Days Out In Bournemouth: 10 Activities To Do With Your Kids Now

Image © ianwool via iStock.

Bournemouth is a beautiful coastal town in the south of England, known for its golden sand beaches.

This town has some amazing fun things to do that are family friendly, and a visit here is sure to create memories that will last a lifetime. From activity centres like Go Ape, virtual reality experiences, beautiful landscapes and lots of free and fun things to do, in Bournemouth, the sky is the limit!

Image © Go Ape

This is a woodland trail like no other. With 1000 metres of high ropes and plenty of forest for all the family to experience, this activity in Bournemouth is a great place to unleash your aerial ability.  A thrill-seeking family adventure, you can push yourselves with different courses, tasks, zip-wires and tree-top platforms.

There is food available at Seasons restaurant, or you can bring your own picnic to enjoy with the beautiful surroundings. There is parking onsite, and accessible toilets available.

While Go Ape is outdoors, social distancing must still be maintained. Staff will ensure equipment and areas are clean, there are sanitiser stations dotted around, and a limited number of people on each activity.

Price: Tickets start at £18.00.

If you're looking for things to do in Poole, near Bournemouth, this regular Blue Flag winning beach is a great option as it is sheltered and very family friendly. The golden beach slowly slopes into the sea, making it perfect for young kids to play in, and there are lifeguards there from May to September. Activities at Sandbanks include some fun crazy golf, a children's play area and the Sandbanks Beach Cafe for when you get peckish.

The beach car park and toilet facilities are open to the public. There are no baby-changing facilities. There is plenty to eat along the beach from shops and cafes. You are also welcome to bring your own picnic and barbecue (following guide lines).

Price: Free.

This is Europe's largest VR (Virtual Reality) experience with 30 stations of virtual reality headsets to play multiplayer or solo. You can play with the whole family and immerse yourself into a different universe. Boasting games such as Tower Tag, Assassin’s Creed Family Adventure experiences, and 120 more, you'll want to spend all day there, maybe even a few! This can be booked for a school, a party, or a fun family visit.

For food, they have vending machines that provide hot and cold drinks and snacks. There is a disabled toilet and baby changing rooms. There is parking available at Richmond Gardens Leisure & Shopping Centre.

Centre VR are accredited as a good-to-go business COVID-19, with regular cleaning as a safe, sanitised and socially distanced business. There is a temperature sensor as you walk in to detect high temperatures. Players can request gloves and masks.  

Price: £35+

Oceanarium offers a great day out for all aquarium lovers. Kids can see their favourite underwater friends up close, such as sharks, turtles, clownfish, and more. With attractions varying from the Amazon Display to Shark Wreck Reef, there is something for everyone. One of the best things about Oceanarium is the walk-through viewing tunnel where you can watch the fish swim around you, so make sure not to miss out!

There is a car park (pay for) a few minutes walk away. There are accessible toilets and baby changing facilities available, as well as a cafe.

There are limited visitor numbers and staggered arrival times to ensure social distancing is met at all times. Visitors will need to book their visit in advance (including members). It is mandatory to wear face masks in retail spaces, including this one.

Price: Tickets start at £8.50 for children and £11.95 for adults.

If you're looking for fun things to do at Bournemouth Beach, look no further than Freida's TeaBus! The bus will greet you at Bournemouth Pier, and drive to Boscombe Pier as you enjoy some delicious sandwiches, cakes and tasty pastries on board! Passing the spectacular Bournemouth seaside, the journey takes you along the coast while you enjoy your afternoon tea. This is a great treat if you want to get out of the town centre and try something new.

There is parking available at the Bournemouth store. There is not a toilet on the bus, but stops are made with facilities at Hengistbury Head.

Tours are restarting 1st August with limited capacity and thorough cleaning is ensured.  

Price: Tickets start at £35 for adults and £30 for kids aged 5-11.

With over 100 acres of beautiful woodland, this award-winning experience of parkland, gardens and woodlands for a great exploration of the natural area that Bournemouth has to offer. There is a Tree Trail and mapped Nature Trail, where the natural timber Play Trail winds pleasantly through the park, offering a relaxing experience.

There is parking available and accessible toilets, but no baby changing facilities. There is food on site and plenty of places to buy snacks and drinks. The Tea Rooms counter is available for a takeaway service. If a picnic is more your style, there is space for you to enjoy your own food too.

There is a one way system and limited capacity in certain areas, to maintain social distancing rules. Outdoor services do not require you to wear face coverings.

Price: Free.

As fun days out in Bournemouth go, you can't go wrong with discovering another side of the city with the Tramble App’s Bournemouth Codebreaking Walk, where you crack puzzles and answer questions as you walk! All you need to do is download the app and get walking.

There are no toilets or baby changing facilities on the route, but on the journey, there will be places you can go for toilets and food.  

Price: It costs 99p to download the app.

Image © dimitrisvetsikas1969, Pixabay

Lined with beach huts and soft sand, this is a great way to spend your day in Bournemouth. Relax by the beach and spend time with the family. If you want some adventure, there is a zip-line and rock-reef to play on for an adrenaline day of fun. There is also live music every Friday and Saturday throughout August.

There are toilets available, but no baby changing facilities. There is parking available at Bournemouth Pier.  

Price: Free.

A beautiful way to spend your day, this is home to stunning Tropical Gardens, winning the Blue and Green Flag Award. It's perfect for families, and with a pirate themed play area for children, this is an easy win for everyone. There are beach huts to hire too should you want to add some flair to your stay.

There is onsite parking, toilets and baby changing facilities available, as well as an onsite restaurant.

Price: Free.

This is a play area designed for children of any age, and is one of our top free things to do in Bournemouth with the kids. There is a fantastic high Multi Activity Tower, a regal wooden unit for exciting play features that include slick slides, rope ladders and monkey bars.

There is parking on site but no toilets. There is no food on but you can bring a picnic and there are shops nearby.

Price: Free.