“10/10!” – A Dad’s Guide to Drusillas Park, Rated by Real 10-Year-Olds
(By a Dad Who Survived a Day Out With a Bunch of Energised Kids)
What do you get when you take a group of 10-year-olds to Drusillas Park? Besides mild exhaustion, a boot full of snacks, coats & spare clothes, and at least one child insisting they saw a monkey wink at them — you get a 10/10 day out, apparently.
I recently took a gang of excited kids to Drusillas, and I have to say, it delivered. We arrived at 10:30am and were literally the last ones to leave at 6pm, waving goodbye to the staff as they locked up. That alone tells you how much there is to do.
But don’t just take my word for it — here’s their official Top Ten list, compiled by the kids themselves. If you’re looking for a day out that your ten-year-old (and probably their mates) will rave about, this is your cheat sheet:
🕸 1. The Spider Tower
Apparently, this is where childhood dreams — or fears — come to life. They spent over an hour climbing, crawling, and navigating the webbed tunnels. It’s a multi-level play structure that feels like an epic quest for young adventurers.
🧗♂️ 2. Rock Climbing
A new addition to the park, the climbing wall was a surprise hit. Some competitive banter kicked off here as they raced to the top — always fun when one kid gets halfway and suddenly decides they’re “just checking out the view”.
🎈 3. The Inflatable Slide
Big, bouncy, and fast — this one got a solid thumbs up. It’s one of those things that looks deceptively simple until you’re sliding down with your knees to your chin and your dignity in the air.
💰 4. Gold Digging
Yes, there’s actual gold digging. Okay, maybe not real gold, but armed with little pans and fierce determination, the kids got stuck into the sand and left convinced they’d struck treasure.
🦜 5. Hands-On Animal Encounters
Feeding the birds was a major highlight. There’s something magical about having a bird land on your hand (and then five more when they realise you’ve got snacks). The lemurs and monkeys were close seconds, especially for the aspiring David Attenboroughs in the group.
🐹 6. The Hamster Wheel
This giant wheel in the play area had them all racing like oversized hamsters. It’s great exercise, if you’re wondering — for them, not for you. You’ll be on the sidelines holding half-drunk juice cartons and sun hats.
🌲 7. Zip Wire
Classic. Can’t go wrong with a zip wire. They queued for it again and again like it was a ride at a theme park — and every go ended with a dramatic run back shouting “Again!”.
⏱ 8. The Challenge Area
Think “Junior Ninja Warrior” meets the school playground. There are mini physical tests like “how long can you hang?” and “how fast can you run?” that brought out their competitive streaks (and a few groans from dads who had a go and pulled something).
🛝 9. Adventure Playground After 4:30pm
Here’s a parent pro tip: stick around until late. After 4:30, the crowds thin and the playground becomes a haven for older kids. They practically owned the place. Less waiting, more running wild.
🧡 10. The 10 Years of Memories
This was special. A couple of the kids had visited Drusillas for years and came back to recreate old photos. It was a lovely, nostalgic full-circle moment — and a reminder that the best places to visit are the ones that grow with your family.
Final Thoughts: Why Drusillas Is a Win for Dads (and Families)
It’s rare to find a place that keeps 10-year-olds engaged for seven solid hours without the help of Wi-Fi or snacks every ten minutes. But Drusillas did just that. From active play to hands-on experiences, it’s more than a zoo — it’s an adventure hub.
So if you’re planning a day out and want something that’s guaranteed to score highly with your kids (and tire them out — let’s be honest), give Drusillas a go. Just remember to bring snacks, sun cream, and a good pair of shoes — and maybe book a chiropractor for the day after.
Rating from the kids? 10/10
Rating from me? 10/10 for fun, 3/10 for personal stamina — but worth every minute.
