Outdoor Fun for All the Family

We all know how being outdoors in the fresh air is good for us, but sometimes thinking where to go for the children can run free, you feel safe and that won't cost the earth is not so easy. Did you know that the Forestry Commission have some well kept woods with nature trails, things to do, play areas and beautiful cafes with log fires and plenty of car parking? It doesn't take much for children to make the most of the outdoors and a walk along one of these trails can be quite an adventure when little minds get to work. Our local forest is Cardinham Woods and when we went to check it out back in the autumn we had a wonderful afternoon of fun parking for free with our discovery pass and looking out for wildlife along the way in our specially provided collecting bags.

The Forestry Commission have teamed up with Coombe Mill to offer you a chance to win your own discovery pass for a specified forest of your choice. You can find your local one here http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pass

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Even if you don't win a discovery pass, car parking is very reasonable for an afternoon of healthy outdoor fun, hope you can grab your coat and wellies and get on out to enjoy your local forest.  21st March each year is officially World Forestry Day so why not check out what's going on in your local woods?

Anyone for a walk in the Country?

It can be difficult to find family time at a weekend for outdoor pursuits, especially when it is cold, the days are short and the kids are indifferent at the prospect. There we are, caring parents, putting some quality time aside for a lovely family walk; only to be met with a 'grunt' from the kids and continued TV focus! If we can get beyond the initial lethargy and go then we do find it worthwhile.

When outside their sense of adventure builds and the TV is soon forgotten. Fresh air, rosy cheeks and tired children from physical exercise is so satisfying.

Trekking up Rough Tor

Cornwall is famous for its rocky outcrops known as Tors and we are lucky enough to have some very close by on Bodmin Moor. 10 minutes in the car and we are there.

It looks so beautifully rugged and open with lovely sea views and quite a climb to the top. Nothing is purpose built for children but that is the appeal, just running around, racing each other to the top and building imaginary games from scratch is good for mind and body. With free car parking at the start it couldn't be a cheaper day out at any time of the year! 

Even Grandma (Yia Yia) enjoyed the fun and made it to the top to take a photo of us all!

Perhaps the very best part was the caves formed between the rocky outcrops. Just listening to the banter between the children as they climb in and out claiming each cave as their own makes me smile every time!

Please Join in

What have you been up to outdoors with the children? Please join up with your picture(s), grab the badge and help promote healthy outdoor play for kids all year round.

<a href="http://www.coombemill.com/blog/post/2012/01/07/country-kids-from-coobemill.aspx" target="_blank" title="Country Kids from Coombe Mill Farm Holidays Cornwall"><img src="http://www.coombemill.com/images//blog/country_Kids/thumbs/th_Country_Kids_badge_transparent.png" border="0" alt="Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall" title="Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall" /></a>

Country Kids Christmas and New Year Special

I hope you will be able to join me and link up some of your festive outdoor moments with the kids this week. I am holding this linky open until Saturday 7th January so no excuse not to blow away the cobwebs over the break with some outdoor fun and be in with a chance of winning the Kids Coombe Mill Cap for January!

Kids Cap winner from December is Clare from @Emmys_mummy with http://www.emmysmummy.com/2011/11/country-kids-coombe-mill-collage.html Congratulations, Cap on its way in the post in the New Year!

Thank you for all the lovely link ups, here are some of my other favourites this month 

http://curtainsforthewindow.blogspot.com/2011/11/beach-girl.html

http://morethanamumblog.wordpress.com/2011/11/28/country-kids/

http://jellybeansmusic.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/two-sticks-two-blondes-1-friend-happy/

http://kidzoutdoors.com/blog/?p=670

Decorating our Garden Tree with a Cannon!

If you have been following this blog you will know that cannons are rather popular with Farmer Nick and the boys. http://www.coombemill.com/blog/post/2011/11/15/Daddy-Bought-a-Cannon.aspx When they all sat laughing at James May on TV firing Christmas decorations onto his tree from a DIY cannon they were inspired. Daddy was sent shopping for parts then it was down to the shed to convert the leaf blower into a tinsel firing cannon!      

Drain pipe sections and Leaf blower were assembled in the shed for a dummy run, the light was fading outside so the 'real' operation had to wait till the morning.

