When it comes to entertaining the children during the school holidays and at weekends the cost of entry to theme parks, wildlife centres and activities can soon add up. Although you can attempt to budget a little extra for these weeks there is an alternative way you can pay for these attractions and entertainments. How? By using Avios! It’s easy to collect Avios – for example, you can collect Avios throughout the year by shopping with your favourite online retailers via the Avios eStore, exchanging your Tesco Clubcard vouchers, or registering your bank cards to collect Avios when shopping in store. Sign-up is free and you also can collect Avios whenever you or the family fly with British Airways and their other partner airlines.
By shopping as you would normally you’d be surprised at just how quickly your Avios balance will grow and soon you’ll have enough to spend and enjoy some family fun with the children. With a wide range of entertainment, attractions, and memberships to choose from, I’ve selected seven different family-friendly ways you can redeem your Avios to give you some inspiration…
Fun Family ways you can spend your Avios
Family treasure hunt
Whether you just want a gentle treasure hunt or something a bit more competitive, this activity is a unique and fun day out for families and other groups of all sizes.
The treasure hunt is held on public land in either a city, rural or London location. There are two different sets of clues which are based on things you will see as you follow the route. The easy clues are straightforward – they will ask you for a fact that you should be able to observe on the route, for example, information on a plaque or statue. In the cryptic version, the clues are generally a bit more challenging. They may be harder to spot, require some interpretation or general knowledge, and a few will be slightly cryptic – a bit like a crossword clue. You will also be provided with three bonus rounds that you can use alongside the main clues. These include a picture round, pub name clues and items to collect.
5,000 Avios per voucher
Diggerland
Enjoy a family ticket, which allows entry for up to four people with free games and activities. Children (and adults if they wish) have the opportunity to ride in, and drive, different types of construction machinery including Spin Dizzy, Dump Trucks, Land Rover Safari Ride, Diggers of all sizes and Dumper Train Rides (all under strict supervision)
Activities include:
- Pedal Power Diggers
- Digger sandpit
- Rolling Fun Digger video
- Indoor ball pond for under 6’s
- Computer Digger games
13,000 Avios (for a family)
ZSL London Zoo
Visit the world’s oldest scientific zoo set in Regent’s Park amid heritage-listed buildings and beautiful gardens.
With over 800 animal species to discover, as well as live shows and immersive exhibits. You can enjoy interactive experiences throughout the zoo; including Penguin Beach – watch penguins dive, swim and feed; Gorilla Kingdom – come face to face with the majestic Western Lowland Gorillas, and Rainforest Life – journey high into the treetops to meet a variety of rainforest species.
ZSL London Zoo has opened its biggest and most breath-taking experience yet: Land of the Lion. Home to a pride of endangered Asiatic lions, the £5.7m Land of the Lions features an awe-inspiring `windowless-view of the big cat’s enclosure. Enter the crumbling ruin of an amphitheatre-style Lion Temple and see the majestic big cats roaming just metres away, separated only by fine wires.
4,000 Avios per Adult, 3,000 Avios per Child
Eden Project
The Eden Project is an unforgettable experience in a breathtaking location – a global garden and a place of beauty and wonder. The world famous architecture and art draw inspiration from nature. The Eden Trust try to ensure everyone who visits the Eden Project leaves knowing something more about their connection to the world and the radical changes that are happening to the Earth. There is plenty to see, including the Rainforest Biome where you can go on a fascinating journey into the humid tropical regions. Explore the Mediterranean Biome where you can find plants that grow in Mediterranean-type climates. Take a trip to the gardens and discover what makes up three-quarters of Eden’s plants. The Core is the Eden Projects Education Centre, this is where you can go for fascinating facts and information. Rediscover what puts the ‘great’ into the ‘great outdoors’ and visit the one and only Eden Project.
6,000 Avios (entry for two)
Elite Stadium Tour
Whether you are a fan of football, tennis, rugby or cricket, you can enjoy an informative tour finding out what goes on behind the scenes at one of the most famous sports grounds in the world. Typically you will be greeted by your guide, who will share extensive knowledge of the history and sporting achievements of the club and/or stadium. You will be shown around the grounds and maybe even visit the dressing rooms where the stars prepare themselves for the big matches. Most stadium tours finish off at the visitor centre and museum where you can browse at your leisure. Stadium tours are available at the following locations:
- London Stadium – Stratford
- Chelsea FC – Stamford Bridge
- Manchester United – Old Trafford
- FC Barcelona – Nou Camp
- Rugby Football Union – Twickenham Stadium
- Liverpool FC – Anfield
- Wembley Stadium – London
- London – Emirates Stadium
5,500 Avios (1 Adult & 1 Child)
Steam Train Family Experience
Take the family to enjoy a relaxed, unhurried and civilised journey on a steam train. This majestic vehicle has been around for over 200 years, moving passengers from place to place. Seeing the trains in all their glory brings a real sense of history to your day and there is always plenty to see, making this an experience perfect for the whole family.
The experience varies depending on the location you choose. Some journeys are return trips while others are all day rovers and you may be able to stop off en route to explore the local area on foot. Depending on the location, you may be able to visit other attractions at the venue such as a steam train museum. Cumbria is a narrow gauge railway while Derby boasts a diesel train. Locations available are:
- Cambridgeshire – Peterborough
- Derbyshire – Ripley
- Gwynedd – Llanberis
- Somerset – Shepton Mallet
- Staffordshire – Stoke on Trent
7,000 Avios (for a family)
Wildlife Trust Family Membership
There are many local Wildlife Trusts, all dedicated to conserving the full range of the UK’s habitats and species, whether in the countryside, in cities or at sea. They stand up for wildlife and the environment, creating and enhancing wildlife havens and protecting our natural heritage. These Wildlife Trusts are registered charities, their work inspires people to appreciate the natural world and foster sustainable living. By supporting them, you help continue their vital work. Locations available are:
- Cornwall – Truro
- Derbyshire – Belper
- Essex – Colchester
- Gwynedd – Bangor
- Lancashire – Martin Mere
- Hertfordshire – St Albans
- Monmouthshire – Monmouth
- North Yorkshire – York
- Nottinghamshire – Nottingham
- Staffordshire – Stafford
- West Midlands – Coventry
- Worcestershire – Worcester
5,500 Avios
How will you use your Avios this year?
Post in collaboration with Avios
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