Bristol is a great destination for a family trip and we pride ourselves on being a family-friendly city, offering entertainment for kids of all ages.
We've picked Bristol's family-friendly things to do and sorted them into the handy list below. We also have plenty of family events in Bristol to enjoy as well as excellent family hotels and places to stay to make your break to Bristol extra special. So get making some memories and visit Bristol with your family.
Family days out
There is a whole city to explore with world-class attractions and exciting activities. Become a Bristol adventurer and search for Banksy on the walls, or sharks under the water at Bristol Aquarium. You could explore the World’s first great ocean liner at Brunel's SS Great Britain, travel through space in the Planetarium at We The Curious (currently closed for repairs until summer 2024), or pilot Concorde at Aerospace Bristol.
Come face to face with a cheeky lemur at Bristol Zoo Project or even a dinosaur at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, visit the world’s first amazement park Wake the Tiger ®, or explore caves (and a whole lot more) at Wookey Hole.
Boat trips are a brilliant way to explore the city, with Bristol Ferry providing a service around the harbour and to Temple Meads station, or Bristol Packet Boat Trips running extra trips during the school holidays. You can also book a harbour cruise aboard The Matthew on certain dates throughout the year too.
A perfect family base
Bristol has all the exciting bustle and culture you'd want from a city break but with countryside, seaside and green spaces all around and right on our doorstep, meaning it's a great base for families to explore not only the city itself but really let off some steam in nearby Somerset, South Gloucestershire and The Cotswolds.
You could spend some time in the English countryside and visit some amazing family attractions near Bristol including The Grand Pier in Weston-super Mare, Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park, Longleat Safari Park, Cheddar Gorge & Caves, Chew Valley Animal Park, Noah's Ark Zoo Farm and Wolfridge Alpaca Barn.
For some outdoorsy activities, book the kids in for a surf or play in the bay session at The Wave, join a session with Mendip Activity Centre, Adventure Bristol or Adventurous Activity Company to try something new. See how many bird species you can spot from paddling a wild canoe safari at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
Or for some indoor fun to enjoy whatever the weather, bounce around at AirHop Bristol, practice your bowling skills at Roxy Lanes, or see who emerges victorious at Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf in Cabot Circus.
If the kids need some sea air, then head to Weston-super-Mare or Clevedon in coastal Somerset for beaches, piers and seaside fun.
Family shows and exhibitions
Bristol’s theatres show family friendly shows throughout the year and in school holidays – from top West End hits to local productions as well as family fun and entertainment. Check the latest theatre listings before you visit.
Learn about the history of Bristol at M Shed, see what a Bristol sugar plantation and slave owner’s home might have looked like at The Georgian House Museum and step inside and experience more than 400 years of history at The Red Lodge Museum.
View the latest exhibitions at the RWA and spend some time at their Family Activity Space, or join a family workshop at Arnolfini. Want to create some art of your own? Join a spray session with Where The Wall, a graffiti workshop with Graft, or a nature-inspired workshop at Goldfinch Create and Play.
Accessible family attractions
Find out more about accessible family attractions on our Accessibility guide pages.
Children's Play Centres, Playgrounds and Soft Play in Bristol
Children’s play centres, soft play, indoor play centres, whatever you know them as, we all know that they are brilliant fun for kids. They are also perfect for when the weather isn’t on your side, to while away some hours undercover. The kids can let off some steam and have lots of fun in the ball pools, slides, soft shapes, trampolines, while the parents can grab a coffee and a slice of cake!
Find out more about what else you can do in Bristol when the weather isn't on your side in our Rainy Days in Bristol section.
However, If you'd rather be outside in the fresh air then there are many playgrounds and parks in Bristol with swings, slides, climbing frames and more. Help the kids to burn off some of that boundless energy.
Family friendly restaurants in Bristol
After you've been exploring and adventuring all day with your family, you'll need somewhere to refuel. Check out our section on family-friendly places to eat in Bristol to browse plenty of options across the city.
Still have questions?
Travelling with your family is wonderful, but the logistics can sometimes be tricky, and we want to make life as easy for you as we can. So if you have any more specific questions about pushchair access, changing facilities, children's menus, family rooms or anything else, please contact us.
