Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

My grandaughter will be visiting at the end of Sept. Her mum does not drive in Spain so we will be car less. I am wondering what there is in and nearby to entertain her. I have seen signs for the zoo, is it any good ? and more importantly is it open through Sept.

Any suggestions would be welcome thank you.

Also are there any local suppliers of stair gates, not fixed type, extendable type thank you.

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

The last and only time I have visited Ayamonte zoo was in December 2010.
It had the usual Spanish disrespect for animals.

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

It's got to be the...
Tourist Train!:thumbsup:
Main stop is near the Zoo, at the Parque Prudencio Navarro (next door to the Super Sol), with duck pond, aviary, etc. What more could a toddler ask for?

Carol (toddler at heart)

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

Hi, there are several shops in Ayamonte who sell baby supplies and there is also Carrefour, all of these stock stair gates. Probably Carrefour would be the cheapest.
I don't know where your family will be staying but the local bus goes down to the beach & I don't know any 2 1/2 yr old who wouldn't enjoy that. There are also numerous playgrounds dotted around. Regards Bryony

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

Just thinking that the main fiesta Virgen de las Angustias is in early September, so hopefully most facilities should be open as per Summer schedule until the end of the month.

No transport? As Bryony says, the local bus is good to get you to from A to B. Fluvial transport (ferry) across to Vila Real de Santo Antonio. There is also a ferry operating from Punta del Moral to Isla Cristina, but I would check the timetable.

Bicycle? Contact LuzBikes (Jur) to see if there are any child carrier options.

Please note I do not have any connection with the above businesses.

Contact the tourist information office (959 320 737) for more information. Also the Biblioteca Municipal (959 321 871) for storytime sessions (There may not be any, but no harm in asking? No worries about the language, it's all in the tone of voice :))

There is also the indoor municipal swimming pool Ocio Sur in Ayamonte.

And, of course, there's always...
ice cream!:D

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

My family will be with me on the edge of the old town. I am no fan of zoos anywhere, but they may want to go. I would explain it may not be very animal friendly.

I saw the train and will check timetables if possible when I get back. Duck pond and avairy sounds good.

The ferry across to Portugal is an option but not if granny has to carry her anywhere ( need to check if they are bringing pushchair) she can walk fairly well but I think mum may buy a few bits and bobs if we go :-)

Storytime might be an idea thank you.

Icecream forgone conclusion I love it :)

Bicycles good idea will contact them to see if child carriers are available, my son may like that idea.

I have heard of the the urbano bus that goes round but did not know it went to the beach, the bus station seems to have no information desk ? where do I find the bus routes and timetables .... tourist office ?

Swimming she also likes.

Thank you for all the info including the stair gates. Very helpful indeed.

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

The zoo is in the park. It is free to enter and it is open all year round but i don't know if it has opening hours during the day as it has been open every time we have gone. There are two lions, 2 tigers, 2 bears and a load of monkeys plus some zebras, deer, turtles. My 2 year old granddaughter likes it although you wouldn't spend the day there.
Kath

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

The small local bus does a circular route from Punta Morel via Canela, town center, La Plaza, Parador and Poligono. It may be that the Isla Canela leg is operated by a coach in summer. The train goes between the Parador and Punta Morel all day in summer but I imagine takes a while. I think ferry and bus timetables are on lnfoayamonte.com and also schedules of events.

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

What a shame it doesnt carry on 5 mins to us stopping at say golf club, 2nd fountain roundabout and shop...... The mayor/his crony is on the board of the EUC - but dont seem to want to do anything at CE, except take the dues and not report how its spent!

Rant over

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

A regular bus to Esuri would have made a difference to where I looked for new place. As a non driver it is simply no use to me without transport out or lots more shops :-)

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

Am in issuri at the minute with my 7yr old and wedid a visit to the zoo today , it's not too bad when you consider it's origin. My son loved it especially the bears !
I'll be here with a three yr old in sept so I too will be looking for activity. I know it's not a great suggestion considering the lack of wheels but the dolfin park is ideal for that general age group also.

Wishing you well.

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

Imagine you are coming back from Canela and take the 'back road' thats signposted Portugal Huelva in blue, after the stadium, you soon pass the swimming pool on your left. There is a kiddies pool there. Also when you get into town, you turn right on a small road that leads to the petrol station, (still following the signs) on the left after just 20 yards or so, there is a small building area with all sorts of climbing frames, etc. We've never been in so dont know if its suitable for a 2.5 year old. Or if its public. But if you are in town its just a short stroll coming backwards from the garage. Also there are waterparks in Spain and Portugal - but again we've never used them and don't know if there's facilities for kids.....

