The quest has ended but the playgrounds will go on!

The 40 playgrounds quest has ended but the fundraising continues till the end of September. If you would like to donate please use www.supportunicef.org.uk/40playgrounds. 100% of our online fundraising goes to the Unicef Emergency Fund, which helps in situations like the current crisis in Pakistan following the recent floods.

Although the 40 days quest has ended we will probably continue to update the blog when we visit a playground that hasn't yet been included in the blog. We know of lots of playgrounds we haven't visited in the 40 days.

Thanks for your interest.

Thomas, Anna, Anne-Marie and Simon

More Playground 40

Couldn't resist adding this photo of Anna and two friends, with moustaches made from foil left from the picnic. Moustaches Hercule Poirot would be proud of!

More Playground 40

We were really pleased quite a few friends came to join Thomas and Anna for their last playground. Some of them are in this photo. Thanks everyone for coming!

Playground 40 - The end of the Quest!

They've done it! Thomas and Anna have visited 40 playgrounds in 40 days, raising over £400 for Unicef so far. Playground 40 was Page Park, visited for 3 1/2 hours on Wednesday 1st September. Thomas and Anna are posing for an Evening Post photographer in this photo, hopefully an article on Thursday or Friday may raise some more money for Unicef.

Playground 39

Playground 39 was at Cattle Country, visited on Tuesday 31st August. The playground area included a fantastic "Childrens' Berkeley Castle" shown in this photo, also a tunnel slide that went under the ground and another outdoor slide, large balancing see-saw things, zipwire and more. As well as the outdoor play Thomas and Anna liked the 2 soft play barns, the large inflatable jumping pillow (I had to go on with Anna and believe me staying upright was hard work), the train ride to the animals and the lunch, which came with surprise cow figures in the kids' lunches.

More Playground 38

We liked these little bandstand things just outside the playground at Hanham Common. Not sure what they are meant for - play? music? Possibly both?

Playground 38

As we had discovered there were 2 playgrounds that looked good and were fairly close together in Hanham, Thomas and Anna decided to go to the other one, at Hanham Common, straight after playground 37. I like this photo of Thomas taken from an unusual angle. We liked the playground, especially the old fashionned see-saw, that allowed the kids to leave their seats and go up in the air when mummy made the see-saw go up or down fast.

Video Playground 37

We had great fun on this round thing that slopes and turns round. I blame the difficulty in balancing while taking a video for the fact that I fell off while making this video. Thomas and Anna had as much fun falling off as trying to stay on (the surface underneath was nice and soft). There's one of these at Bromley Heath Playground too.

Playground 37

Playground 37 was at Hanham Hall Park, visited on Sunday 29th August. I'm not sure what the proper name is for the thing Thomas is in. It spins round fast! We've seen one or two others during our playground quest.

Last photo playground 36

Thomas being sporty and bendy!

More playground 36

This photo will help you understand the next one!

Playground 36

Playground 36 was at beautiful Bicton Park, visited on Saturday 28th August. We'd like to transplant Bicton Park to Bristol, it's one of our favourite places. A wonderful mixture of beautiful gardens, ancient trees, lakes, train rides, playgrounds and more.

The playground is a good one, with a main play area, a wooden fort with sand round it and a maze.

More Playground 35

More Playground 35. Anna did her first successful unsupported monkey bars attempt in Pecorama Playground on Friday 27th August. Daddy was there to catch her but he wasn't needed.

Playground 35

Playground 35 was at Pecorama, also visited on Friday 27th August. We wanted to visit 2 playgrounds today as we decided against visiting a playground in the pouring rain on Wednesday.

Pecorama is a lovely mixture of model trains to operate, train rides, gardens, playgrounds, maze and more.

Playground 34

Playground 34 was at Beer, visited on Friday 27th August. One of the smallest playgrounds we have visited but one of the nicest backdrops and our nearest playground to the sea.

