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The Perfect Kids’ Day Out at Ealing Broadway, CFO Approved

School holidays bring excitement for children and a familiar question for parents: how do we keep them entertained?

At Ealing Broadway, we decided to consult a true expert in fun, Iris, our official Chief Fun Officer (CFO), who took on the very important task of experiencing the centre like a child would. Her mission? To explore, play, taste, browse, and ultimately decide whether Ealing Broadway delivers the perfect family day out.

The verdict was clear: full CFO approval.

With the school holidays just around the corner, Iris’s adventure offers the perfect inspiration for families planning days out, treats, and activities.

Starting the day the right way!

Before any serious Chief Fun Officer duties could begin, Iris knew there was one essential first step, brunch.

To fuel up for her big day, she sat down with her family at Fuwa Fuwa for what she described as the perfect start to her adventure. Her order of choice? Nutella and strawberry fluffy pancakes, paired with a matcha shake.

Shopping Adventures (Through a Child’s Eyes)

For children, shopping isn’t a task on a to-do list, it’s part of the excitement of the day.

After happily choosing a brand-new outfit at Primark, Iris made a beeline for one of her most anticipated stops: Smiggle.

Stepping into the store was like entering a burst of colour and creativity. Drawn in by the bright displays and playful designs, Iris spent ages exploring the latest collections, eagerly inspecting the incredible stationery ranges, fun accessories, and eye-catching school bags.

From glitter pens to vibrant notebooks, every shelf seemed to offer a new discovery. After much enthusiastic browsing (and a few tough decisions), Iris finally settled on a fun new pencil case, a choice she took very seriously.

The Smiggle team were on hand throughout her visit, guiding her around the store and showcasing the newest arrivals, which only added to the experience.

“I wanted to look at EVERYTHING,” Iris said with a grin. “It was impossible to choose just one! My new pencil case is my favourite. I can’t wait to use it.”

Moments like these perfectly capture what makes a family day out special, simple activities becoming memorable highlights through a child’s eyes.

Plush Toy Heaven & Big Smiles at MINISO

Among all the excitement of Iris’s Chief Fun Officer adventure, one stop held particular significance, MINISO, which she happily declared to be one of her favourite shops.

Having already been a fan, Iris was especially thrilled to see the store return to Ealing Broadway.

“I was so happy when I found out MINISO was coming back,” she said. “It’s one of my favourite shops ever.”

Stepping inside, it was easy to see why.

Drawn in by the bright displays and endless variety, Iris spent ages wandering the aisles, carefully inspecting everything from collectibles and blind boxes to playful accessories and sweet treats. But like many young visitors, there was one area that truly captured her attention.

Tucked towards the back of the store, the space quickly became what Iris delightedly described as “plush toy heaven.” Surrounded by rows of irresistibly soft, colourful characters, choosing a favourite proved nearly impossible. “I wish I could dive into them, they all look so soft and cuddly!” she laughed.

It’s a reaction many parents will instantly recognise, that moment when browsing turns into wide-eyed wonder and excitement.

For children, MINISO becomes less about shopping and more about discovery, exploration, and joy. For parents, it offers playful, affordable treats that make spontaneous holiday surprises wonderfully easy.

A Calm, Creative Moment at Greenka

Among the excitement of treats, shopping, and games, Iris also enjoyed a slower, beautifully calming experience during her visit to Greenka. Katy the co-owner of Greenka invited Iris into their plant paradise to select a plant and pot for her bedroom, Iris was immediately captivated by the space itself.

“Walking into Greenka felt like stepping into a little forest,” Iris said. “It’s so pretty and full of plants everywhere.”

Katy from the Greenka team guided Iris through the experience, taking the time to understand exactly where the new plant would live. Rather than simply choosing something at random, Iris was asked thoughtful questions about her room, including temperature, natural light, and where she wanted to place it.  It was a moment that turned the visit into something far more meaningful than a simple purchase.

After exploring Katy’s recommendations, Iris carefully selected her favourite plant before moving on to one of the most enjoyable parts of the experience,  choosing a pot from Greenka’s beautifully designed collection. With decisions made, Katy then invited Iris to the store’s dedicated repotting area, a service available to all customers, where the real hands-on fun began.

Together, they discussed the importance of different soil types, how plants grow, and the best ways to care for her new leafy companion. Iris watched with fascination as her plant was expertly repotted, gaining not just a new addition to her room but also a new appreciation for plant care.

