Little People, BIG DREAMS®

Lively games and pioneering fun will encourage kids to ‘be bold, be brave’ and ‘dream big’ in The Vyne’s house and gardens where young readers can look out for vibrant illustrations from this best-selling biography series for kids by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara. On this literary trail, discover remarkable true stories about inspiring people. In the gardens, try your hand at kangaroo pouch bean bag toss with Steve Irwin and ‘jam’ with Taylor Swift in the Summerhouse. Keep an eagle eye out with David Attenborough using binoculars at the bird hide and throw your own mini-theatre production with Hans Christian Andersen. Join Jane Austen in the house before browsing the shop for copies of these much-loved books. Gardens open 10am-5pm. House open 11am-3pm. Last entry 4pm.

Inspired by Malala Yousafzai’s brave defence of children and girls’ rights and to help young visitors understand the impact when rights aren’t upheld, you’ll find everything in the natural play area has been roped off and ‘declared illegal’. This is an opportunity to reflect together on how this feels and the importance of resisting ‘big bully’ autocratic regimes.

You can ask children ‘Why not pretend to be peaceful protesters?’ or ‘What would you say to convince the government and other people that what they’re doing is wrong?’ and, importantly, ‘Why might someone need to be brave to do this?’. Children can vote for their favourite new piece of play equipment using a token available at Visitor Reception.