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FOR ALL AGES
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Travel back in time at the unique Milestones Museum of Living History. Stroll around the 1930s Victorian Streets of Hampshire packed with original shops, houses and factories and discover how people used to live and the things they used to do! All ages will love playing at vintage penny arcades and play on authentic machines fantastic games including Grand National, Test Your Strength and many more. Stop at Abrahams Sweet Shop to enjoy your favourite candy and enjoy the impressive collection of vintage vehicles. There is so much to do and see that your kids will be wanting to go back for more!
It is not often that a regional museum surprises you and delivers moments of sheer delight but surprised and delighted we were by the Milestones Museum today!
Where to begin ... ok so it's in Hampshire. Either a considerable day trip depending on which side of London you hail from, or a nice outing if you happen to be holidaying nearby or driving up the M3 and fancy a stop off.
Geography aside, the museum is "a living museum" and you meander through streets from different periods of British life, which are beautifully constructed and interactive (you can go into the buildings and see life from the period e.g. The fire station, stationmasters house, fruit shop, toy shop). You can even go into a 1930s sweet shop and have your "ration" of sweets for the week if you hand in your ration book, after selecting your confection from the various jars. The kids were in their element!
Other highlights were a dressing up area (as ever my kids took this way too far and remained in (borrowed) costume for the entire visit!), fire engine that you can mount with a REAL fireman's helmet that can be worn, and a double decker bus that you can clamber on.
The WOW factor in my humble opinion was an aisle of maybe 20 or more mechanical slot machines dating from the 1920s onwards that have all been lovingly restored and which you can play on in exchange for tokens. They were magical. £1 buys 10 tokens which is great value as these games are absolutely full of charm (and full of bountifully stocked sweets if you go for the grabber kind). I was enchanted and could have stayed there for an hour or more but I was dragged away to (another) fire engine!
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.
Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.
We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
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