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Family days out in the UK can be a lottery,
here are some ideas to improve your chances

Kids are always the first to complain if they’re bored and while the British weather doesn’t help entertain the children, we have some ideas that may help you out.


Family day out ideas by area

Exploring the Woodland and Coast of West Wales

Spend the day mountain biking at Brechfa Forest.  The Derwen Bike Trail is graded easy so the whole family can enjoy the ride.  The trail flows through oak woodland and features steady climbs and fun descents.


Spend the day on Poppit Sands, a long sandy beach backed by sand dunes in Pembrokeshire.  It has been awarded the Blue Flag and facilities at the beach include toilets, life guards in the summer and cafés and shops nearby.


Go on a narrow gauge steam train on the Vale of Rheidol Railway from Aberystwyth to Devils Bridge.  At Devils Bridge have a picnic or visit the famous Mynach Falls, Jacob's Ladder or the Devil's Punchbowl, all within walking distance of the station.



Mountains, Caves, Walking and Hiking in Mid Wales
Go outside with the kids and visit the Brecon Beacons National Park. Take part in a guided walk across the Brecon Beacons and learn about the wildlife that lives there. You could even try a landscape photography course.

Join the Rangers for an evening of moth trapping and discover the beautiful and diverse array of night fliers present in the Elan Valley. A full programme of events are happening over the autumn.


Go deep underground and experience some of nature’s most astounding geological formations.  Above ground see life size dinosaurs in the Dinosaur Park or visit the Shire Horse Centre.  See all this and more at Dan-yr-Ogof National Showcaves of Wales.


 

Coastal Attractions along the North Wales and Coast

Go underwater – and stay dry – at the Anglesey Sea Zoo.  It’s Wales' largest marine aquarium where the habitats of over 150 species have carefully been recreated.  There are little fish and big fish – not to mention sharks and conger eels.

Go on a day out to Llandudno the beautiful Victorian seaside resort at the foot of the Great Orme.  There’s a lot to do here; stroll along the beach, go on the longest pier in Wales, ride the cable car or visit Conwy Castle.


High ropes, tight ropes and ladders in the sky.  They’ll all part of the balancing act at Tree Top Adventures, Betwys-y-Coed. 

Welsh Wildlife Safari


    Go on a Welsh safari. 
    See how many different plants and animals you can find.
    Start your adventure at BBC Wales Nature
    by grabbing their great spotter guides,
    then print out our PDF fileSuper Wildlife Spotter Certificate (4134 Kb)
    to award your kids after they’ve made their discoveries.
    Go on, get spotting and jotting.

Themed day trips

Steam Trains for little and big kids

Narrow gauge ‘little trains’ are a mighty big attraction.  They’re all over Wales – up mountains, along beaches and beside lakes. Here are some to wet your whistle

• Talyllyn Railway
• Llanberis Lake Railway
• Ffestiniog Railway
• Welsh Highland Railway (Caernarfon)
• Welshpool & Llanfair Railway
• Vale of Rheidol Railway
• Brecon Mountain Railway
• Bala Lake Railway
• Welsh Highland Heritage Railway
• Snowdon Mountain Railway


Wildlife Days out in Wales

Bird watching - The Burry Inlet at Llanelli is a big nature reserve full of ducks, geese, swans, flamingos and other wildlife. See them at the National Wetland Centre Wales. Take a trip up to the top of the tower for a 360 degree view of the site and the Loughor Estuary.


Dolphin Spotting - Get the kids involved with the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre Dolphin Research Programme. Go on a ‘Dolphin Survey Boat Trip’ and see if you can spot a dolphin or two in Cardigan Bay.


An Island Cruise - Puffin Island off the coast of Anglesey in North Wales is home to 12 species of sea bird including puffins, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and eider ducks. Take an island cruise and see if you can see them, if you’re lucky you’ll also see grey seals and dolphins too.


Seal watching - Several hundred seal pups are born each autumn on Ramsey Islands’s beaches and in the caves. Take a boat trip around the island and view the wildlife at sea level. Alternatively you can walk the 3 ½ mile trail around the island.


Feed the Kites - Join Red Kite's for their daily dinner. Get up close and personal at feeding time with Wales’ rare and magnificent bird at Gigrin Farm. Feeding takes place at 3pm in summer & 2pm winter.


Farm visitor attractions for children

If you can't take your kids to stay on a farm why not take them to a farm attraction for a day out? Pat the animals, feed them and see how a real farm works.