With the summer holidays well and truly here, parents are putting their thinking caps on for how they can occupy the kids for the next five weeks.
There are plenty of things to do in and around Teesside to keep the little ones entertained, but sometimes the lists of ideas can be overwhelming. But, fear not as Teesside Live has just the thing to make sure you avoid the shrieks of "I'm bored" - for a couple of days at least.
Preston Park is always a great shout for a local day out, however it is often overlooked in favour of the more modern farm shops and petting parks. However, this is a perfect spot for the little ones to explore and appreciate the smaller creatures nature has to offer - specifically with the family favourite spot Butterfly World.
READ MORE: Popular Middlesbrough farm dating back to Domesday Book that's a perfect family day out
It has been offering great days out for the whole family for over 30 years and it is a must-visit for a family day out. Don't be deceived by the name as this little patch has much more than just beautiful butterflies to offer - though they certainly are an amazing site.
At Butterfly World you can enter the magical world of a tropical rain forest, with stunning trees and flowers as well as waterfalls and ponds filled with tadpoles and frogs and exotic fish. It's a unique experience and certainly something a little bit different than the bigger farm animals you'll catch at farms and petting zoos.
It's a great place for a leisurely stroll and it houses hundreds of the worlds most exotic butterflies, and if you stay really still one may even land on you. But, if you're looking for animals that are a little bit more interactive there are also birds, meerkats and other wildlife to explore and learn about.
As parents are looking for ways to keep the kids occupied without breaking the bank, this is a great choice with kids tickets priced at £4 for kids and £5 for adults, or you can purchase a family ticket for £17. Tickets last all day and the venue is open from 10am until 4pm giving you plenty of time to explore.
'Tropical Paradise on Teesside'
Butterfly World has received rave reviews over the years, with a very respectable 4.5 star score on TripAdvisor. It has even swiped the number three spot of the best things to do in Stockton.
One reviewer even called the nature reserve "a little bit of tropical paradise on Teesside" and said his visit "was like walking through a multi coloured kaleidoscope of flying butterflies." He said the experience was an ideal family day out - a stellar five star review.
One TripAdvisor user said: "Amazing. Myself, the Mrs and our two-year-old daughter have visited twice now, and both times have been fantastic. Prices are very cheap and being able to feed the fish is a favourite thing my daughter loves to do.
"It’s a brilliant way for her to get used to all these butterflies and other animals so she doesn’t grow up with fears."
Other visitors complimented the free parking and friendly staff who were keen to interact with the little ones and teach them about the various species of insects. Many people reported that they had spent at least two hours exploring, meaning there's plenty to keep the kids busy.
While Preston Park has plenty to offer with its museum and grounds, you could definitely break your visits into separate days to make the most of all of the things this top notch location has to offer. And Butterfly World is definitely a must visit.
