The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Saturday
Family-friendly fun
Family quest York
Board games not cut it over Christmas? Competitive families can instead try this interactive quiz adventure, set in the historic streets of York. Small teams download the quest, then set about touring the city’s most notable sights to answer questions. The trail is pushchair friendly and visits York Minster, the Shambles, many snickelways and more. The best teams get their photo added to the website’s leaderboard.
£28.95 for up to five players, goquestadventures.com
Gruffalo hunt Herefordshire
There is such a thing as a Gruffalo at Queenswood Country Park, where children can run about looking for the Julia Donaldson creature as part of a quiz. The popular book’s other characters – Mouse, Fox, Snake, Owl and even the Gruffalo’s Child – are all hidden in the woods too, so families will find plenty to amuse themselves. The park also has an adventure playground to enjoy.
Quiz pack £3, queenswoodandbodenhamlake.org
Sprogmanay Edinburgh
See in the New Year with a celebration for the whole family at Sprogmanay, a drop-in event from 2-5pm in the Grand Gallery of the National Museum of Scotland. Bop to Unicorn Dance Party, with moves to copy for the over-fives, or at Sprog Rock, a live band aimed at even younger ones. The museum’s galleries can be toured afterwards.
Free; nms.ac.uk
Shaun the Sheep trail Nottinghamshire
Get hunting for a cheeky sheep with a lopsided grin in the grounds of Clumber Park, a stately home that once belonged to the Dukes of Newcastle. A free art trail has been designed in collaboration with Aardman Animations and there are 12 individual Shaun sculptures to be located around the park. Many were designed by local artists. Elsewhere there is heath and woodland to explore totalling more than 3,800 acres.
Adult £5 (child £2.50), nationaltrust. org.uk
Stories from Julia and Axel Manchester
Families can delve into the magical worlds of characters such as Zog and Stickman at The Lowry Gallery. The books of Julia Donaldson, with illustrations by Axel Scheffler, have given children thirty years of pleasure and are being celebrated in this exhibition that involves dressing up, writing, drawing and playing. Pre-book for a time slot.
Adult free or £5 donation (child free), thelowry.com
The Snowman trail Kent
Children can enjoy hunting for the much-loved star of Raymond Briggs’s book, The Snowman, at Knole, which was once an archbishop’s palace. Let them roam around the park and courtyards and they can spot 12 giant snowmen sculptures. The trail is free but it is essential to book entrance tickets to Knole in advance.
Adult £6 (child £3), nationaltrust.org.uk