Playground 33

Playground 33 was Crealy Country, just up the road from Newton Poppleford, visited on Thursday 26th August. In fact we also visited it on the Tuesday (free returns within 6 days!) but we spent more time in the playground on Thursday. So although Crealy could be described as one big playground, Thomas and Anna did spend plenty of time in the proper playground. As you can see I also got to play - sometimes Anna wants Mummy to come too. Fortunately I quite like going down fast slides. I did not accompany Thomas on the death slide!

We also enjoyed the water coaster and another water ride, fantastic soft play, feeding animals and much more.

Last photo playground 32

Couldn't resist adding this last photo from Newton Poppleford.

More Playground 32

More from Newton Poppleford.

Playground 32

Playground 32 was Newton Poppleford Playground, Nanny and Grandad's local playground, visited on Tuesday 24th August. It's very new, so new that some of it was fenced off as it's hasn't passed Health and Safety. Fortunately those bits were for smaller children so Thomas and Anna were happy playing on the rest. It's a great village playground, possibly the best Village Playground in Devon.

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Playground 31

Playground 31 was Wilton Lands Play Area, next to Vivary Park in Taunton. We stopped off on the way to Devon on Monday 23rd August. Vivary Park is very nice, with formal gardens, an under 5s playground, Wilton Lands Play area (small but we enjoyed it), a stream, golf course and a good mini golf course. We all did mini golf and laughed a lot when 2 of the 4 teenagers in front of us gave up after 20 tries on one hole and then Thomas said "I'm quite confident" and quickly managed the tricky shot at the first attempt!

Playground 30! (only 10 left)

Playground 30 was Earlswood Playground, also visited on Saturday 21st August. I love this picture!

Thomas and Anna are still enjoying their playground quest and do not need any encouragement. They had a day off playgrounds today as they have had a busy morning in Surrey before travelling home to Bristol, before we all go to Devon tomorrow (Monday) for 6 days of Devon playgrounds. Only 10 playgrounds left now in 10 days.

Playground 29

Playground 29 was Meadvale Playground, visited on Saturday 21st August. Thomas and Anna had a day off yesterday so they did two in one day on Saturday. Meadvale was where I lived age 2-13 but the playground has changed a lot since then.

Looks like Thomas and Anna liked this climbing frame. I don't think we've seen one quite like it in Bristol (and we are playground equipment experts now!).

More Playground 28

A familiar piece of playground equipment. I have lost count of how many of these Thomas and Anna have played on in the 40 playgrounds quest.

Playground 28

Playground 28 was Petridge Common Playground on the A23, very near Grandma and Grandpa's old home (and mine) in Hillford Place. The Playground has completely changed since my Redhill days. Looks like Thomas and Anna had fun - they visited on Thursday 19th August.

Playground 27

Playground 27 was the "Snake Playground", very near Grandma and Grandpa's home, visited on Wednesday 18th August. Well done Thomas, Anna, Grandma and Grandpa for managing to visit a playground as well as visit London on that day! Thomas and Anna visit this playgound every time they stay in Redhill. I think it is at Whitebushes. I must ask Thomas and Anna why they call it the snake playground - maybe because of the thing they are on in this photo?

More Playground 26

Thomas and Anna enjoyed the zip wire the most! Since arriving in Surrey on Sunday, in addition to visiting 2 playgrounds they have been blackberry picking twice and also swam twice!

Playground 26

Playground 26 was Redhill Rec, visited on Tuesday 17th August. Thomas and Anna had lots of fun together, even though it was drizzling a little.

Playground 25

Playground 25 was at the Priory Park, in Reigate, Surrey. This is one of Thomas and Anna's favourites near Grandma and Grandpa's home. Sadly there was a problem with the water when they visited on Monday 16th August but they enjoyed playing with the other things. If the Council sort the problem with the water they may visit again later in the week.

We're glad to hear that Grandma and Grandpa are taking their playground visiting seriously!

Playground 24

Playground 24 was Hillfields Playground, visited on Sunday 15th August. Only 5 minutes from home but we've never been here before. Thomas and Anna enjoyed the mixture of familiar and new play equipment.

