In an era where on line games are becoming smaller and smaller as children play on tablets and phones, I am a big fan of encouraging real life games that you physically engage in and not just absorb children through a screen. Make these larger than life and the fun really begins.
I remember as a child playing the classic 4 in a row connect 4 game with friends for hours. It was one of those games everyone had and a perfect way to start a play date. Roll on 30 years and the amazing Big Game Hunters have a big and jumbo version of my favourite childhood board game that is perfect for the garden or a playroom; in fact they have a whole range to choose from. There is no sitting still just exercising your fingers and thumbs as in an online game, children actually have to bend and stretch and move around as well as think strategically and try to outwit their opponent; the perfect way to exercise mind and body and improve social skills too.
Jumbo 4 Connect
Delivery and Assembly
We received the Jumbo 4 connect. Delivery was super swift tracked by email at every stage. On arrival we had it unpacked and assembled in minutes. There are instructions to help you but to be honest it is very intuitive to put together with just sides to slot into place and a pull out tray at the bottom to release the counters at the end of play.
Quality
We have past experience of Big Game Hunters as our children’s trampoline and the Coombe Mill ones have come from them. Based on the high quality and long lasting nature of their Sky High trampolines I had high hopes for the Jumbo 4 connect and I wasn’t disappointed. It is made from study wood which is well finished with smooth gloss paint. It feels substantial and looks high quality which is important for us as I know it is going to be used week in week out by our holiday guests. In a home I can see this being a game that is handed down from generation to generation to enjoy. The counters are plastic, light weight enough to lift easily, yet sturdy enough to take the constant dropping into slots and clattering to the floor at the end of a game. We have the perfect games room to keep it in, though I can see it coming outdoors too.
Jumbo 4 Connect in Play
Our Jumbo 4 connect arrived just in time for our half term guests to give it a go. We set it up at the start of activity hour outside the games room and a couple of the girls knew straight away how to play and started trying to create their lines of 4 in turn while we waited for everyone to assemble. This is when it really struck me how much movement was required as well as skill and social interaction. That’s three big wins from one fun game.
Capturing the girls on video you can almost hear their minds at work trying to our wit each other to make a line of 4 first.
Big 4
The Jumbo 4 is just right for our little ones staying here on the farm, however for older children, adults or to really stretch those little ones movements you could opt for the Big 4. Standing at 1.2m tall it is the largest wooden 4 in a row game on the market and would be perfect for family gatherings, team challenges and a guaranteed to be the highlight at any garden party.
Need to Know:
| Jumbo 4 Connect | Big 4 |
| 73.4 cm x 84 cm x 20 cm | 120 cm x 120 cm x 4.8 cm |
| Quality Wooden Frame | Quality Wooden Frame |
| Plastic Counters Included | Plastic Counters Included |
| Easy to take apart for storage | Easy to take apart for storage |
| £94.99 available from Big Game Hunters | £144.99 available from Big Game Hunters |
Win your Jumbo 4 Connect from Big Game Hunters with Coombe Mill
For a chance to get your kids up and moving with this classic game on a grand scale why not enter to win below. Good luck to all taking part.
Disclosure:
I was sent our Jumbo 4 connect to review in this post however all thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Located on the south coast of the Peloponnese in Greece, the ancient city of Nafplion is well worth a visit. It was under half an hour by car from where we were staying in Kantia and an easy destination choice for us.
The Ancient Fort of Nafplion
No visit to Nafplion is complete without a visit to the fort, but be prepared for a climb. My phone registered a whopping 47 flights climbed to reach the top.
However the views are second to none and worth the climb for these alone.
It is only when you have scaled the mountain that you meet the ticketing lady at the top. It is quite possible to look from the steps and retreat back down seeing a good 50% at a glance without paying. However at 8 Euros entry we were happy to pay and explore the fort. Being built during the Venetian occupation in the early 19th Century it is more recent than the ruins at Mycenae and Epidavros and much more has survived which I enjoyed. Straight away you can see the holes in the fort for shooting arrows at the enemy and appreciate how the elevated position looking out over land and sea made it the perfect place to defend the city below. Large castle walls and sectioned areas were designed for the city to hide in during times of attack.
Within the fort there is even a little church, complete with burning candles. Visitors must wear a top when entering.
For those not abiding by the rules there is a prison, I must say on the day we visited the depths of the prison offered a welcome coolness absent above ground.
Back down at sea level we looked back up to see just how far we climbed. I actually found coming down harder on my legs tan going up.
Our birds eye view from the top had given us a clear idea of how the city was laid out and we set off exploring beginning with the port where the kids were impressed by a small American cruise ship that had come in for the day.
I was more taken with the old railway line which finished at the port.
The city centre didn’t feel particularly tourist led, instead it is full of cafes and clothes shops typical of any Greek city.
