Many parents face the daily challenge of trying to haul their kids away from the phones and games consoles they spend much of their lives glued to.

In what often transpires to be a futile bid, we attempt to convince them of the benefits of exploring the great outdoors and all it has to offer.

As the father of a 14-year-old girl and nine-year-old boy, I know the struggle only too well.

Which is why my wife and I jumped at the chance to take them on an activity weekend to an adventure site in East Sussex.

The place

On a Friday afternoon we drove the hour-and-a-half to the Windmill Hill Adventure Centre in Halisham, close to the coast on the Sussex Downs.

The site is run by PGL, an operator best known for offering action-packed activity trips for schools and - out of term-time - children looking for a parent-free break.

But PGL also hosts families at selected centres, and we were among those to enjoy a three-night stay at the picturesque Windmill Hill site.

It's set in sprawling grounds surrounded by green fields and trees, really cementing the feeling you're on an outdoor adventure trip.

Dotted across the site, around accommodation blocks, a clubhouse, huge sports hall and more, are various areas for the centre's main attraction - the activities.

What can you do?

Being active is what PGL is all about, and there's no shortage of activities to enjoy.

In our welcome pack was a timetable of what we would be doing across the weekend as part of an allocated group with three other families.

You do two activities in the morning and two in the afternoon, with a break for lunch in between.

There really is something for everyone, evidenced by the fact my wife, kids and I each had a different favourite of the trip.

For me it was problem-solving - one of the few activities in which you don't get wet, and can keep your feet on the ground.

My wife's favourite was canoeing, which was made all the better by the excellent PGL rep who had a series of competitions lined up to quickly dispel any belief we would be enjoying a leisurely paddle.

My thrill-seeking son loved the zipline, managing to fit in three descents during our timeslot as a few people decided even one was too many for them.

Unsurprisingly, my daughter was a fan of axe-throwing, which provided a welcome opportunity for her to release some teenage angst.

We also tried our hand at archery, climbing, raft-building and a giant swing, which will make your stomach drop - especially if you get pulled to the top!

Outside of the planned activities, there's also an outdoor heated swimming pool open twice a day, although we didn't take the plunge.

The food

Think school canteen meets all-inclusive buffet at a budget hotel and you won't be far off - it was right up my street.

For breakfast there were all the options you'd expect, including fry-ups, a range of cereals, fresh fruit and toast.

There were set menus for lunch and dinner, with more than enough choice each day, and a well-stocked salad bar offering some tasty pasta dishes.

During our stay the meals we enjoyed included fish and chips, katsu curry, hot dogs, spaghetti bolognese and even a Sunday roast.

The fact we were on an active, calorie-burning holiday meant we were able to convince ourselves there was more than enough room for a starter and dessert each day - the scales on our return said otherwise.

All in all, there were certainly no complaints on the culinary front.

After dark

Every evening we popped to the clubhouse, where the entertainment included a quiz night, bingo and karaoke.

There's a paid bar where adults who've had their nerves jangled during the day can enjoy a drink, although £5.20 for a draught Budweiser (the only lager on tap) was a little painful.

There's a dartboard, on which my son learned a few valuable lessons about his dad's competitiveness, and a stack of boardgames for families to enjoy. My daughter is still living off her success in the Walkers' Connect 4 Championship.

The accommodation

If you're looking for luxury, this isn't the place for you, but PGL doesn't profess to offer anything but the basic home comforts.

Our room had two single beds and a set of bunk beds for the kids, which were all comfortable enough.

There were two other rooms, both with sinks - one with a shower and the other a toilet.

Most importantly, there was a kettle, so each day got off to the perfect start.

Verdict

For a family like ours, who typically go away and spend each morning painstakingly deciding what it is we'll be doing that day, PGL was brilliant.

It's not often we can talk our kids (well, the teenager at least) into doing much as a group, so it was great to enjoy some fun activities together, and outside to boot.

The PGL reps were brilliantly hospitable and great with both parents and children alike, and for such an action-packed weekend it actually felt pretty relaxing.

We'd definitely go again.

Where to stay and how much it costs

PGL offers kids-only stays at 10 of its centres, including Boreatton Park near Shrewsbury, Liddington near Swindon, Marchants Hill in Surrey, Osmington Bay in Weymouth, and Winmarleigh Hall in Preston.

Prices for a family of four start at £728 for a two-night stay, and Kids Adventure Camps start at £315 for a three-night stay. All costs include accommodation, food and activities.

For the October half-term PGL is putting on a special Halloween break, welcoming guests in fancy dress and hosting a range of spooky entertainment.

It is offering 20% off seven-night kids-only breaks, and the same discount for all family adventure holidays.

Kids-only stays are available for three, four and seven nights from October 22.

For more information on PGL’s offers, click here.