Springtime fun at Mead Open Farm

We've been visiting Mead Open Farm in Bedfordshire ever since Ruby was a baby. She's always enjoyed the sights, sounds and smells of the animals, and when she was younger would happily spend hours in the soft play area or in the playground.

Now she's reached the ripe old age of 6 I did wonder if the farm would still hold such appeal for her.  I needn't have worried, we had a fabulous day there in the spring sunshine.

She remembered bottle feeding the lambs on previous years and was keen to try again.  She was much braver and more determined to keep hold of the bottle from their super sucky grasp this time.

She giggled at the goats who were locking horns and ramming each other and the funny little kid who hadn't quite got the hang of what the feeding bowl was for.  But we did find one who was very lovable and just wanted some strokes.

She also remembered petting the rabbits so anxiously watched the clock until it was time for them to come out.  I know she'd love a rabbit at home - but I'm not sure what our dog would make of it!

She was more confident feeding the sheep and the goats this time too, bravely holding her hand out still and flat while they nibbled the pellets from her palm.

We popped into the special Easter area and completed the egg hunt puzzle - fingers crossed we'll win annual membership!

The new adventure playground has just opened and it was a real hit.  Topsy Turvey Towers is cleverly planned out.  Really impressed with the wooden safety crossing barriers behind and in front of the swings - how many times have you seen a toddler run in front of a swing?!  Why don't all parks do that?

It's a great quality wooden beast of a playground, full of rope bridges, tunnel slides, climbing areas and high viewing platforms.  Quirky details like grass covered tunnel tubes and of course the upside down trees which give the area it's name.  Everything was a bit topsy turvey here.

When you're bored of that, head over to Diggerland, a large enclosed sand area with JCB style vehicles to climb on, pretend drive, as well as mechanical diggers you can practise your co-ordination on scooping up sand.  There's tonnes of buckets and spades provided for castle building too.

Also new this year is the Sky Trail.  A high rope course which looked like great fun.  Sadly even the thought of a safety harness wouldn't persuade Ruby to have a go - I guess she's got her Mum's head for heights!

There's plenty to do to keep the whole family entertained all day and the entrance fee of £10.75 for adults and £9.75 for children (you can get cheaper rates if you pre-book online) was reasonable considering everything's included - there's no extra charges for any of the activities.

There's cafes on site offering a range of hot and cold food or you are welcome to take your own and use the picnic benches.  There's also loads of hand washing stations all around the farm, toilets and baby changing facilities.  It was very busy on the day we went and certainly could have been cleaner - I think the staff had a job keeping up with clearing the tables, replenishing the washrooms and emptying the bins.  But that was the only negative of what was otherwise a really fun day.

Linking up with Country Kids at Coombe Mill.