things to do' and 'What's on'.
