23 of the best theme parks for toddlers

If your little one is obsessed with Peppa Pig, head to Peppa Pig World at Paulton's Theme Park in Romsey, Hampshire. There are fabulous rides including Peppa’s Big Balloon Ride and Grandpa’s Little Train. There's also a huge Peppa Pig-themed indoor play area. And children under one metre tall go free!
When: Select dates throughout Feb-Dec
Where: Paulton's Family Theme Park, Home of Peppa Pig World, Ower, Romsey, SO51 6AL

If your little one is a fan of shows on CBeebies, Alton Towers in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire is the place to be. From Postman Pat's van to the Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure, they'll love seeing their favourite cartoon characters come to life in CBeebies Land.
When: select dates throughout the year, 10am-5pm
Where: Cbeebies Land, Alton Towers Resort, Alton, Staffordshire, ST10 4DB

Your train-mad kid will love Thomas Land, a dedicated theme park for kids in the grounds of Drayton Manor Park (which has rides for bigger kids, too). Although there are still height restrictions in place, even the littlest toddlers will find plenty to do here. From bashing about on the diesel engines to being hoisted up on Cranky's Tower Drop or whirling about on Harold's Helicopter Tour, there are loads of toddler and preschool-age friendly rides. Catch the train over to Tidmouth Hault station where you'll find outdoor animals, Spencer's Outdoor Play Area and an indoor model train track that'll mesmerise train fans, whatever their age. There’s also a brilliant outdoor play area, 4-D cinema, zoo and spacious and well-run soft play area – so plenty to fill an entire day, whatever the weather!  
When: select dates throughout the year,
Where: Thomas Land, Drayton Manor Drive, Mile Oak, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B78 3TW

For little one's who love big digging machines, Diggerland Yorkshire in Castleford has it all. Your kids can experience sitting in diggers, testing their skills on the Dumper Trucks, knocking down the skittles and digging a giant hole with the dirt diggers.
When: February to November
Where: Diggerland Yorkshire, Willowbridge Lane, Castleford, West Yorkshire, WF10 5NW

There are similarly toddler-friendly Diggerlands in Kent, Devon and Durham.

With many rides perfect for toddlers, Ocean Beach Pleasure Park in South Shields, Tyneside is a great choice for a family day out. From the flying elephants ride to the mini swings and even the amusement arcade, your little one will have a ball.
When: Rides are open at weekends and school holidays from 12noon – 5pm
Where: Ocean Beach Pleasure Park, Sea Road, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE33 2LD

Aimed at kids from two-years-old, Gulliver's World Theme Park in Warrington, Cheshire will provide your little ones with hours of entertainment. With rides designed for toddlers to enjoy through to soft play areas and dress up stations, it's the perfect theme park for little ones.
When: 10.30am-5pm, various dates
Where: Gulliver's World Theme Park, Shackleton Close, Old Hall, Warrington, Cheshire WA5 9YZ

There's other brilliant toddler-friendly Gulliver's theme parks in Milton Keynes (Gulliver's Land) and Matlock, Bath (Gulliver's Kingdom).

Your toddler might not have started playing with Lego yet but they will still love Legoland Windsor Resort in Berkshire. There are loads of rides for younger children – including the brilliant Duplo Valley – and lots of shows ideal for toddlers.
When: select dates throughout the year, 9.30am-6pm
Where: Legoland Windsor, Winkfield Road, Windsor, SL4 4AY

From Turbo Teacups and Flying Elephants to indoor adventures in the Aztec play centre, Adventure Wonderland in Christchurch, Dorset is a great day out for toddlers. Although the whole park isn't open all year round, the Aztec play centre is ... meaning you can visit with your toddler whenever you want.
When: select dates throughout the year, 10am-6pm
Where: Adventure Wonderland, Merritown Lane, Hurn, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 6BA

Designed for kids under 10-years-old, Sundown Adventureland near Retford, Nottinghamshire is a great theme park to visit on a day out with your toddler. All the rides are suitable for children of any age, so check out Angry Birds, Toy Town and Smugglers Cove. And children under 90cm tall go free!
When: All year round, from February half term, right through until Christmas Eve
Where: Sundown Adventureland, Treswell Road, Rampton, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 0HX

This free theme park is perfect for a family day out with your toddler. Adventure Island in Southend On Sea, Essex has a great indoor area with soft play and rides – perfect for your little ones.
When: Every weekend until 18 November
Where: Adventure Island, Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1EE

Chessington World of Adventures is a huge theme park and zoo in Greater London with plenty of rides to suit smaller guests. Look out for the Gruffalo River Ride Adventure, a magical Room on the Broom ride and Elmer’s Flying jungle ride. There’s also a dedicated toddler play area: Dragon’s playhouse in the Land of the Dragons.
When: All year round, main season from Mar-Oct
Where: Chessington World of Adventures, Leatherhead Rd, Chessington KT9 2NE

