With its lengthy golden sand seaside and string of household points of interest, itโs no marvel that so many holidays are booked in Bournemouth with children.
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Iโve visited Bournemouth and neighbouring Poole with my daughter quite a lot of instances, each when the solarโs shining and out of peak season in early Spring and late Autumn, and weโve by no means been bored but.
So in the event youโre on the lookout for a household vacation by the seaside, right hereโs my decide of the very best issues to do in Bournemouth with children, in addition to concepts for Poole and simple day journeys.
Hit the seasideย
With a powerful seven miles of award-winning seashores, no journey to Bournemouth with children is full with out a while on the seaside.
If itโs not the climate to paddle, thereโs a promenade alongside the again of the seaside and you may stroll all the way down to Poole and Sandbanks past, in addition to all the way down to Hengistbury Head, or wander alongside the cliff path for a part of the way in which (be careful for the goats on the cliffs!)
When the solar is shining, youโll discover a number of the warmest sea temperatures within the UK, and on a transparent day you’ll be able to see out to the Isle of Wight in addition to Previous Harry Rocks.
Made up of a string of seashores, they do all merge into the opposite, so that youโll discover Blue Flag seashores, dog-friendly seashores, loads of house for sandcastles, in addition to folks having fun with watersports alongside right here.
You would rent a seaside hut in the event you fancy, and through the summer time months, the Allianz KidZone seaside security scheme makes certain any misplaced kids (and weak adults) are shortly reunited with their households or guardians. Runs from July 14-September 3.
For concepts of entertain children on the seaside, try my put up of the very best seaside actions
Wander alongside Bournemouth Pier
When youโre having fun with the seaside, head down for a stroll alongside Bournemouth Pier โ itโs free low season, or thereโs a small payment throughout the principle season.
Initially opened within the nineteenth century, lately the pier is residence to a big arcade with video games, numerous retailers promoting souvenirs, solar hats, ice cream and extra, plus the Rock Reef exercise centre (learn on for extra about that).
There are additionally a few eating places, the place you’ll be able to loosen up with a drink or one thing to eat and benefit from the views out throughout the ocean. Or the Oceanarium can be subsequent to the pier, so itโs straightforward to mix the 2.
The Oceanarium, Bournemouth
On the different finish of the county, you’ll be able to uncover penguins and sea turtles, together with dwarf crocodiles and otters (plus big numbers of fish, in fact) on the 12 themed environments of The Oceanarium in Bournemouth.
Take a look at my Bournemouth Oceanarium evaluate after our personal go to throughout a really wet day in Bournemouth with children
Thereโs an Journey Quiz Path to finish, whereas children can measure themselves in opposition to a penguin (in addition to watching them waddle).
Maintain a watch out on the dayโs actions for talks and feeding instances, with an opportunity to see otters, penguins and sharks getting fed. Plus there are particular animal experiences so as to add some VIP enjoyable to your go to.
Rock Reef, Bournemouth
Whether or not youโre visiting Bournemouth in the summertime or on a wet day, thereโs one thing to entertain everybody at Rock Reef.
The exercise centre on the tip of the pier is good for adventurous children. Older children may even fly over the waves (and make consider youโre going to maintain going underneath) with the RockReef Pierzip Line.
Operating fromย a 25m excessive platform, you pace the 250 metres all the way down to the seaside in 30 seconds โ and because itโs a twin zipwire, you’ll be able to race a buddy down. Appropriate for teenagers over 1.3m.
You should purchase PierZip tickets with free cancellation right here
Deliberate to spend the day at Bournemouth Seashore however received caught out by the rain? The adrenaline-fuelled journey centre additionally has 28 themed indoor climbing partitions with completely different levels of problem for teenagers 4 and above (and adults too, in fact).
Thereโs additionally a vertical drop slide, a excessive ropes aerial impediment course, and an indoor caving expertise to attempt.
Purchase RockReef tickets with free cancellation right here, plus an choice to order now, pay later
Bournemouth Aviation Museum
In case your children love all issues transport, Dorset can be residence to the Bournemouth Aviation Museum the place you’ll be able to sit contained in the cockpit of quite a lot of planes and helicopters, in addition to getting arms on with a number of the interactive shows, to not point out a flight simulator.
