Posted on May 5th, 2017 - Fiona
We have a tradition at Coombe Mill of ending the Easter holidays with a recycled raft race. Every year this popular event grows with regular visitors to us looking forward to the day, newcomers joining in the fun and a few new additions from us to keep the event fresh and exciting.
The fun begins with a pile of washed and recycled floatable items from our recycled bins, a ball of string and plenty of masking tape. Every one works as groups or individuals on their raft following my “one I made earlier” as a rough idea guide.
Making recycled rafts in teams
I allow a good half an hour for everyone to work on their rafts. I have found the more time I allow the more creative and imaginative the rafts become. There were milk bottle bases, stick bases, masts and decorative additions being added to some wonderful bespoke designs. We were blessed with a beautiful sunny day and the time just ran away from us.
New for this year we had made a range of certificates. There was everything from biggest raft to smallest raft, most creative to fastest, best in class by age and more. I figured everyone would win something and the challenge added a new burst of energy to the finishing touches.
Finally everyone was ready and we carried the rafts down to the river. Despite the building excitement I managed to gather everyone for a team photo and gain enough of their attention to remind them of the rules.
Ready for a Recycled Raft Race
The chatter was building as they climbed the bridge and held the rafts over the starting line. We managed a perfect first time start and the rafts were away to the sound of much cheering and shouting.
The dash to beat them along the river bank was on. Guy and Jed were on hand in the river to rescue any rafts caught in the reeds and set them free, along with a few others keen to wade downstream, while the rest dashed towards the finish line.
For most of the journey it looked like my raft was going to win, this was not the outcome I wanted! I was quite relived to be moved into second place by a smaller team raft on the final straight. Those who weren’t on the bridge by now were in the water, me included. There were plenty of helpers to stop any runaway recycled rafts from racing down to Padstow.
We handed out the certificates writing in the winner names as we went and every team won something.
River fun
As is often the case the real fun began just at the end. All the older children piled into the river for a big water fight, the screams and squeals as they were showered in cold water was enough to make all the adults smile. I feel sure this will be another fun afternoon on the farm that will remain with the children for a long time to come.
If you fancy joining us for Easter Next year, the Easter Egg Hunt and recycled raft race will take place on Easter week: 31st March 2018.
Posted on April 28th, 2017 - Fiona
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.
Spring Fun
Here in Cornwall we have managed to hold onto the sunshine all week despite some chilly winds. Farmer Nick is now worrying about the water supply to the animals, as we haven’t seen any rain for so long! However the worries of a farmer are not the worries of our guests who have been making the most of another sunny week with us. Whatever your adventures this past week I hope you can join me 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 last week:
- Helena from Queen of Collage who commented on 35 posts.
- Sonia from Mamma’s School who commented on 30 posts.
- Helen from The Princess and the Pickle who commented on 28 posts.
There were no link dump and runners again this week, a massive thanks to everyone for making this the second week running.
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 April Rockfish Wellies:
Top Commenter: Helena from Queen of Collage
OK so I may be a little biased but this post from Stopping at Two about Easter at Coombe Mill filled me with pride
Life at Cooks Cabin enjoyed a holiday just up the coast from us in Devon with some glorious happy beach days.
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 3300 posts this community is flourishing with outdoors photos.
My featured photos from the week came from @jenni_isdancingintherain @franhigham @days_of_henry_and_florence and @isabelkingsford.wildlifestyle Please do welcome these lovely folk to the #CountryKidsFun community and check out their profiles on Instagram if you are not already following.
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Posted on April 28th, 2017 - Fiona
Easter day is a very special time to be with us here on the farm. We were completely full for Easter week and it was 90% regular Coombe Mill guests who know what to expect from an Easter Farm Egg Hunt. It is becoming a little like Halloween and Christmas where those in the know eagerly await the now familiar set of activities. However to keep it fresh, and keep the older ones on their toes, I always add a few new twists.
Easter Farm Tractor Ride
The fun begins with an overflowing Easter farm tractor and trailer ride to feed the animals. We do our best to be full of new born animals for Easter. This year we have lambs and bunnies at the super cute stage and it was an excited group of children eager to meet them all.
After feeding the noisy pigs we wandered round to see if the chickens had laid us any eggs for breakfast. I couched in the coup to capture the children’s faces coming in and couldn’t resist this capture as a Chicken laid an egg surrounded by Oreo cream eggs!
Many of the children were already whispering very loudly about hoping for chocolate eggs, having been before; however the excitement as they entered was as delightful as ever. My helper Guy was having quite a job restricting everyone to one egg each to ensure everyone had a treat to take away.
Of course a few were eaten there and then!
Easter Farm Egg Hunt Preparations
I crept off as the Tractor and trailer continued on towards the other animals to set up the Easter Farm Egg Hunt. As a change this year I had clues for the children to find along with hidden eggs at every stop. I had successfully created a bunny Easter trail for activity hour a few weeks earlier and this was perfect to reuse for my Easter Egg Hunt, I even had an old bunny onesie I borrowed from one of my kids to lead the hunt.
With everything in place I rejoined the end of the feed run at the bunny rabbits.
