Wales is a hotbed of beauty and fun for all the family

MAKE the most of family life, enjoy Wales and experience some of the most beautiful things on the planet with our list of things to do before the kids grow up.

Wales is a hotbed of beauty, and there are loads of activities that are a must to enjoy with children.

Make memories, take photos and enjoy a serious amount of quality time with your little ones by ticking off some of these suggestions ...

1. HEAR THEIR FEET SQUEAK AS YOU WALK ACROSS WHISTLING SANDS

This gorgeous crescent of golden sand is reason to visit in its own right - but listen carefully as you walk and you’ll find out how it got its name.

Where: Porthor, Llyn Penisula

2. SPEND A DAY AT BEAUTIFUL BARAFUNDLE BAY

Beautiful golden sands, turquoise waters, a picnic and fresh air ... does it get any better for making memories with the kids?

Where: Near Stackpole Quay, Pembrokeshire

3. GO SLEDGING AT STOREY ARMS

Kids love snow, and when it falls here in Wales there is nowhere nicer to sledge than in the foot of the Brecon Beacons at Storey Arms.

A few flakes of snow, and this place turns into a haven for children clutching sledges.

Where: Libanus, Brecon

4. SPOT SOME DOLPHINS IN CARDIGAN BAY

There are plenty of paid for boat trips which go out into Cardigan Bay to see the resident dolphins, porpoises and seals – as well as exotic visitors like whales and harmless sharks.

Or you could just sit on a clifftop somewhere gorgeous – Mwnt, for example – and watch them glide through the waters beneath you.

Where: Cardigan Bay

5. HAVE A PICNIC AT A WELSH BEAUTY SPOT

And when it comes to Wales you have plenty of places to choose, from the green of Bute Park in Cardiff to the banks of Caernarfon Castle to the beautiful waterfalls.

Where: Take your pick

6. BOUNCE IN SOME CAVES

Take a trip to Bounce Below with the family and you will have an amazing experience. It’s a huge set of bouncy nets set up behind some awesome lighting in a series of underground cave.

Needless to say this is fun for all ages, but children will obviously have a particularly good time given the shear scale of the activity. With news that more nets are being added as well as a new slide, it’s easy to see why so many families go here for a big day out. Where: Blaenau Ffestiniog More info: www.zipworld.co.uk

7. TAKE THE TRAIN TO DEVIL’S BRIDGE - THEN WALK DOWN TO THE WATERFALL

The walk down to the viewpoint is steep, so you’ll have to be careful, but the outcome is well worth the effort. And all kids love a train ride, don’t they?

Where: Woodlands, Pontarfynach, Aberystwyth SY23 3JW

8. GO PUFFIN SPOTTING ON SKOMER

As well as the largest puffin colony in southern Britain, you’ll also find half the world’s population of Manx shearwaters.

And just look at them. What kid (or adult) wouldn’t find them cute?

Where: Off the Pembrokeshire coast

More details: welshwildlife.org Barrybados is a must-see place for kids, and you can replicate a traditional day out by the seaside that you probably enjoyed while growing up.

Go on the rides, eat fish and chips, play on the slots, build a sandcastle. It’s a rite of passage.

Where: Barry, Vale of Glamorgan

10. GO BELOW GROUND INTO DEWSTOW’S GROTTOES

Buried under thousands of tonnes of soil for more than 50 years, it was rediscovered in 2000.

The gardens contain many ponds and rills but interestingly a labyrinth of underground grottoes, tunnels and sunken ferneries.

It’s a truly remarkable place for families with paths that twist and turn and loads of nooks and crannies to explore.

Where: Caerwent, Caldicot, Monmouthshire. NP26 5AH

More details: dewstowgardens. co.uk

11. VISIT THE MAGICAL VILLAGE OF PORTMEIRION

Go to Gwynedd and find the Mediterranean when you visit the Italianate village that is Portmeirion.

With colourful facades, stunning views and a secluded beach, it is truly breathtaking. Kids will never forget a visit here.

Where: Gwynedd

12. LOOK FOR FAIRIES AT FAIRY GLEN

It’s called Fairy Glen because everyone thinks it looks like a place where fairies live.

If you have a little one who dreams of meeting a fairy, this beautiful place near Betws-y-Coed in Conwy is definitely worth a visit.

Where: Betws-y-Coed in Conwy

13. SEE THE WATERFALLS AT ABERDULAIS

The falls are truly stunning.

And visitors can learn about the tin-making history of this fascinating industrial site while they are there.

Where: Main Rd, Aberdulais, Neath SA10 8EU

More details: aberdulais.org.uk

14. PLAY RAPUNZEL AT CASTELL COCH

If anyone were to describe a magical castle, then they would probably describe Castell Coch.

And of course, it’s a location loved by TV and film crews. Surely Rapunzel used to live here too, didn’t she?

This Disney-esque revival castle was rebuilt in the 19th century – a whole 500 years after its destruction and has dungeons, historic rooms and a lovely vintage tea room.

Where: Tongwynlais, Cardiff CF15 7JS.

15. SEE HOW MANY SHELLS YOU CAN COLLECT FROM SHELL ISLAND

The beach, just south of Harlech, is known for the wide variety of shells which wash up on the shore. Spend some quality time in the fresh air seeing how many you can collect the kids could even take them back to school for show-and-tell.

Where: Llanbedr LL45 2PJ

16. LEARN HOW THE ROMANS LIVED AT THE ROMAN FORTRESS AND BATHS

It’s a popular choice of school trip destination for south Wales kids but if you haven’t been as a family it’s well worth it.

Find out about life on the furthest outpost of the Roman Empire in this fortress dating back to AD75.

Where: High Street, Caerleon, NP18 1AE

More details: cadw.gov.wales

17. GO ON THE ALICE IN WONDERLAND TRAIL IN LLANDUDNO

Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice, was born here in 1852, and the reminders of the famous stories are around the town.

Explore the history of the town, find out about Alice Liddell (the real Alice in Wonderland) and enjoy an Alice-themed afternoon tea. There are plenty of opportunities for silly nonsense, some curious sights and some great places to daydream.

Where: Llandudno, Conwy

18. SEE THE CARPET OF BLUEBELLS IN THE SPRING ON THE WENALLT, CARDIFF

It’s best to visit in early or mid-May for the most spectacular showing so get it in your diary so you don’t forget.

Where: Wenallt, Cardiff

19. SKIM STONES AT OGMORE BEACH

A beachside walk at Ogmore in the Vale of Glamorgan is glorious anytime of the day. You can park the car then take the wide, well-trodden path towards the equally lovely Southerndown while watching the sun glisten on the water.

It’s a popular haunt for dog walkers and fishermen, too.

Where: Ogmore-by-Sea, Vale of Glamorgan

9. SPEND A DAY AT BARRY ISLAND

20. FEED THE DUCKS AND SWANS AT ROATH PARK

Or take a rowing boat out across the lake. Or spend an hour in the park with the swings and brilliantly popular slide.

The opportunities here are endless, and it’s a fab place to kill some time, use up energy and get that all important fresh air.

Don’t take bread for the ducks, though. Go to the offices and you can buy special feed that it far gentler on their tummies.

Where: Cardiff CF23 5PA.

21. TRY THE SCULPURE TRAIL AT FFOREST FAWR

Fforest Fawr is a woodland area close to Castell Coch, just a few minutes walk from the centre of Tongwynlais.

There is a sculpture trail, which was designed to take children on a