A muddy walk at the lake
These winter months can be tough on us all, especially children who need to burn off energy, get fresh air and run free. I am trying to get out with the children every weekend at the moment, as I think they need it after a week in school. One of our favourite places to go is only 5 mins away and we can have lots of fun there. It is Thatcham nature discovery centre and lake. Every time we visit for a walk and play, it doesn’t fail to disappoint.
This visit we took our usual wander round the lake first, walking through puddles and stopping to look at the ducks, swans and geese.
Next it was time for an obligatory walk along some logs, well I say logs, but they’re not really, I have no idea what to call them, but the children always love walking along them every single time we pass. 
Whilst the girls were walking along the logs BB decided to climb the (again not sure what to call it) metal frame. Kids will climb anything! He was very pleased with himself sat on the top.
We found lots of mud which of course had to jumped in, squelched in, slid about and had fun with, nearly getting our boots stuck!
Once I could finally manage to persuade the children to come away from the mud, we headed off to the playground where they had fun climbing, balancing, swinging, running and playing. They particularly loved going down the big slide head first so they went extra fast, shrieking all the way. I managed to get a few pics of them coming out the other end, though Pinky looks a little unsure.
Lastly, we had some fun on the zip wire. 
We had a lovely afternoon in the gorgeous winter sun in a beautiful place, surrounded by nature, only five mins from the house. The children had loads of fun splashing, squelching, climbing, running, balancing, playing and screaming with delight, whilst mummy and daddy had a great time watching and walking in the fresh air and sunshine with our family. All this for free, what more could we ask for?
A perfect way to grab a bit of fresh air in winter without having to travel far and what a bargain too. I love the metal thing and the wooden planks and yes kids will climb anything. Thanks for sharing with me on Country Kids.
It is a lovely place to go for fun and fresh air when we don’t fancy going too far
I agree, a perfect way to grab some fresh air and so close to home too.
We do love it there
Looks great for a winter walk, assuming those wellies were taken off before they got anywhere inside the house!! #countrykids
Haha, yes, wellies always off at the door, especially covered in all that mud!