Things to Do in Blackpool with Kids – Adventure, Play & Discovery for All Ages

Key Takeaways

Blackpool offers diverse activities for families with children of all ages. From wildlife encounters to seaside adventures, indoor play, and cultural experiences, the town provides year-round entertainment that combines learning with fun.

Blackpool Zoo — Top family destination:

• Over 1,000 animals from around the world: Gorillas, elephants, big cats, and penguins in naturalistic habitats.

• Interactive experiences: Daily keeper talks, feeding demonstrations, and educational presentations throughout the day.

• Indoor Playbarn: Weather-proof fun with climbing structures, soft play zones, and toddler-friendly areas.

• Junior Keeper Course: Hands-on learning experience where children work alongside zookeepers caring for animals.

• Convenient access: Paid parking(£4.50/day), easy reach from town center via Stanley Park, multiple transport options.

Free outdoor activities:

• Stanley Park: Victorian park with playgrounds, Italian gardens, boating lake, and seasonal events.

• Blackpool Promenade: Three-pier seafront with sandy beaches, donkey rides, and coastal walking routes.

• Marton Mere Wetland Centre: Nature reserve with wildlife watching, woodland trails, and bird hides.

Classic Blackpool attractions:

• Blackpool Tower Circus: World-famous circus performances with acrobats, clowns, and family entertainment.

• Blackpool Illuminations: Six-mile light display running September through January (free to view).

• Pleasure Beach Resort: Amusement park with rides for all ages from gentle family attractions to thrill seekers.

Indoor alternatives:

• Coral Island: Indoor amusement arcade with rides, games, and activities for rainy days.

• Grundy Art Gallery: Free family workshops, exhibitions, and creative sessions for children.

Discover Blackpool’s Wildlife Wonders in Blackpool Zoo

If your little ones love animals, Blackpool Zoo should be at the top of your list. Just a few minutes from the seafront, the zoo provides an exciting, educational experience for visitors of all ages. Connect with animals through immersive habitats, engage in talks, and experience hands-on learning. 

Meet Over 1,000 Animals

Blackpool Zoo's collection spans the animal kingdom, from tiny meerkats and squirrel monkeys to massive elephants and even dinosaur replicas. 

Gorilla Mountain & Project Elephant Base Camp – Majestic Encounters

Step into Gorilla Mountain, where you can observe a close-knit family of western lowland gorillas in their specially designed environment. Nearby, Project Elephant Base Camp gives kids a rare opportunity to see Asian elephants up close while learning about global conservation efforts.

Both attractions offer multiple viewing points, ensuring everyone gets a clear look regardless of the crowd. Bring binoculars for even closer observations!

Penguin Cove & Big Cat Habitat – Interactive Viewing Areas

Penguin Cove delights visitors of all ages with its underwater viewing area. Watch cheeky Magellanic penguins waddle, dive, and play in crystal-clear waters. At the Big Cat Habitat, watch lions bask in the sun and see Amur tigers pacing gracefully through lush outdoor spaces.

These interactive viewing points make it easy for children to observe safely while feeling like they’re part of the adventure.

Interactive & Educational Experiences

Throughout the day, you can join keeper talks and feeding demonstrations that bring learning to life. 

Keeper Talks & Daily Demonstrations

Every day, the zoo’s expert team hosts fun, informative presentations where children can ask questions and see the animals in action. Check the daily schedule during your visit for timings, as these experiences are among the highlights of any zoo trip.

Indoor Play for Rainy Days

Even on those famously unpredictable seaside weather days, the fun doesn’t stop. 

Playbarn Adventures & Toddler Zones

With soft play zones designed for younger visitors, the Playbarn ensures everyone from toddlers to older kids can burn off energy in a comfortable, supervised environment. It’s an ideal break between exploring animal habitats—and a lifesaver when the rain clouds roll in.

