Family Race Day at Perth Racecourse Review

You know when you see the perfect Instagram Mum’s with their super cute stylish well behaved baby attending lots of events and making life look a breeze and some days I think I could totally do that, As much as I would like to think I have this parenting thing under control Today was NOT one of those days!

Today we set off for Family Race Day at Perth Racecourse. An annual fixture on the racing calendar it’s one of the most popular race days of the year drawing in crowds of families to centre course for a jam packed day of children’s activities suitable for all ages and a full card of competitive horseracing for the adults.

Normally on event days I am an organised Mama. The last event we covered for Small City – Solas Festival although we were only there for the day, I packed enough clothes, toys and food to camp for a week. I’m not sure if it has been the glorious sunshine that we have had over Perth lately or the fact I just really LOVE a day at the races and in my excitement of getting ready for race day, I appeared to forget absolutely everything you might need to keep a fifteen month old entertained all day.

Luckily for me Perth Racecourse had teamed up with Action Glen and had it under control! From Segways, Giant inflatables, Laser tag, quadbikes to Pony rides – They had it covered.

 What impressed me most is that under 18s go free on race day and all activities are completely free. Yep that’s right you don’t need to be constantly shelling out £3 a time for a bounce on the bouncy castle. I became quite acquainted to the bouncy castle staff as River decided this was his favourite activity of the day. His routine went from bouncing safely on the perimeter curiously glancing at the older kids having fun to running into the middle throwing himself into the walls and eventually just lying down while everyone else bounced around him. After 45 mins I had to climb as gracefully as possible into the middle and physically drag him out.

Up next was a pony ride! Action Glen had provided the cutest Shetland Pony and trainer to take kids for a pony ride around the paddock. I was secretly glad when the trainer told me the pony rides were for strictly over 3 year olds as I couldn’t quite imagine wrestling baby River off of a miniature pony. Instead we opted for feeding the pony some grass and River seemed satisfied with giving her a nice pat.

We met up with Small City Megan and her ten year old Son Connor. Connor’s favourite activities of the day were Laser tag and bubble football. It was great to come to an event where activities provided were suitable for all ages and not catered to one demographic. Connor and his friend had the best time zooming around the laser tag artificial warzone. Children’s racecards were also provided, along with great information on the sport of horse racing so they can grow to love horses just as much as we do! Whilst the adults browsed the official race cards and had a flutter the children were engrossed in choosing their favourite horse from the children’s pack.

We met up with Small City Megan and her ten year old Son Connor. Connor’s favourite activities of the day were Laser tag and bubble football. It was great to come to an event where activities provided were suitable for all ages and not catered to one demographic. Connor and his friend had the best time zooming around the laser tag artificial warzone. Children’s racecards were also provided, along with great information on the sport of horse racing so they can grow to love horses just as much as we do! Whilst the adults browsed the official race cards and had a flutter the children were engrossed in choosing their favourite horse from the children’s pack.

We set up base camp with a fantastic view right next to the race track. Our base camp was a rather feeble attempt at a picnic with a mad dash around Tesco’s barbeque isle shoved into a bag for life and thrown down onto a Primark throw. It was fantastic to see the effort that so many families had made with Gazebos, deck chairs, homemade cocktail bars and delicious picnic’s. Lots of families were celebrating special occasions with 60^th birthday parties, anniversaries and a few 30ths. 

I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate a special occasion than surrounded by friends and family at Family race day. Megan and I are already planning a Small City family day out at next year’s Family race day and have promised each other that next year we will be super organized with our picnic and who knows maybe have some Pimms on the lawn.

After another hour of chasing baby River around centre course and prizing him away from other people’s picnics, I decided it was time to call it a day and head home leaving the crowds of revellers behind.

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