Toddler activities at Center Parcs – review
We recently enjoyed our first ever family holiday to Center Parcs so thought I’d share an honest review of the toddler activities we did.
Our holiday was for seven days at Center Parcs Whinfell so we wanted to make sure we had enough activities booked in without it being too much for our just turned three-year-old.
We’d heard that booking can sometimes be a bit chaotic, and we didn’t want to miss out.
Prior to our booking window going live, we made a list of activities we thought we’d want to do (without knowing exactly what was available at Whinfell or the prices) as well as what restaurants we wanted to go to and tried to spread things out during our holiday.
Elsie turned three on our day of arrival and isn’t as confident on her feet as some toddlers her age, so we erred on the side of caution with the activities we chose – the Mini Trek was a bit of a wild card.
On the Monday, our day of arrival we explored quite a bit to see where the sports centre was and the dome to see how long it would take us to make our way to the activities.
After Mini Musical Movers on the Tuesday, we explored further to see where the lake was and headed to the little beach there a couple of times during our holiday.
Tuesday
This was our first full day at Center Parcs so we decided to just go for the one activity, so we had time to explore, find our bearings and settle in.
Mini Musical Movers (duration 30 minutes)
With your little ones, sing along to children’s songs, play instruments and dance away in this fun-filled session.
- For children aged 18 months – 5 years
- All children must be accompanied by an adult
- At our time of booking only one adult per participating child was allowed for this activity.
I started off doing Mini Musical Movers and then daddy took over about halfway through.
We hadn’t done a sit-down group activity since before covid when I was on maternity leave so I wasn’t sure how Elsie would get on. She does do this kind of thing at nursery but not with us.
For the most part, Elsie joined in with the leader of the session who was enthusiastic and friendly but mainly she did her own thing, used whatever instrument she liked and even ended up dancing by herself.
She enjoyed Mini Musical Movers and I’d recommend it.
Wednesday
Mini Trek (duration 30 minutes)
Little ones don’t miss out at Center Parcs, they get adventures all of their very own.
Positioned just one metre above the ground, they are completely safe and secure, harnessed and connected to the safety system.
Guide them as they balance, swing, leap and navigate their way around the course and build confidence as they go.
- Booking includes one circuit, Center Parcs recommend you allow 30 minutes
- Maximum height is 1.2m
- Age 2-5 years
- One adult per child required to guide around the course
- Please put your little ones in suitable sports footwear.
Elsie put all the gear on and was excited to take part until it came to being actually clipped onto the course which resulted in a firm no and refusal to take part.
You can’t do the Mini Trek without being clipped by your harness to the course which is of course due to health and safety.
She happily watched the others complete the Mini Trek.
Both Steve and I as well as the leader of the session tried to coax and encourage her to take part, but she wouldn’t. She was happy with the owl teddy that she was given before we left though.
I had my reservations about Mini Trek when we booked it, but we thought we’d try it, but it was a bust for us.
Other children seemed to enjoy it but there were a couple who struggled with the harness and being clipped to the course.
I’d recommend this activity if you’re little one is confident on their feet and good with heights and obstacles.
Sensory Play Toddlers (duration 30 minutes)
This special Sensory Play session has been designed for toddlers, helping them to indulge their natural curiosity as they learn more about themselves and discover new things in the world around them.
Join them for this session where you can enjoy a multi-sensory journey filled with stimulating activities and lively songs, all designed to help little ones develop socially, emotionally, creatively and physically.
- Ages 13 to 36 Months
- Booking is for your little one only
- One adult to accompany each child booked onto this activity.
Elsie really enjoyed the Sensory Play Toddlers session.
She joined in with the singing and enjoyed the story at the start and then was happy to explore what was in the room.
The rest of the session was free play which was great.
Some of the toys were definitely aimed at younger toddlers but Elsie enjoyed the room which had all the lights and some sort of soft play type toys the best.
She also enjoyed the tent with fluorescent lights and the mini ball pool.
The thirty minutes flew by, and Elsie was one of the last to leave. I’d definitely recommend Sensory Play Toddlers.
Thursday
Mucky Pups (duration 1 hour)
Join your children for some squidging, sticking and splashing fun, a fantastic way for you to get messy together – and leave the clearing up to someone else.
The Activity Den is packed with creative play stations.
Take your sticky pictures home with you as a special memento of your time at Center Parcs.
- Ages 18 months to 3 years
- Please be aware that food is used to play with at the Mucky Pups session, so please advise Center Parcs of any allergies beforehand so the item can be changed
- Due to the location of this activity, only one adult per participating child.
Elsie absolutely loved Mucky Pups and got really stuck in, although it said only one adult our session allowed both parents.
