Toddler Day Out in Milford on Sea

A day out with your toddler doesn’t need to cost you the earth, we have come up with our top five toddler friendly things to do in Milford on Sea that won’t break the bank.

1. Hurst Road Playpark

The playpark at Hurst Road, situated on the seafront will keep the little ones entertained with a popular bird’s nest swing and a climbing frame with probably one of the best views in England!

You can also enjoy refreshments from the nearby Needles Eye Café and The Lighthouse, while enjoying the view of the Needles.

You’ll be glad to know there are public toilets here and plenty to parking at Hurst Road car parks (SO41 0PY).

2. Have a go at Crabbing

Crabbing is a great free activity for toddlers to while away the time. All you need is a crabbing line, bait (raw bacon works), bucket and net. Please use net bags for placing the food in rather than hooks which are harmful to the swans, ducks and gulls. Even if you don’t manage to get the equipment, toddlers will just love watching and seeing the crabs wriggling around in the bucket and scurrying back to the water once they are released.

Great crabbing locations within the village include the two bridges by Hurst Spit.

3. Pooh Sticks in the Danestream

Pooh sticks is a simple but thrilling game, first invented by the bear in the Winnie-the-Pooh stories by A. A. Milne. You’ll need two or more players, each armed with a stick of their choosing. You also need a bridge over moving water.

What to do:
• Stand on the bridge over moving water.
• Check which way the water is flowing so you can throw your sticks in on the right side and they’ll be carried underneath with the current.
• On the count of three everyone must drop their Pooh stick into the water below.
• Cross the bridge when your stick disappears, then wait to spot it on the other side.
• The stick that floats underneath the bridge fastest wins!

Great fun and toddlers love it!

4. Picnic at the Beach

You can’t beat a picnic on the beach, keep it simple, you don’t want to carry too much with a toddler in tow! And you won’t have the worry of disturbing people next to you if your little one decides to take a little wander.

Make an activity of finding shells or collecting stones and the promise of an ice cream at the end of the day from the Needles Eye Café or Hordle Cliff kiosk rounds off the day nicely.

5. Hurst Castle

You could catch a ferry to Hurst Castle as toddlers love the little boat journey across the Keyhaven River to Henry VIII’s Tudor fort. Children under three go free on the ferry and children under five can go into the castle at no cost. Plus there’s plenty of space inside to run around and nothing is off limits for them to touch.