11 min readExploring Bristol with children under three years old is an exciting adventure, and you're never short of options!
Bristol offers a mix of fun, educational, and interactive activities perfectly suited for toddlers and young children. Whether you're seeking hands-on play spaces, outdoor parks with plenty of room to roam, or gentle animal encounters, Bristol has something for every curious mind and energetic explorer.
We The Curious
Children under two enter for free
Located on Bristol’s Harbourside, We The Curious is a hands-on science museum that encourages exploration and play. For toddlers, there’s plenty to interact with, from light displays to water tables, and even a dedicated under-5s space where they can explore in a safe environment. The Tinker Lab is especially great for sensory exploration. It’s perfect for rainy days, allowing little ones to engage their senses while learning in a fun, relaxed way.
Top Tip: Plan your visit for a quieter weekday morning to avoid crowds and maximize hands-on time.
Image - We The Curious
Brunel's SS Great Britain
Children under three enter for free
Step aboard the world’s first great ocean liner, Brunel’s SS Great Britain! Toddlers will love exploring the grand decks and hidden nooks of this historic ship. The life-size figures, atmospheric sounds, and interactive displays are enough to spark their curiosity. Plus, with wide spaces and open areas, it's perfect for little legs to roam safely.
Top Tip: Don’t miss the Dockyard Museum before you board the ship; it has some child-friendly exhibits and a chance to “climb” the rigging virtually.
Image - Brunel's SS Great Britain
Bristol Aquarium
Children under two enter for free
A visit to the Bristol Aquarium offers toddlers a glimpse into an underwater world full of colourful fish, rays, and even sharks. The aquarium’s winding paths are buggy-friendly, making it easy to navigate with little ones. Toddlers will be fascinated by the marine life, especially in the interactive rock pool section where they can safely touch starfish and sea anemones.
Top Tip: Take your toddler to the underwater tunnel, it’s a magical experience watching the fish swim overhead.
Image - Bristol Aquarium
Bristol Zoo Project
Children under three enter for free
Just off the M5 at Cribbs Causeway, you'll find Bristol Zoo Project. Your little ones can get up close to giraffes, lemurs, and zebras, while also exploring play areas designed with younger children in mind. The zoo’s open, nature-centric layout is perfect for toddlers who love to run around while learning about wildlife. You can also enjoy the Explorers Basecamp, a three-storey play tower with slides, rope jungles, climbing walls, and so much more.
Top Tip: Visit early in the day for a quieter experience and to see animals when they’re most active.
Image - Bristol Zoo Project
Aerospace Bristol
Children under four enter for free
If your toddler loves planes, then Aerospace Bristol is a must visit. This museum showcases Bristol’s rich aviation history and is home to the iconic Concorde. Toddlers can get up close to real aircraft and explore interactive displays designed to engage little minds. There’s even a play area for young children where they can let off steam after touring the exhibits.
Top Tip: Check out the Concorde cockpit - it’s a fascinating spot for budding pilots.
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M Shed
Free entry for all visitors
M Shed is a museum that tells the story of Bristol and its people, with interactive exhibits that are toddler-friendly. Young visitors can explore different forms of transport, including buses and trains, and discover Bristol’s history through hands-on activities. There’s also a viewing terrace that offers great views of the harbour and historic dockside cranes.
Top Tip: Visit on weekends to catch free family-friendly activities and events, from steam train rides to watching the cranes in action.
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Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Free entry for all visitors
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery is a treasure trove of fascinating exhibits, from dinosaurs to Egyptian mummies. Toddlers will love the large open spaces, and the museum’s child-friendly approach makes it accessible for younger children to enjoy without feeling overwhelmed. The natural history section with fossils and stuffed animals is always a hit with toddlers.
Top Tip: The museum runs regular toddler sessions, so be sure to check their schedule before your visit.
Image - Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Wake The Tiger
Children under five enter for free
For an otherworldly adventure, head to Wake The Tiger, an immersive art experience that blends storytelling, exploration, and creativity. It’s a sensory wonderland where toddlers can walk through imaginative dreamscapes, from twinkling forests to a futuristic airplane. Though designed for all ages, younger children will especially enjoy the interactive elements, with plenty of buttons, levers, slides and hidden passageways.
Top Tip: Keep an eye out for their kid-friendly crafting activities during the school holidays.
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Wookey Hole
Children under four enter for free
While the caves at Wookey Hole aren't suitable for buggies and pushchairs, there is still plenty to keep younger visitors entertained! Walk through Dinosaur Grove and the Enchanted Valley, have a go at Pirate Adventure Golf and explore the on-site museums and penny arcade. There is a soft play area for 3-5 year olds and another for children aged over five. The 4D cinema is not suitable for children aged under three years of age. The circus shows also provide a grand spectacle, and are suitable for ages two and above.
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Brean Play
Prices vary according to age and height, plus peak and off-peak visiting times
Brean Play is an indoor soft play area just outside Bristol, perfect for toddlers to climb, slide, and play safely. With dedicated toddler zones, it’s a great place for younger children to run wild, especially on rainy days. There are plenty of toys, padded climbing structures, and slides to keep them entertained for hours.
