Brilliant days out for kids in and around Bournemouth
We are a couple of weeks into the summer holidays and living in Bournemouth, I am often asked for tips on family days out locally!.
So without further ado, here are some of our favourite days out with the kids in the BH postcode.
Moors Valley Country Park
Moors Valley is one of our favourite destinations for year round fun and the best bit is that it is FREE!!
For toddlers and younger children, meet the Gruffalo characters and complete the Zog Trail. Activity packs are available from the Visitor Centre for £3, but the trail is easy to complete without them.
The mile long Play Trail is my kids favourite thing to do and it has been updated and added to in recent years with some fab new climbing frames and activities.
There is also a Tree Top Trail, which allows you to walk through the trees, 5m above the ground, two adventure play parks, a picnic area and a lake where you can feed the ducks and swans.
There are also paid activities at Moors Valley including the miniature railway, nature workshops, bike hire and Go Ape. which has High Ropes courses for children and adults and also does Segway Tours.
Parking can be expensive (£12 for the day in high season), however park at nearby Potterne Park for free and walk, cycle or scoot to Moors Valley. It takes around 15-20 minutes.
Altitude High Ropes
Set in Littledown Park, Altitude High Ropes has five challenging activities for children aged 5 and over: Low Ropes, High Ropes, Zip Wire, Climbing Wall and Power Fan Descender.
Children aged 8 and over can climb unaccompanied, but be aware that you will need to brave the challenge too with younger kids.
Parking is free and there is also a large duck pond so you can feed the ducks, a children’s paddling pool and adventure playground.
Use discount code CM20 for 20% off any package bookings!
RockReef
Set on Bournemouth Pier, Rockreef indoor climbing centre is a brilliant day out for a rainy day.
Rockreef has 25 unique Clip ‘n’ Climb walls, the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ climbing challenge, a high ropes course, a vertical slide, leap of faith challenge and caving to test even the bravest adventurers.
Rockreef is also home to the PierZip, the world’s first pier to shore zip wire, boasting a 250 metre dual zip line which you can race down with a friend.
I am excited to reveal that RockReef Bournemouth Oceanarium have joined forces to offer a dual attraction discounted ticket to visitors over the summer period.
The promotion offers savings of up to 30% at the Oceanarium and 20% off all RockReef activities and the PierZip, throughout the summer, until 30th September 2019.
Oceanarium
Bournemouth Oceanarium is small, but perfectly formed and you will find yourself coming face to face with sharks, turtles, stingrays, a crocodile, jellyfish, clownfish and the very cute otter family.
It has been updated and added to in recent years and one of the kids favourite parts is Penguin Beach, where you can watch them being fed or enjoying the weather, or head downstairs to see them swimming under the water.
Christchurch Quay
A visit to Christchurch Quay is a lovely day out. Not only can you enjoy some riverside walks and feed the ducks, but there is also an old castle ruin explore and climb, then roll down the really steep hill.
Don’t forget your swimsuits, as the quay is also home to a brilliant adventure play park and the Quomps splash park.
Tower Park
Tower Park is the place to go on rainy days as is home to some fabulous places to visit with the kids:
Lemur Landings – a huge children’s indoor soft play for under 12s. It has a role play village for the under 6’s, a toddler playframe and a huge playframe for older kids, sky tykes low ropes course, a LED climbing wall and a Digi Wall.
Splashdown – is fast becoming the kids favourite day out out, now they are getting older. It is a water park that features both indoor and outdoor slides, a toddler play area and a small swimming pool.
Hollywood Bowl – there are two Hollywood Bowl sites in Bournemouth and Poole – this one at Tower Park and one closer to Bournemouth town centre in Branksome
Tower Park is also home to Cineworld and several chain restaurants including TGI Friday, Pizza Hut, Pizza Express, Nando’s and more…….
Adventure Wonderland
Set opposite Bournemouth Airport, Adventure Wonderland is a family theme park for the under 12’s.
You really can spend a full day there as there is a ride range of rides and attractions for the kids to try, the Wild Thing indoor soft play area, a large maze, a petting area and their very own theatre where they put on Alice in Wonderland inspired shows.
Snowtrax
Snowtrax outdoor activity centre offers Skiing lessons, Snowboarding tuition, Ringos and Ski Bobs on dry ski slopes.
Attached to the ski slopes is their large Alpine Adventure Park, complete with a huge pirate ship climbing frame, trampolines and play equipment to suit the fussiest of children.
Mighty Claws Adventure Golf
There are several adventure / crazy golf attractions in and around Bournemouth and one of our favourites is the Jurassic themed Mighty Claws.
