We had a fantastic day out last weekend at National Forest Adventure Farm’s Moon landing maze. This was the second time we’ve visited the National Forest Adventure Farm, the first was for their North Pole Experience last year. We loved our first visit so as soon as I heard about the Maize maze I knew my kids would love it. As far as days out in Staffordshire go, this is one of the best we’ve found so far.
This summer, until the 2nd of September, they are running their annual maize maze. This year the design is space-themed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. As well as the main maze there is a mini-maze and an indoor interactive experience where your kids will train to be space rangers and save an alien species.
Astro adventure mini-maze
We started our day by completing the mini maze. My girls are 3 and 6 years old. We were in the maze for about 20 minutes and they loved it. They were each given a sheet of 9 planets to take around and get stamped at each station in the maze. The stations were easy to spot and they are brightly coloured signs about each planet. My two loved finding them and stamping their sheets. Once we got to the exit, they were each given a lolly for completing the maze.
Space Rangers: Alien Rescue
Space Rangers: Alien Rescue is an interactive indoor experience where you can train to be space rangers and save alien eggs. This event is run in their events barn. This experience takes about 25 minutes. You’ll have to excuse the quality of these photos as it’s a very dark space which doesn’t make for very good photos but it does make for a very atmospheric experience.
We were greeted by a space ranger who gave the kids a sticker each for them to write their name and special skills on. After a short wait, we were shown into the first room where another space ranger welcomed us and explained what our mission was.
The experience involves walking through a series of small rooms where the kids completed various tasks like shape sorting, dressing up in silver capes, finding eggs and delivering them to the final incubator. It’s worth noting that this space is dark and atmospheric with music and a “smoky atmosphere” (dry ice?). My youngest was a little scared in places but enjoyed other parts of it as long as we were carrying her or holding her hand.
Overall we loved the experience. The staff are really enthusiastic and the amount of work that has gone into this experience shows.
Moon landing maize maze
We decided we had to try the main maze but as it’s over 3 miles long, we knew our two young children would not be able to manage the full maze. They did really well and explored a good proportion of it and really enjoyed it but then we had to leave without completing all the puzzles.
When you enter this maze you are given a puzzle sheet. This is partly to record all your answers to the puzzles and partly a map. The maze includes a number of bridges and a couple of viewing towers too which are great for getting a good view of the maze.
As I mentioned, there are a series of puzzles to complete as you go around the maze. The locations are marked on your map so you can work out which order to do them in and how to get to them. At each puzzle station, you have to complete a challenge and find the numbers you need to record on your sheet.
The puzzles are aimed at older children and are a great way of sneaking a little maths into the school holidays. Despite them being a little young, our two enjoyed some of the puzzle stations a lot. Their favourites were the physical ones like this small obstacle course, the trip wires and the one with different coloured ropes to count up.
At the centre of the maze is a small cafe for refreshments. The map says there are toilets here but there wasn’t. However, the staff can quickly get you out of the maze from here by an unofficial short cut. Another nice touch is telephones at each puzzle station where you can contact the staff if you need help. We also loved the speakers dotted around the maze playing music.
At the moment the maize is waist height, perhaps a little higher in places but by mid-August, it’s predicted to be 8ft high. Despite not finishing this maze we really enjoyed the parts that we discovered.
The rest of the adventure farm
On our last visit in late November, we didn’t explore as much of the farm as we would have liked as it was freezing. We did enjoy the large, free soft play area inside the cafe. This time the weather was much better for exploring the farm. Our kids had an absolute blast in the many play areas. We also enjoyed the tractor and trailer ride around the many animal paddocks.
We also enjoyed the musical maze which I think is new this year. This is a brightly coloured maze with a number of large musical instruments scattered throughout it.
The sandpits and bouncy pillows were probably the kids favourite bits but they also enjoyed the JCB area, pirate ship playground, crazy golf (although they didn’t play by the rules!) and go-carts. There is also a water splash area at the back which was closed for cleaning when we spotted it. Probably just as well as we hadn’t brought a change of clothes for the kids.
The animals were another highlight. The girls enjoyed the indoor barn where there are a variety of animals including Guinea pigs, pigs, goats, ponies, donkeys and chickens. There was even a hatchery where we saw baby chicks.
Outside there are a variety of paddocks with alpaca, goats and sheep that you can walk around (as well as a much larger part of the farm that you can ride around). There are daily talks and handling sessions around the farm. My kids were lucky enough to be able to help collect the chicken eggs the coop.
Final thoughts
We loved our day. As I mentioned before this was our second visit and yet again it was clear to see how much effort they put into their events. The attention to detail and the enthusiasm of their staff make these events so much fun for families. The farm itself is a fantastic family day out in Staffordshire and their seasonal events are the icing on the cake.
Entry to the farm including all attractions can be booked online for £11.24 for adults and children over 2. Children under 2 go free. The farm is open from 10 am-6 pm daily. Find out more here.
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Disclosure: we were invited along as guests of the farm in exchange for this honest review. All photos, words and comments are my own.
Oh this looks like so much fun! My daughters would love the maze and space is such an interesting topic for it to focus on 🙂
It’s a great topic anytime but so timely for this year
This looks so cool! The question is…how on earth did they make that maze?!!!
I asked my husband the same thing several times during the visit!
I love the look of this it really does look like brilliant fun! A perfect day out for all of the kids to enjoy.
It really is fantastic
What a great idea. We have a Maize maze near us and it’s great although my three are now big enough to see over the top of the crops!
Oh my! Those pigs and the maze! I love these pictures. SO beautiful! My kids would enjoy it for sure.
Oh my gosh, your pictures are STUNNING! I would love to bring my kids here. Beautiful and I’m sure a great time!
Oh wow, this looks really fun! I think staffs enthusiasm can definitely make an event more special.
Wow, what an amazing place to visit. That main maze looks incredible! I love all the extra little activities too.
What a fab maze, I love the overhead photo showing the maze layout. Great idea having activities to do whilst walking around too
Wow this looks amazing! My 11 month old wouldn’t be old enough to go to this which is such a shame because I would love to go!
Wow this looks like a great day out! I love the space themed maze. That aerial shot of it looks amazing! Our local one is dragon shaped with a fantasy theme this year x
This looks like great fun !! A great place to run of some energy.