Days out · Theme parks · Experiences

Big days out.
Little prices.

Theme parks, escape rooms, free museums, zip lines and Disney: family days out for toddlers, teens and everyone in between, with honest tips from Scout the Fox.

Theme parks Harry Potter Disney Free days out Discount codes Experience days

Real offers only. No made-up codes.
UK, US & Europe local to international
Free to use never a booking fee
Scout-checked tips for every budget

Meet your guide

Hello! I’m Scout the Fox 🦊

I sniff out the best-value family days out, from free museums down the road to Disney across the ocean. Look for my tips on every page: who each day out suits, how to pay less, and what to watch out for.

Start with a real discount or kids-go-free offer
Or try a totally free day out
Planning something big? See theme parks and Disney

Why families use HappyDaysOut

Real deals, no fake codes

Lots of “voucher” sites list codes that don’t work. We only list offers we’ve checked on official sites, with the date we checked them.

Honest tips from Scout

Who each day out suits, how to save, and what to watch out for. Scout gives advice, never fake star ratings or made-up reviews.

Near you or far away

Local farm parks and free museums, big national attractions, and family trips abroad, all in one place.

Pick your kind of adventure

Sixteen ways to fill a weekend. Or use the adventure finder.

Theme parks

Coasters, castles and LEGO bricks

Teen fave

Escape rooms

60 minutes to break out

Zip lines & high ropes

Treetops and big drops

Water parks

Flumes, waves and lazy rivers

A steam train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct in the Scottish Highlands

Harry Potter

Studio Tour, castles, steam trains

Cinderella Castle reflected in the moat at Magic Kingdom

Disney

Paris, Florida, California

Karts & skate parks

Need for speed

Surf & paddle

Catch your first wave

Snow & ice

Ski, sledge and skate

Indoor fun

Trampolines, bowling, laser tag

Zoos & aquariums

Penguins to giraffes

Visitors exploring a dinosaur fossil gallery

Museums & science

Dinosaurs and rockets

Castles

Knights and dungeons

A family walking on the beach holding hands

Beaches

Rock pools and fossils

A family walking together on a grassy hill

Nature

Trails, stars and waterfalls

Two parents and a child holding hands on the seashore

Free

Free days out

Zero-cost fun

⚡ Teen zone

Days out teenagers actually rate. See them all →

A roller coaster track against a blue sky

Theme parks££ Mid-range

Photo: Jonny Gios / Unsplash

Thorpe Park Resort

Chertsey, Surrey, England

Fast, big rides aimed squarely at teens and thrill-seeking adults.

TeensOutdoor

Scout: The teen pick near London. Check height limits for younger siblings.

Scout’s guide Official site ↗

Escape rooms & trails££ Mid-range

Photo: Zachary Keimig / Unsplash

Escape rooms

Escape rooms near you

Solve puzzles as a team to “escape” in 60 minutes.

Ages 5–11TeensIndoor

Scout: Ask for a family or beginner room, and the minimum age.

Scout’s guide

Karts, skates & bikes££ Mid-range

Photo: David Armstrong / Unsplash

Go-karting

Karting tracks near you

Junior and family sessions at indoor and outdoor tracks.

Ages 5–11TeensIndoor + outdoor

Scout: Age and height rules vary by track. Check before booking.

Scout’s guide

Zip lines & high ropes££ Mid-range

Photo: Nadiia Ganzhyi / Unsplash

Go Ape treetop adventures

Forests across the UK

Rope bridges, zip wires and Tarzan swings high in the trees.

Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor

Scout: Check the age and height rules for each course before booking.

Scout’s guide Official site ↗

A surfer riding a wave on an orange board

Surf & paddle££ Mid-range

Photo: Joseph Greve / Unsplash

The Wave

Near Bristol, England

An inland surf lake with waves on demand, and lessons for beginners.

Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor

Scout: Check minimum ages for lessons before booking.

Scout’s guide Official site ↗

Hot air balloons rising over the landscape

Zip lines & high ropes££ Mid-range

Photo: ian dooley / Unsplash

iFLY indoor skydiving

Centres in the UK and worldwide

Float on a column of air in a vertical wind tunnel. No plane needed.

Ages 5–11TeensIndoor

Scout: Check minimum ages and weight limits for your centre.

Scout’s guide Official site ↗

Snow & ice££ Mid-range

Photo: Brian Kyed / Unsplash

The Snowdome

Tamworth, Staffordshire, England

Real indoor snow for ski and snowboard lessons, sledging and ice skating.

Ages 5–11TeensIndoor

Scout: Beginner lessons are the best way in. Gloves are a must.

Scout’s guide Official site ↗

Theme parks£££ Splurge

Photo: Aditya Vyas / Unsplash

Universal Orlando Resort

Orlando, Florida, USA

Three theme parks including Epic Universe, with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter across all three.

Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor

Scout: Get park-to-park tickets to ride the Hogwarts Express.

