I took my son Arlo and his cousin Paloma (aged 7 and 8) on a festive adventure to the North Pole Adventure at the National Forest Adventure Farm in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire. If you’re looking for a Christmas experience filled with magic, laughter, and memories to treasure, this immersive event is perfect for families with young children.
A Personal Welcome to the North Pole
The experience begins with a personalised ticket from Father Christmas himself, which really added to the excitement as Arlo and Paloma couldn’t wait to get started. After checking in at our time slot with just a small group of two other families we received our North Pole passports and Elf Coins, which the children clutched eagerly as we waited to step through the magical portal.
Before setting off, we were treated to a brand-new addition for 2024 – a cheerful sing-along with a carolling snowman. The kids loved warming up there with festive favourites, dancing and singing along and it was a wonderful way to kick-start the adventure.
Just after this we all stepped through a naughty or nice detector and the kids found it hilarious when I had a red alert and had to learn a dance and repeat it a couple of times to try again!
Then we were ushered through another door in to an apparent train station and the elf used a little trickery to open a door a couple of times, firstly with it being broken and full of suitcases and then suddenly with it leading to a snow covered and tree lined passage. It really felt magical and the kids couldn’t wait to run through and see what was next.
The journey through the North Pole is packed with activities that ignite little imaginations, with plenty of Magical Moments Along the Journey. Here are some of the highlights:
Explore a Victorian High Street
The charming Victorian street was like stepping back in time. The kids swapped their Elf Coins for sweet treats at the old-fashioned sweet shop and adults can join in and enjoy a hot chocolate or even a mulled wine from the cosy little pub. The festive atmosphere was truly enchanting. Especially when it suddenly started to snow again
Sort Parcels in the Post Office
Next, it was all hands on deck as the children helped the elves organise parcels in the Post Office. Watching Arlo and Paloma so enthusiastically get involved was a delight – they took their elf duties very seriously! Running from one side of the room to the other in a shape sorting activity and then getting everyone, including the adults involved to make sure that the postal machine could get back to work.
Decorate Gingerbread with Mother Christmas
No Christmas adventure is complete without a bit of baking. The children loved sitting with Mother Christmas to decorate their gingerbread creations, which we carefully packed to take home (though not before a few sneaky bites were taken!). Some tree stumps were prepped as soon as we walked in to this area with gingerbread, icing and some sweet treats. I noticed that they had some alternative options for dietary requirements available and this section felt unrushed and quite calming after running excitedly in the post room.
Meet the Talking Polar Bear
This was a magical moment for the kids. Inside the Ice Cave, we met the talking polar bear, who greeted each child by name. Arlo’s eyes lit up when he heard his name mentioned, and I couldn’t stop smiling at how excited they both were. When you book you’re asked to provide some information about your child including hobbies – if you include some funny details the polar bear will mention them so it can make your experience especially funny. There’s more snow here and a fabulous display of the northern lights.
Fix the Toy Machine
The elves ran into a bit of trouble when their toy machine broke down, but luckily the children were on hand to help. This interactive activity had everyone engaged as we worked together to save Christmas. All the elves seem to really be enjoying their job, interacting fabulously with children and adults en route and I think they’re all wearing ear pieces to communicate with elves in the next rooms to ensure that everything runs smoothly between different groups. It’s a really efficient and well organised event.
Create Reindeer Food with Silvermist
The new reindeer food-making activity is next. Guided by Silvermist, a cheeky talking reindeer, the children mixed up a magical snack to sprinkle outside on Christmas Eve. This hands-on activity brought so much joy, and the reindeer’s playful personality had everyone giggling. Great to have a little magical gift to take home and use on Christmas Eve.
Ring the Bells for Christmas
To keep everything on schedule, the children rang the Christmas bells. It was a simple but fun moment that added to the sense of teamwork and holiday cheer. Especially when the elf here stitched up one of the adults, they pulled a bell which made a funny noise and it had all the kids belly laughing! This was the last stamp to complete our passports and end our adventure.
A Visit with Father Christmas
The grand finale of the experience was, of course, a visit to Father Christmas himself. After a warm welcome, Arlo and Paloma had a chance to share their Christmas wishes before heading to the Present Parlour, where they got to choose their own gifts. The huge selection meant every child could find something they truly loved. I think they have several different grotto rooms and Santa’s, to make things really efficient, and to ensure families do not have to wait long for the penultimate moment. Another great little detail which makes everyone’s experience that little bit smoother.
To complete our journey we headed in to a room full to the brim with all manner of toys and children got to choose their own special treat. There was a really good selection suitable for children of all ages, Arlo took ages deciding but Paloma went straight for a cuddly toy!
After this there is the opportunity to buy photographic mementoes of your Santa meeting and I thought the prices were fairly reasonable, they also had a multi purchase offer which was fab as the kids wanted a keyring each.
Why You’ll Love It
What I loved most about the North Pole Adventure was the way it brought the magic of Christmas to life. Every detail, from the Victorian High Street to the personalised touches, felt thoughtfully designed to create unforgettable memories. The activities were perfect for children, and even as adults, we couldn’t help but feel the festive spirit. The whole experience takes about an hour and a half which feels just right. There was no point when the kids felt bored or we had to wait around for anything, it was just room after room of exciting fun and interactions with cheeky elves. It’s not over crowded due to the small numbers for each time slot. It’s a very well organised experience and it feels like everyone we encountered is super focused on making sure children have the best day out, and really enjoys their job.
Tips for Your Visit
• Book Early: This is a popular event, so I recommend booking tickets in advance to secure your preferred time.
• Dress Warmly: Some parts of the adventure are indoors, but the Victorian street and other areas can be chilly, so make sure everyone is wrapped up.
• Bring a Bag: You’ll likely want to take home gingerbread and reindeer food, so having a bag handy is a good idea.
The North Pole Adventure is a magical experience that’s perfect for families. Arlo and Paloma left with huge smiles on their faces, talking non-stop about their elf duties, the reindeer, and their special meeting with Santa. If you’re looking for a festive day out that truly captures the spirit of Christmas, this is one you won’t want to miss.
Plus of course your ticket includes all day access to the farm itself. With an animal barn full of farm animals, plus one of the biggest soft plays around there’s plenty to do on a cold day. If you’re outdoorsy then you can also explore the other areas of the farm including mini golf, go karts, the bouncing pillow, sand pits and more.
They also have an inclusive SEN session on 6th December which is lovely to learn.
Book your tickets now and make this holiday season unforgettable!