50+ things to do with kids in the UK this summer (2026)

School holidays. Six weeks. Three (maybe four) sunny days if you're lucky. Here's our hand-picked list of 50+ things to do with kids in the UK this summer — sorted by what kind of day you're after. Free ideas, theme-park days, beach trips, rainy-day rescues, the lot.

How to use this list: jump to the section that suits your day — or skim the lot. Every section has a more detailed dedicated guide linked at the end. We update this throughout summer, so bookmark it.

Free things to do (no money required)

1. Find a forest trail near you — Forestry England has 1,500+ free woodland trails across England. forestryengland.uk
2. National Trust outdoor spaces — most parkland is free even without membership. Bring a kite.
3. Wildlife Trusts nature reserves — 2,300+ across the UK, all free. Pond-dipping, bug hunts, sometimes free wildlife trails.
4. Beach combing on the South Coast — Studland, West Wittering, Brean. Pack a bucket, find shells.
5. Free family days at major museums — Natural History Museum, Science Museum, V&A all free year-round.
6. Canal towpath walks — find ducks and longboats. Try the Regent's Canal (London), Kennet & Avon, or Caledonian.
7. Local library Summer Reading Challenge — free, runs all summer, kids earn rewards.
8. Geocaching — free app, treasure-hunt walks anywhere. Magic for 6–12 year olds.
9. Free heritage open days — historic buildings open to the public, mid-September. Worth knowing about.
10. Park games + picnics — bring a frisbee, a paddling pool, a football. Sometimes the simplest wins.

→ Full guide: 15 free things to do with kids this summer (UK)

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UK theme parks

Worth the entry price if you pick the right one for your kids' ages.

11. Alton Towers — best for thrill-seekers age 10+. CBeebies Land for younger kids.
12. Thorpe Park — older kids and teens. Brutal coasters.
13. Chessington World of Adventures — best for under-10s. Combined with zoo.
14. Drayton Manor — Thomas Land for preschoolers. Underrated.
15. Paultons Park (home of Peppa Pig World) — gold standard for toddlers + early primary.
16. Legoland Windsor — Lego-obsessed kids only. Pricey but excellent.
17. Flamingo Land (Yorkshire) — theme park + zoo combo. Solid all-rounder.
18. Blackpool Pleasure Beach — old-school British seaside fun. Cheap if you don't ride.
19. Adventure Island Southend — pay-per-ride or wristband. No entry fee.

→ Full guide: Best UK theme parks for families 2026 (with cost comparisons)

Cheap days out (everything under £20)

20. Sea Life centres — typically £10–18 per person, free for under 3s.
21. National Sealife Centre Birmingham — £14–20 booked in advance.
22. Cadbury World — chocolate tour + play area. ~£17 adults.
23. Local farm parks — usually £8–14 per person. Far cheaper than theme parks.
24. Trampoline parks — Oxygen, Flip Out, Gravity. ~£10–15 per hour.
25. Soft play centres — rainy-day rescuer. ~£8–12 per child.
26. Mini-golf — Adventure Island, Junkyard Golf Club. Around £10–15.
27. Local lidos + outdoor pools — Brockwell, Hampton, Hathersage Park. Cheap and brilliant in sun.
28. Steam railway day-rover tickets — Watercress Line, Bluebell Railway, North Yorkshire Moors. ~£15–18 adults.

→ Full guide: Cheap UK days out with kids — every idea under £20

UK beaches for families

29. Camber Sands, East Sussex — proper sandy beach + dunes. Easy from London.
30. Bournemouth — 7 miles of beach, pier, decent transport.
31. Woolacombe, Devon — Blue Flag award. Surf school for older kids.
32. Saunton Sands, North Devon — endless flat sand, ideal for under-5s.
33. Studland Bay, Dorset — gentle waves, National Trust car park.
34. West Wittering, West Sussex — pristine sand. Get there early — car park fills.
35. Cromer, Norfolk — proper Victorian pier + crabbing. Great half-day stop.
36. Tenby, Pembrokeshire — picture-postcard. Three beaches, harbour, ice cream.

→ Full guide: Best UK beaches for kids 2026

Wet weather rescue (it's the UK, you'll need it)

37. The Eden Project, Cornwall — huge biomes, classic indoor day out.
38. National Space Centre, Leicester — astronaut-grade fun, ~£18 adults.
39. Natural History Museum, London — free, dinosaurs, easy half-day.
40. Jorvik Viking Centre, York — short, immersive, kids love it.
41. Cadbury World, Birmingham — already mentioned, but it's so good for rainy days.
42. SEA LIFE London (Aquarium) — pricey but reliable indoor winner.
43. Cinemas with kids' clubs — Vue, Cineworld, Odeon all do £2.50 family screenings on weekend mornings.
44. Indoor karting + bowling combos — TeamSport, Hollywood Bowl, Tenpin. ~£15–25.

→ Full guide: 12 indoor things to do with kids when it rains

Big experiences — go-once-this-summer ideas

45. Harry Potter Studio Tour, Watford — ~£55 per person but a proper bucket-list day for fans.
46. London Zoo / Whipsnade — large enough for a full day. ~£28 adults online.
47. Warwick Castle — pricey full day. Combine with overnight in town.
48. Center Parcs short break — splurge. Subtropical Swimming Paradise + bikes. 3-night breaks from ~£399 for family of 4.
49. Butlin's classic seaside — Bognor, Skegness or Minehead. Up to 40% off summer 2026 sale running now.
50. UK festival with a family field — Camp Bestival, Wilderness, Belladrum. Best one-shot summer memory.

How we put this list together

Everything here is either personal experience (Wayne's parented kids around all of this) or sourced from National Trust, English Heritage, Visit Britain and individual venue sites. Prices are 2026 advance-online (pay-on-the-door is usually higher). Always check venue site for the latest before driving.

For each themed list, click through to the full guide where we go deeper on cost, age-suitability, opening hours and what to bring.

More UK family day-out guides

• The big list: 50+ things to do with kids in the UK this summer
• 15 free things to do with kids this summer (UK)
• Best UK theme parks for families 2026
• Cheap days out with kids — every idea under £20
• Best UK beaches for families 2026
• Rainy day? 12 indoor things to do with kids around the UK

🎁 FREE — WIN £50 EVERY MONTH

Get the £50 Inspire Travel Card every month

Subscribe to The Boarding Pass Club newsletter — get our hand-picked UK family day-out ideas + you're auto-entered to win a £50 travel card every month. Spend it at TUI, Jet2, Booking.com, Travelodge, Premier Inn + more.

Enter the draw — it's free →