Activity Hour at Coombe Mill
I had originally found out about Coombe Mill through Fiona’s CountryKids linky. My favourite posts were always those about the farm, especially the Activity Hour for the children staying there. I was always amazed by the huge variety of activities that Fiona found to put on week after week. The activities are always seasonal, and tailored perfectly to cater for the different ages of the children taking part.
We stayed at Coombe Mill in the first week of the Easter holiday. With Activity Hour taking place on Good Friday, it was hardly surprising that it had a very Easter-y theme. The first activity involved making bunnies from toilet rolls. When these were done, they were collected in and taken off to the Fairy Garden.
Meanwhile, the children moved on to their next crafty activity – making Easter crowns. They were provided with pieces of card from old cereal boxes, and the parents helped measure them around little heads and staple them together. Some bunny ears were added too. Double-sided tape was added (again with a bit of parental assistance). The children then went outside to gather up some natural decorations. There were plenty of leaves, flowers and even moss just outside the games room to be picked and stuck on. There were also Easter-themed pictures and stickers which could be added on to. Emily was particularly proud of her crown. I have a feeling we will be doing this ourselves at home very soon!
Freyja did really enjoy this too – despite looking a bit miserable in this photo. I think it was due to me stopping her having fun crafting to take the picture!
Then it was time to move on to the final activity. This was making some bunting for the Fairy Garden. The children were given Easter egg-shaped pieces of fabric and paint. They used toilet rolls to make prints and also brushes and fingers to create their designs.
Pictures completed, we set off to the Fairy Garden to hang up and create the bunting.
When the pictures had been hung up, the children were told that their toilet roll bunnies had been hidden by the fairies and that they had to go and find them. We spotted Emily’s on a nearby tree-stump. She then had the surprise of her life when she picked it up and realised there was something inside it. After she carefully opened it up and peered inside, she discovered that the fairies had left her a chocolate egg. I think it was my favourite moment of the whole holiday. The surprise and amazement on her face was brilliant. If ever a child believed in magic, it was Emily, right at this moment.
It wasn’t the only magic that happened that day. On the feed run that morning a lamb had been born that honestly looked like it wasn’t going to last very long. Hours later, after being bottle-fed, Friday the lamb joined us for Activity Hour. Although he spent the hour in a crate, at the end of Activity Hour, Fiona fed him. The children “helped” and were delighted to see him tottering around afterwards.
Yet again, another fantastic Activity Hour. I can’t believe how much was packed in to the time. The girls really enjoyed themselves, and I have been inspired for some more crafts to do with them at home. Fiona has lots more pictures and a video over on the Coombe Mill blog if you want to see more!

Aw little Friday does look so small and vulnerable here. Honestly, you wouldn’t believe how big he is now, just a couple of weeks and is is piling on weight and following me all round the farm. He is a little scared of the other sheep though and runs between my legs for safety when we walk through their field! I so rarely see activity hour through the eyes of someone else but I’m so pleased the girls enjoyed it. They are are both so good at joining in and giving everything a try and I hope the fairy magic lasts lasts a while longer for Emily, she is such a delight to watch. A lovely look back on a fun afternoon here.
Thank you for sharing on #CountryKids
Emily is at such a wonderful age – it is lovely to see her truly amazed by things.
Your daughter’s little face when she found that egg is just magical!! Looks like you had a fabulous time. May well be ‘borrowing’ some of those activities to do with my son next Easter. Thanks for sharing #countrykids
We have already had another go at the crowns – such a simple idea
Coombe Mill looks such an amazing place to visit!
It looks like you had such a fantastic time! Your girls face when she found the egg is just priceless.
#CountryKids
Thank you!
I love that look on your little lady’s face!! I hope my trio believe in magic for a little longer too. I’m pleased the lamb is doing so well, he looks gorgeous. Activity hour looked amazing, something my three would really enjoy #countrykidsfun
She has a very expressive face doesn’t she?!
As you say, the activities always look so good. Looks like the girls really had fun #countrykids
(By the way, your blog comments always ask for a reload before you can post a comment which means either rewriting it or copy and pasting. Not sure if it’s a setting thing?)
They had a great time.
It’s a filter to reduce spam comments. It can be a problem if a reply is left “too quickly” or after a long space of time
The little lamb is so cute, it’s good to hear he is doing well now. The Easter crafts look like a lot of fun.
I’m enjoying Fiona’s follow-up posts about him
Those head bands are just adorable! It’s my mission to get the chance to feed a newborn lamb too #countrykids
🙂
I always love seeing Fiona’s posts about Activity Hour – it sounds amazing and I’m always so impressed by how much she fits in! Freyja and Emily look like they are really enjoying their crafting. I love that photo of Emily discovering the chocolate egg in her toilet roll bunny – such a wonderful capture 🙂 #countrykids
I am so pleased I caught her face on camera
Oh the lamb!! Those crowns are fantastic and the children look like they are having a great time. What a wonderful way to spend Easter. #CountryKids
It was fantastic
Ah Emily’s face is a picture! I always love reading about Coombe Mill and it’s great to see another side. The crafts look fab and so much fun/ #CountryKids
I have really enjoyed reading Fiona’s Activity Hour posts – it’s nice to take part in them
Sounds like you had the most fantastic Easter ever. #CountryKids
It was brilliant – thank you