Little ones love bouncing on the huge Jumping Jupiter outdoor pillows and riding in Humphrey the Cosmic Caterpillar and the Milky Way train at The Milky Way Adventure Park in North Devon. There are also special dodgems sessions for smaller children. Don't miss the Little Stars indoor play zone, perfect for smaller members of the family. There's a sensory room with mesmerising light displays for under 3's and a role-play pizzeria – as well as a great cafe serving real(!) meals and snacks.
When: select dates Nov and Dec 2021, 2022 dates tbc
Where: The Milky Way Adventure Park, Higher Clovelly, Bideford, North Devon, EX39 5RY

Flamingo Land is a theme park and a zoo, alongside a resort where you can extend your stay into a holiday – there's so much to do! Rides for toddlers include a Runaway train, a Dino rollercoaster, a helitoys helicopter ride, and the wonderful Muddy Duck Tractor ride. Look out for the special events too: you might be able to meet heroes like Peter Rabbit and friends ...
When: 10am-4pm daily
Where: Flamingo Land Resort, Kirby Misperton, Malton YO17 6UX

Along with 30 exciting rides and activities at the Grade II listed Wicksteed Park in Northamptonshire, there’s 147 acres of beautiful rolling parkland to explore. Smaller kids will love this calm, smaller-kid oriented theme park. Don't miss the Cups and Saucers; Mini Jets and Mini Rangers; the Carousel, the Rockin' Tug and the sand and water zone.
When: Daily
Where: Wicksteed Park, Barton Road, Kettering NN15 6NJ

Blackgang Chine is home to a series of imaginatively themed lands, including a Pirate Cove, a realm of Dinosaurs, an Underwater Kingdom, a Fairy Village and a Cowboy Town: each one perfect for fuelling todders' amazing imaginations. Look out for Pirate Barrels (a themed version of the Teacups), the Crooked House, and Nurseryland where you can explore the house that Jack built, visit the old woman who lived in a shoe, and climb inside magical toadstools and treehouses.
When: March to November
Where: Blackgang Chine, Near Chale, Isle of Wight, PO38 2HN

Head to Pleasurewood Hills in Suffolk to give you little ones a brilliant introduction to the world of theme parks. Explore the Kiddie Zone with its rides which are suitable for children around one metre tall, or choose from family-friendly rides to suit everyone.
When: April-November
Where: Pleasurewood Hills, Leisure Way, Lowestoft NR32 5DZ

Ferdi's Funland at Flambards is perfect for younger kids with lots of cool rides: enjoy the classic spinning Teacups, experience great views from the top of the Cornwall Eye, take a scenic tour in the Dino Express and even control the Space Shuttle ride.  
When: Easter-October with winter opening of undercover exhibitions
Where: Flambards, Clodgey Lane, Helston TR13 0QA

Toddlers will love riding on the Pickie Puffer train at the Pickie Funpark in Bangor. There's also a pirate playpark, adventure playground and, for warmer months, splash pads.
When: All year round, but times vary depending on season
Where: Pickie Funpark, Marine Gardens, Bangor, Co Down, BT20 5AG

As well as rides and attractions for kids of all ages, M&D's Scotland in Motherwell, Lanarkshire has ‘glow in the dark’ indoor bowling, a soft play area and Game Zone with the very latest amusements. If your toddler is animal mad, you can also explore AMAZONIA, Scotland's only indoor tropical rainforest packed with exotic animals, birds and creepy crawlies.
When: March to November
Where: M&D's Scotland's Theme Park, Strathclyde Country Park, Motherwell, Lanarkshire, ML1 3RT

Landmark Forest Adventure Park in Inverness-shire is a forest-based theme park with dinosaurs, treetop walkways, a tropical house, a maze and more. Toddlers will love the mini safari, mini diggers and exploring the nature trail.
When: Parts of the park are open all year round.
Where: Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge PH23 3AJ

Let your little ones visit the animals and then hop on one of the many vintage rides or play in the adventure park at Folly Farm in Begelly, Pembrokeshire. Very toddler-friendly, the park has free entry for kids under two years old, and free toddler safety wristbands.
When: All year round
Where: Folly Farm, Begelly, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire, SA68 0XA

Visit GreenWood, Wales' theme park with a focus on eco-friendly family fun. Ride the world's first people-powered rollercoaster and the country's only solar-powered water slide! GreenWood run special events, themed weeks and creative workshops throughout the year, so there's always something new to discover.
When: Daily, closed 24-26 Dec 
Where: GreenWood, Y Felinheli, Gwynedd, LL56 4QN

There's plenty to entertain all ages at Oakwood Theme Park, Wales' biggest theme park. But toddlers will love the Young Adventure, and Neverland areas of the park where they can enjoy rides like Journey to Neverland, the Jolly Roger Pirate Ship, the Crocodile Coaster and Tink's Flying School.
When: Various dates between Feb and Nov
Where: Oakwood Theme Park, Canaston Bridge, Narberth, SA67 8DE