Things to do in Cheshire with toddlers

When it comes to keeping our toddlers occupied we can often be at a loss as to where to go or what to do. I have found some of the best things to do in Cheshire with toddlers. Find loads more Toddler days out North West here.

Often family attractions are the ones to look out for, but are they really suitable for toddlers? Many attractions have children in mind, but the last thing you want to do is to head somewhere, pay money as an entry fee, and find that there isn’t too much for your little ones to do. I have taken some of the guesswork away.

I’ve also found some fantastic deals for term-time toddler trips out. These attractions are offering fantastic deals for taking children under 5 years of age, on quieter days outside of the school holidays. These are great ideas for you to enjoy term time fun at a great price.

BeWILDerwood Cheshire

BeWILDerwood is a family-fun woodland area with plenty going on for toddlers. It has been inspired by the books created by Tom Blofed.

There is plenty for little ones to enjoy and lots to see and do while you are here. If you have a toddler that has older siblings they too will enjoy a day out here, as there are few things that are suitable for older children, however, the rest of the woodland fun is suitable for anyone steady on their feet.

There are certain parts that are designed just for little ones like the toddler zip wire and mini play areas. There are also daily shows and a large picnic area. It really is one large adventure playground for children of all ages. There’s even a den building area.

It certainly could be a magical day out for the whole family. Find my full review here – BeWILDerwood Cheshire review.

Blue Planet Aquarium, Chester 

If you want somewhere that is truly going to capture your toddler’s imagination then look no further than Blue Planet Aquarium. Based in Ellesmere Port, this is one of the largest aquariums in the North West.

There is so much to see and do, including a tunnel to walk through and rock pools where you can touch some of the creatures in there. A fun day out for little ones, including any older singlings that you might have with you. 

Check out the website for more details. 

Chester Zoo

If your toddlers are obsessed with all things animals then a trip to Chester Zoo has to be one of the top attractions to consider when you have toddlers. A large zoo with lots of animals to see.

You can plan your day by heading to certain enclosures for talks and feeding times, as well as enjoy some of the one-off attractions that take place each year.

This is a place that toddlers will enjoy visiting, and could be one you experience more than once, due to the nature of it and how big it is. favourite animal

Check out the website for more details. 

Gulliver’s World theme park, Warrington 

If you want a more action-packed day out with your toddler then perhaps a visit to Gullivers World in Warrington could be on the cards. It is one of the best UK theme parks for toddlers with plenty of rides for toddlers to enjoy accompanied by an adult.

The great thing about this theme park is there are a few rides for older singlings as well, meaning you can keep everyone happy. There are often events throughout the year with some special visitors will recognise. 

Check out the website for more details. 

The Crocky Trail

The Crocky Trail is a great way to spend some time with your little ones. There are a couple of rides that are not suitable for toddlers, but most of them are fine for a toddler to experience with an adult.

There is also a dedicated area for younger children to enjoy making it the ideal thing to do with a toddler in Cheshire. Wonderland has pixie huts, a bouncy castle, swings and slides and games.

This is a great way to spend some time outside doing something a little different. Especially if your toddler loves to be involved with things. 

Check out the website for more details. 

The Ice Cream Farm 

The Ice Cream Farm is the perfect place to visit with your toddlers on a warm summer’s day. You can experience lots of fun and activities that take place throughout the day, as well as specialised events running throughout the year.

The main attraction is the ice cream, but there are also lots of play areas, a large bouncy pillow, honeycomb canyon which is a fantastic indoor sand and water play area (it’s huge!), soft play and bouncy pillows for children aged 2 and over.

Check out the website for more details. 

Lyme Park NT

Sometimes you just need to get your little ones out and walking. Enjoying the fresh air and running off some of that built-up energy. So one of the things to do with a toddler in Cheshire is to head to Lyme Park. It is a great place to take your little ones.

A National Trust property always delivers extensive gardens and countryside to explore as well as a nice cafe where you can enjoy refuelling and relaxing. Lyme Park has extensive grounds, so it really is a great place to take your younger children. 

The garden is pram-friendly and the play area underwent extensive renovation in 2021. There is loads of equipment suitable for toddlers too.

Check out the website for more details. 

Find more pram friendly walks cheshire here.

Tatton Park NT

Another great place to take your younger toddlers is Tatton Park. Tatton Park in Knutsford has extensive grounds and gardens that you can explore, as well as a farm that you can pay to access. Enabling you and your little ones to experience some of the animals that live there.

Find out more about Tatton Park farm here.

You can embrace organised events where you can go deer spotting, and enjoy some activities that take place throughout the year. It is always worth checking the website to see if you can book anything as there is usually events and family trails. There are also acres of parkland to explore.

There is a large play area too and loads of pushchair-friendly paths too.

Check out the website for more details. 

Imagination lane, Nantwich

Imagination Lane, is a children’s play café with a difference. Based in Nantwich, Cheshire, the unique indoor play area is designed for early learning, foregrounding the importance of roleplaying for young children with beautifully made playhouses. Grab a bite to eat, and then feed your child’s mind with a trip down Imagination Lane.

Find out more here – Imagination Lane

Head over Heels soft play centre, Wilmslow

When it comes to young children you can’t go wrong with a soft play centre, but as there are so many in Cheshire, you want to be sure that they are a good one.

Head over heels in Wilmslow is a great option for little ones. It has a large toddler-only zone with a sensory area and lots to enjoy.

My own children loved the role play area when they were young enough to play there. There is a pooch parlor, village green, building site, pretend cafe and a traditional soft play area too. There is also a disco room which toddlers love.

There is a great cafe serving up lots of lovely food and drinks (seriously the cafe is definitely better than the average soft play centre cafe). If you need a great place for a few hours then this is the one. 