We stopped at a bakery for lunch and ate on a park bench in the shade. There was even a playground next to us for children and beautiful flowers in beds and adorning buildings.
The city felt prosperous with little obvious signs of the economic difficulties Greece is encountering at the moment.
Tips for visiting Nafplion
- Do visit the ancient fort but only in sensible footwear. Farmer Nick took his sandals off walking back down the steps as they had worn smooth and slippery in places and it is a long way to fall!
- If you fancy the fort and can’t face the steps it is possible to drive from the rear of the mountain to the top as we discovered when asking the ticket lady if she climbed the steps each day.
- There are toilets and fresh drinking water available at the top of the fort.
- Parking in the city is very easy; we had no trouble parking right in the centre for free in July.
- Cafes are abundant around the port for eating or there are plenty of take away bakeries in the town centre.
- If you fancy a swim there is a beach well signposted and a short walk from the town centre. There is a beach car park but this fills quickly.
- You could make a full day out of a visit to the city and one I thoroughly recommend. The town is easy to navigate with a pushchair but not the fort.
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Friendship is a theme I often return to when talking about life on the farm. It is something I try to encourage for the children staying with us. I find children are generally natural friendship makers and all they need is the opportunity to let this shine. The organised farm activities each day at Coombe Mill like the morning tractor ride to feed the animals is one such example. Friendships blossom over common interests and the different ages couldn’t matter less. Older children encourage younger children and younger children respond with an obvious adoration of their older companions. I see this pattern form each week, but some weeks it is exceptional and a delight to watch. This past half term has been one such occasion.
These first photos were taken on the Sunday morning Feed Run. Here the children are familiarising themselves with the animals and each other.
Animal Feed Run at Coombe Mill
On board the tractor and trailer is a great opportunity for children to strike up conversations
Already the children are working together with Farmer Nick
Our smallest pigmy goat called Queenie, laps up all the attention and food.
Under Farmer Nick’s watchful eye the children all line up to watch the deer come down for their breakfast
Friendships Cemented
We were away ourselves visiting family in the middle of the week returning at the end to see friendships cemented and a real togetherness by the time it came to the last train ride and activity hour. We made daffodils from sticks and toilet rolls that they wanted to plant around their newly made den.
All the families staying with us at half term had visited before, but not necessarily at the same time. Two of them have now rebooked for next year. I am already looking forward to seeing these same friendships rekindled in 2018. If you fancy joining them, February is our cheapest school holiday week of the year and the 2018 bookings are now open.
Do you look for friendship and fun for your children on holiday?
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Welcome to Country Kids from Coombe Mill
Country Kids is the original outdoor family fun linky designed to:
“Encourage family fun outdoors, in an age where technology and screens are such a draw to a sedentary indoor life”
Welcome back if you are a regular to Country Kids and if you are new please join in. You will find plenty of inspiration for enjoying outdoor space and please do share your own adventures. We support the National Trust 100 things to do before you are 11¾ along with all other ideas for family fun outside.
It’s nearly spring, time to discover what’s new outdoors.
I don’t know about you, but here on the farm January seemed to drag on forever while February has raced by. Whether it is the lengthening days or spring growth raising our spirits I’m not sure, but along with the seasons changing so our willingness to enjoy family outdoor time has increased too. I hope February has been a good month for you with some adventures to share on the link up below.
Guidelines for Joining in:
- Post must be predominantly outdoors such as in the garden, the park, the woods or the beach with crafting, learning, exploring or playing.
- Despite the title, both countryside and urban outdoor adventures are welcome.
- Unheated covered areas like a barn or tent count as outdoors.
- Please comment on my host post and a minimum of 3 others of your choice.
- If you use #CountryKids when commenting the post owner will know where your found them and hopefully come back to visit your post.
- Please take my badge, without it you won’t be considered for winning the lovely Rockfish Wellies.
- Linked posts should be written and made live within the last 2 months.
- I understand sometimes you need to do catch up posts and write about something from a couple of months ago but the publish date should be within 2 months.
- By joining in with Country Kids you’re giving me permission to email you weekly as a reminder.
- There is no restriction on the number of posts that can be linked up, however please be sensible, if you have more than 3 consider linking over a few weeks.
My top commenters from 18th February:
1st Sonia from Mummy Constant who commented on 20 posts.
2nd Sonia from Mamma’s School who commented on 19 posts.
3rd Hiedi from Him, Me and Three who commented on 18 posts.
Rockfish kindly sponsor Country Kids
Win a pair of wellies from Rockfish Monthly
I am delighted to have Rockfish as the sponsor for Country Kids. Rockfish are a local Cornish company specializing in stylish quality wellingtons for all the family. We have been offering their country wellies in our borrow room here on the farm for over a year and they are always popular for their style, comfort and durability.