As an added bonus, itโs close to the airport for some added aircraft recognizing! Itโs price realizing that the plane are all outside, so the museum does sometimes shut in very unhealthy climate, notably if there are excessive winds โ greatest for a drizzly day when you’ll be able to sprint from one aircraft to a different.
For extra concepts of the very best issues to do in Dorset with children, try my prime picks
Metropolis Sightseeing Bournemouth open-top bus
Hop-on hop-off bus excursions may be a good way to discover with children, as a extra scenic method of getting from A to B or to soak up a number of the highlights in a single journey.
The Metropolis Sightseeing open-top double deckers go away from Bournemouth Pier and Poole Quay, travelling across the Sandbanks peninsula in addition to Poole Quay.
You may select 24h and 48h tickets, and the whole loop takes round 90 minutes. Runs from late March to late September.
Mr Mulliganโs Bournemouth
This loopy golf course is actually out of this world โ and because the intergalactic course (suppose house invaders fairly than sci-fi) at Mr Mulliganโs is all indoors, itโs an amazing choice for wet days in Dorset.
Permit round an hour for the 18-hole course (relying on the variety of gamers) which sees you attempt to putt previous aliens and spaceships. Over-18s solely after 8.45pm however in any other case households are welcome to tackle the problem.
Smugglers Cove journey golf
Youโre spoiled for selection in the case of journey golf in Bournemouth โ Smugglers Cove is one other 18-hold mini golf course themed across the cityโs smuggling historical past.
Youโll end up attempting to get previous obstacles together with treacherous rocks, waterfalls and church ruins, amongst different challenges as you battle your loved ones for {the golfing} crown.
Good for mini pirates, though it does shut over the winter months. Could the very best smuggler win!
Go to the Upside Down Home
Flip your world the other way up and get some improbable enjoyable photographs as a memento of your Bournemouth journey on the Upside Down Home.
One in all many throughout the nation, every is designed barely in a different way, however at all times to allow you to seize some surreal photographs, whether or not you appear to be hanging from the ceiling or holding a mattress above your head.
Discover it close to the Vacationer Data Centre and the Pavilion.
Journey Wonderland, Bournemouth
Reopening 2025 after renovations and with new points of interest deliberate
This Dorset theme park is themed round Alice in Wonderland, and has been named one among Dorsetโs prime household points of interest โ in addition to rides, thereโs a maze, the Wild Factor indoor play, gentle play and different actions, all geared toward households with kids aged 3 to 10.
There are some minimal peak restrictions (and some most heights!) however Journey Wonderland is a good choice with children of various ages.
Alum Chine Tropical Gardens
Transport your self to the tropics with a wander via the free Alum Chine Tropical gardens โ with the seaside within the distance and the solar shining, itโs straightforward to consider youโve left Dorset behind.
Relationship again to the Nineteen Twenties, the paths weave round palm timber and flowering crops, with benches to cease and absorb the views.
Theyโre straightforward to succeed in from the Blue Flag seaside under, and thereโs additionally a Treasure Island-themed play space close by if children fancy one thing extra energetic than a delicate stroll.
By the way, in the event youโre questioning what a โchineโ is, itโs a steep dry river valley โ youโll discover 4 inside Bournemouth, typically now with paths and stairs main between the seaside and the cliffs.
Go to a play cafe
Whereas thereโs gentle play to get pleasure from in Bournemouth as in most cities, youโve additionally received one other selection of enjoyable days out for toddlers and preschoolers, at one of many play cafes.
With function play in addition to instructional toys (though theyโll be having far an excessive amount of enjoyable to grasp theyโre studying), it makes an amazing choice with youthful children โ plus an opportunity for folks to loosen up.
Youngsters Play Cafe is geared toward kids aged 0-6, with two places together with one in Charminster, a brief drive from Bournemouth seaside, with the emphasis on studying via play in some enjoyable fantasy settings in addition to actual life ones.
