3 great places to take your baby in Leicester

All you lockdown parents will share the frustration we have had with not being able to take Bam Bam out anywhere! Now that lockdown is slowly easing I want to make a few suggestions of the places to take your baby in Leicester based on our experience.

Free fun for babies

We went to Abbey Park yesterday. In my opinion, this is an often overlooked spot for a day out. Bam Bam and I spent some time in the sensory garden, which has lots of opportunities for tiny tots to explore a range of sensations. There is also beautiful wildfowl on the water, the Friendship garden, Pet’s Corner and the remains of Leicester Abbey to explore. There is also a boating lake which is perhaps not so useful for your smalls, but features like the lavender maze will really appeal to their sense of discovery. In fact, Bam Bam got to saturation point of new experiences within a couple of hours, so this is easily somewhere you can bring a baby to again and again.

Tulips in many colours at Leicester's abbey park

My baby smiles as she pulls herself up to stand using a large monolith in the sensory garden

Down on the farm

I have written about Stonehurst Farm before and as you would imagine, it is even more fun when you take a baby that loves animals. The Pony Rides were a bit too advanced for her, but the tractor ride is fun, sitting on hay bales in the jolting trailer. Getting up close and personal with the animals was clearly a source of much joy for Bam Bam. Interestingly she was more engaged by the big animals than when we had a rabbit or guinea pig on our knee. There is also lots of play areas to enjoy, lots to keep the youngest members of the family occupied. Entry is £7.50 for adults and under 2s go free.

Role play and make believe

Bam Bam and I are very much looking forward to Little Avenue opening on Raw Dykes Road later this month. It is billed as a little town for big imaginations and will feature a range of play areas for little hands to get to grips with. Bam Bam is just starting to get to grips with making her toys move and interact so this will be a brilliant place for her to go to stretch those particular mental muscles! There will be everything a tiny town needs, from fire station to pet care centre, cafe to stables. There will also be a dedicated baby park where I will be sure to take Bam Bam for a little quiet time. It is particularly good value for babies – just £1.95 for babies with £2.50 per accompanying adult.