Each week my favourite #CountryKids posts, which include my badge or a link back here, will be considered for a free pair of Rockfish Wellies at the end of the month; the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors whatever the weather throws your way. Keep your posts coming, it could be you winning next!
For more more information on the Rockfish Wellies on offer with us and terms and conditions to win see here.
Favourite posts from last week added to the shortlist for winning the February Rockfish Wellies:
Top Commenter : Sonia from Mummy Constant
An alternative family Valentine’s campfire picnic in the snow looks so magical from Sonia at The Mammas School.
Four Acorns spent a day admiring the multicoloured rock formations in Rosières, Haute-Loire, France.
Country Kids Communities
I’d love you to join me:
Pin on the Pinterest Board Just ask for an invite to pin and include Country Kids on your pins for me to stop by on your boards too.
Follow Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays’s board Country Kids from Coombe Mill on Pinterest.
Join the growing Country Kids Instagram Community with #CountryKidsFun.
I'll like and comment on all and share my favourites from the week with a tag on a Friday on Instagram and Twitter. With over 1800 posts this community is flourishing with outdoors photos.
My favourite photos from the week came from @tarajgreaves @tammymumuk @four_acorns @lakessinglemum Please do check out these lovely folk on Instagram if you are not already following.
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We had a rare Sunday where the boys had a Rugby match in a beautiful harbour town and we and no guests. This was an opportunity for a family adventure and we grabbed the chance. A quick look at the map to find the Rugby pitch and we spotted it was right next to the final section of the Saints Way trail. This is a trail stretching for 30 miles from Padstow on the North Coast to Fowey on the south coast. We traced the spur path down to Polkerris beach where there was a branch of our favourite Fowey bistro. It only looked about 2.5 miles. The plan was formed and I was looking forward to an adventure.
From Rugby to Fowey Town
Dropping the boys at the Rugby pitch Nick, Clio and I noted the path we needed later and drove down into the town. It was as chilly as I remember last time we visited Fowey, but dry so I wasn’t complaining. We mooched around the shops and harbour and warmed up in a cute little coffee shop.
By the time we headed back to the Rugby club the boys were just finishing. Caked in mud but thrilled with their win with both scoring a try they headed into the changing rooms.
The Saints Way Trail
Thankfully a quick shower had transformed them and we all set off along the Saints Way trail towards Polkerris. Having never been along the path before we took a map print out for guidance. Nick took great pleasure in sharing his best Geographer skills and testing the kids on the landscape we could expect, the distance and topography.
The Saints Way trail section delivered on every count. We passed through woodland, over little bridges, under a bridge, past farm animals and chatted about all kinds of things whist building our appetites for lunch.
There were trees to climb and trees to practice pull ups and even a rope swing I had to forbid them using as I could see jumping off would risk tumbling down a step bank and an ambulance trip instead of lunch!
At one point we went right through a seriously muddy farm. The boys only had trainers on and so accepted a fireman lift from Dad. I wonder how much longer he will be able to do this for, they are already far too heavy for me to lift like this.
Polkerris Beach
Finally the beach was insight and the kids ran down only to discover a very much shut looking beach bistro.
There was nothing for it, a quick splash in the sea and wander over the beach and we headed back.
With tummies rumbling we made quick work of the return journey along the Saints’ Way and rang ahead to book into the Fowey bistro, our lesson learned! I knew we were returning faster as we had all stripped off coats and jumpers and it wasn’t actually very warm.
Back in Fowey
We would have needed to walk back anyway so we hadn’t really lost out and the walk was refreshing. We were however more than ready for lunch!
By the time we finished the sun had come out and as the boys had missed out in the morning we took one last look around the harbour enjoying the local ice cream.
We left before Jed could frighten me anymore balancing on railings too close to the sea! Driving home I realised how special family days out like this are. We will be back into our busy season soon, but at least I have this section of The Saints’ Way as another good recommendation to pass on to those on holidays with us looking for fun family days out.
Tips for walking the Saints’ Way from Fowey to Polkerris Beach and Back
- Park on the road by the Fowey Rugby club
- Wear wellies or good walking boots, trainers may be OK in summer.
- not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs.
- Distance is about 2 – 2.5 miles each way but feels further with rugged ground and some steep climbs.
- Take towels / change of clothes for swimming or paddling at Polkerris beach.
- Sam’s Bistro have great deluxe burgers and seafood but is pricey. Open all year in Fowey town but seasonal opening at Polkerris.
- For cheaper food options in Fowey there are several bakeries serving pasties and more with plenty of harbour seating available to enjoy the view. We do this in summer.
- Toilets at Fowey and Polkerris require 20p entry.
- Parking in Fowey is very limited, park in the signed car park and walk into the town. Aprox 1/3 mile.
- Harbour rails in Fowey are not idea for small children and they need to be supervised running near the edge.
