Alpaca Adventures and Parent Points!

Find out about two of our alpaca based animal experiences for families in the West Midlands, comparing their highlights and benefits while also looking ahead to future days out. Key points include:

• Why animal experiences make great family days out
• How different activities suit children with different personalities
• A visit to the Alpaca Trek Experience in Staffordshire/Shropshire
• A visit to the Meet the Alpacas Experience in Shropshire
• Comparisons between the two alpaca encounters
• Future family plans for the a Cow Cuddling Experience and the Carnivore Combo Experience

Animal Experiences as Family Days Out

My kids have always had a special place for animals, I guess owing to the fact we have many pets in our home so we are animal people. So when I am looking for days out for kids that tick the boxes of being both fun and educational, we gravitate towards animal experiences.

One of my boys is fearless and inquisitive, wanting to dive right in and get involved. On the other hand, my other boy is a little more tentative in his approach, and nervous around the unknown. So, when choosing an experience and browsing the range of experiences available, I have to cater to both needs. I can't have one wanting to jump in and pet the friendly tigers and the other fleeing for his life!

For this reason, we often mix in some of the quirkier animal experiences, to strike the right balance for both.

Alpaca Trek Experience

Earlier in the year we ventured along to The Alpaca Trek Experience located on the Staffordshire/Shropshire border.

Here we met the friendly and knowledgeable keeper who, after a warm welcome, got to telling us all about all about the Alpaca, from where the originate to their habits and eating likes and dislikes. On the experience we were part of a very small group and went on our way around the local area with our Alpaca on a harness.

It was lovely to walk the countryside, and the kids loved hearing anecdotes about the Alpaca’s personalities as well as likes and dislikes.

Upon returning to the farm, we were given some feed to reward the Alpaca as well as an opportunity purchase some home crafted merchandise. The kids loved every part of being around these wonderful animals and I personally felt like I had scored major parent points by taking them to both an enjoyable and educational day out!

Familiar Animal but Different Adventures; Meet the Alpacas Experience

Fast forward to last weekend, and again the perennial problem of keeping the kids off their devices, I was faced with looking for more outdoorsy things to do whilst we still have the weather for it (just about). Given the success of our previous Alpaca Experience I took the kids along to Meet Alpacas in Shropshire.

We were checked in by a friendly member of staff and awaited our guide. She was super friendly and knowledgeable about the Alpaca from the get-go. We entered the field as part of a small group, which was a surprise as I thought we might be kept behind the fence. The kids loved being up close and able to pet the Alpaca as well as the two Llama sharing the same field. We were given feed to entice the Alpaca as we learnt their names and unique traits.

Having met the girls, we were then taken over to meet the boys, who are fielded separately for obvious reasons before finally meeting the main Alpha male. We spent just over an hour on field with freedom to wander around with the Alpaca as well as access to unlimited feed.

Once the experience was over, we had free access to the remainder of the farm to see the Dexter Cows, Sheep, Goats and Geese. It’s a small holding but plenty to keep kids of all ages amused. There was a small onsite café offering good value drinks and snacks too.

Reflections on Both Experiences

Both experiences are wonderful, and I would not hesitate to visit again. Each were unique in what you did on the day, and both represented excellent value for money.

What’s Next on Our List

Sticking with animal based experiences, as we often do, we have our eye on a few others in the coming weeks and months ahead.

Meet the Mini-Moos

A Cow Cuddling Experience – it sounds pretty hands on so I know both lads will love it given you can feed, pet, groom and cuddle the cows.

Meet the Carnivores

Meet the Carnivore Experience in Shropshire – an hour spent meeting 4 top predators from 3 continents. Whilst this offers great value for money with WonderDays it is a little more in the budget of “I wonder what Santa might bring” rather than a “let's find something to do on a rainy day” kind of gesture.

Shaun - Customer Service Manager