Croxteth park and farm

Claire

Aug 1

Today it was just me and a toddler ! Thankfully the sun was shining so outdoors it would be. But where ? All the local parks would be busy and would be a struggle to entertain this 3 year old for the day. Then I remembered Croxteth park, it a large park in Liverpool with a couple of play areas, gardens, cafe and a farm.

She played whilst I organised a picnic suitable for a fussy girl. Lots of fruit, cheese sandwiches and apple juice. I loaded up the car with the bag and pram and off we went.

It was a twenty minute drive, through the tunnel under the Mersey (looking for rabbits). The car park wasn't too busy. I unloaded the car before releasing the whirlwind from her car seat.

Then she was off, skipping down the path and chasing squirrels. Our first stop was at the small play area for under 6's. It was busy and she loved running round, up the climbing frame and down the slide. She is really good at taking turns and waiting, so patiently waited for the swing. After a few minutes of being bossed around for not pushing enough, or too much she was off and back to climbing again.

We left and found a fallen tree in the picnic area to sit on and start our picnic. She loves fruit but first we had 'the battle of the sandwich' I mostly won and she enjoyed her tangerine, apple and grapes.

Then she was ready to go again. This time to the larger play area. She's not the most adventurous so started on the lowest climbing area and slide but found a little friend and confidence. Soon they were climbing the higher area and the larger slides, although she only did the biggest slide once and this was a huge step. It was starting to get busy, with older 10+ kids.

We followed the path round to the farm, we bought a food bucket to feed the animals. They have sheep, goats, pigs, ponies, cows, and a petting area with rabbits and Guinea pigs.

She loved seeing the animals and throwing the food over the fences for them to eat. She wasn't as keen to hold it out for them. Or holding the rabbits, although I was ordered to sit down for a Guinea pig so she could 'feel its ears'.

We watched the lambs having bottles of milk and fed grain to the chickens then went to the barn to do some colouring. By now the sun was really hot and she was starting to droop. So we headed back towards the car. She was asleep in minutes.