The UK tech-free attractions that my kids prefer to theme parks – and spring is the best time to visit

SPRINGTIME is the perfect season for visiting the farm as the baby animals and warmer weather arrives.

My family thinks it's even better than a trip to the theme park at this time of year.

Nothing beats getting out into the fresh air after you've been cooped up at home for months and farm parks tend to offer the best all-round experience once has sprung.

Lots will have been spruced up while closed to guests over , ready to hit the ground running in March.

Whereas we've been to a couple of recently that felt like they were still trying to gear up for the season, with a shortage of ice cream and rides not working.

My top tip if you're taking the fam to the farm this Easter is to make sure there's a good indoor option available in case the great British kicks in.

And it's always wise to check whether you can get discounted entry with something like Kids Pass or use supermarket loyalty points towards ticket costs.

Here in the Midlands, the dinosaur trail at Manor Farm Park and Woodlands near Loughborough was a huge hit with my boys when we visited earlier this month.

We all enjoyed trying out a bit of falconry with the resident of prey, from tiny owl Wookie, who weighed just 225g, up to the huge turkey vulture Valdemort.

The indoor playbarn provides a massive covered space with a wooden castle, pirate ship, arena, pedal karts, ball shooters and a big playframe with drop slides, plus a couple of smaller play spaces dedicated to little ones.

There are aplenty, including Tilly the Tortoise, celebrating her 80th birthday this year, and a room where visitors can pet some of the smaller creatures which call Manor Farm home.

We also love a trip to near Derby for its homemade ice cream and a chance to watch the cows being milked, before enjoying a bounce on the air cushion in the playground.

We've had great days out at farms across the country and Willows Activity Farm near is a particular favourite for its huge indoor play area and Peter Rabbit themed shows and activities.

Over in , Folly Farm Adventure Park near Tenby has plenty to draw in holidaymakers visiting the coast, with its own funfair and zoo, plus accommodation on site.

Not all farms that welcome visitors are family-owned. This year marks 45 years since Standalone Farm in Hertfordshire was taken on by Letchworth Garden City Corporation (now the heritage foundation) and transformed into a visitor attraction for families and .

It's recently had a £1million investment and been turned into a year-round attraction.

If you have membership, you can even enjoy a day out at the farm free if you head to Wimpole Hall in or Shugborough Hall in Staffordshire.

And with Mother's Day just around the corner, lots of farm parks are doing free entry for mums on the last weekend in March.

in is even celebrating its 10th birthday by rolling back its tickets to 2015 prices.

That means if you book this month for any date this year including weekends and school , you only pay £5.50 a ticket.

So whatever you want from your farm foray, now's a great time to pull on your wellies and head outdoors to make the most of the spring season.