On school days they also run special toddler mornings with arts and crafts and a toddler show where you can meet Eva the Diva and sing along to your favourite songs

Check out the website for more details. 

Castaway play Congleton

This is another fantastic soft play centre with plenty to keep toddlers entertained. There is a large outdoor covered tropical beach for hours of sand play, a sensory room, soft play suitable for children up to 10 and a dedicated area for younger children.

There is also the lost jungle area suitable for children aged 2/3 upwards with a huge jungle slide, waterfall and splash pool, treetop adventure, climbing wall, sand and musical play area.

They have off-peak ticket prices for term time too. Find out more on their website here – castawayplay

Anderton boat lift

A fantastic play area has recently opened at Anderton boat lift where there’s a bridge, control house and mooring area and it cleverly uses blue surfacing so children can pretend they’re on the water.

There are also some lovely walking options too, perfect for nature lovers. You can download a map of walks on their website including walking from the boat lift to Marbury Park.

Find out more here – Anderton boat lift visitor centre

Visit your local library

There are always loads of fun activities for toddlers and preschoolers at libraries across Cheshire. You might find story time and nursery rhyme singing sessions at yours.

Find your nearest library in West Cheshire and Chester here, Warrington libraries here and in East Cheshire here.

Storyhouse Chester

This is an amazing place to visit with a fantastic children’s library. They run many free activities for kids including rhymetime, story time and regular art and craft sessions.

Find out more here – Free activities and events – Storyhouse

Little O toddler sessions at Oxygen Wilmslom

Trampolines, soft play and games for ages 5 & under. Access for one Adult & one Toddler. 60 minute sessions every morning.

Find out more and book here – Toddler Trampolining Sessions

UA trampoline park Winsford

This trampoline park runs daily (term time only) toddler sessions. Enjoy 2 hours of fun packed with songs, games, toys, colouring and squash and a biscuit.

Term time only. Find out more here – Jump Sessions

Flip out Chester

Chester’s Biggest & Best Indoor Adventure Park is full of fun for all the family & all ages. Bounce off the walls and fly to new heights with the variety of Indoor Adventure Attractions.

There is a dedicated toddler area and they run sessions for under 4s during term time only – Monday – Friday 10am – 3pm.

Find out more and book here – Flip Out Chester | Flip Out

Delamere forest

Delamere Forest is great for family walks. It’s got plenty of pram-friendly walking routes, sculptures of the Gruffalo’s friends and currently a Gruffalo party trail in 2024. Find out more here – The Gruffalo party trail at Delamere Forest.

Find the Delamere forest Gruffalo trail details here.

Find out more here – Delamere forest walks

Hare Hill NT

This is a very small National Trust site which is perfect for a walk with toddlers. It has a lovely walled garden at the centre of the woodlands which is perfect for picnics or just a run around. The new wild play area has a few bits that toddlers will really enjoy.

Find out more here – Hare Hill.

Walton Hall and Gardens, Warrington

Walton Hall and Gardens have a fantastic and large outdoor play area with fun things for all ages to play on. There is plenty that is suitable for toddlers.

There is also a petting zoo with many farm animals that is free entry. There are loads of pram-friendly paths to enjoy too.

Find out more here – Walton Hall and Gardens

Velocity Widnes

Velocity is the UKs biggest inflatable park featuring extreme drop slides, high climbing wall and lots more. There is also a dedicated arena for under 4s that includes its own slide and ball pool.

During toddler time the park is open for toddlers between walking age and 4 years, along with ONE accompanying parent or guardian for each paying toddler.

Find out more here – Toddler Time, Inflatable Park

Pure imagination, Poynton

Suitable for under 5s, Pure imagination is the perfect play place for little one’s to unleash their creativity and explore real-life scenarios alongside imaginative pretend play. Think a café next to an enchanted forest, a shop next to a Giraffe’s hangout and a hospital next to an ocean.

It is the ultimate immersive play experience for young children. Pure Imagination combines the real and the imaginary to create a truly magical place for children to play.

Find out more here – Pure Imagination

Find more Things to do in Cheshire in the rain here.

Go for a walk at Risley Moss

Risley moss is perfect for this age as it’s just 1.5 miles all the way around and there are even shorter options. There are also lots of wooden sculptures on the trail which toddlers love.

Find full details here – Risley Moss.

Little lions go wild at Lions salt works

10:00 – 11:30 am Fridays (term time only). £2 per child, no need to book (parents do need to stay). The sessions are for children aged 2-4 years old and will be outdoors whatever the weather. Based in the museum’s butterfly garden and lodge. Free parking, playground and museum access.

The sessions have been planned and developed by the Museum’s trained EYFS staff to encourage children to think actively about how the local landscape changes as the seasons pass, and how this affects the plants and animals living there. This programme mixes sensory and nature-inspired craft activities with imaginative play, fun stories and songs.

Find out more here – Little Lions Go Wild

Visit Glebe Farm

Glebe farm is a lovely free children’s farm in Astbury, Congleton. There is a great play area that is perfect for toddlers. They also have loads of animals to see and you can even buy a bag of animal food from the farm shop to feed some of the animals.

The animals include goats, alpacas, highland cows, a pony and sheep.

Find out more here – Glebe Farm Astbury, Congleton

Where to next?

I have loads more resources on my site that might be useful to you.

You might like to travel over into Greater Manchester if you’re not too far away. Find the best Things to do in Manchester with a toddler here.

If you are close to Liverpool, here are some ideas for things to do with toddlers in Liverpool.

If you need ideas for things to do at home then read this post on Outdoor activities for toddlers.

Find loads of places where you can take a toddler for a walk in my post on pram friendly walks in Cheshire.

About The Author

Sharing is caring!