Wild Ones play cafe in Kinson is for barely youthful children, geared toward ages 0-4. Taking them on an journey into the forest, itโs additionally a brief drive exterior Bournemouth metropolis centre, however properly price trying out.
Or Cosy Village Position Play Cafe is designed for teenagers aged 0-5, very near Wild Ones play cafe in Kinson, with numerous on a regular basis settings for little ones to function play.
Oasis Enjoyable Indoor Centre, Bournemouth
Oasis Enjoyable Bournemouth is the last word rainy-day vacation spot in Bournemouth with children of all ages.ย
The massive indoor play centre has greater than sufficient to do to maintain kids and youths occupied for hours, together with a spacious gentle play space for little ones, 6 bowling alleys, an journey golf course, arcade video games, pool tables, and a restaurant.
The number of actions makes Oasis Enjoyable an amazing spot when you’ve got kids with completely different pursuits too, as everybody can discover one thing to entertain them through the day, and with the most effective gentle play areas in Dorset, itโs a should with toddlers.
Attempt an Escape Room
An escape room is at all times a improbable indoor household exercise, particularly if itโs pouring exterior, notably with older children and youths. You may take a look at your loved onesโs teamwork abilities as you race to seek out clues, clear up puzzles, and try to flee the room earlier than the time runs out.ย
There are some nice escape rooms in Bournemouth, together with Marvo Mysteries and the Lockey.
For extra concepts of the very best issues to do in Dorset within the rain with children, try my prime picks
Centre VR Bournemouthย
Centre VR Bournemouth is the most important VR Centre within the UK and has one of many largest picks of video games and titles in all of Europe.ย
The indoor centre has an enormous number of multiplayer VR experiences that the entire household can get pleasure from, from capturing zombies or defending Mars from assault to taking part in a digital sport of loopy golf or laser tag collectively.
Whereas there isn’t a strict age restrict, the centre means that VR is barely appropriate for youngsters above 7 years, whereas some video games are greatest for these 12+.
Hengistbury Head Customer Centre
Though Hengistbury Head isnโt in Bournemouth itself, itโs so shut (round quarter-hour by automobile), that it ought to positively be in your listing of issues to do in Bournemouth with children.
The right place to go to to find extra in regards to the spaceโs wildlife and geology, the Hengistbury Head Customer Centre is stuffed with interactive shows and makes an amazing place to begin in the event youโre planning to move to Dorsetโs nature reserves or go fossil looking.
It’s also possible to discover the character reserve across the centre, and hop on the little land prepare for some nice views of Christchurch harbour (the land prepare doesnโt run throughout winter months).
On the lookout for someplace to remain in Bournemouth with children? Take a look at my evaluate of Shell Home luxurious self-catering
Issues to do in Poole with children
Whereas Poole and Bournemouth are separate cities, theyโre so shut to one another โ you’ll be able to stroll from Bournemouth Seashore to Poole Seashore with out an excessive amount of effort โ that something in Poole is definitely accessible from Bournemouth too.
Poole boat excursions
If you wish to get out on the water, there are a string of boat excursions and cruises working from Poole Quay, together with the ferry to Brownsea Island.
Take a look at Coastal Cruises working from Poole, taking you alongside the Jurassic Coast and to Swanage.
Or workforce a jaunt round Poole harbour with a visit up the Wareham River with Greenslade Pleasure Boats.
Metropolis Cruises boat excursions from Poole (together with the harbour tour and round excursions to Swanage) are now not working as of mid October 2024
Take a look at my video of our cruise from Poole with Metropolis Cruises to get a style of what youโll see
Splashdown, Poole
In case youโre on the lookout for one thing enjoyable to do on a wet day in Dorset with children, why not make getting drenched enjoyable with a go to to Splashdown waterpark in Poole.
Nice whether or not youโre visiting Dorset with toddlers or older children, thereโs the Rickyโs Reef for youthful ones, Buccaneersโ SplashZone for underneath 8s ย and 13 flumes starting from mild to high-speed thrills, and slides that includes black holes.
Some do enterprise outside however youโll principally be inside. Thereโs a minimal peak restriction of 1m. Youngsters canโt go on the slides with dad and mom. Tickets have to be prebooked.