Thomas and Anna are now in Surrey with their Grandparents, hopefully visiting some playgrounds. We are waiting from emails from Grandma so we can update the blog.

Playground 23

Playground 23 was Bromley Heath, visited on Saturday 14th August in between the rain showers. Bromley Heath is a lovely playground but unless you live fairly locally you may not be aware of it as it's tucked away behind Queensholm Crescent.

It has some nice things to play on, including a wooden train very similar to the one that was in the Oldbury Court playground before the refurbishment. Little ones love playing on the train and taking themselves and others for imaginary journeys. As you can see there's plenty for Thomas and Anna to enjoy in this playground. There are also nice paths for cycling and scootering and tennis courts.

More Playground 22

Anna demonstrating some of the interesting outdoor fitness equipment - too big for 4 year old legs but Anna had a go!

Short video playground 22

Thomas did several videos giving you a guided tour of the playground but they all seem too long to upload successfully, apart from this one..

More Playground 22

Thomas and Anna enjoyed this swing thing. Anna had cunningly chosen coordinating clothes (well mostly coordinating, as she put black and white stripey leggings with the blue and red flowery dress).

Playground 22

Playground 22 was Jubilee Park in Bradley Stoke on Friday 13th August. We've only been here once since it opened last year. It's a very different playground and we've decided we like it a lot apart from the fact that some of the paths are made of annoying little stones. Apart from that we like the different play equipment, the little shapes kids can climb in and play (2 are on the right from Thomas and Anna used one as her kitchen and one as her lounge), the posts that go round the edge (great for climbing as illustrated by Thomas and Anna) and the bit that's like a fort. Overall, a great playground.

Playground 21

Playground 21 was St Andrews Park, visited with friends on Thursday 12th August. We haven't been here before but we know it's good reputation. A lovely park with good playground areas, nice paths for scootering and the paddling pool. Thomas and Anna enjoyed it very much.

Playground 20 - Hurray we are halfway to 40!

On Wednesday 11th August, after Playground 19, the Giants Cave, the Camera Obscura and a picnic, we went to Bristol Zoo.

After extensive animal watching we enjoyed the Zoo's lovely playground. Anna is concentrating hard in this photo.

Hopefully next time we visit Thomas will feel ready to tackle the aeriel adventure thing that goes up high around the playground. I want someone to come with me when I do it.

Thomas and Anna are halfway through the challenge now - 20 playgrounds in 19 days!

More Playground 19

This was probably Thomas' favourite thing in the playground, a sort of monkey bar equivalent where you slide one hand forward and then the other. Thomas mastered it quickly - he's had lots of monkey bar practice recently!

Playground 19

Playground 19 was the one near the Camera Obscura / Clifton Suspension Bridge on Wednesday 11th August. Now Anna is 4 she is finally old enough to go to the Giants Cave (looks out of the cliff along the Avon Gorge). We went to the playground first and then to the Giants Cave and the Camera Obscura.

The playground is good and is in a lovely setting. As well as the play equipment there is also a big rock kids can climb up to, and a big rocky slope adventurous kids can investigate.

Playground 18 Video

Thomas and Anna singing in the rain.

Playground 18

Thomas and Anna chose to visit the little playground opposite their gym after their class on Tuesday 10th August, even though it was pouring with rain! We've been here on many occasions, but never in the pouring rain before. After some more energetic play Thomas and Anna made an umbrella and coat shop in the shelter under the slide. We were a bit cold and wet after half an hour but unlike the children affected by the floods in Pakistan we could return to a nice warm and dry house. Thomas says "it's a messy house, but that's better than nothing".

We are glad 100% of our online fundraising at www.supportunicef.org.uk/40playgrounds goes to the Unicef Emergency Fund. Hopefully some of this will help the Pakistan flood victims.

