Family Day Out: Sealife and Scarborough

When my husband text me last week and told me he had a week off work, i immediately began planning the “Roversi’s Week of Fun’. It is rare that we get time off together so rather than lazing around the house (as if that happens with a one year old!) I wanted to get out and have some quality family time.  First on my list was today’s adventure to Scarborough, beginning with the Sealife Centre, and honestly, it’s been one of the best days ever!  We booked the previous day online as it’s slightly cheaper. Note: this does not get you queue jumpers as some people today thought and we still had to wait about 20 minutes to get in, which I suppose isn’t too surprising given that it’s the summer holidays. You book an hour slot in which you arrive and then you can spend as long as you like there. We had a whale (get it?!) of a time! Mini Roversi, at nearly 14 months old, was a perfect age for the Sealife Centre, my only wish would have been that he could walk a little bit better as he desperately wanted to explore himself. We took the SmartTrike which was great as he was able to see a far bit from it but obviously he preferred to be up close so myself and hubby took it in turns at carrying him about, lifting him up and also letting him toddle about holding our hand where possible. We tested out the restaurant as by the time we had got there and got inside it was the boy’s lunch time. It’s basic with a small menu. I had a jacket potato with cheese and beans, my other half had a burger and my son had chicken nuggets and chips which was a children’s meal and came with a piece of fruit and a drink too. All were okay, not the height of sophistication but fine for what they were and reasonably priced.

Watching the Seals. There is a talk about them but it’s not a ‘show’.

Viewing the Sealife from his Trike. This hand out gesture is his new way of saying he wants something.

Not sure if it was the jellyfish or the lights that he loved but, either way, he was mesmerised.

There’s a little play area half way round which we had a quick play on. Mini Roversi is becoming a much more confident climber.

Rock pools where children can touch crabs, starfish and other fishy delights! Mini R just liked to splash about – ooops!

There is a ‘walkabout’ to see the penguins so you go into their enclosure and can see them up close if the penguins are brave enough. Penguins are my favourite but these were quite chilled and not up to any antics today.

After our leisurely walk around the centre we headed back to the car and took the short drive up to North Bay. It is walkable we decided (once we got there) and there is also a train that shuttles people back and forth, I’m not sure of the cost though. This conveniently coincided with the munchkin’s nap time and once we parked up (it was busy so took a while to find a space but then bagged the PERFECT spot on the front) he fell asleep in the buggy and myself and the hubby had a nice walk up and down the front: people watching and having a chat which is a rarity for us!

Cute little beach huts!

A rare moment just us two, with a sleeping babe next to us.

 Once Mini R awoke from his slumber, we got a bucket and space and a blanket and headed to the beach for his very first experience of sand and the sea. It’s fair to say, he LOVED it! 

Best bit for Mini Me? Knocking down Daddy’s sandcastles…and anyone else’s. Turns out he’s a beach bully!

“Dad, where are my legs?!”

Heading down to the sea for the first time!

Splashing around! Brrrr! It was cold!

Sandy Beach Bum

Trying to de sand a one year old who just wants to throw himself back in the sand was an ordeal and I’m sure many people on the beach though we were trying to murder him but the North Bay beach was lovely, very busy, but thats to be expected for August in the UK. There were visible lifeguards and it was very clean. We sat by the little wall that leads onto the beach so we could leave our buggy sand free and as someone who isn’t a sand lover, I could perch on the wall too.  We followed our beach fun with an ice cream and a walk to the Open Air Theatre which also has peddle boats, a low flume and a “Go Ape” style climbing activity. We didn’t try any of these out but they all looked like good fun, however the log flame did look like it’d been built quite some times ago! We ended our trip with a walk around Peasholm Park, which I would like to spend a little more time in next time.

Peasholm Park

It has rowing boats, a cafe, dragon peddle boats, a bandstand in the middle of the lake playing the organ (I found this most amusing and sang along to Phantom of the Opera that he was playing!) and a secret garden. It’s very pretty and definitely worth a visit.  On the way home we stopped at a family friendly pub for something to eat where Mini R found feeding his Dad lemon hilarious.

Daddy + Lemon = Giggles

We headed home with a sleepy boy who went straight into his cot and Mum and Dad weren’t far behind him. A perfect family day. Watch this space for more insights in the “Roversi Week of Fun”, you can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter.