1 / 6Lancashire is one of the north west's best counties for a family day out, with the seaside thrills of Blackpool sitting alongside wildlife reserves, hilltop parks and rainy-day indoor attractions. Whether you have toddlers who love a splash zone or teens chasing roller coasters, here are the best days out with kids in Lancashire, all confirmed and ready to plan around.
🎟️See things to do in Lancashire on GetYourGuide →Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is a historic seaside amusement park on Blackpool's South Shore, with over 40 rides ranging from wooden coasters like the Big One and Grand National to the Nickelodeon Land family zone. The huge spread of rides means thrills for teens and gentle carousels and Nickelodeon characters for younger kids, all covered by one all-day ticket, making it a classic full-day trip in Blackpool.
Blackpool Zoo
Blackpool Zoo is a 37-acre zoo home to around 1,000 animals including elephants, big cats, gorillas and sea lions, plus a Project Elephant Base Camp. Daily keeper talks and feeds, walk-through enclosures, a Dinosaur Safari trail and a play area keep children engaged for a full day out in Blackpool.
SEA LIFE Blackpool
SEA LIFE Blackpool is an indoor aquarium on the Promenade with over 2,500 creatures, an underwater tunnel, tropical sharks, rays and seahorses. Undercover, walk-round and quick to do, with an ocean tunnel and interactive rockpool touch tanks that little kids love, it makes an ideal rainy-day option in Blackpool.
The Blackpool Tower
The Blackpool Tower is an iconic 158m tower complex housing the glass-floored Tower Eye viewing deck, the Blackpool Tower Dungeon, Circus and Ballroom. The 4D Eye experience and the theatrical, actor-led Dungeon give older kids a memorable landmark day in Blackpool, and combined tickets cover several attractions in one visit.
Sandcastle Waterpark
Sandcastle Waterpark is the UK's largest indoor waterpark, sitting opposite the Pleasure Beach in Blackpool, with 18+ slides, a wave pool, lazy river and a tropical 84F climate year-round. Toddler splash zones plus big flumes like Montazooma and the Master Blaster suit all ages, and it stays warm and dry whatever the weather.
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre is a Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust reserve near Burscough and Ormskirk, with hides, a canoe safari, otters, flamingos and thousands of migratory birds. Pond dipping, a large natural play area, feeding the ducks and swans, and seasonal events make it a hands-on outdoor day for families.
Brockholes Nature Reserve
Brockholes Nature Reserve is a Lancashire Wildlife Trust reserve at Samlesbury near Preston, just off M6 J31, and home to the UK's first floating visitor village alongside lakes, woodland and wildlife trails. Free entry (parking is charged), natural wooden play areas, bird hides and buggy-friendly trails make it an easy, low-cost family day outdoors.
Williamson Park & Butterfly House
Williamson Park in Lancaster is a 54-acre hilltop Victorian park featuring the landmark Ashton Memorial, woodland walks, a tropical Butterfly House and a mini zoo. The free parkland has excellent play areas and panoramic views, plus a low-cost Butterfly House and animal encounters that younger children love.
Tips for a family day out
Blackpool clusters several attractions close together, so combining the Pleasure Beach, Sandcastle Waterpark and SEA LIFE into one seaside base saves travel time with little ones. Book tickets ahead online where you can to skip queues and lock in the best prices, and keep a rainy-day option like SEA LIFE Blackpool or Sandcastle Waterpark in reserve. For lower-cost days, the wetland reserves and parks near Preston and Lancaster offer plenty of outdoor space, so pack layers, wellies and a picnic and let the kids roam.
FAQs
What are the best days out with kids in Lancashire? Blackpool is the star with the Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Zoo, SEA LIFE, The Blackpool Tower and Sandcastle Waterpark, while WWT Martin Mere, Brockholes Nature Reserve and Williamson Park add great-value outdoor days elsewhere in the county.
What can we do in Lancashire on a rainy day? SEA LIFE Blackpool and Sandcastle Waterpark are both fully indoor, and The Blackpool Tower complex offers covered attractions like the Dungeon and Tower Eye, making them reliable options when the weather turns.
Are there free or low-cost family days out in Lancashire? Yes. Brockholes Nature Reserve has free entry (with paid parking) and Williamson Park offers free parkland with play areas, so you can enjoy a full day out with only small extras like the Butterfly House.
🎟️ Top things to do in Lancashire
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