Top Tip: Make sure to bring some spare socks for everyone—it's a socks-only play zone!
Image - Brean Play
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm
Children under two enter for free
A short drive from Bristol, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is a great day out for families. Toddlers will love meeting animals like elephants, giraffes, and lions. There are also dedicated play areas and soft play zones, plus tractor rides that are sure to be a hit with younger visitors.
Top Tip: Pack a picnic and enjoy lunch in one of the picnic areas—they’re located near some of the play areas, so toddlers can keep playing while you relax.
Image - Noah's Ark Zoo Farm
Old Down Country Park
Children under two enter for free
Little ones can get up close to a range of animals here, including chickens, peacocks, ferrets, birds, miniature donkeys, alpacas and llamas. Visit Pets Corner for some animal encounters and cuddle bunnies and guinea pigs. There's also a dedicated Toddler Area in their adventure play section, with a sandpit, trampoline, playhouses and big wooden tractor, plus a Mud Kitchen and Potting Shed for messy play.
Top Tip: Explore the woodland trail and see if your toddler can find fairies hidden among the woodland flowers...
Image - Old Down Country Park
WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre
Children under four enter for free
For a nature-filled day, visit WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, just a short drive from Bristol. Toddlers can get up close to birds, ducks, and other wildlife, with plenty of trails and buggy-friendly paths to explore. There’s also Wellyboot Land and play areas where little ones can interact with water and sand.
Top Tip: Remember to bring your wellies and wetsuits for splashing and paddling!
Image - WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre
The Wave
Free entry to spectate or visit the cafe and play areas. Play in the Bay sessions from £17 (including one adult and one child)
For adventurous families, The Wave is a unique inland surfing destination where even toddlers can have a great time. While surfing lessons start for older kids, toddlers will love playing in the sand and exploring the beautifully designed outdoor spaces. There are also regular Play in the Bay sessions where children of all ages can paddle and swim in the lake (children aged eight and under and those who can’t swim must be accompanied in the water by an adult at a ratio of one adult per child aged eight or under).
Top Tip: The café offers a great selection of toddler-friendly snacks, so don’t worry about packing lunch.
Image - Play in the Bay at The Wave
Westonbirt Arboretum
Children under four enter for free
Located just up the M5 from Bristol, Westonbirt Arboretum is a magical place for toddlers to explore nature. With miles of woodland trails, a treetop walkway, a forest play area and plenty of open space for running and playing, it’s a fantastic spot for family walks. The changing seasons provide endless fascination for little ones, from autumn leaves to spring blossoms.
Top Tip: Westonbirt allows bikes and scooters in the arboretum if they are under 70cm from floor to handlebars.
Image - Westonbirt Arboretum
Avon Valley Adventure Park
Just outside of Bristol, Avon Valley Adventure Park is a fantastic destination for toddlers who love animals and outdoor play. The park is home to farm animals, multiple play areas, and plenty of toddler-friendly activities. There’s even a miniature railway and soft play area for younger children.
Top Tip: Keep an eye out for seasonal events like pumpkin picking or Christmas grottos, which add an extra layer of magic for young children.
Image - Avon Valley Adventure Park
Little Town Adventures
Toddlers will love this interactive mini town, where they can get involved with role play and activities at a child-sized ice cream shop, fire station, supermarket, police station and even a mini version of the famous Grand Pier!
Top Tip: If Little Town Adventures is a hit, you can visit the similar Ocean Adventurers indoor play centre in Cheddar, or Space Adventurers in Taunton!
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Windmill Hill City Farm
Free to visit
Get up close with sheep, pigs, goats and cows at this little farm in Bedminster, just a short distance from the harbour. There is a playground and outdoor play areas, gardens and an award-winning cafe to ensure this is a fun day for all ages.
Image - Windmill Hill City Farm
AirHop Bristol
Toddler Takeovers £11 for one adult and one child under six
Visit this trampoline park in Cribbs Causeway for their dedicated Toddler Takeovers, where kids between one and six years old can jump around with additional sensory toys, ride-ons and the popular bubble time at the end of each session. There are also Family Takeover sessions, which allow the whole family from ages one and up to jump together – these run on peak days only from 10-11am.
Image - AirHop
Out There Indoors Play Café
This Scandinavian-inspired play café in Paintworks has three climbing walls, ball shoots, a dress-up area, loose parts for creative play, sensory items, a cosy book corner and lots more aged at ages five and under.
Chew Valley Animal Park
Meet pygmy goats, ponies, meerkats, capybaras, camels, ring-tailed lemurs and more at this scenic animal park. Enjoy handling sessions with some of the smaller furry animals, feed the donkeys and deer, and visit Guinea Village.
Image - Chew Valley Animal Park
Goldfinch Create and Play
Goldfinch runs a range of art clubs, preschool art sessions, baby sensory classes and art parties for children of all ages. Their Music and Move sessions for 1.5-5 year olds introduce your child to a wide variety of musical instruments, while their Mini Makers sessions focus on making with recycled craft materials to develop creative skills and environmental awareness.
Image - Goldfinch Create and Play
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