Moments like this offer something refreshingly different for families during the Easter holidays,  calm, creative, and genuinely engaging. It’s screen-free, interactive, and leaves children with something they can enjoy long after the day out ends.

Little Treats Along the Way

No truly memorable kids’ day out is complete without a few well-earned sweet treats and Iris made sure to schedule hers very carefully. A visit to Leonidas quickly turned into a moment of pure excitement when Iris spotted one of the shop’s most playful creations: the famous milk chocolate pencils.

Made with 100% cocoa butter and finished with a delicate coating of coloured white chocolate, they were an irresistible choice.

“I’ve been so excited to try these!” Iris said, barely able to contain her enthusiasm. With selections made, Iris and her sister happily tucked in, enjoying a perfectly timed chocolate break before continuing their adventure.

A Very Important Book Mission

Next on the agenda was a stop at Waterstones, where the pace of the day gently shifted to something calmer.

But Iris wasn’t simply browsing. She was on a very specific mission, to find her next Jenny McLachlan read, The Battle for Roar.

After carefully scanning the shelves, success was declared. “I can’t wait to start it,” Iris said. “It’s my favourite series!”

Moments like these capture a different kind of holiday magic, the quiet excitement of choosing a new story to dive into.

Lunch That Feels Like Part of the Adventure

For Iris, lunch became another highlight of her Chief Fun Officer adventure as she sat down with her family to enjoy a well-earned break together at Comptoir Libanais Ealing Broadway. Between the colourful surroundings, relaxed atmosphere, and delicious food, it quickly turned into one of those moments that makes a day out feel truly special, time to chat, laugh, and recharge before the fun continued.

For parents, the appeal is obvious, a warm, friendly environment that makes dining with children feel easy and enjoyable. For younger visitors, it’s simply a fun, vibrant setting that feels like part of the day’s adventure.

The restaurant’s dedicated kids’ menu makes it especially family-friendly, offering plenty of child-approved options, while fantastic kids eat free offers are available at selected times of the year, something many parents are always delighted to discover.

And for those moments that call for a little celebration? Comptoir Libanais also offers a brilliant selection of colourful mocktails, perfect for making family lunches feel extra special Whether it’s a relaxed quick lunch or a  family treat, it’s a stop that effortlessly works for everyone.

Big Fun to Finish the Day

To wrap up her Chief Fun Officer experience, Iris and her friends headed to Gutterball, where the energy levels instantly soared.

From the moment they arrived, the fun, friendly team helped set the tone for an afternoon packed with laughter and excitement. With its vibrant atmosphere and variety of activities, Gutterball quickly proved to be the perfect place for families to unwind, play, and spend time together.

Iris kicked things off on the bowling lanes with her family, cheering each other on and celebrating every strike and the occasional near miss. The friendly competition continued as they explored some of the other games on offer, making sure to fit in a few rounds of pool and shuffleboard.

After a fun-filled afternoon of family games, Iris then met up with her friends in Gutterball’s karaoke room for the grand finale. With the music turned up and microphones in hand, they danced and sang their hearts out to all their favourite songs, turning the room into their very own mini concert.

It was the perfect way to end an action-packed day , laughter, music, and plenty of unforgettable moments.

For Iris, it was the ultimate grand finale, the kind of experience children talk about long after the holidays are over, and the perfect ending to a fun-filled day at Ealing Broadway.

Why Ealing Broadway Works So Well for Families

Planning school holiday activities can sometimes feel overwhelming, but the perfect day out often comes down to something simple: variety, convenience, and experiences children genuinely love.

At Ealing Broadway, families can enjoy:

✔ Sweet treats and cafés
✔ Fun, child-friendly shopping
✔ Creative, hands-on activities
✔ Relaxed dining options
✔ High-energy entertainment

All in one easy, accessible location.

As Iris perfectly summarised:

“It was like having my very own Yes Day!”

And honestly, that’s exactly the kind of memory many parents hope to create during the school holidays.

Planning Your school holidays in West London?

Whether you’re filling an afternoon, planning a full family day out, or simply looking for somewhere that keeps everyone smiling, Ealing Broadway offers the perfect blend of fun, food, and discovery.

Let your little ones explore, play, and enjoy a day that’s truly Chief Fun Officer approved.

Last updated Thursday 14 May, 2026