Testing Testing 1, 2, 3!

Day 2 and the children were all ready with tinsel and cannon from the shed. Playmates were enrolled to join in the challenge adding to the level of shouting, bossing, ordering and playing around but at the end of the morning they did manage to work together and blast tinsel into the tree. A triumphant gang, sadly no petrol left for leaf blowing!  

Tinsel Cannon in opperation

<a href="http://www.coombemill.com/blog/post/2011/12/24/country-kids-from-coobemill.aspx" target="_blank" title="Country Kids from Coombe Mill Farm Holidays Cornwall"><img src="http://www.coombemill.com/images//blog/country_Kids/thumbs/th_Country_Kids_badge_transparent.png" border="0" alt="Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall" title="Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall" /></a>

Please link up any snaps you have of your children playing outside over the Christmas and New Year break, whether with new toys, imaginative role play or just enjoying the frsh air, twit pic them or blog them and add to the linky below. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from

Coombe Mill

Welcome to this weeks Country Kids link up

Join in the fun and link an outdoor play post from your site. Country Kids is all about children enjoying the freedom of the outdoors from the garden to the woods. 

Coombe Mill Sun Hat from weeks 1 - 5 goes to:

http://thisisme-sarahmumof3.blogspot.com/2011/10/country-kids.html Well done Sarah, I just love the last photo with the mud going everywhere! Thank you to everyone who inked up in the 1st 5 weeks, there were so many happy photos of your children enjoying themselves. Another hat will be going out before Christmas so please keep those magic pictures coming in each week.

Country Kids week 8: Water Fun at Coombe Mill

Fun activities for children can be inspired by the simple things in life. Standing in a dumper truck full of cold water in late November wouldn't be my idea of a good time, but my children really don't appear to notice the temperature! They had so much fun messing around in and out of the water whilst Daddy washed down the car park. Even the wash loads of clothes created was worth it to see their excited faces and pure delight in what they were doing. I nearly got soaked myself taking this very short video of them:

Funny As!

<a href="http://www.coombemill.com/blog/post/2011/12/04/country-kids-from-coobemill.aspx" target="_blank" title="Country Kids from Coombe Mill Farm Holidays Cornwall"><img src="http://www.coombemill.com/images//blog/country_Kids/thumbs/th_Country_Kids_badge_transparent.png" border="0" alt="Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall" title="Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall" /></a>

I would love you to come and link up your outdoor play pictures here: 

A quick reminder about Country Kids

I set up Country Kids as I have a firm belief in the benefit to children of happy healthy outdoor play. Rosy cheeks from running around are good for mind and body. Join in and support outdoor play with a picture or 2 of your children enjoying the freedom of the outdoors from the garden to the park, woods or beach. Whatever is near you that you and the children can enjoy. Post on your blog and link up here. An old picture or post or this weeks' adventure are all welcome.

Shortlisted 5 for a Coombe Mill Kids Sun Hat from weeks 1 - 5

 http://greenmumsblog.wordpress.com/2011/10/21/country-kids/

http://thisisme-sarahmumof3.blogspot.com/2011/10/country-kids.html

http://redrosemummy.blogspot.com/2011/11/street-where-we-live.html

http://www.plus2point4.co.uk/2011/11/05/country-kids-lacock-abbey/

http://thisisme-sarahmumof3.blogspot.com/2011/10/autumn-sunshine.html

http://www.littlesheep-learning.co.uk/blog/2011/country-kids-bike-riding/

http://kidzoutdoors.com/blog/?p=601

OK so I can't count! Too many lovely entries but I will choose one next week for the Coombemill Sun Hat. Keep those pictures coming and thank you to everyone who has linked up so far. I have enjoyed seeing and reading every post.

Country Kids week 7: Our Kids In Charge of the Saturday Animal Feeding

<a href="http://www.coombemill.com/blog/post/2011/11/26/country-kids-from-coobemill.aspx" target="_blank" title="Country Kids from Coombe Mill Farm Holidays Cornwall"><img src="http://www.coombemill.com/images//blog/country_Kids/thumbs/th_Country_Kids_badge_transparent.png" border="0" alt="Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall" title="Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall" /></a>