Terms and Conditions

1. The Promoter

The promoter of this competition (the "Promoter") is Day Out With The Kids Ltd, with its registered office in the United Kingdom, run in partnership with Merlin Entertainments Ltd ("Merlin"). Merlin is not the data controller for entries and is not responsible for the day-to-day running of this competition. Any queries should be sent to the Promoter at hello@dayoutwiththekids.co.uk.

2. Eligibility

2.1 The competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom (excluding the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) aged 18 or over at the time of entry.

2.2 Entries on behalf of a family that includes children under 18 must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian of those children.

2.3 Employees, contractors and agents of the Promoter, Merlin, their group companies and any party connected with the operation of this competition, together with members of their immediate families, are not eligible to enter.

2.4 By entering, you confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria. The Promoter may require proof of eligibility before any prize is awarded and may disqualify any entry that does not meet these terms.

3. Competition period

3.1 The competition closes at 23:59 UK time on Sunday 16 August 2026 (the "Closing Date").

3.2 Entries received after the Closing Date will not be considered.

4. How to enter

4.1 Visit the Day Out With The Kids Merlin Short Breaks hub at dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/travel/short-breaks/merlin and browse the resort pages to find a hidden sun (\u2600\ufe0f) emoji.

4.2 Submit your entry using the form at /merlin-summer-of-stays, providing a valid first name, last name, email address, the page on which you found the sun and a short note about your family and why you'd love to win.

4.3 Only one entry per person is permitted. Bulk, automated or third-party entries will be disqualified.

4.4 No purchase is necessary. Internet access is required. The Promoter is not responsible for any costs incurred by entrants in taking part.

5. Winner selection

5.1 One winner will be selected at random from all entries received before the Closing Date that correctly identify the page on which the sun was hidden.

5.2 The Promoter's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

5.3 The winner will be selected within 14 days of the Closing Date.

6. Prize

6.1 The prize is a family "Summer of Stays" comprising one overnight family short break at each of the following Merlin resorts, including theme park or attraction access at each resort: Alton Towers Resort, THORPE PARK Resort, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, LEGOLAND\u00ae Windsor Resort and Warwick Castle.

6.2 A "family" means up to two adults and two children (aged 3 to 15) staying in the same room where standard occupancy permits.

6.3 Prize stays are subject to availability and to Merlin's standard short break terms and conditions, including blackout dates around school holidays, bank holidays and major events, as well as any resort-specific room and occupancy limits.

6.4 All stays must be booked and completed within 12 months of the winner accepting the prize, unless otherwise agreed with the Promoter.

6.5 Travel to and from each resort, meals not included as standard with each stay, spending money and any incidental costs are not included and are the responsibility of the winner.

6.6 The prize is non-transferable, non-exchangeable and no cash alternative is offered, except where the Promoter or Merlin, in their sole discretion, decides to provide an alternative of equal or greater value due to circumstances beyond their reasonable control.

7. Notification of winner

7.1 The winner will be notified by email using the address provided at entry within 14 days of the Closing Date.

7.2 The winner must respond within 14 days of notification to claim the prize. If the winner cannot be contacted, does not respond, or is unable to comply with these terms, the Promoter reserves the right to withdraw the prize and select an alternative winner from the remaining valid entries.

7.3 The winner's first name and county may be made available on request to other entrants for a period of 90 days after the Closing Date.

8. Data protection

Personal data provided by entrants will be processed in accordance with the Privacy Policy for this competition. By entering, you confirm that you have read and understood that policy.

9. Liability

9.1 Nothing in these terms limits or excludes the Promoter's liability for death or personal injury caused by its negligence, fraud or any other liability that cannot be limited or excluded by law.

9.2 Subject to clause 9.1, neither the Promoter nor Merlin is responsible for any technical failure, lost, late, incomplete, corrupted or misdirected entries, or for any loss or damage suffered as a result of entering this competition or accepting any prize.

10. General

10.1 The Promoter reserves the right to amend, suspend or terminate the competition at any time if circumstances beyond its reasonable control make this necessary.

10.2 The Promoter reserves the right to disqualify any entrant it reasonably believes has breached these terms or engaged in fraudulent, dishonest or unsporting behaviour.

10.3 This competition is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or any other social media platform.

10.4 These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising in connection with them.