1 / 6Merseyside packs a huge amount into a small patch of the North West. In a single weekend you can go eye-to-eye with lions on a drive-through safari, cruise the famous River Mersey, dig into dinosaurs and space at a free museum, or run down giant sand dunes chasing red squirrels. Here are our favourite family-friendly days out across Liverpool, the Wirral, Knowsley and Sefton, with a mix of big-ticket attractions and brilliant free options for every budget.
🎟️See things to do in Merseyside on GetYourGuide →Knowsley Safari
Set across 550 acres in Prescot, Knowsley Safari is one of the region's biggest family adventures. You drive your own car through a 5-mile safari where lions, baboons and rhinos roam close by, then explore the Foot Safari on foot to meet tigers, giraffes, meerkats and sea lions. Kids love watching the cheeky baboons clamber over cars, the sea lion show, the birds-of-prey displays and the small fairground and farm animals, and under-3s go free. It's a full day out in Knowsley, so arrive early to fit everything in.
Mersey Ferries River Explorer Cruise
No trip to Liverpool is complete without a spin on the Mersey. This 50-minute round-trip cruise sets off from Pier Head and takes in Liverpool's UNESCO waterfront, with live commentary on the city's history along the way. It's a proper boat ride children can walk around on, complete with the famous 'Ferry Cross the Mersey' song and big views of the Liver Building and docks. Short, easy and stroller-friendly, it's a great low-effort outing that even younger kids enjoy.
The Beatles Story
Down at the Royal Albert Dock, The Beatles Story is an immersive museum that tells the tale of the Fab Four through recreated sets like the Cavern Club, with an audio guide included. Families and older kids stay engaged walking through scenes such as a yellow submarine and the Cavern, and there's a Discovery Zone with hands-on music activities to keep little ones busy. It pairs perfectly with a waterfront stroll and a ferry trip for a full Liverpool day.
Eureka! Science + Discovery
Over on the Wirral at Seacombe Ferry Terminal, Eureka! Science + Discovery is a hands-on centre aimed at children up to around 14, packed with interactive STEAM exhibits. Everything is designed to touch, build and experiment with, from how the body works to making and doing, plus a planetarium dome. It's purpose-built for curious kids to run around and play, making it a great rainy-day choice, and you can reach it by ferry for extra adventure.
World Museum
On William Brown Street in Liverpool, the free five-floor World Museum covers dinosaurs, Ancient Egypt, space and the natural world, and includes an aquarium, a Bug House and Britain's only free planetarium. Children can marvel at dinosaurs, live bugs and fish, explore the hands-on Little Liverpool zone for under-6s, and catch free planetarium shows. It's a whole rainy day out at zero entry cost, so it's hard to beat for value.
Formby (Red Squirrels & Pinewoods)
This National Trust site on the Sefton coast is a magical mix of pinewoods, vast sand dunes and a huge natural beach, and it's home to a rare colony of red squirrels. Kids love spotting the wild squirrels among the pines, then racing down the enormous dunes and exploring the open beach. It's free to enter (with a parking charge for non-members) and dog-friendly, so it's an easy, wallet-friendly day in nature.
Adventure Coast Southport
On Southport's Marine Drive, Adventure Coast (the former Pleasureland) is a classic seafront amusement park with rollercoasters, family rides, dodgems and arcade attractions. Entry is free with a pay-per-ride model, so families can pick a few thrills, from gentle kiddie rides through to coasters, without committing to a full-day ticket. Right by the beach and seaside town, it's an easy add-on to a day in Southport.
Tips for a family day out
- Book ahead where you can. For popular paid attractions like Knowsley Safari and The Beatles Story, buying tickets in advance saves queueing and often secures your preferred slot.
- Mix paid and free. Pair a big-ticket day with free options like the World Museum or Formby to keep costs down across a weekend.
- Use the ferry. The Mersey Ferries link Liverpool and the Wirral, so you can combine a river cruise with Eureka! at Seacombe.
- Check ages and access. Under-3s go free at Knowsley Safari, and several sites are stroller and dog-friendly, so check before you travel.
- Plan for weather. Keep an indoor option like the World Museum or Eureka! in your back pocket for rainy days.
FAQs
What are the best family days out in Merseyside?
Top picks include Knowsley Safari for wildlife, a Mersey Ferries river cruise, The Beatles Story at the Royal Albert Dock, and free options such as the World Museum and Formby's red squirrels and dunes.
Are there free things to do with kids in Merseyside?
Yes. The World Museum in Liverpool has free entry (including Britain's only free planetarium), and Formby is free to enter with only a parking charge for non-members. Adventure Coast Southport is also free to enter with pay-per-ride.
What can we do on a rainy day in Merseyside?
Head indoors to the World Museum in Liverpool or Eureka! Science + Discovery on the Wirral, both packed with hands-on exhibits, or explore The Beatles Story museum at the Royal Albert Dock.
🎟️ Top things to do in Merseyside
Skip the queues with pre-booked tickets. Compare prices across GetYourGuide and Tiqets — both offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
#ad — we earn a small commission at no cost to you when you book through our links.