Mighty Claws is crazy golf paired with animatronic dinosaurs that will delight fans of the huge creatures.
Mr Mulligans
My second adventure golf to add to the list, Mr Mulligans is set inside central Bournemouth’s BH2, which has 3 spectacular Hollywood-themed courses, spread across 2 levels and is perfect for a rainy day.
Farmer Palmers
Just about squeezing into the BH postcode, Farmer Palmers is located in Organford near Poole and is a brilliant day out for kids.
With several play areas, bouncy castles and the chance to meet and feed farm animals, the kids won’t want to leave!
The Beach!!
Of course, there is always the seaside, with 7 miles of sandy beaches to choose from.
The area around Bournemouth Pier is always busiest, so if you prefer somewhere a little quieter, head towards Southbourne or Durley Chine.
For added safety there is a child safety scheme that runs across Bournemouth and Poole’s beaches every summer to coincide with the school holidays.
The initiative has been running for 11 years and works by giving children free colour coded wristbands that match up with clearly marked zones along the seafront.
What activities do you enjoy in and around Bournemouth?
Laura
Looks like a fantastic amount to do. We will keep an eye out for some of these things to do when we’re that way.
Treasure Every Moment
These all look like so much fun and perfect ideas for the summer holidays! I love the look of the Altitude Ropes, as my eldest daughter recently did Go Ape and loved it, so she’d really enjoy it there 🙂
Lyndsey O'Halloran
Erin would definitely like Oceanarium and Lemur Landings. There’s so much to do in Bournemouth!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
I didn’t realise there was so much to do around Bournemouth. I think my kids would love the beach most 🙂
Rebecca Smith
It sounds like there is plenty to do. We were actually considering coming to Bournemouth for a couple of days the other week, definitely putting it on my list of places to visit.
Siobhan | The Baby Boat Diaries
Some great looking picks here! I love the look of the Zog trail will have to have a look if there is one local to me!
OddHogg
Bournemouth is one of the areas we want to visit one day with our kids. it’s great to see that there are so many options for activities in the area
Valerie
All of those places sound like a great choice for kids to have a fun day. I love aquariums, I’d bet I could spend a whole day there myself.
michelle twin mum
I love your area so muhc, I look at all those and I’m transported back. I think I miss the beach most though. Alum Chine is where we always go. Mich x
Chad
The place looks amazing! I love it! Such a great place to have good fun activities with my family. Thanks a lot.
Tamara
This looks like so much fun.
kumamonjeng
The new climbing frames look super fun for the kids to explore. It will help up with their confidence level too.
Kira
We are in Bournemouth next month . Can’t wait! So much to do
Kami | Life with Kami
This place looks like so much fun, my kids would love it there.
WhatLauraLoves
Its great that theres so much to do for kids where they can be active! xxx
Arya
What a great way and place to make family memories!
fashionandstylepolice
Fab places to visit here. If only we lived closer.
Pati Robins
awww how wonderful looks like you all had a trully fantastic time
Aimee Bradley
There are quite a few of our favourites here. We love adventure and we will be doing the country park next week. So many great choices
Emma Raphael
So many fun things to do. I keep hearing great things about Moores Valley, will have to go! Love Bournemouth, my kids first taste of an English beach!
Heather
This looks like such a fun place. I’m sure my kids would absolutely love it there.
Laura - Dear Bear and Beany
We love Moors Valley, such a great day out. Bournemouth has so much on offer!
Bella and Dawn at Dear Mummy Blog
We loved visiting Farmer Palmers and Moors Valley when we were last down but going to check out the other suggestions! Mighty Claws sounds fun!
alexandra cook
Wow, this place looks incredible. There’s so much to do and see there! Looks like a brilliant place to take the whole family
Kirsty
Rock reef looks like a lot of fun I lived rock climbing activities when I was a kid. Not sure how I would fair on the zip line though!
Jackline A
Such a cute post. It looks like your kids had a wonderful time in Bournemouth. So much to do there.
Lorna @ Gin & Lemonade
That zipline, though. But I’d love to go to the Oceanarium!
Yeah Lifestyle
We have not been to Bournemouth before but it looks like there is lots to do for kids, RockReef is something we would love to go to as our kids love climbing
Laura Schwormstedt
That Zipline looks like so much fun – right up my street. I had no idea there were so many fantastic things to do in Bournemouth – thanks so much for sharing
Laura x
Jenni
What a great selection of activities! You wouldn’t get me on to the climbing things, but I love the look of the dinosaur adventure golf and you can never go wrong with the beach.