Child-friendly attractions in the Lake District

There are probably more child-friendly attractions in the Lake District than you think! If you’re planning a holiday in the region and looking for things to do with kids in the Lake District, these are some fantastic family days out. Find more Family days out in North West England here.

Lake district zoos and wildlife parks

Zoos and wildlife parks are fantastic family days out. The Lake District has 3 to choose from.

South Lakes Safari park

South Lakes Safari park is in the south of the Lake District. There is a great play area and lots of animals to see. They also offer several feeding experiences. Animals that you can expect to see include rhinos, giraffes, a sloth, meerkats, tigers and more.

Find out more and book here – Safari Zoo Cumbria.

Lake District Wildlife park

This wildlife park is in the northern Lake District, a 10 minute drive from Keswick. They have over 100 species of wild and domestic animals including zebra, gibbons, meerkats, wild boar, snakes, tortoises and lots of birds like owls, eagles, golden pheasants and crowned cranes.

They also have a wide range of daily presentations where you can learn more about some of the animals that live here. There is also a small cafe, gift shop, picnic area, outdoor play area and also an indoor play area.

Find out more and book here – Lake District Wildlife Park

Lakeland Wildlife Oasis

This is billed as a little zoo with lots to do. You’ll find animals including lemurs, meerkats, wallabies and Scottish wildcats. There is also an indoor area with a small aquarium, reptiles and insects.

Find out more here – The Lakeland Wildlife Oasis

Lake District children’s farms

Children’s farms are another kind of animal attraction that kids love.

Walby farm park

There are loads of animals and play equipment at this children’s farm. You can easily spend a full day enjoying all the activities including soft play and an indoor, large roman fort play frame. There is also loads to do outside like trampolines, crazy golf, pedal go-carts, barrel train rides and goat racing.

There are plenty of animals too including horses, alpacas, guinea pigs, ducks, cows and plenty more. You can even meet, groom and handle animals too.

Find out more here – Walby Farm Park

Lakeland maze and farm park

Lakeland maze is a seasonal children’s farm. In 2023, they are open from 18th February until 30th October during weekends, school and bank holidays and some weekdays. I’d advise you to check their website to see if they are open when you’d like to visit here – Lakeland Maze Farm Park

There are loads of animals and you can purchase animal feed at reception. The animals include cattle, sheep and pigs, ferrets, rabbits, small rodents, llamas, alpacas, goats, horses and donkeys.

As well as the animals there are air bouncers, trampolines, go-karts, giant draughts, tractor and trailer rides, outdoor play and a panel maze. From July to September, they have a fantastic maize maze.

Family-friendly National Trust properties in the Lake District

There are lots of National Trust properties across the Lake District that are great for families to visit.

Wray castle

Wray castle no longer has the fantastic playrooms that it was known for. It does still have an outdoor area which is currently closed temporarily since it was damaged in storm Arwen. Keep an eye on their website though for when it reopens.

You can stop off at Wray Castle on a Windermere Lakes Cruises or walk along the lake from car parks further down the west side of lake Windermere.

Find out more here – Wray Castle

Allan Bank

Allan Bank is another National Trust which is great for families. There is a fantastic art room overlooking a lake, there are also outdoor areas to explore and sometimes they have family events.

Find out more here – Allan Bank

Hill top

Hill top is the former home of Beatrice Potter. It’s a lovely place to visit and explore the house and gardens. There are sometimes trails in the gardens. It is a very small house and gardens so plan to spend around 1 hour here.

Find out more here – Hill Top

Sizergh Castle

We love Sizergh castle. There is a great play trail right next to the car park. To enjoy the play trail, you don’t need to be a National Trust member or pay entry to the castle and gardens as it is outside the main gardens. All you would need to pay is parking charges. It can get muddy and it’s not pushchair-friendly. Find out more here – Sizergh Castle play trail

Please note the play trail is closed until spring 2025 due to extensive rain and footfall damage. Please check before travelling.

The grounds and castle are also worth visiting too especially if you are a National Trust member. The gardens are perfect for walking with children or even a pushchair. They often run trails in the gardens and/or the castle. Find out more here – Sizergh

Fell foot

Fell foot is a National Trust at the southern tip of lake Windermere. There is a great play area for young children, short family walks and a water sports centre. There are heated changing rooms, perfect if you have teenagers that want to swim or SUP in lake Windermere.

Find out more here – Fell Foot

Wordsworth house and gardens

Step back through time and join the costumed staff for some Georgian-inspired fun and games, explore the many interactive rooms before taking a walk in the garden. This property does close for the winter.