Farmer Nick announced the end of the farm ride and gave everyone a 10 minute ‘heads up’ to return for my the Easter Farm Egg Hunt.
An Egg Hunt in Two Halves
I have learned from previous years to split the group into under 5’s and over 5’s to allow the younger children a chance to find some eggs too. The older children knew they would have to patiently wait while the little ones hunted in ride on play area. For many this was their first ever Egg hunt and their little faces were a picture of delight and confusion at finding chocolate eggs all around them.
Finally it was the moment the majority had been waiting for. I explained they had Easter bunny clues to follow this year and that no one was to push ahead. I sometimes wonder whether just to do clues and let the children go round at their own pace and collect an egg at the end as the National Trust do, but the thrill of actually looking for the eggs themselves is what the children say they really enjoy. So this was my compromise version. There were a few eggs at each stop with most hidden at the last clue. Many were ready and waiting with Easter baskets as I read out the first clue!
From here the children dashed from one clue to another but waiting for everyone at each stop before continuing
We covered from one end of the farm to the other climbing over and under and through play areas, the excitement and squeals of joy a delight to hear. The children took it in turns to read the clues out to the group before dashing on again.
Finally at the den building area my volunteer reader announced the final clue for the pirate boat. The race was on; thankfully I had hidden enough eggs for everyone to have a handful.
Time to take stock of their haul and enjoy a little chocolate snack!
I may have ruined a few appetites for lunch, but it will be an Easter morning they will remember fondly.
Posted on April 21st, 2017 - Fiona
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.
Reflecting on the Easter Holidays
So the Easter holidays are finally at a close for all of us. My own kids went back to school on Tuesday but the farm is only just quietening down again today as we have been full with school holiday children for the past few weeks. I will miss the buzz of the children running around, the endless volunteer helpers with the animals and the enthusiasm for all our crafting fun and activities. With the most amazing Easter weather to top things off, it will be an Easter break with happy memories from here on the farm. Whatever your adventures this past week I hope you can join me 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 25th March:
- Hiedi from Him, Me & Three who commented on 28 posts.
- Merlinda from Pixiedusk & Helena from Queen of Collage who commented on 26 posts.
- Clare from Mudpie Fridays who commented on 22 posts.
There were no link dump and runners this week.
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 April Rockfish Wellies:
Top Commenter: Hiedi from Him, Me and Three
We have been enjoying egg hunts here on the farm and it looks like many of you have been doing the same out and about at organised events. When plans fell apart to meet up with friends, Mummy Shire needn’t have worried, her resourceful daughter took things in hand and created a magical family egg hunt in the garden.
Becoming a Stay at Home Mum watched the confidence grow in her son as he climbed a tree leading to a star TV appearance.
The Mama Story returned to her daughter’s “happy place” for a lovely family day.
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 3000 posts this community is flourishing with outdoors photos.
My featured photos from the week came from @devonmamaonline, @singlemahoy, @ciskoskids & @stoppingattwo. Please do welcome these lovely folk to the #CountryKidsFun community and check out their profiles on Instagram if you are not already following.
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Posted on April 21st, 2017 - Fiona
I feel like I have really made the most of Easter this year with our holiday guests. We have done bunny crafts, chick crafts and this week was the turn of Easter egg crafts. I had my fingers crossed for the weather as I wanted an Easter egg hunt with a difference in the fairy garden and this was the only afternoon all week with rain in the forecast!
Magic Easter Bunnies.
The fairy garden is wonderful for so many of my activities and treasure hunts and this week I had an extra Easter surprise for the children. I had told them all they were making toilet roll bunnies that had to have their name on and Guy was going to take them to the fairy gardens for me and hide them. The fairies had a little magic planned for the children, but they would have to wait to discover this.
Easter Egg Bonnets
Guy collected up all the bunnies and left. Meanwhile we moved on to making Easter bonnets with decorated Easter eggs, bunny ears and nature. Double sided sticky tape is the magic tip to making everything stick, including all the petals and flowers from outside.
Easter Eggs for the fairies
With bonnets complete we set about painting Easter egg shaped fabric to hang in the fairy gardens for the fairies. Poster paint works really well on plain white cotton and it is a great use of our old marked sheets from the business.
The children carefully carried their painted eggs and handed them to me in the fairy gardens where I pinned them up to make bunting for the fairies to enjoy.
An Easter Egg Hunt
I think the children had quite forgotten the bunnies they made at the start of the afternoon. Now that the Fairy Easter Eggs were all hung up I suggested they go and find their bunnies. There were squeals of delight as they found their bunnies and discovered a caramel chocolate egg inside.
A Surprise Easter lamb
This should have been the end of the afternoon’s entertainment. However we had a surprise visitor with us. An abandoned lamb found that morning had made an amazing recovery in the house with me and joined us for our afternoon fun. The children were thrilled to help feed him a bottle and stroke him out on the grass. This little fellow is soon going to become every holiday maker’s new best friend.
The children were still wearing their Easter bonnets that evening for the train which I took as a sure sign of a fun afternoon and that forecast rain never happened.
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