Flip Out Poole
Flip Out Poole is Dorsetโs largest indoor journey park, with loads of all-weather enjoyable for households.
Situated contained in the Dolphin Buying Centre in Poole, the thrilling journey park contains actions resembling interactive soccer, laser tag, bumper automobiles, a battle cannon space, a curler skating rink, arcade video games, and a gentle play space for toddlers.
You may ebook a 2 or 3 hour expertise which will get you limitless entry to the entire parkโs actions. The park is open to children of all ages, however some actions do have a peak or age restrict, so be certain that to examine upfront.
In contrast to loads of different Flip Out places, itโs price realizing there aren’t any trampolines at Flip Out Poole.
Madness Gaming Arcade, Poole
Madness Arcade is a household pleasant retro gaming arcade in Poole, with over 60 traditional arcade video games and gaming consoles for all children and adults of all ages to get pleasure from.ย
Youโll discover every thing from Guitar Hero and Avenue Fighter to Mario Karts, Sonic the Hedgehog, and extra, so you’ll be able to share a few of your favorite childhood video games together with your little ones.ย
Slightly than utilizing the usual token system, the arcade costs a per-hour entry payment which will get you limitless free use of the entire video games and machines.ย Thereโs additionally an on-site bar and grill to seize lunch when youโre accomplished gaming, making Madness the right rainy-day exercise in Dorset for households.
Upton Nation Park, close to Poole
A grand mansion sits on the coronary heart of Upton Nation Park, simply exterior Poole, however itโs the woodlands that are most tempting for teenagers. (the home does open on Sundays and financial institution holidays for a lot of the yr in the event you fancy peeking inside although).
There’s a nice play space made utilizing pure wooden, or in the event youโre visiting in summer time (or typically throughout surprising heatwaves), a splash fountain to assist cool off within the Walled Backyard.
The cycle routes additionally kind a part of the Castleman Trailway, the outdated Southampton to Dorchester railway line was a delicate 16.5 mile biking and strolling path.
RSPB Arne
This pretty nature reserve overlooking Poole Harbour is a good place to discover with nature-loving children, in addition to infants and toddlers โ there are buggy-friendly paths as you seek for wildlife, together with a low ropes course for barely older children.
Itโs the one place the place all six of the UKโs native reptiles may be discovered, plus birds galore, and there are sometimes kidsโs trails throughout holidays that will help you discover the heathland and historic woodland.
Itโs additionally very near Shipstal seaside if you need some coast together with your countryside.
Day journeys from Bournemouth with children
Go to Brownsea Island
For extra native animals, take a ferry from Poole or Sandbanks over to Brownsea Island, residence to endangered purple squirrels โ excellent for teenagers to scurry round as properly.
Well-known too because the birthplace of Scouting, there are particular calming walks if you wish to wind down plus a household squirrel path and different actions like den constructing.
Take a look at my evaluate of a day exploring Brownsea Island with children
Corfe Fortress
Hint a thousand years of historical past on the now ruined Corfe Fortress โ not least the actual fact it impressed Kirrin Fortress within the Well-known 5 books.
With its homicide holes, secret locations and tales of treachery and treason, to not point out hearsay of royal dying and its place within the Civil Warfare, itโs excellent to let imaginations run wild.
Take a look at my evaluate of a day trip at Corfe Fortress with children
Swanage Railwayย
This pretty heritage steam railway chuffs via the countryside alongside the outdated Southern Railway line between Swanage and Norden, stopping on the ruins of Corfe Fortress โ so it’s also possible to use it as a extra uncommon strategy to get from A to B as properly.
Look out for the providers marked with an โOโ when the particular Statement Automotive can be working, with its big home windows for the very best views, in addition to particular themed providers on the Swanage Railway year-round.
Norden is the closest station to Bournemouth if you wish to lower down on time within the automobile.
Corfe Fortress Mannequin Village
In case youโre planning a go to to the ruins of Corfe Fortress (and even in the event youโre not), you’ll be able to transport your self again to the times when the fortโs partitions nonetheless stood, in 1646 earlier than it was destroyed within the Civil Warfare.
