#gifted Tomorrow is the first day of December and today, we started our first Christmas outing with visiting Santa at Woodhorn Museum in Ashington as part of their festival tales with Father Christmas. The girls sat around Santa’s chair whilst he told stories about ‘The North Pole’ and ‘The naughty elf’.

During the sessions Santa was really engaging with the children by asking them questions to get involved and also getting them up for the first Christmas present of the year where they would be gifted a Christmas bell and Summa was picked, she was thrilled to be chosen by Santa.

The session lasts up to half an hour, all children receive a gift (colouring book with Christmas activities) and there is opportunity to get photographs taken and yes I had to jump in!!

Sessions will run up to Christmas Eve and are £6.50 a session for the children and adults are free. Sessions are relaxed and therefore autism friendly. They also have BSL sessions and under 5 fridays.

The last few times we’ve been to see Santa with the girls, it hasn’t been successful but today went really well. Roxy waved and ran straight into Santa, Summa was still slightly nervous but parents/guardians can sit with their little ones on the floor or they also have seating further back.

Check in/before hand:

When checking in, you have to go around to the workshop area and there is elf’s on the desk to keep you right and get you checked in. If early, why not make use of their activity area and do some colouring Christmas sheets or write a list for Santa to pass on.

Parking is also free for anyone who is driving into Woodhorn museum, I feel it’s a little bit out of the way so driving is possibly essential unless you live near by.

Book now via this link.

Pit yard skating:

After the festival tales and a little bit of colouring in, we were in the Christmas mood and we walked over to their atmospheric pit yard skating. Not going to lie but the girls were so much better at skating than me, I’m not the best when it comes so skating and do try to avoid it at Christmas, it’s just not me. However when on the ice, I felt so comfortable, the atmosphere and the staff make everything feel 100% more relaxed.

They had little penguins on hand also for the little ones to use to get around safely and freely which makes it a lot easier for the adults. My nieces went straight on with no fears, I was so proud of them skating around on their own whilst I was nearly falling over.

Ticket prices are as follows:

Adults £5

Visitors aged 2-16 £4

This event is open to visitors aged over two and visitors aged 2-5 must be accompanied by an adult.

The pit yard skating is open til Christmas Eve, weekends and school holidays only. I would recommend booking up if your going to be calling in to safe disappointment as can get busy. BOOK NOW

Food stop at Woodhorn museum:

After the ice skating, we were all very cold so we headed over to the cafe for hot chocolate and cake but before that we had a little bite to eat. Me and my mam had the cheese and ham toastie that was served with salad and coleslaw, this was delicious and not too badly priced either. The girls had chips with tomato sauce.

Then we had cake and hot chocolate complimentary of woodhorn museum. I had chocolate cake and the girls had lemon drizzle cake, both were delicious. This was the first time trying the girls with hot chocolates but they really enjoyed it and Roxy had to get a cup photo to show it.

Play area in the cafe:

The girls enjoyed playing in the cafe after they had eat their dinner. They have a little set at the back with colouring pens and sheets, reading books, they have draws filled with toys that will keep the little ones occupied while you finish off your meals, which I found very handy.

They also have high chairs available for the younger children if needed.

I would highly recommend trying out woodhorn museum as one of your Christmas days out over the December period as it’s very magical and also so relaxing for both the children and adults.