24 brilliant places to visit with your kids before summer ends

Looking for something fun to do before the kids go back to school? We've got 24 last-minute things to do with your family before summer ends.

Take a trip through the Maize Maze at the Skylark Funyard in Cambridgeshire. Once you're through the 12 acre maze, there are even more activities to enjoy including go-karts, a huge bouncing pillow and a zip wire.
When: Until 31 Aug 21
Where: Skylark Funyard, Manea Road, Wimblington, March, PE15 0PE

The first real Tyrannosaurus rex to be exhibited in England for over a century will arrive in Nottingham this summer – and this is your chance to see it! Visit the skeleton of Titus, discovered in the Montana Badlands in the USA and explore his life and environment at the gorgeous Wollaton Hall.
When: Until 7 Nov 21
Where: Wollaton Hall & Deer Park, Nottingham, NG8 2AE

Choose from mini golf, trampolines, climbing walls, a flight simulator or a Virtual Reality Zone, to name just a few of the different activities available this summer at RAF Cosford's ever-brilliant museum. Plus burn off some energy at their brand-new, aviator-themed outdoor adventure playground, opened in Spring 2021.
When: Until 30 Aug 21
Where: RAF Museum Cosford, Shifnal, Shropshire, TF11 8UP

Follow Alice down the rabbit's hole and make your way through a topsy-turvy wonderland at the Lewis of London Maize Maze. Finish your day out with a tasty treat at the farm's ice cream parlour – which of the delicious flavours will you choose?
When: Until 5 Sep 21
Where: Lewis of London, Fold Farm, Galley Lane, Barnet, EN5 4RA

Calling all animal lovers! The West Midland Safari Park is the place for you this summer. As well as more than 165 species of exotic animals to meet, there's a theme park, dinosaur adventure, an Ice Age trail, African village and more.
When: Open daily, 10am-5pm
Where: West Midland Safari Park, Spring Grove Road, Bewdley, Kidderminster, DY12 1LF

Head to one of the finest adventure golf centres in Europe – Pirate Cove! Test your skill on the golf course, then set sail in an electric GoGo Boat in search of adventures on the high seas, and buried treasure...
When: Golf, open daily; GoGo Boats available at the weekends and throughout school holidays
Where: Pirate Cove Adventure Park, External Wintergarden, Bluewater, Kent DA9 9SF

Don't miss other Adventure Golf sites in Barnet; Northolt; and Waltham Forest

The amazing giant Lego creatures are back at London's Wetland Centre in Barnes. Plus, there are three new friends to find: Sam the short-eared owl, Walter the water vole and Skye the stork. The lego trail is free as part of the admission to the centre
When: Open daily
Where: WWT London, Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes, London, SW13 9WT

With a huge indoor playbarn, mini golf, a fantastic outdoor playground, adventure fort, plus goats, pigs, donkeys, chickens and sheep, there's plenty to keep you entertained at Odds Farm Park in High Wycombe.
When: Open daily, 10am-5.30pm
Where: Odds Farm Park, Wooburn Common, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP10 0LX

Try your hand at the wild Caveman Course with plunging waterfalls, or the jungle canopy of the Treetop Course at Jungle Rumble golf on Brighton beach. And after the game, treat your family to a fab snack on the roof terrace cafe. We recommend the mega milkshakes!
When: Open daily
Where: Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf, 286 Madeira Drive, Brighton BN2 1EN

There are other Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf centres in London; Bristol; and Glasgow

Follow the Edentify family trail around the spacious Eden Project gardens, with clues designed especially for kids. There are surprises at every turn. Use the numbers on the map to plot your walk through the Outdoor Gardens, while looking out for the hidden gems in our numbered photo collage.
When: Open daily
Where: The Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, PL24 2SG

Explore the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence, from its extraordinary ancient roots to the thrilling vision of the future at the World Museum in Liverpool this summer. AI: More Than Human is an interactive, immersive treat.
When: Until 31 Oct 21
Where: World Museum Liverpool, William Brown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EN

There's so much for kids to explore at the Life Science Centre. Catch a new live show full of exciting bangs and explosions; try some real life experiments; explore the amazing Brain Zone; and make a wind-powered moving toy to take home.
When: Open daily
Where: Life Science Centre, Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4EP

The Jungle Parc high ropes course at Walton Hall Gardens includes two rocket zips, Tarzan swings, wobbly logs and bridges, a standing zip line, a sitting zipline and even an aerial skateboard! Suitable for kids aged 4 and up.
When: Open daily
Where: Jungle Parc, Walton Hall Gardens, Walton Lea Road, WA4 6SN

There are two more Jungle Parc sites; one in Northamptonshire and one in Swindon.

