We were in London when the kids were little, but we had an amazing play group just around the corner and we were there every morning. They had everything; paints, play-doe, climbing frame and a sand pit.

We first went there when my eldest was just crawling so he was probably about 5 months when he discovered the sand pit. My poor youngest was there at just three days old because I had to look after both of them.

Kids will love sand, mud, paints etc at any age - just go when you feel ready to cope with the chaos - because I guarantee it will be stressful and hard work aswell as brilliant fun.