Good luck

Jon

PS the petrol station referred above is the one in town on the roundabout near the chicken BBQ

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

Hi again,

The Zoo Park is closed on Mondays. The animals reported they were fed up with seeing so many miserable adults ;) and they needed a day of rest.

However, the animals love seeing the happy faces of the children. So much so that the kiddie fun rides of Chipilandia next door to the parque have not rattled any cages, even after closing time of 10pm.

There is the other Chipilandia with paddle courts, etc. at Punta del Moral. Not sure if there are any kiddie playground swings/see-saws?

Re: Ice Cream. Had a ball of Pistachio at La Bocana the other day.:cool: For medicinal purposes; it's HOT [bochornoso]!!

Carol

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

Hey Carol, thats a good ploy, I often have red wine & chocolate for medicinal purposes but never thought about ice cream. Another good thing for the heat is a G&T:) Bryony

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

:focus:

Red wine /choc and G&T's no good for my grandchild, the rides/ play area I will take a look at when I get back. Ice cream already a sure bet. Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

Perhaps not G+T - the tonic is a bit too fizzy! :) but a shot of whisky in the milk is great for getting them to sleep! :)


(Just kidding - but in Bavaria they dip the teat in schnapps! And gripe water used to have a bit of alcohol in it - I dont know if its there now - not politically correct anymore. I used to send it to my American Mum-friends who thought it was fantastic! )

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

Tinto de verano made with tónica or casera is a treat too.

Did you know that there are 4 recent additions to the Zoo family?
3 fawns and a zebra foal.

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

We saw all the babies - they are gorgeous and got plenty of pics of them - especially the zebra xxxxx

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

Last week Lidl had stair gates in. Hope they have some left for you!

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

Having never shopped there where is there one in relation to Ayamonte ? I have a fews days ( eek) on my return to get all things gathered and sorted :-)

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

The nearest Lidl is in Villa Real de Santo Antonio. Bryony

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

No the nearest is just across the bridge at the outskirt of VRStO. There is also one just as you go into Isla Cristina. We find that the Portuguese and Spanish Lidl have the offers slightly out of sync.

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

There is also an Aldi on the N431 just as you go into Cartaya if you want to try the competition. Also a Lidl opposite Carrefour hypermarket.

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

Sorry, is it me but I thought that was what I said. Bryony

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

Which might be useful if you've missed an offer in one place.:-)

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

How did the visit from granddaughter go? Did you find lots of places to go. I hope she had fun. We have brought our granddaughter over 4 times now (she will be 2 on Sunday) and she is usually happy just playing in the garden although we take her to the zoo each time and it is amazing how her reaction changes each time.

Kath

Ps have you got the blinds fixed?

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

Hi and thanks for asking. The blind nope, not found anybody yet, will have to bite the bullet so to speak and try my dire spanish to contact the number on the outside of the blinds. A neighbour has also been looking but no luck so far.

She was over on ferry twice and loved it, fed the fish in the harbour, saw biggggg jelly fish she told me and had toast ! :) She was in the zoo about 4 times, in Chiplandia all Sunday morning, granny Spain's paddling pool twice and lots of walks but could play in the park she said as it was all dog poo :thumbdown: Visited the Saturdy market and got noew sandals and some sweets for later. They/we walked to town nearly every day and she played in the square, was ot happy she could find the trainers she wanted none in her size so said she would have to wait hahahah she is so funny.
She enjoyed staying up late to listen to Saxy Bongo, did a lot of dancing.
Another neighbour gave me some things for her to play with so she had a hoover a pushchair and some big blocks which all got played with and lots of stickers to stick in her book and helped granny make some cards with things from my craft cupboards. :)

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

Yes, you're right, the swimming pool went down well too. We decided to leave our pushchair here to save bringing it with us every time ( she and her dad live with us so come over often) so you could borrow that another time if necessary.
Kath

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

I have no garden, courtyard/balconies and roof terraces. That did not seem to make any difference she had fun on the balcony off lounge, watching and counting the boats on the river, in the paddling pool or running around in the courtyard. She walks everywhere at home, the pushchair was my idea as I thought the road to and from town was not ideal for little 'un. She did go in it when we explained about the traffic and narrow road, and non existant pavements almost. Next year she won't need it but thanks for the offer. :)

Re: Looking for things to do with a 2 1/2 yr old
 

I'm absolutely sure the most memorable bit for her as she grows up will be Granny's craft cupboards:thumbup: