Best of the Web: New family activities - dressing up as a Smurf, monkeying around and more

This month's theme on Ready for Ten is all about trying new activities. Are you in the mood for something new? Here are some links and ideas to show you what other new stuff parents and children have been up to lately. Which will you try out?

Busy times

Irish blogger Mammy DoLittle has been up to all sorts of family fun lately - first she went to Mexico without leaving the house; then went to Stuttgart from the safety of her bed; then spent a day as a pirate. Busy Mammy - I think you'll have to change your name.

Mama Loves London had a fab-sounding day out with her family exploring a new street market.

There's an activity happening this weekend which I know will please at least one of the Ready for Ten team. It's an attempt to break the world record for dressing like a Smurf. All you need to do to join in is turn up at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday 25th June, painted blue. I'm sure we can all manage that. Full details on how to take part are here.

My most recent new activity involved checking out the Atlantis Submarine ride which has just opened at Legoland Windsor. We were lucky enough to go on it twice, so I put together some tips on how to get the best views on the ride. You can read those over here at Have a Lovely Time.

And then I came home and made a six-layered cake for my son's eighth birthday - what an epic cake that was. Fantastic Ready for Ten contributor Englishmum has a post all about a step by step guide to making a cake if this is new to your kids.

Over at Nurturestore, Cathy has presented a wondrous collection of activities based on the Very Hungry Caterpillar. At the inspirational Red Ted Art blog, adventures include photography for kids. Both Nurturestore and Red Ted Art have regular brilliant new stuff for kids, keep an eye on them for lots of other ideas you'll love.

Further afield, Kelling Heath Holiday Park in North Norfolk has got a wide range of outdoor activities for all ages, from pond dipping to star gazing. Check out the website for special weekend offers in June and July.

Summer holiday activities

The school summer holidays are fast approaching, and if you're looking for ways to keep your kids occupied, Camp Beaumont has announced its summer schedule. On these residential and day camps, children can learn to be a DJ, cheerleader, starlet or special agent - the website will tell you more.

Willows Farm Village in Hertfordshire is running a Summer Spectacular event throughout the summer holidays - children can have a go at driving a JCB in the young drivers' zone, handling ferrets on the farm and many other activities. All the details are here.

Manchester United Soccer School has launched a special offer - anyone booking on a Residential course at Denstone, Staffordshire, for the five-day course from 14th – 19th August, will receive a £50 voucher to use at the Manchester United Megastore at Old Trafford. The final day of the course includes a trip to Old Trafford for the closing ceremony, and a behind the scenes stadium tour. Suitable for children aged six and over, find out more from here.

Monkeying around

Here at Ready for Ten, we do love a good monkey-inspired activity. (See what Ian had to say about some of the best on offer from last year.) There are some new additions to the family at Trentham's Monkey Forest in Staffordshire - looks fab!

Fruitshoot fun

Any round up of new ideas for fun kids' activities wouldn't be complete just now without a mention of the Champion of the Playground from Fruitshoot. Children can practise various skills to triumph. Watch this space for lots more news.

Mummy, you did what?

And finally, for an adult activity that will make your eyes water, check out blogger Saffa So Good, who's just had a mahoosive dragon tattooed on her back. Don't try this at home kids, and if you do, at least not without asking a responsible adult first. Assuming you can find one.