TODDLER. February Half Term. Muddy Puddles and mud kitchens.
Yes, I agree they sound like a match in heaven...a messy match in heaven for adults but pure bliss for toddlers.
That’s why I was thrilled to be invited with my 2.5-year-old outdoors-loving son to go to Martin Mere’s half-term MudFest event complete with a muddy assault course, muddy puddle jumping and a mud kitchen as well as general fun seeing the amazing birds and otters.
February half-term can be a nightmare for parents not venturing to sunny destinations as – especially toddler parents – need to run their little ones ragged to ensure some level of normality come bedtime, and February UK weather doesn’t always help with that.
Only 20 minute drive from St Helens is the lovely wetlands that even on a soggy February weekend post rain were absolutely gorgeous, and crucially heaven for my son who immediately took part in jumping in all the puddles, feeding the ducks and birds, admiring the eye-catching flamingos and more.
The venue has a lovely restaurant where we enjoyed delicious pies and my son had a child’s portion of pesto pasta, with plenty of goodies on offer as well as a craft room we ran out of time to use but looked lovely and a very exciting play area.
By the end of the day my son was caked in mud and had the biggest smile on his face.
Even more important he slept through the night and has talked about it non stop since, a glowing recommendation here from a toddler parent of a very outgoing little boy with boundless energy.
To learn more about MudFest, go to wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martin-mere/whats-on/mudfest-2025
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