Saturday was by far one of our favourite family days out, and possibly one of the most memorable of this year too. We finally got to properly celebrate Megan’s 5th birthday, and headed up to Go Ape Tree Top Junior at Dalby forest for a massive adventure to do so!
For ages she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do on her 5th Birthday as this year was a day out and no parties, but she soon got over that and expressed an interest in climbing or tree top nets. I asked if she fancied zip wires in there too, and as it was a resounding “Yes” she was completely sold on the idea of Tree Top Junior!
I myself have fond memories of fun times at Go Ape from my early 20’s and knew it would be something we would all enjoy together (which we did), however on Saturday I wasn’t particularly feeling it! It would seem that these days I have developed a fear for heights and an inability to free fall on the zip wires. And so whilst I screamed my way round course one and froze at the top of the zip wire (Yes on the Junior course) My kids were running rings around me and loving life. They effortlessly strolled through treetop obstacle’s and flew down the zip wires with Daddy like no other, whilst I stood firmly on the ground with baby Alice after awkwardly being escorted down by an instructor!!!
Go Ape Tree Top Junior is the perfect activity for kids who are filled with energy and love scary and exciting things just like Megan. Both our kids are thrill seekers, well coordinated, love a good challenge, and being outdoors, therefore everything about it appealed to them. The sun was shining, they were out in nature, high up in the trees and wearing harnesses – it was a dream come true and they absolutely loved every second.
They started off by getting fitted with a harness, going through a safety brief and then hooked on to a cable and head up some wooden stairs on to course one. They stay attached to the cable through out, as well as having handles for extra support and then of course the harness. The first course consisted of various nets, balancing beams, stepping stones and bridges, all of which are up in the trees. At the end they jump off the platform and fly down the zip wire (or in Ethan’s case are given a quick nudge off the platform) and love their life right to the end… before doing it all over again or tackling course 2.
Course 2 of Tree Top Junior is a little longer and has a lot more challenging bridges and stepping stones (It’s also higher), but again ends at the zip wire platform.
It was wonderful to see both kids take it in their stride and jump in with both feet. Megan at one point was heckling some older kids in front “Come on slow coaches I’m only 5”, and thus was then disappointed to find out later that she was too small to go tackle the Adult course, and would have to wait until she was 10 (It was pretty funny)! Within the hour session we had they had about 3 turns round the 2 courses but could have gone all day if allowed.
All the staff are so amazing, well trained and especially with the kids, they really know how to get on well with them and bring out their brave sides! The kids had an absolute blast and it was definitely the perfect way to celebrate Megan this year – fun, adventurous and keeps you on your toes! We will surely be back each summer in the school holidays to have some more treetop fun and adventures as they haven’t stopped talking about it…
*Thank you so much to Go Ape for giving our family a complimentary visit on Saturday for Megan’s Birthday, in return for a review. All thoughts and pictures are my own.