Sunshine Castle

For the first few weeks we were here, every time we drove past the Sunshine Castle (which was quite often given how close it is to where we're staying), they wanted to go to it.  Evan whined pretty bad a few times when we drove past and told him we didn't have time to go.

We realized we should probably include this on our list of outings, even though I had not ever gone to it and for some reason wasn't terribly interested.  Either way, we looked up the prices online and were shocked at how much it would cost our whole family to tour the castle, however they have a cafe inside that is free to visit.  So, we decided to give it a try: stop at the castle, get a coffee in the cafe, and see if that would suffice.  It worked brilliantly!  The kids didn't realize there was more to see...as it stood they got to run around the castle grounds out front, play games with the games inside the cafe, and look at the gift shop (and whine and beg for lots of toys in said shop).  

We first got some photos of the kids out front of the castle.  There was another adult-sized cut out (to the left of the frame shown in the picture below) that John was about to stick his face into so I could get a photo of both kids with John, but Emma started to get scared of the giant dinosaur behind her, so we didn't get that photo.  Nonetheless, I did get one of both kids at least. :)

Then we went to the castle wall for some posed photos, taking turns between me and John with the kids.

After that, we headed up inside and to the cafe. We ordered coffees and scones, and enjoyed them out on the shaded verandah.  Evan explored a bit around the verandah and found a giant king-sized chair. However, Evan was most interested in all of the "hot wheels" cars and trucks inside the gift shop.  They weren't actual hot wheels, but a German brand of nice little cars and trucks, and not cheap! 

After coffee, we played a few games inside. They had a giant version of Pengoloo, which we have at home, so that was fun for the kids to play.  I loved all the mind puzzles they had.  John figured out the one that was on our cafe table, but then couldn't put it back together!  It was one of those with two horse shoes connected by a chain and you have to get the ring off and back on.   It was a short, but sweet, visit and it was very effective! Now every time we pass the castle the kids get all excited and point it out saying "I see the castle that we went to!" No more whining...a win win for us all!