They usually have children’s trails in the house and gardens as well as regular family events.

Find out more here – Wordsworth House and Garden

Aira Force

Aira Force is a 65 ft waterfall which is well worth a visit if you are near Ullswater. I wouldn’t recommend taking a pushchair but it’s not a huge walk (less than a mile) from the car park at the bottom of the hill.

There is a small natural play area in the car park, visitors centre and cafe. You can get a child-friendly trail from the visitor centre.

Find out more here – Aira Force and Ullswater

Acorn bank

Acorn bank is a lovely place to take the family for a walk around the woodlands and gardens. There are even some geocaches here. There’s no play area but there is a cafe and they do run events.

Find out more here – Acorn Bank

Outdoor family activities in the Lake District

Brockhole on Windermere

Brockhole on Windermere is a great family day out. It has one of the biggest adventure playgrounds in the Lake District as well as many other family-friendly activities like orienteering courses and trails, boat hire, treetop treks and nets and much more.

Find out more here – Brockhole on Windermere

Grizedale forest

Grizedale forest is a great forest to explore with kids. There is an amazing playground, covered picnic area and cafe. There is a Zog trail for 2023. Find out more here – Forestry England Zog trails.

There are loads of trails through the forest with different difficulties. Some are suitable for bikes, others are suitable for pushchairs and some are just for walking. There are loads of cool sculptures scattered throughout the forest. We love walking here.

Find out more here – Grizedale forest walks.

Whinlatter forest

Whinlatter forest has an amazing 1 mile long play trail. There is also a Gruffalo and friends sculpture trail and for 2023, a Zog trail. There is also a go-ape centre here.

Beware though, it is a mountain forest so don’t expect any easy, flat walks!

Find out more here – Whinlatter forest walks

Honister slate mine

Honister slate mine has a range of climbing and other adventures for adults and older kids. There is also the option to tour the mines which is suitable for all ages.

Find out more and book your adventure here – Honister

Family-friendly museums in the Lake District

Keswick museum

Keswick museum is a small museum, by the play area in Fitz park, close to the centre of Keswick. The exhibitions are all about Kesick’s landscape, history and culture. They run regular events including some for kids in school holidays.

Find out more here – Keswick Museum & Art Gallery

Pencil museum

The Derwent pencil museum, located in Keswick is home to the first pencil, as well as secret WW2 pencils with hidden maps and much more. Entry to the museum is through a replica graphite mine which would have served as the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago.

Find out more here – Derwent Pencil Museum

Puzzling place

Another great place for rainy days is Puzzling place. This place is a world of illusions including an Anti-gravity Room, Ames Room, Hologram Gallery and Eyelusions Exhibition.

Find out more here – The Puzzling Place

Lakeland motor museum

If you have a family member who loves vintage vehicles then you need to visit the Lakeland motor museum. They have over 30000 exhibits where you can see the development of road transport throughout the twentieth century.

Find out more here – Lakeland motor museum

Windermere Jetty Museum

If you want to know more about boats, people and the rich history of England’s largest natural lake, Windermere, then this award-winning museum is for you.

As well as galleries, the boathouse, a conservation workshop, a boat yard and the jetty, you’ll find a cafe with stunning views over the lake. There is also a model boating pond an old fire station and a picnic area.

Find out more here – Windermere Jetty Museum

Other children’s attractions in the Lake District

Holker Hall

Holker Hall is somewhere where you can enjoy a family walk. They also regularly run family events.

Find out more here – Holker Hall & Gardens

Mirehouse

We haven’t explore the house at Mirehouse as it’s only open on certain days but we have explored the play areas and walks. It’s a lovely place for a day out or walk near Bassenthwaite.

There are a few small play areas for different aged children as well as gardens, woodland and lakeside walks.

Find out more here – Mirehouse Keswick

Low Sizergh farm

This is a small farm in the south lakes, not far from the M6. You can see the cow when they are in the barn. You can even see the milking area from the cafe.

There are walking paths around the farm including a fairy door trail that my girls love. You can also walk further through the woodlands afterwards.

Find out more here – Low Sizergh Barn

Rheged Centre

The Rheged centre is a lovely little centre with some independent shops, cafes, exhibition space, soft play and a cinema. It’s just off the m6 so we’ve used it as a stop-off on the way up to Scotland or as somewhere to visit on a wet day in the Lake District.

Find out what’s on here – Rheged

Lakes Aquarium

The Lakes aquarium is a great wet weather attraction in the south Lake District. The aquarium has lots of freshwater species of fish that you will find in lake Windermere as well as areas of the aquarium with more exotic species.

