Some trips at the museums and zoo

This year, Vinnie has the opportunity to visit many museums in Reading and its surroundings, as well as farms and a zoo! The Childminders group has organised many trips this season, and Lavinia enjoyed them all.

October Farm fair

Last October, the children took advantage of the last bits of sun and warm to visit an outdoor walking fair about farming. They learnt a lot and also did exercise! Mens sana in corpore sano.

Reading Museum at Town Hall

The visit to Reading Town Hall’s museum really struck Vinnie.

The museum is mostly about the history of Reading and the surrounding area; it also includes art and an archaeological section.

The museum is very kid-friendly, and the children had a lot of fun. Lavinia told me several times that she wants to bring her Nonni over so they can sing, dance, and learn together (in her own words).

Henley-On-Thames River & Rowing Museum

This museum has been on our radar for a while. The River & Rowing Museum is located in the beautiful Henley-on-Thames, on a pretty river promenade that opens to a vast green meadow.

The children mainly spent the entire day at the museum, which also features an area managed by the close Kenton Theatre. Vinnie loved the puppets too, and for a while she wanted to be a rower where she grew up.

Reading Marl museum

I didn’t know about the Museum of English Rural Life, and now that I do, I can’t wait to go check it out.

This museum is full of great learning opportunities and activities for children; Lavinia’s favourite part was pretending to drive several tractors. Her favourite was the red one; she said it was Charles Leclerc’s tractor! 😹

Marwell zoo

The Marwell Zoo is a little over one hour’s drive from Reading, and it’s home to many exotic animals. Lavinia complained that the monkey area was empty and that the tigers were too lazy to stand up and come over to greet them.

Overall, however, she had the best time ever and can’t wait to return.

Trip to the woods

When the weather is nice, and the countryside is not flooded by the heavy rains that hit Berkshire this past winter, the children are always brought to the nearby woods to discover nature and have a good run across hills of leaves and muddy puddles.