It’s a place we all dream of visiting, even us grown-ups. BUT it comes with a hefty price tag. That dream trip, Universal Studios.

I’m not sure when we will have the money to visit such an amazing place, but when we do, I want to make sure we get everything out if the trip we possibly can. Because I have no doubt it would be a once in a lifetime holiday.

This is the sort of holiday I’ll be researching for at least a year before we book. Sounds crazy, but I want to make sure we do it right.

Can we brave it in the summer holidays? Do we take a hit and pay the fine for going during term time? Do we go for 2 weeks? Should we travel to a few places?

There’s so many questions I have regarding this sort of holiday to make sure we plan the perfect trip to complaint out family.

Luckily we live in a world where we have access to millions of reviews and recommendations online, and there are plenty of bloggers and influencers who have shared their experiences to ensure you get the best out of your trip.

Currently my children are aged 6 and 3, but I’m guessing by the time we could afford a trip to America they will most likely be 8 and 5 at least.

I suppose that gives me 2 years of saving and planning!

I’ve asked around some other bloggers for their tips for taking a trip to Universal Studios with young kids and will leave them here for you to read. I’ve found them super useful and hopefully you will too!

“We found the Dr Seuss area in islands of adventure fantastic for our little lady (aged 3). She could ride all the rides in that section. We were also surprised at how much she loved walking around and looking at the Harry Potter areas. She was the one that pulled us into the wand shop for the selection process“. (ourlittleescapades.com)

“Always carry snacks for waiting in line. Their are plenty of rides for younger ones but waiting isn’t their forté. Snacks hell! Also consider the time of year. We went in July with a 2.5 year old and it was too warm for him in parks all day. Schedule in time to rest/nap“. (www.leeleeloves.co.uk)

“Both of the parks are much easier on little legs than the Disney parks. We would highly recommend meeting as many characters as possible with little ones. The queues are usually quite small and the characters are engaging and fun. I’d recommend staying at a universal hotel as the complimentary bus service is fantastic. It’s a lot less stressful than trying to park there. Bring a towel for woody woodpeckers area as there’s a great splash area which young kids will love“. (ourbucketlistlives.co.uk)

“I recommend taking or buying a cheap buggy when you get there, even if your kids are way past the stage of needing one ordinarily. Mine are 8 and 6 and the 6 year old really needed it, and the 8 year old used it quite a bit too”! (PinksCharming.com)

“Would highly recommend staying in one of the on-site hotels (Hard Rock etc) you get early access to the park and this allows you to beat the queues and tick lots of your list before the crowds.” (www.mummyandboo.com)

If you fancy reading more about Universal Studios I loved this review from Toby & Roo.

If I get anymore tips I’ll update this post as and when I get them, as I know I’ll be looking back over this when it comes to planning our trip! I hope you find this useful!

Ax

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Looking at a staycation kind of holiday? Or perhaps a little road trip that will take you to new places without the need to board a plane or remember your passport. Well, in that case, we bring you Hertfordshire.

There are some real hidden gems to visit in this county and we bring you some of the very best in this short guide to tourism in Herts. This home county spans more than 1,600km square and is home to 1.181million people. Major towns include Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage, Watford, St Albans and Hertford.

If you’re planning on a trip down to this part of the world, there’s plenty to see and do, here are some highlights:

Visit Hogwarts

Perhaps the highlight of this trip for any Harry Potter fan is the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Be transported to the great dining hall at Hogwarts, have a go at mixing up some spells in potions class, drop into Dumbledore’s study and even take a stroll down Diagon Alley. Will your wand be waiting for you?

Have a drink

Visit what is reportedly England’s oldest pub, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, which is believed to have stood in St Albans since 793 AD and is where Oliver Cromwell regularly dined. The pub is conveniently close to St Albans Cathedral where, in 1215 the first draft of the Magna Carta was drawn up.

Afterwards take a stroll around the market city and explore what St Albans has to offer.

Beautiful buildings

If architecture and the Architect in Hertfordshire are more your thing, then check out the eighteenth-century working watermill museum and bakery in St Albans. This beautiful building is still in working order, creating organic stoneground flour from nearby crops, which are baked into handmade loaves in the neighbouring bakery.

Buy a loaf and learn all about the process from gathering crops to flour making and baking.

Marvellous museums

Don’t miss the British Schools Museum, located in Hitchin. This historic building displays classrooms through the history of education and also allows you access to the headmaster’s house. The displays bring history to life, making a great afternoon out for all the family.

Back to nature

Finally, don’t miss out on your chance to get up close to nature at Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne. Meet the Big Cats at this interactive zoo and learn about wildlife as you feed and get to know them. The zoo also includes five adventure playgrounds for younger explorers to let off a little steam.

Why travel abroad when there’s so much to do right here on our doorsteps? Take a trip to the home county of Hertfordshire for your chance to step into a wizarding world, step back in time with a fabulous museum and step out of your comfort zone when you’re face to face with some impressive wild animals.

Whether you spend the day, the weekend or the week, you’ll be glad you decided to turn your staycation into an adventure that memories are made from.

~A~

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You will always want to make the most out of half-term so that your little ones have a fun break from school. Half-term is a great time to spend some quality time together as a family and there are few places more fun and exciting for a half-term trip than London.

The capital is bursting with brilliant half-term activities that are fun for the whole family. You can also get super off peak tickets for affordable prices which can make it easy and cheap to reach no matter where you are coming from. Here are a few ideas for fun activities.

Shakespeare’s Globe

Shakespeare’s Globe is always a good choice because it is fun but also cultural and educational. This February half-term they are putting on fascinating Henry V workshops and storytelling which will be a great way to introduce your kids to Shakespeare.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

If your family love Harry Potter then the studio tour is a must as it will allow you to immerse yourself in the Harry Potter universe and there is even a special exhibition on during this half-term.

National History & Science Museum

London has many fantastic museums to choose from but none better for kids than the National History Museum and the Science Museum. These are both filled with fun and fascinating exhibits which makes this a highly valuable experience for all.

London Zoo

Animal lovers will adore London Zoo which is a great place to see a wide range of beautiful and majestic animals from around the world. London Zoo is also the world’s oldest scientific zoo so it is a great place for learning too.

Sea Life London

Similarly, Sea Life London is one of the biggest collections of global marine life in Europe and a great place to see unique creatures and learn more about the ocean. The aquariums are truly breathtaking and a magical experience that kids of all ages and adults can enjoy together.

As you can see, there is plenty to see and do in the capital this half-term and this will certainly make it a fun and memorable break for the kids and allow you to create many happy memories together. Keep in mind that it can get busy in London during half-term so always plan ahead and book in advance where possible to guarantee entry and find the best deals.

Where are your favourite places to visit with the kids?

~A~

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Travelling can be extremely stressful for people who do not have much experience, and sometimes even for frequent travellers. New places and unfamiliar areas can often be quite challenging, especially if you are travelling outside the country. There are a lot of challenges and obstacles that come along with travelling; all of which can cause much stress to the traveller. For that very reason, this article puts together a list of five objects and items that can help reduce your stress while you travel.

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