Corfe Fortress mannequin village exhibits folks visiting the church, standing by the moat and customarily getting on with life within the village, whereas there may be additionally a fairy backyard, life-size Civil Warfare troopers on guard plus different actions for households (and dealing shares if anybody misbehaves).
Kingston Lacy
This lovely English nation home has a much more dramatic historical past than the elegant faรงade would possibly recommend โ remodelled to appear to be a Venetian palace, its former proprietor was additionally a famend Egyptologist so you’ll be able to see the most important non-public assortment of historic Egyptian artefacts at Kingston Lacy too.
Residence to paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, Titian and Brueghel, it has additionally been known as the South Westโs โnationwide galleryโ, whereas the massive property is residence to Iron Age hill forts, the worldโs oldest pedigree herd of Ruby Pink Devon cattle, and gardens so spectacular that Queen Victoria despatched her gardeners right here to get inspiration.
Thereโs a woodland path and walks galore too. Restricted numbers are allowed in the home, so be sure to decide up one of many timed tickets once you arrive.
Highcliffe Fortress, Christchurch
Highcliffe Fortress was constructed within the 1830s and has performed host to royalty through the years โ however with childrenโ trails and a few spectacular rooms to find, itโs additionally an amazing place to go to with household in Dorset.
In addition to the formal gardens and woodlands within the grounds, thereโs additionally a seaside and nature reserve to discover. Youโre advisable to prebook tickets, with restricted numbers allowed inside the home itself.
Moors Valley Nation Park
On the border of Hampshire and Dorset, Moors Valley Nation Park makes one other good spot to get outside with children โ and thereโs an added draw for households.
As a result of lurking within the nation park is a fearsome monster, with a toxic wart on the tip of his nostril and purple prickles throughout his again.
One of many places for the string of Forestry England Julia Donaldson trails, itโs nonetheless residence to each a Gruffalo and the Gruffaloโs Baby, alongside the kidsโs Play Path, in addition to different household trails.
Plus, in fact, loads of locations to stroll, cycle or watch the surroundings from a slim gauge steam prepare โ together with a extra adrenaline-fuelled choice on the Go Ape Junior Excessive ropes course, for anybody who fancies themselves the scariest creature within the wooden.
Paultons Park & Peppa Pig World
In case youโre a guardian, chances are high youโll already know of Hampshireโs prime theme park โ as Paultons Park is the house of Peppa Pig World. However in addition to the mild rides and likelihood to satisfy Peppa and George in the event youโre visiting Hampshire with a toddler, thereโs loads extra heart-racing enjoyable.
The household theme park has greater than 70 rides, acres of grounds and animals to satisfy, in addition to a number of themed areas: Misplaced Kingdom is all about dinosaurs, whereas Critter Creek is nice for youthful ones, so thereโs one thing for older and taller children who need some adrenaline thrills in addition to much less scary choices.
Add in playgrounds, a discovery path and different occasions and exhibits, and itโs very straightforward to fill your day trip โ no shock this is among the prime household points of interest in Hampshire.
Take a look at my ideas for visiting Peppa Pig World
Discover the New Forest
One of many loveliest spots in England, the New Forest Nationwide Park is full of fairly villages, pretty walks and most excitingly for small children, ponies which roam freely โ to not point out just a few donkeys.
In case youโre exploring the New Forest, the probabilities are youโll see some alongside the way in which however a very good place to identify themย is close to Brockenhurst, round Beachern Wooden.
Discovering them is an effective excuse to set out on a stroll or a cycle journey. From Brockenhurst, thereโs an off-road path to Financial institution, or we cycled from close by Beaulieu to Bucklers Exhausting on the waterfront. It’s also possible to go canoeing on the river, in addition to discovering a number of the household points of interest within the New Forest.
For extra issues to do within the New Forest with children, try my prime picks
Disclosure: This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks โ any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Oceanarium/Alum Chine/Previous Harry Rocks/Brownsea Island/Corfe Fortress/Peppa Pig World/New Forest copyright MummyTravels, all different photographs courtesy of Depositphotos
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