Got some free time with the kids soon? Struggling to come up with something new to do? In West Sussex? Well, that’s handy. Because we (Dad La Soul) have been tasked with creating a guide to stuff for dads and kids to do in Worthing.
Who are we and why should you listen to what we have to say? Good point. Let’s start with an introduction.
We are Dad La Soul and we run kick-ass fun playdates for dads and kids in Worthing as well as dads-only meet-ups that are best described as ‘Byker Grove for grown-ups’. More on that later.
Of course, our top recommendation for a dad/child day of fun is to come to our playdates, usually at Guild Care on North Street. But we’ve also canvassed the opinions of our community to find other things to keep you and your youngsters entertained. Here’s what they had to say:
Dad and Kid Activities in Worthing
Cissbury Ring Walk
Imagine being able to subtly educate your child and tire them out at the same time! Perfect. Head to Sussex’s largest hill fort, between Worthing and Findon, find out about its 5,000 year history and take on the three to four mile circular walk. On a good day, you can see glorious views towards the Seven Sisters and the Isle of Wight, and you might spot a plethora of butterflies too. Good, wholesome fresh air fun all round.
Worthing Pier
It may seem obvious, but the pier is a great place to take the kids. Whether you simply take a walk, people watch and enjoy the sea breeze or you head straight to the amusements, it’s a fine addition to our town.
And our dads have some great suggestions for pier-based activities too. One said “fishing or crabbing from the pier keeps my kids entertained and when they lose focus at the beach. They can play there all day. It’s an easy day out in my books!” Another Dad La Soulie put forward this idea: “we take a rucksack to that pier, fill it with stones and just plop them off it. You can use a slow motion camera too for more laughs!”
Roller Disco at Davison Leisure Centre
What could go wrong with placing your kids on eight wheels and giving them a gentle shove around a leisure centre? Well, you can find out for yourself. One of our dads is a regular at the roller disco at Davison Leisure Centre on Selborne Road and he and his kids enjoy the thrill of speeding around the dancefloor with the music pumping in the background. One word of warning though, dads – pad up; you’re not as young and able to bounce back off the floor as you used to be!
The Park
We’re very lucky with the amount of green space we have in Worthing, so make the most of it. As one dad told us: “Worthing is full of amazing parks that are perfect for playing and picnics – Tarring and Brooklands are our two favourites”. Butter some sandwiches, grab some sausage rolls and a Capri Sun and get out and about with a football, cricket bat, rounders kit or whatever floats your boat.
Another Dad La Soulie put his vote in for the BugCycle Community Garden at Beach House Park. He said: “It is a nice little outdoor space. Our kids like to jump in the speedboat, play hide and seek and generally run around. It’s next to a cafe and there’s plenty of benches for the grown-ups to relax. From where we live, it’s a nice stop-off on our walk to the beach or to town.”
About Dad La Soul
We’re all about battling social isolation in dads, who can often see their friendship circles shrink when they have kids. We’re a community, a support group and a safe space for fathers. But we’re not going to force you into our venues and demand you talk about your feelings. Come along, enjoy the event and share as much or as little as you need. No pressure!
Find out more about what we do at dadlasoul.com.