Playground 17

Playground 17 on Sunday 8th August was the one at Filton by the Leisure Centre. It's a nice playground with some different things to play on. When Thomas and Anna were younger we used to like visiting this playground after soft play or swimming in the Leisure Centre. We don't visit there much now they are a bit older but they still had fun.

There is a large grassy area next to the playground that always looks good for kite flying.

More Playground 16

Thomas had fun using the swings as an obstacle course, running past them as they swung. Since he became a fan of Total Wipeout he likes to try and create obstacle courses wherever he can.

Eastville Park is a good park to visit - besides the two playgrounds it has a lovely lake with lots of ducks and swans, and you can also walk along the River Frome.

Playground 16

Playground 16 was the one at the lower end of Eastville Park, near the M32 slip road, also visited on Saturday 7th August. Thomas and Anna have a busy day on Monday so we wanted to fit in an extra playground beforehand in case they needed a break from playgrounds on Monday.

This is a totally separate playground from playground 15, which is the other end of the park. This one just has this combine harvester type climbing frame and some swings. However, with their imaginative play, just those 2 things kept Thomas and Anna occupied for a long time!

More playground 15

As you can see the sand is everywhere in this playground! Thomas is in the background on the right in this photo if you can make him out.

Playground 15

Playground 15 was Eastville Park, the playground near Fishponds Road, on Saturday 7th August. It's a good playground, particularly for those who like sand - there's lots of it!

Playground 14

Playground 14 was Emersons Green, on Friday 6th August. Thomas and Anna had a great time playing with 3 of Thomas' school friends and their siblings. It's a good playground, including zip wire, climbing frame, tyre swing and more. It has a sepatate toddler playground, although sadly this was closed as a fire had damaged part of it. It would be good if there was a loo also.

We have now visited 14 playgrounds in 14 days!

More playground 13

Thomas and Anna loved the mesh in the big wooden structure. Anna is laying on a higher one and Thomas is laying on a lower one.

More Playground 13

Thomas and Anna loved the tyre swing!

Playground 13

On Thursday 5th we went to Easton Adventure Playground. Very different to a normal playground, very interesting. There was a big wooden structure with lots of mesh things to climb on and a slide or two. There were also various wooden things like balancing swing seats, 2 tyre swings, a high and fast zip wire and a tall climbing rope thing. There was a separate under 5s area too. Loads of kids and an older age group but they were very nice and helpful and showed Thomas how to do things.

More Playground 12

The girls had fun on the climbing wall, otherwise known as the "Mummy please lift me down" wall.

Playground 12

Playground 12 was Begbrook Green, visited on Wednesday 4th August. We haven't been here before and we enjoyed it a lot, especially as we went with friends. The big play equipment isn't new but it was different and great for imaginative play. The playground is surrounded by a hedge and there are lots of gates and our kids loved going in and out and spying on the mums and each other. In a different area of the park there was also a sort of trim trail, and blackberries ripe for picking. Shame there's no loo, as this would be a great playground to spend quite a while in.

Another video playground 11

Roaring on the big swing thing.

Playground 11 video

Thomas and Anna being themselves and having fun at Greville Smythe playground.

Playground 11

On Monday 2nd August after a visit to Tyntesfield we stopped off at Greville Smythe Park in Ashton on the way home. It was really good and after a little shower of rain we had it mostly to ourselves. Thomas spiked up his hair after the rain made it wet.

The playground had some really cool things in it, like this swing thing which had one seat on one side and a place for tall people to hang from on the other side. It went round really fast and made Thomas and Anna roar for some reason.

More playground 10

Barton Fields also had this great climbing frame with these two sloping bars instead of a slide. We've never seen anything like this before and we liked it a lot. Thomas loved seeing how many different ways he could slide down! Here are Thomas and Anna demonstrating two different ways.

Playground 10

On Monday 2nd August we went to a playground we haven't visited before, called Barton Fields, near Lodge Causeway / Ridgeway Road. It was a small local playgound but had some great things in it, like this little spinning thing Thomas and Anna are on. It actually had 4 types of spinning things in total.