Fairford

Monkey’s first Air Tattoo – International Air Tattoo at Fairford

Monkey (AKA as our son) loved his visit to our local airfield and our aviation-themed day last week, that we decided to give the International Air Tattoo at Fairford a try with him this year.  Daddy P and I had been together when I was pregnant and I’d been before that with my ex.  I’d been wary about taking him because of the noise and had worried he’d get bored.

But the weather forecast looked ok for Sunday and Daddy P decided that we deserved a treat (£40.00 per adult ticket is a lot for us to find these days). I booked the tickets online on Saturday, along with a free pass for my son, made up a picnic and we were ready to go.

www.over40andamumtoone.com RIAT Fairford

We arrived at 10 am just as the first display started.  It’s very well organised, we were offered a free child safety wristband for my son and shown where we could get some ear defenders.  We started with the little yellow foam inserts, with a charitable donation, but he soon started to take them out, and for £5.00 we could buy a proper set of ear defenders – a bargain, and he actually liked wearing them.

www.over40andamumtoone.com Wired for sound!

They are definitely a good idea for kids, the jet engines are very loud.  They kept him safe and he was totally undeterred by the noise.

We saw lots of static displays – all sorts of aeroplanes and helicopters.

www.over40andamumtoone.com Static Displays

My son absolutely loved it.  There were quite a few opportunities to go onboard some of the larger aeroplanes, but we decided against it.  Firstly, most involved a queue, and secondly, I had images of not being able to get him off the planes!  Something to save for when he’s a bit older.

www.over40andamumtoone.com Picnic with planes

We had our picnic lunch in the sunshine, whilst watching some of the air displays.

www.over40andamumtoone.com Flight displays

We walked around some more and found the Techno Village – there were lots of things for children to try, even a 3 and half-year-old boy had fun learning about wind turbines and battery chargers.  He then visited the RAF Careers stand and had some fun with logistics.  They gave him a water bottle which he is now permanently attached to!

www.over40andamumtoone.com Learning whilst having fun

By mid-afternoon it was really hot and we all decided we needed an ice cream fix 🙂

www.over40andamumtoone.com Ice cream fix

We met some Dalek’s ……

www.over40andamumtoone.com Exterminate!

….. and then it was time for a very tired little boy to take us home – a great day out, we were so lucky with the weather!  My son was very good and took it all in his stride.  He hasn’t stopped talking about the day since.

 

 

4 thoughts on “Monkey’s first Air Tattoo – International Air Tattoo at Fairford

  1. That is an expensive day out but looks like you all had a great time! Good that kids go free and those ear defenders are a great idea. Glad Monkey had fun!

  2. So glad he had a great time! Thinking we might try the Farnborough air show with Xavier next summer (it’s alternate years so wasn’t on this year).

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