Shopping in Norwich with the family!

Shopping and family really shouldn't appear in the same sentence in my book. In fact I usually shy away from any kind of shopping if I have to take the children (and husband) with me. And believe me I LOVE SHOPING! It just isn't a good experience, a husband that won't look at anything unless it's a Wii game or something for the Xbox and children that just constantly want you to buy them something - anything, they're not fussy.

However, all this changed yesterday when I came into Norwich and discovered that during the holidays some shops and organisations have recognised that there is room for both fun and shopping when out with the family. Hurrah!

The Forum in the centre of Norwich has a week-long programme of FREE (mostly free) children's activities inside and out that yesterday kept my children thoroughly amused and happy. They painted a car (a real car), listened to a story inside a huge peach, chalked part of an octopus in a massive pavement painting, stroked mini beasts and appeared on TV in their own version of Honey I shrunk the kids! After this I was able to shop quite easily whilst discussing with them all they had done that morning.

I am also pleased to see that most of the large shops and department stores have a good children's programme of events taking place throughout the summer. I am keeping a close eye on what’s happening at The Mall Norwich, Chapelfield and John Lewis. I have also discovered that in Jarrold’s children’s book department there will be dressing up, art, story telling, crafts and meet the character – I’m not quite convinced yet that I want my daughter to actually meet Horrid Henry (I am already seeing similar behavioural tendencies which are a little worrying) but nevertheless the option is there - if on the day I am feeling brave.

Does all this mean shopping doesn't have to be tedious anymore? Can we choose to shop as a family and keep everyone happy? No doubt there will be tears before bedtime at some point but hopefully they will no longer be mine and whilst places like The Forum continue with this kind of entertainment, parents and children can reap the benefits of mixing shopping, fun and education.

Fingers crossed!

Discovering Norwich Castle

It's never too early to start learning so this weekend I took the children to Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery. What a great time! We went early so we could get started before the crowds arrived. The children ran around jumping on and off the interactive stands, drawing, colouring and making dragons at the table in the Keep. Amazingly, the children were so entertained I had time to read about the exhibits and have a good look at everything myself.

We threw money down the deep well, had a chariot ride pretending to be Boudicca, dressed up like a peasant then like a king, tried on the wooden dragon, built an arch, carried stone blocks down the river to build a castle and so it goes on ....

The Keep was incredible, dimly lit to enhance the atmosphere, we peeked out of windows that have been peeked out of by thousands of people before us – it was fascinating to think about who they could have been. We learned about the prisoners that were kept in the castle and their punishments. I even managed to find information about a very distant relative who was hung at the castle in 1877, Henry March, who murdered his employer and colleague in Wymondham! The gruesome details of the act were missing so we have some summer holiday research to keep us busy.

We truly had a great day and I would suggest anyone who enjoys days out like this to purchase a yearly family ticket which gives unlimited free access to 12 museums in the Norwich area. The museums all put on activities and themed days during school holidays for extra added fun! If you want to try out Norwich Castle they have a ‘pop in for a £1’ policy where everyone can get in for a £1 for the last hour of the day.

A lovely morning in the Broads

I’ve just spent a relaxing morning at Wroxham Barns! I was met by the scent of beautiful flowers from their garden shop, the location was truly delightful. I wondered around the craft shops, there was so much on offer I thought it best to move on before I bought the whole lot!!! I was getting rather hot so I decided to sit down and relax in the Courtyard outside the café for a lovely cup of tea and scrumptious scone. Having been fed and watered I decided to make my way to the Junior Farm, it was so lovely to see the lambs and calves. I patted the donkies and fed the Shetland ponies, they were very cute! I was feeling rather parched after so much exploring and had noticed the apple and cider shop next to the brewery upon entering so I thought it best (and polite) to quench my thirst again before heading home. I had a really great time, it is years since I last visited but I will definitely be coming back again soon, maybe with my gran and my nephew (yes, I love hard work)!