21 top places to take preschoolers now schools are back
Zoe Craig
Associate Editor (Local)Now the bigger kids are back at school, we've rounded up some of the best days out around the UK for you and your preschooler to enjoy.
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1 Peppa Pig World, Paultons Park, Hampshire
With more than 60 rides and attractions, Peppa Pig fans will have a fantastic day at Peppa Pig World. As well as getting the chance to meet characters including Peppa Pig, George and Mummy Pig, your preschooler can burn off energy in the soft play area.
When: Daily from 10am (check website for any closures)
Where: Paulton's Park, New Forest, Ower, Romsey, SO51 6AL
2 Animal Farm Adventure Park, Somerset
Meet the farmyard animals while enjoying all the rides and play areas that Animal Farm Adventure Park has to offer. There is also a cosy tea room where you and your child can enjoy a piece of cake. Yum.
When: Daily 9am - 6.30pm. Last entry 4.30pm
Where: Animal Farm Adventure Park, Red Road, Berrow, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, TA8 2RW
3 Waddesdon Manor Woodland Playground, Buckinghamshire
For an outdoor day trip with your preschooler, try Waddesdon Manor Playground. Set in beautiful natural woodland, your little one can enjoy playing on the seesaws and swings.
When: Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm
Where: Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH
4 The Tamar Valley Donkey Park, Cornwall
The donkeys and other farm animals at Tamar Valley Donkey Park are just waiting to meet you and your children. Feed and pet the donkeys as well as the pigs, goats, sheep, guinea pigs and rabbits - a great day out for animal-mad kids.
When: Sept-Oct, Thurs-Sun 10.30-5pm; Nov - open weekends, 10.30-4pm
Where: The Tamar Valley Donkey Park, St Ann's Chapel, Gunnislake, Cornwall, PL18 9HW
5 Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, Norfolk
With three miles of woodland walks to enjoy at Fairhaven Woodland, your preschooler will love running around and playing. Why not try den building or go bug hunting in the woods?
When: Mar-Sept, daily, 10-5pm; Oct-Feb, daily, 10-4pm
Where: Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, School Road, South Walsham, Norwich, NR13 6DZ
6 Trentham Monkey Forest, Staffordshire
Your little monkey will love meeting these little monkeys! Trentham Monkey Forest is home to 140 Barbary macaques which are free-roaming – guaranteed to keep your preschooler entertained.
When: Daily from 10am
Where: Trentham Monkey Forest, Trentham Estate, Stone Rd, Tittensor, Stoke-on-Trent, ST12 9HR
7 Mini Mischiefs, Leicestershire
Little ones can get into mischief in a safe environment at Mini Mischiefs. As well as the slides and climbing areas for big kids, there is a dedicated baby and toddler area with a ball pit, jumparoo, baby slides, soft play obstacles and toys.
When: Daily 9.30am - 6pm
Where: Mini Mischiefs, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, LE16 7BA
8 Haugh Wood Butterfly Trails, Herefordshire
See if you can spot the butterflies on either of the two trails through Haugh Wood. With nearly 350 hectares to explore, you can easily spend a day enjoying the scenery – all before heading to school for pick up.
When: Daily all year round
Where: Haugh Wood Butterfly Trails, Hereford, HR1 4QX
9 Cadbury World, Birmingham
Who doesn't love chocolate? At Cadbury World, you can see how the nation's favourite chocolate bars are made. Your preschooler can also enjoy rides, shows ... and, of course, a bit of chocolate.
When: Mon-Fri, 10-3pm, Weekends 9.30-4pm
Where: Cadbury World, Linden Road, Birmingham, B30 1JR
10 Piglets Adventure Farm, North Yorkshire
With a host of friendly animals to meet, Piglets Adventure Farm is a great day out with the kids. Take a ride on a tractor, tackle the maize maze or build castles in the sand pit.
When: Daily 10am - 5.30pm
Where: Piglets Adventure Farm, Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Lane, Towthorpe, York, YO32 9ST
11 Tynemouth Aquarium, Tyneside
Get up close and personal with seals, otters, sharks, stingrays and plenty of other marine wildlife at Tynemouth Aquarium. There are also monkeys and reptiles as well as feeding times and shows throughout the day.
