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If you think you can keep up with the kids and you fancy something a little bit more adventurous then here are a few suggestions. While some of these can run into the pretty expensive range, if you have a child with a birthday during the summer, these can make good birthday treats.

Gliding

The London Gliding Club is situated fairly close to us. While Whipsnade Zoo is situated at the top of Dunstable Downs, the LGC is right at the bottom. Certainly not cheap, but the experience of a lifetime. Full details of trial flights are on the LGC website at www.londonglidingclub.co.uk

Karting

Still in the expensive range, karting can be a great dad/son adventure. We have a Karting track nearby in Milton Keynes with one due to open in April 2010 in Letchworth.

For more information go to:

• Milton Keynes: Daytona Motorsport
• Letchworth: Teamworks Karting
• National Schools Karting Association - NatSKA. NatSKA is a nationwide association which holds race meetings run under strict regulations of the governing body: MSA (Motor Sports Association)

Tunnel Jumping

If the idea of having a go at free fall parachute jumping appeals to you, but the cost, training and height doesn't, then tunnel jumping could be the answer, and could provide a fun experience. As with all these adventure activities, the cost isn't cheap, starting at around £40 per session.

The idea is you take a vertical wind tunnel, and step into the upward air current, from that moment you are technically "body flying" and I have never met anyone who has done it who didn't love it and didn't want to go back for more.

A company called Bodyflight have a facility just outside Bedford where professional skydive teams practise but it is also open to the public. The web site states "all ages" and 10 year olds do have a go at it, but if you interested you may want to call first to check your child is old and big enough. Bodyflight are also opening a static surfing facility in April 2010 if you are interested in that the website has full details. You can check all this out on the Bodyflight Bedford website.

Snow Activities

If this interests you then the Sno!zone at Milton Keynes could be the best place to start looking. Situated in the Xscape complex in Milton Keynes it offers a range of entertainments including skiing and snowboarding - with lessons and coaching available for all levels of experience, or fun family activities such as sledging and ice sliding. Prices are on the Sno!zone website, but this venue does get busy, especially during the school holiday periods.

Another venue which is fairly close by car is the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead.