If you're looking for things to do in Devon, then why not consider a muddy obstacle course.
These award winning adventure parks for kids are perfect for family days out in Devon. The muddy army assault courses are designed to get everyone enjoying good old-fashioned fun in the great outdoors – whatever the weather.
The attractions often feature more than 20 muddy and dry obstacles to run, jump, swing and climb over, often spread across a 10 acre site.
With so much to choose from in the beautiful Devon countryside it can sometimes be difficult but obstacle trails really to offer something for the whole family.
At these attractions you can clamber over the bear nets, whizz down the zip wires, scramble through the tunnels – they are a guaranteed fun and energising day out, for all the family, from toddlers to grandparents.
Cross the river over the rickety bridges, swing over the hay bales, there's acres and acres of land, which means you can run free and use up all that pent up energy.
At these trails all the obstacles are designed to be challenging, yet achievable and there's oftem a footpath which runs alongside for those who want to stay dry. You'll even find a cubs' corner for little ones aged under a year. As well as enjoying the trail, people can visit the animal area and meet the miniature ponies and alpacas.
The trails have been designed to provide children with a space to invent play and be tested so they work together and push their boundaries. The trails give children the chance to run free out in the wild, challenge themselves mentally and physically, get wet, run and climb around in muddy fields and experience an element of risk which reflects life.
It is great to see families playing together, supporting each other and running around the course together.
At these attractions family time is quality time! …… But that doesn't come without its challenges. Life is busy; and rushed; and sometimes there is just too much going on to stop and take a breath. The challenge is real, and as hard as we try, there is an ever decreasing window of opportunity to spend time with the ones you love, never mind thinking of new and inventive ways of making that time special!
On face value an attraction like this might not be the conventional day out and the thought of all that washing of muddy clothes might send you into immediate melt down! Let alone the realisation that the obstacles might be too high for you to stomach, and watching your littlest clambering to the highest point or whooshing down the zip wire doesn't even bear thinking about! Conquer the fear together….as a family! It's a chance to challenge each other and be there to congratulate one another when you achieve what you thought was the impossible.
Success isn't measured in speed or strength! It's trying something new; watching your little ones scramble around the trail and supporting them through. Success is; at the end looking around and realising that you did make the time to be together, you helped one another and made space for that quality time.
And if you get really muddy, which lots of the trails' customers do, there are outdoor washpoints, outdoor shower and changing rooms.
Once you decide to take a break, you can grab something to eat and drink at the cafe. You'll find delicious stone-baked pizzas produced from scratch and cooked in their pizza oven, paninis and home-baked cakes, as well as top notch coffee. Either enjoy them outside, or in the indoor eating area.
Or bring a picnic with you, everyone knows you can't beat mum's sandwiches! There's often a shaded area where you can sit and enjoy your food and re-energise, ready to hit the trail as many times as you like.
These attractions are open seven days a week during the school holidays and Wednesday-Sunday during term time. Well behaved dogs are welcome on the site on a lead.
Martin Wynn