There were different play stations set up – food, paint, pens, sand, water, play dough, glitter glue and crafts – so plenty to do.
Children were provided with coveralls and there were plastic aprons for adults.
Elsie particularly enjoyed drawing, painting and the crafting table and we brought home quite a few creations!
We could move freely round the room to the different play stations.
Elsie wasn’t bothered about the food, and I thought we’d never pry her away from the sand, but we did!
I’d definitely recommend Mucky Pups – but dress prepared for mess.
Saturday
Red Squirrel Family Adventure (duration 1 hour)
You’ve probably seen their grey cousins, but the red squirrel is extremely rare in the UK.
Learn more about this beautiful little creature in this special session, designed for the whole family to enjoy together.
You’ll take part in some specially themed activities and a squirrel trail, and there’s a cuddly squirrel for each child.
- Suitable for all ages
- All children must be accompanied by a full paying adult
- Please wear sensible sports shoes as this activity includes a walk
- Please note – due to the natural forest environment, sightings cannot be guaranteed
Elsie lost interest quite quickly and on reflection we wish we’d brought her pram.
So, daddy took Elsie off to the play area and I did the majority of the Red Squirrel Family Adventure solo.
There’s quite a bit of walking so bare that in mind for little legs!
I found it really interesting, and I learnt a lot about both red and grey squirrels.
We also spotted a few red squirrels jumping through the trees which was really special.
Elsie enjoyed the toy red squirrel which she was given at the end, and she called it Nutkin (she is a big Peter Rabbit fan).
I’d definitely recommend Red Squirrel Family Adventure but not for toddlers to be honest!
Chestnut’s Picnic (duration 1 hour)
Bring along your favourite cuddly toy and join friendly squirrel character Chestnut, as he takes you and your little one on his special picnic.
Join Chestnut for lots of songs and stories, before following the trail to our picnic.
It’s a lovely, lively activity for you and your little one to enjoy together.
- Ages 2 to 5 years
- This activity will run indoors unless the weather is suitable for an outdoor picnic
- Currently only one adult per participating child for this activity.
We were blessed with really good weather for our holiday, so our Chestnut’s Picnic was outdoors.
It started with Chestnut coming out to greet the children, Elsie wasn’t a fan so there were no hugs from her!
Then we went onto the multi-coloured parachute which served as our picnic blanket, and we found a spot and settled down.
We enjoyed a story and Elsie tucked into her little lunch box which consisted of a jam sandwich, Pom Bears, I had her juice carton and some raisons.
Once the children had tucked into their lunch boxes it was time for some party games!
Elsie really enjoyed this and joined in with the singing and dancing and the various games using the giant parachute.
This was one of our favourite activities and would absolutely recommend it.
Each child was given their own toy at the end which Elsie added to her Center Parcs teddy collection.
The session leader also kindly gave us another lunchbox as it was going spare to take away with us.
Elsie absolutely loved Chestnut’s Picnic and so did the other children – I would definitely recommend it.
Sunday
Cupcakes for Little Ones (duration 45 minutes)
Get creative, get decorating and get messy… our Cupcake Decorating activity for little ones is always lots of fun as together you design and decorate your set of four cupcakes.
Center Parcs provide all the cupcakes, buttercream and decorating equipment… all you need to bring along is your imaginations.
- Ages 3 to 7 years
- Currently only one adult per participating child for this activity.
Elsie absolutely loved this activity and we all got stuck in together! Again, in our session both parents were allowed.
There were four designs of cupcakes to make – Cookie Monster, Minion, Pig and a multi-coloured fish.
We had everything we needed to decorate our cupcakes with at our table and mini rolling pins and chopping boards suitable for little hands.
And we had a box to package them in safely to take home.
This is an activity that we all enjoyed together, and Elsie was really good and didn’t eat the cakes which I thought she might!
She carefully and proudly carried her four cupcakes all the way back to our lodge including holding onto them tightly in the trailer on the back of daddy’s bike.
I’d definitely recommend this session – and you get tasty treats to enjoy afterwards.
Just before our holiday Center Parcs changed the rules regarding booking swimming sessions so you could just turn up to swim when you liked.
We went to the pool a couple of times, but Elsie wasn’t that bothered – she preferred going upstairs to the splash about section rather than the pool itself.
The family changing rooms are ideal and the lockers are locked using your wristband so no need for coins or fastening a key awkwardly to your wrist.
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See what we got up to during a mini break to the Lake District
We had a lovely long weekend in Wales visiting gorgeous beaches
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Did you have to pay for these activities?
Yes these are the activities we paid for.
Apart from swimming all the activities we booked we paid for yes.
How much were the activities?
They varied in price and the prices have gone up since we went. Started from £25. It’s not cheap.