Choose between the mountain bike trail; the orienteering course; or the Nature Trail at Oakwell Hall Country Park in Yorkshire. The Nature trail follows a figure-of-eight route and is just less than two miles long – perfect for little legs.
Where: Oakwell Hall Country Park, Nova Lane, Birstall, Batley WF17 9LF

For 10 weeks this summer, Octopus Ahoy! art sculptures will form a public art trail across Harwich, Tendring and the wider Essex area to celebrate the Mayflower 400 project and 150 Years of Clacton. The art trail, featuring 30 4ft-by-4ft octopus sculptures, can be followed on the Octopus Ahoy! app; every time you reach an octopus and GPS picks up your location (or you scan the QR code on the plinth of the sculpture), you can earn a prize!
When: Until 5 Sep 21
Where: Harwich, Tendring and the wider Essex area. Visit octopusahoy.co.uk to find out more.

Step inside Van Gogh's glorious paintings at Van Gogh Alive! this summer. Follow Vincent on a journey through the Netherlands, Arles, Saint Rémy and Auvers-sur-Oise, where he created many of his timeless masterpieces, as beautiful videos and music play around you.
When: Until 26 Sep 21 (London)
Where: Kensington Gardens, London

Listen to the mysterious sounds of water moving inside trees, hunt for different plants hiding in the plantscapes around the Gardens, and learn what you can do to help plants and wildlife flourish in your area. Pick up your guide to the Kew Gardens family trail when you arrive.
When: Until 19 Sep 21 
Where: Kew Gardens, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE

Start at the Story Museum in Oxford and follow a walk through the city to Christ Church Meadow, telling stories of vengeful rabbits in Africa, a secret fruit tree in the Amazon, and a foolish frog in Australia, having fun with riddles and themed games all the way. Recommended for kids aged 3 and up.
When: Until 29 Aug 21
Where: The Story Museum, 42 Pembroke Street, Oxford, OX1 1BP

Hold on tight! England's longest zipline opens at Bluewater in Kent this summer. 'Fly' more than 700 metres over the Bluewater shopping centre, nature reserve and lake. It's the perfect day out for adrenaline junkies aged 8 and over!
Where: Hangloose Adventure (Bluewater), Bluewater Pkwy, Dartford, Greenhithe, Kent, DA9 9ST

After Zooms at the Festival Theatre is designed for 6-10 year olds who want to try their hand at mural making, graffiti, song writing and street dance. There's something new to explore each week, with sessions lead by professional artists and materials, plus there'll be a drink and snack provided by Capital Theatres.
When: 6 & 27 Aug 21
Where: Festival Theatre, 13-29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9FT

The National Museum of Scotland's summer show gives visitors the chance to see more than 100 objects (silver, gold and jewelled treasures, plus textiles) from AD 900 and learn how the incredible Galloway Hoard is transforming our understanding of Scotland's history.
When: Until 12 Sept 21
Where: National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF

Follow the family-friendly Minibeasts, Birds and Trees of the Botanics Trail at the beautiful Glasgow Botanic Gardens this summer.
When: Open daily
Where: Glasgow Botanic Gardens, 730 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G12 0UE

Head to the wonderful Welsh Wildlife nature reserve and lose yourself... there's a giant reedbed and a hidden gorge just crying out to be explored. Look out for the adventure playground, spot a giant willow badger, and follow the fabulous trails for all abilities on site.
Where: The Welsh Wildlife Centre, Cilgerran, SA43 2TB

Choose from pond dipping, bird challenges, den building, mini beast safaris and more this summer at WWT Castle Espie in Comber. There's a variety of different themed adventure days throughout the summer, so you can discover something different every time you go.
When: Until 22 Aug 21
Where: WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, 78 Ballydrain Road, Comber, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 6EA