Scout’s guide Official site ↗

💸 Free this weekend

Brilliant days out that cost nothing to get in. Find more free ideas →

The vaulted Hintze Hall at the Natural History Museum, London

Museums & scienceFree

Photo: Claudio Testa / Unsplash

Natural History Museum

South Kensington, London

Dinosaurs, a blue whale skeleton and an earthquake room. Free general admission.

All agesIndoor

Scout: Arrive at opening for the dinosaur gallery.

Scout’s guide Official site ↗

A skateboarder at a skate park at sunset

Karts, skates & bikesFree

Photo: Robson Hatsukami Morgan / Unsplash

Skate parks

Public skate parks near you

Free ramps for scooters, skateboards and BMX.

Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor

Scout: Helmets on, and go early before it gets busy.

Scout’s guide

Beaches & seasideFree

Photo: Natalya Zaritskaya / Unsplash

Rock pooling

Rocky beaches at low tide

Crabs, anemones and starfish. Free fun at low tide.

Under 5sAges 5–11Outdoor

Scout: Check tide times, and always put creatures back gently.

Scout’s guide

A boy and girl walking across a green field

Escape rooms & trailsFree

Photo: Alvin Mahmudov / Unsplash

Geocaching treasure hunts

Hidden all around you

Use a free app to find hidden “caches” near you: a real-world treasure hunt.

Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor

Scout: Brilliant for turning a walk into a mission.

Scout’s guide Official site ↗

A child in yellow wellies walking through autumn leaves

Nature & national parksFree

Photo: Zachary Kadolph / Unsplash

Country parks & forests

Parks and woodland near you

Trails, play areas, bug hunts and den building, all free (parking may charge).

All agesOutdoor

Scout: Pack a picnic and make it a full day.

Scout’s guide

Beaches & seasideFree

Photo: Jennifer Kalenberg / Unsplash

Jurassic Coast fossil hunting

Dorset and East Devon, England

A World Heritage coastline famous for fossils on its beaches.

Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor

Scout: Search the beach, not the cliffs, and check tide times.

Scout’s guide Official site ↗

🧸 Little explorers

Gentle, giggly days out for under-5s. More toddler ideas →

A young boy feeding an animal at a farm park

Farms & pick-your-own£ Budget

Photo: Daiga Ellaby / Unsplash

Farm parks & petting farms

Farm parks near you

Feeding lambs, tractor rides, play barns and bouncy pillows.

Under 5sAges 5–11Indoor + outdoor

Scout: Lambing season in spring is extra special.

Scout’s guide

A happy family running together in a sunlit garden

Theme parks££ Mid-range

Photo: Aleksandra Sapozhnikova / Unsplash

Paultons Park & Peppa Pig World

New Forest, Hampshire, England

Peppa Pig World for toddlers, and the Viking-themed Valgard land (2026) for older kids.

Under 5sAges 5–11Outdoor

Scout: Do Peppa Pig World in the afternoon when it’s quieter.

Scout’s guide Official site ↗

A toddler touching the glass of an aquarium tank

Zoos & aquariums££ Mid-range

Photo: Caroline Hernandez / Unsplash

SEA LIFE aquariums

Centres across the UK

Indoor aquariums with sharks, rays and penguins at some centres.

All agesIndoor

Scout: Perfect rainy-day rescue, usually 1.5–2 hours.

Scout’s guide Official site ↗

A close-up of colourful toy building bricks

Museums & scienceFree

Photo: Sen / Unsplash

Young V&A

Bethnal Green, London

A free museum designed for children and young people, full of play and design.

Under 5sAges 5–11Indoor

Scout: Brilliant for under-10s on a wet day.

Scout’s guide Official site ↗

Top ways to pay less right now

Real schemes we’ve checked against official sources. Most of the best savings don’t even need a code. See every offer →

2FOR1

National Rail Days Out Guide

2FOR1 and money off attractions when you travel by train

Travel by train and show a valid National Rail ticket to get 2FOR1 entry or other discounts at attractions across the UK.

No code: voucher or booking reference

Valid National Rail ticket needed. Oyster, contactless and TfL tickets don’t qualify. Some offers need pre-booking. · Checked 14 Oct 2026

How it works daysoutguide.co.uk ↗

Annual pass

Merlin Annual Pass

One pass for LEGOLAND, Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington, SEA LIFE and more

For 2026 there are three passes: Essential, Gold and Platinum. Discovery and Silver have been withdrawn, and Blackpool attractions aren’t included on new or renewed passes.

No code: buy direct

You still need to pre-book visits. Exclusion dates vary by pass. · Checked 14 Oct 2026

Is it worth it?merlinannualpass.co.uk ↗

Kids go free

BBC Blue Peter badge

Free child entry at 200+ UK attractions

Children under 16 who earn a Blue Peter badge get free entry at participating attractions when an adult pays and they show their badge and ID card.