Keeper Course for Kids

For budding zoologists, the Keeper Courses are an unforgettable way to spend a day. Children get the chance to go behind the scenes, help prepare food, and learn what it takes to care for animals. These hands-on sessions teach responsibility, teamwork, and compassion while offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Outdoor Adventures & Nature Escapes

Beyond the zoo gates, Blackpool offers countless ways for families to enjoy the great outdoors. From scenic parks to classic seaside strolls, you’ll find plenty of things to do with kids in Blackpool that combine fun, learning, and a bit of exercise.

Stanley Park – Playgrounds, Mini-Golf & Boat Rides

A favourite among locals and visitors alike, Stanley Park is a 390-acre green oasis right next to Blackpool Zoo. With its boating lake, art deco café, and award-winning gardens, it’s the perfect setting for a relaxed day out. Kids can enjoy two playgrounds, hire pedal boats, or feed the ducks, while parents take in the landscaped scenery.

• Recommended age: All ages

• Opening hours: Dawn to dusk daily (park grounds are free access)

• Prices: Park entry free. Minimal charges for boat hire (£5-8) and mini-golf (£3-5)

• Best season: Spring through autumn for flowers, boating, and mini-golf; beautiful year-round for walks

• Location: Adjacent to Blackpool Zoo, West Park Drive, FY3 8LL. Multiple entrances

Marton Mere Wetland Centre – Explore Local Wildlife

Just a short walk from the zoo, the Marton Mere Nature Reserve is a hidden gem for families who love spotting wildlife. It’s home to rare bird species, butterflies, and wildflowers, offering peaceful walking trails and viewing hides perfect for little explorers.

• Recommended age: All ages (especially good for 4+)

• Opening hours: Open daily dawn to dusk (nature reserve)

• Prices: Free

• Best season: Spring for nesting birds, autumn for migrations, winter for wildfowl. Year-round wildlife watching

• Location: Mythop Road, Blackpool, FY4 4XN. Approximately 10-minute drive from town center

Blackpool Promenade – Walks & Seaside Fun

No trip to Blackpool is complete without a stroll along the promenade. Families can enjoy arcades, amusement rides, fish and chips by the sea, and stunning views of the Irish Sea. The Central Pier is especially popular for its classic fairground atmosphere and vintage carousel. Don’t miss Blackpool Illuminations if you’re visiting in autumn or early winter.

• Recommended age: All ages

• Opening hours: Accessible 24/7

• Prices: Free to walk/explore. Individual attractions on piers have separate charges (arcade games, rides £1-5 each)

• Best season: Year-round - summer for beach activities, autumn/winter for illuminations

• Location: Runs the entire length of Blackpool seafront from North to South Shore (approx. 7 miles). Main access points at three piers

Blackpool Beach

Pack your bucket and spade! Blackpool Beach remains one of the most iconic stretches of sand in the UK. Build sandcastles, paddle in the shallows, or relax with an ice cream while watching the trams pass by. When the tide is out, the beach offers vast open space for kids to run and play, and in summer months, donkey rides are still a beloved tradition.

• Recommended age: All ages

• Opening hours: Accessible 24/7 (lifeguard-patrolled areas typically 10am-6pm summer months)

• Prices: Free

• Best season: Summer (May-September) for sandcastle building and paddling; year-round for walks and fresh air

• Location: 7-mile stretch along entire Blackpool coast. Main access points at each pier and numerous promenade stairs

Cultural & Creative Experiences for Kids

Blackpool isn’t just about rides and beaches—it’s also full of cultural gems that spark creativity and imagination in children. 

Grundy Art Gallery – Family Workshops & Exhibitions

Encourage your kids’ creative side at the Grundy Art Gallery, a contemporary space hosting family-friendly exhibitions and hands-on art workshops. Activities often include drawing sessions, sculpture projects, and storytelling events designed to make art fun and accessible.

