Family-friendly adventures in the Cairngorms this Easter
SPONSORED CONTENT WITH MACDONALD AVIEMORE RESORT
Keeping the kids busy and entertained over the Easter holidays can be a bit of a challenge, but you don’t have to look too far for some fantastic fun.
Here in the Highlands the great outdoors offers plenty of adventure to get your little – and not so little – ones out and about.
If they are bursting with energy, you’ll want to get them active – but sometimes just going for a walk or riding their bikes isn’t enough.
In the Cairngorms National Park, there are so many places to explore, but for a really special day out at Easter, the Highland Wildlife Park will keep the kids captivated all day long.
They can howl along with the wolves, a species that went extinct in Scotland in the 19th century; watch the polar bears take a splash in their pool; go on a trail to find the tigers or – our favourite – spot the beautiful snow leopards in their dramatic enclosure.
Just a short distance south of Aviemore, the park at Kincraig is alive with adventure, as your wild ones prowl around and try to find their favourite animal.
Start with a drive around the safari-style reserve and you can see bison, elk, red deer and polar bears. You even pass yaks and camels on your way up the driveway to reach the entrance!
Once you’ve parked up, there are plenty of options to grab a coffee or some lunch before going off on foot to discover animals from around the world and learn more about their habitat and conservation.
If you want to let the train take the strain, you can do so in style from Aviemore with a trip on the Strathspey Steam Railway.
The private service that runs between Aviemore and Broomhill via Boat of Garten is celebrating the 200th anniversary of train travel in 2025, so it’s the perfect time to hop on board and experience this authentic form of transport.
Kids love the “toot, toot” of the whistle as the steam engine pulls away from the station, puffing its way through the national park with fabulous views from its carriages.
You can even enjoy a light lunch or afternoon tea on some services, as you sit back and watch the world go by outside the window.
For real family time, a visit to Landmark Forest Adventure Park is hard to beat. There are activities galore that suit all ages from wee tots to grannie and grandpas!
Climb the wooden Forest Tower – all 105 steps – to reach a fantastic lookout over the forest and beyond, or come back down to earth – and go back in time – to the Dinosaur Kingdom, where 22 giant beasts come back from the dead to roam around the park.
These models are moving, roaring, life-size and very realistic dinosaurs and there’s even a terrifying 20-foot-tall T-Rex!
See the forest from a new perspective on the high Red Squirrel Trail or take on Scotland’s first ever aerial net challenge with Networx – described as bouncy fun for the whole family.
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There’s also the Tropical Hot House, the Bamboozeleum, a dino fossil dig sand pit and plenty of play areas for kids of all ages.
The Cairngorms really does have it all and Aviemore is a perfect central location to experience all this fun – and lots, lots more besides.
The Macdonald Aviemore Resort has linked up with the Highland Wildlife Park, Strathspey Steam Railway and Landmark Forest Adventure Park to offer some great deals which include accommodation as well as tickets to these fantastic attractions – so why not check them out and give the kids – and yourselves – a holiday to remember this Easter?
Looking for a full day of fun this Easter without staying overnight?
Aviemore Resort’s Easter Adventure Day Passes are just £20 per person and include all-day access to the pool, soft play, activity centre, sauna and gym, a delicious lunch, a family movie at the resort’s on-site cinema (Snow White or A Minecraft Movie), and 15 per cent off outdoor activities such as target sports, archery and Family Highland Games.
Book now for Saturday, April 12 – other dates available to book on Eventbrite.
