It's the first day of the Easter holidays and the kids are bored already. Jo Haywood finds a host of new furry friends to keep them entertained.
MOST children have had at least a casual acquaintance with a dog, a cat or a goldfish, but how many can boast a firm friendship with an alpaca?
While you dig out your kids' animal encyclopaedia to find out what on earth an alpaca is, let me tell you about Playdale Farm Park, a new animal farm and teaching centre which opens today in Cayton, near Scarborough.
It was set up, with the help of a government grant, by husband and wife team Mark and Jackie Wilson, who wanted to move away from pig farming into the more lucrative visitor centre market.
"I think we've managed to create an action-packed family attraction with a huge array of traditional and rare breeds," said Jackie. "Our aim was to provide a range of exciting, stimulating and educational activities for children of all ages. We'll find out today if that is what we've achieved."
Many of the animals, including alpacas (they're a type of America llama, in case you were still wondering), goats, rabbits and donkeys, are housed indoors to ensure the farmyard remains an attractive venue for family entertainment whatever the weather. But, whether inside or out, children will be encouraged to enjoy close contact with the animals during regular feeding and petting sessions.
The farm also boasts an extensive indoor play barn with ball pool, adventure trail and ride-on pedal tractors (knickers to the kids, I want a go on one of those), an outdoor play area, undercover picnic area, sandpit, gift shop and tearoom, which can cater for up to 80 people at any one time and offers a selection of hot and cold light lunches, cream teas and a children's menu.
If one day as Young Macdonald isn't enough for your bored brood, here are a few other farm attractions that might just keep them going until the new term starts:
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