• Recommended age: All ages (workshops often 5-12 years)

• Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-4pm. Closed Mondays

• Prices: Free entry and exhibitions. Workshops typically free or £2-5

• Best season: Year-round, check website for family workshop schedule during school holidays

• Location: Queen Street, Blackpool, FY1 1PX. Town center, near Winter Gardens

Coral Island

A lively, pirate-themed indoor amusement centre, Coral Island is a guaranteed hit with kids. It offers arcade games, family rides, and affordable dining options. While it may not be a traditional cultural venue, its elaborate design creates an immersive visual experience for children. Located right on the promenade, it provides an accessible indoor option that contrasts nicely with more traditional cultural attractions like galleries and performances.

• Recommended age: All ages (best for 3-14 years)

• Opening hours: Daily 10am-10pm (times may vary seasonally)

• Prices: Free entry, pay-as-you-go for games/rides (£0.10-£5 per game/ride)

• Best season: Year-round, especially valuable for rainy days

• Location: 97 The Promenade, Blackpool, FY1 5AA. Between South and Central Piers

The Blackpool Illuminations

One of Blackpool’s most famous attractions, the Illuminations have delighted families for over a century. Stretching for miles along the promenade, this annual light display runs from late August through the festive season. For families, it’s a chance to take an evening drive or walk under the glow of thousands of twinkling lights—a free, unforgettable experience for all ages.

• Recommended age: All ages

• Opening hours: Lights typically on dusk-midnight during season (early September through early January)

• Prices: Free

• Best season: September-January (when operational)

• Location: 6-mile stretch along promenade from Starr Gate to Bispham. Best viewing by car, tram, or walking

Blackpool Tower Circus

Located inside the iconic Blackpool Tower, the Tower Circus is one of the oldest continuously running circuses in the world. Expect laughter, acrobatics, and plenty of surprises from the famous clowns Mooky and Mr Boo. It’s an ideal choice for a rainy-day activity that keeps everyone entertained and creates lasting family memories.

• Recommended age: 3+ (younger children welcome but may find it long)

• Opening hours: Show times vary by season - typically 2-3 performances daily in peak season

• Prices: From £12-£25 per person depending on seating and season. Family packages available

• Best season: Year-round performances, but schedule more frequent during school holidays

• Location: Inside Blackpool Tower, The Promenade, Blackpool, FY1 4BJ. Central promenade location

Plan Your Perfect Family Day – Mix, Match & Explore!

Blackpool has a variety of activities waiting for you. You might start your morning at Blackpool Zoo, stop for a picnic in Stanley Park, and finish the day with a walk along the promenade or a spin on a fairground ride. For those staying longer, alternate busy days with calmer ones: visit the Grundy Art Gallery after a day at Pleasure Beach, or pair the Tower Circus with a beach stroll and fish supper.

Whatever combination you choose, Blackpool's compact size means you're never far from your next adventure. Blackpool Zoo's central position next to Stanley Park makes it an ideal anchor for any day out. Start or end there, knowing you can easily reach the beach, promenade, or town center attractions within minutes.

FAQs

What to do with kids in Blackpool?

Families can enjoy a mix of attractions in Blackpool including Blackpool Zoo, Stanley Park, Coral Island, and Blackpool Beach. The city offers everything from outdoor adventures to creative indoor experiences.

What to do in Blackpool cheaply?

A visit to Blackpool Zoo is one of the best-value family days out in the area, with affordable tickets and seasonal offers. There are also plenty of free or low-cost options in Blackpool, such as Marton Mere Nature Reserve, Stanley Park, the promenade, and Blackpool beach. Many museums and galleries also offer free entry or family discounts.

Is Blackpool worth visiting for families?

With its combination of wildlife, seaside charm, culture, and kid-friendly attractions, Blackpool is one of the UK’s most family-oriented destinations. There’s something for every age and budget.

What is free to do in Blackpool?

Free activities include exploring Stanley Park, walking along the beach and promenade, visiting Marton Mere, and enjoying seasonal events like the Illuminations and Christmas by the Sea.