Show badge + badge ID card

Merlin attractions stopped taking badges in 2017. Badges can take weeks to arrive. · Checked 14 Oct 2026

How to get one bbc.co.uk ↗

Book direct

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

Book direct, and under-5s go free

Children aged 4 and under go free with a ticket. Booking on the official site avoids reseller mark-ups. Transport packages cost more.

No code needed

Advance booking only: no tickets on arrival. · Checked 14 Oct 2026

Studio Tour tips wbstudiotour.co.uk ↗

Free pass

Every Kid Outdoors

Free national parks pass for fourth graders

US fourth graders (and home-schooled 10-year-olds) can get a free pass that covers entrance fees for the family at federal lands. The 2026–27 pass runs to 31 August 2027.

Download the voucher online

Covers entrance fees, not camping or tours. · Checked 14 Oct 2026

How to get it everykidoutdoors.gov ↗

Free weekend

Bank of America Museums on Us

Free museum entry on the first full weekend of every month

Bank of America, Merrill and Private Bank cardholders get one free general admission at participating museums. The next weekend is 7–8 November 2026.

Show your card + photo ID

Cardholder only, no guests. Special exhibitions excluded. · Checked 14 Oct 2026

Free US days out Bank of America ↗

How to plan a great-value day out

Pick the right fit
Match the day to your kids’ ages and energy. Scout’s “best for” notes help.
Stack the savings
Kids-go-free deals, 2FOR1 with train tickets, memberships and off-peak dates.
Book ahead
Online, date-based tickets are usually cheaper than the gate, and popular days sell out.
Pack smart
Picnic, water bottles and a rain plan save money and meltdowns.

Family days out for every budget

A great day out doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Some of the happiest family days are completely free: a museum full of dinosaurs, a beach, a forest trail or a heritage open day. When you do want the big stuff (theme parks, Disney, the Harry Potter Studio Tour), a little planning can cut the cost a lot.

Kids go free: under-3s are free at most theme parks, and many attractions let under-5s in free.
2FOR1 with the train: the National Rail Days Out Guide gives money off attractions when you travel by rail.
Annual passes: if you’ll visit more than a couple of times, a pass like the Merlin Annual Pass can pay for itself.
Off-peak dates: date-based pricing means quieter days usually cost less.

Local, national and international

Start close to home with our guide to days out near you, browse the best UK days out, or plan something bigger with our international family days out guide. Turning a day out into a holiday? Our sister site TravelDeals compares family holidays, and CruiseDeals covers family cruises.

Last updated: 14 October 2026

Frequently asked questions

Are the discount codes on HappyDaysOut real?

Yes. We only list codes and offers we have checked against the attraction’s or scheme’s official website, and we show the date we checked. Many of the best savings, like under-5s free or 2FOR1 with a train ticket, don’t need a code at all.

Who is Scout the Fox?

Scout is the HappyDaysOut mascot. Scout’s tips sum up who a day out suits, how to save and what to watch out for. They are editorial guidance, not paid reviews or star ratings. Meet Scout.

Does HappyDaysOut cost anything?

No. HappyDaysOut is free. Some links may be affiliate links, so we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.

Do you cover the US and Europe as well as the UK?

Yes. We cover family days out in the UK, the US and Europe, plus big international attractions like Walt Disney World and the Harry Potter Studio Tour in Tokyo.

Big days out.Little prices.

Hello! I’m Scout the Fox 🦊

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Why families use HappyDaysOut

Real deals, no fake codes

Honest tips from Scout

Near you or far away

Pick your kind of adventure

Theme parks

Escape rooms

Zip lines & high ropes

Water parks

Harry Potter

Disney

Karts & skate parks

Surf & paddle

Snow & ice

Indoor fun

Zoos & aquariums

Museums & science

Castles

Beaches

Nature

Free days out

⚡ Teen zone

Thorpe Park Resort

Escape rooms

Go-karting

Go Ape treetop adventures

The Wave

iFLY indoor skydiving

The Snowdome

Universal Orlando Resort

💸 Free this weekend

Natural History Museum

Skate parks

Rock pooling

Geocaching treasure hunts

Country parks & forests

Jurassic Coast fossil hunting

🧸 Little explorers

Farm parks & petting farms

Paultons Park & Peppa Pig World

SEA LIFE aquariums

Young V&A

Top ways to pay less right now

2FOR1 and money off attractions when you travel by train

One pass for LEGOLAND, Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington, SEA LIFE and more

Free child entry at 200+ UK attractions

Book direct, and under-5s go free

Free national parks pass for fourth graders

Free museum entry on the first full weekend of every month

How to plan a great-value day out

Pick the right fit

Stack the savings

Book ahead

Pack smart

Family days out for every budget

Local, national and international

Frequently asked questions

More ways to explore

Finder

Teens

Toddlers

Near me

UK days out

Meet Scout

Where shall we go next?

Big days out.
Little prices.