When: Daily from 10am
Where: Tynemouth Aquarium, Grand Parade, Tynemouth, North Shields, NE30 4JF
Scotland
12 Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh
Located in central Edinburgh, Princes Street Gardens is a beautiful space with a play area that your preschooler will love. There is also a cafe to relax in and historic monuments to explore.
When: Daily all year round
Where: Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh
13 Doonies Rare Breeds Farm, Aberdeenshire
Spread over 134 acres of farmland, Doonies Rare Breeds Farm is home to the largest collection of rare breed animals in Scotland. It's a great place to spend an afternoon with your kids as they meet and learn about the cows, sheep, pigs, goats, horses and more.
When: Mar-Oct daily 10am-5pm
Where: Doonies Rare Breeds Farm, Coast Road, Aberdeen, AB12 3LT
14 Vikingar Experience, Largs, Ayrshire
Overlooking the Firth of Clyde, the town of Largs and beyond, Vikingar is a unique experience for your preschooler. Your Viking guide will take you through 500 years of history through interactive displays, presentations, scale models, puzzles and games. Then let you little one burn off some energy in the Mini Viking's Soft Play Area.
When: Daily 10.30am - 2.30pm
Where: Vikingar! Greenock Road, Largs, Ayrshire, KA30 8QL
Wales
15 Dwyfor Ranch Rabbit Farm and Animal Park, Ceredigion, North Wales
There are not just rabbits at Dwyfor Ranch Rabbit Farm - there are also puppies, chicks, ponies, lambs and goats. Your preschooler will love spending an afternoon cuddling and feeding these adorable animals.
When: Daily 10am - 5pm
Where: Dwyfor Ranch Rabbit Farm and Animal Park, Llanystumdwy, Criccieth, Gwynedd
16 Victoria Park Adventure Playground, Cardiff
Let off some steam at Victoria Park with swings, slides, bouncers and more. There is also a shop selling hot food so you can enjoy a warming picnic. You could even take a trike or scooter for a spin.
When: Daily 7.30am - dusk
Where: Victoria Park, Victoria Park Rd E, Cardiff CF5 1EH
17 Surfer Sam's Soft Play Shack, Dolgarrog, Conwy
Relax with a coffee while your little ones have hours of fun on the wavy slides and in the ball pits at The Soft Play Shack. With separate zones to explore, your preschooler is guaranteed to have fun.
When: Daily 9am-6pm
Where: Surfer Sam's Soft Play Shack, Conwy Road Surf Snowdonia, Dolgarrog LL32 8QE Wales
Northern Ireland
18 Belfast Zoo, Belfast
Who doesn't love meeting zoo animals? At Belfast Zoo, you'll meet lions, tigers, elephants, gorillas, sea lions, penguins and more. There is also a rare breeds farm, where you can meet rare breeds of some of your favourite farmyard animals.
When: Apr-Sep, daily 10am-7pm; Nov-Mar, daily 10am-4pm
Where: Belfast Zoo, Antrim Road, Belfast, Newtownabbey, BT36 7PN
Love animals? Here's our pick of the best family-friendly zoos and safari parks around the UK
19 The Arcadia Playground, Portrush, County Antrim
Overlooking the north coast, The Arcadia Playground includes an outdoor paddling pool, giant sand toys, rope swings and more all set within touching distance of a few cafes and a delicious smelling bakery.
When: Daily 10am - dusk
Where: The Arcadia, East Strand, Portrush, County Antrim, BT56 8JE
20 Peter Pan's Neverland, Portadown, County Armagh
Your preschooler will love exploring the soft play frame at Peter Pan's Neverland. There is a separate baby and toddler area, so smaller children can stay away from boisterous big kids.
When: Mon-Sat 10am-6.30pm; Sun 1-6.30pm
Where: Peter Pan's Neverland, Unit 4, Meadows Retail Park, 72 Meadow Ln, Portadown, Craigavon BT62 3NJ
21 Castle Caldwell Forest Walk, Belleek, County Fermanagh
For a nice relaxing walk, the trail around Castle Caldwell offers beautiful views of the castle and the farmland surrounding it. Take a picnic and see how many different birds you can spot before exploring the castle itself.
When: Daily all year round
Where: Castle Caldwell Forest, A47, Enniskillen BT93 2AH
Need a bit more info to plan your day out? Visit Tripadvisor for reviews and more information.