Find out more here – Lakes Aquarium

World of Beatrix Potter

If your family love Peter Rabbit, then the World of Beatrix Potter located in the town centre of Windermere is an excellent destination to explore. It is an indoor attraction, which makes it ideal for rainy days.

The World of Beatrix Potter brings the tales of Beatrix Potter to life through a combination of sensory experiences, video displays, and other exhibits that create the feeling of walking through the pages of her books.

In addition, there is a lovely small garden that uses local materials. The venue also hosts a variety of family-oriented events on a regular basis.

Find out more here – The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction

Lowther castle

Lowther castle has an amazing adventure playground for children. There are also lots of family-friendly walks in the grounds and from them too.

Find our guide to Lowther Castle Adventure playground here.

Birdoswald Roman Fort

This is a Roman fort looked after by the English Heritage. They regularly have family events during the school holidays.

Find out more here – Birdoswald Roman Fort

Muncaster Castle

As well as the castle and gardens, here you’ll find play areas, mazes and even a hawk and owl centre where you can see flying displays.

Find out more here – Muncaster Castle & Gardens

Rock shop, Ambleside

In the heart of Ambleside is a small rock shop that offers kids’ activities. There are 3 activities bead bar, gem pit and dino den.

Find out more here – Rockshop Ambleside

Carlisle Castle

Carlisle Castle is an English Heritage property in the city of Carlisle. You can explore the medieval castle rooms, discover a turbulent history with the exhibition, and walk around some of the castle walls. It’s also home to Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life.

Find out more here – Carlisle Castle

Kong Adventure, Keswick

Kong Adventure is an activity centre for families with both indoor and outdoor activities on offer. The centre is in Keswick town centre, the outdoor activities are off-site in different locations.

Indoor activities include climbing walls, hard play, indoor caving and an escape room. There’s something for everyone from the age of 3 so it makes a great rainy day activity.

Outdoor activities include outdoor climbing, scrambling, abseiling and canyoning. Find out more here – Kong Adventure Centre, Keswick.

Lake District train rides

Train rides are great days out for children and there are two fantastic options in the Lake District.

Ravenglass railway

Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway is a fleet of heritage steam and diesel engines. You can enjoy a 40 minute train ride over 7 miles of track. There are play areas at both ends of the track too.

Find out more here – Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

Lakes and Hatherswaite railway

This is a traditional steam railway at the southern tip of Lake Windermere. You can combine your train ride with a trip to the Lakes aquarium.

Find out more and book here – The Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway

Lake District boat trips

Boat trips are great family days out and you are spoilt for choice in the Lakes. There are boat trips running on most of the lakes in Cumbria.

Windermere Lake Cruises

There are a variety of routes for Windermere lake cruises. These are hop on and off cruises so you can enjoy a boat trip and a walk or even a trip to Brockhole on Windermere.

Find out more here – Windermere lake cruises

Ullswater Steamers

There are 4 stops around Ullswater and the Ullswater steamer cruises allow you to explore areas around Ullswater including Aira Force.

Find out more here – Ullswater Steamers

Coniston Launch

There are 3 different route options for boat trips on Lake Coniston. They’re all hop and hop off cruises so you could either just do a full boat trip or you could choose to hop on and off and explore more of the surroundings around the lake.

Find out more here – Coniston Launch

Derwentwater cruises

There are 8 jetties around Derwentwater, in Keswick. You can take the 50 minute cruise all the way around the lake or you might choose to get off at one of the other jetties to enjoy a walk.

Find out more here – Keswick Launch

Children’s theatre in the Lake District

If you fancy a trip to the theatre with your kids here are a few places you can visit.

Theatre by the lake

This is a small theatre right by Derwent water in Keswick. Find out what’s on soon here – Theatre by the Lake

The Coro

This is a much-loved theatre in the small town of Ulverston. They often have family-friendly shows and workshops. Find what’s on here – The Coro

Beggars Theatre

This is a small theatre in Millom. Again they often have children’s shows on. Find their what’s on guide here – The Beggars Theatre

The Old Laundry Theatre

This is an intimate little theatre that shares a building in Bowness with the World of Beatrix Potter attraction. Find out what’s on here – The Old Laundry Theatre

So did you realise just how many child-friendly attractions in the Lake District there are? Do let me know in the comments if I’ve missed any.

Lake District Ice Cream Parlours

There are loads of places to get an ice cream in the Lake district.

Get some ideas here – ice cream parlours Cumbria

Where to next?

If you specifically want to know which Lake District attractions are best for toddlers? Find out here – Things to do in Lake District with toddlers

Find out what to do when it rains here – Things to do in the lake district when it rains

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