Alton Towers Resort
Staffordshire, England
Big coasters for teens, CBeebies Land for little ones, plus a water park and hotels.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Thrill rides first while queues are short, CBeebies Land after lunch.
Adventure finder
Find your next adventure
Filter more than 100 days out by age, location, cost and type. Tiny explorers, bored teenagers or the whole gang: Scout’s got something for everyone.
Photo: Nadiia Ganzhyi on Unsplash
Scout’s tip
How to use the finder
Tap the chips to filter, or hit 🎲 Surprise me for a random idea. “Near you” means a kind of day out you’ll find near most homes, like trampoline parks or rock pooling.
- Filters can be shared: copy the web address
- Cost bands are a rough guide, not prices
- Every card links to Scout’s guide or the official site
All adventures
Pick an age, a place and a budget.
Showing 108 of 108 adventures
LEGOLAND Windsor Resort
Windsor, Berkshire, England
Built for ages roughly 2 to 12: driving schools, gentle coasters and MINILAND.
Under 5sAges 5–11Outdoor
Scout: Head to the far side of the park first and work back.
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.
Chessington World of Adventures
Chessington, Surrey, England
Family rides and a zoo in one ticket. A strong mixed-age day.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Plan your route around the animal talks.
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.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Blackpool, Lancashire, England
A classic seaside park with historic coasters, right by the beach.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Pair it with free beach time to stretch the day.
Drayton Manor Resort
Tamworth, Staffordshire, England
Thrill rides plus Thomas Land, a whole area themed on Thomas & Friends for little engine fans.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Thomas Land is a toddler dream. Bigger kids can do the coasters.
Flamingo Land
North Yorkshire, England
A theme park and zoo combined, with rides for every age.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Rides and animals in one ticket makes it great value for mixed ages.
Walt Disney World Resort
Orlando, Florida, USA
Four theme parks and two water parks. A holiday, not a day out.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Two parks done well beat four done in a rush.
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.
Disneyland Resort
Anaheim, California, USA
The original Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, side by side.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: The parks are next door, so park hopping is easy here.
Cedar Point
Sandusky, Ohio, USA
A legendary coaster park on Lake Erie, famous with thrill-seekers.
Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor
Scout: Coaster-mad teens will rate this one. Check height limits.
Disneyland Paris
Marne-la-Vallée, near Paris, France
Disneyland Park and Disney Adventure World, home of World of Frozen since March 2026.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Do two days, and hit World of Frozen early.
Efteling
Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands
A fairy-tale park with an enchanted forest walk and coasters for older kids.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: The Fairytale Forest suits toddlers and grandparents alike.
Europa-Park
Rust, Germany
Germany’s biggest theme park, themed on European countries.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Plan two days. It’s huge.
PortAventura World
Salou, Spain
Theme park, Ferrari Land and a water park near the Costa Dorada beaches.
Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor
Scout: Perfect add-on to a beach holiday.
LEGOLAND Billund
Billund, Denmark
The original LEGOLAND, near LEGO House.
Under 5sAges 5–11Outdoor
Scout: Combine with LEGO House to make the trip worthwhile.
Parc Astérix
Plailly, near Paris, France
Funny, very French park with strong coasters and family rides.
Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor
Scout: A great second park on a Paris trip.
Tivoli Gardens
Copenhagen, Denmark
One of the world’s oldest amusement parks (1843), magical after dark.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Go in the evening for the lights.
Phantasialand
Brühl, near Cologne, Germany
Richly themed park famous for its intense coasters, with family areas too.
Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor
Scout: A bucket-list park for coaster-loving teens.
Sandcastle Waterpark
Blackpool, Lancashire, England
A big indoor water park on Blackpool’s seafront: slides, wave pool and toddler areas.
All agesIndoor
Scout: Indoor and warm, so it’s rain-proof. No longer on new Merlin passes.
Center Parcs
Forest villages across the UK and Ireland
Forest short breaks built around an indoor tropical pool, bikes and activities.
All agesIndoor + outdoor
Scout: A short break, not a day out. Midweek breaks are usually cheaper.
Rulantica
Rust, Germany (next to Europa-Park)
A huge Scandinavian-themed indoor water world beside Europa-Park.
All agesIndoor
Scout: Give it its own day rather than squeezing it in.
Siam Park
Costa Adeje, Tenerife, Spain
A Thai-themed water park in Tenerife with famous slides and a giant wave pool.
Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor
Scout: Arrive early and grab a sunbed. Suncream on!
Universal’s Volcano Bay
Orlando, Florida, USA
Universal Orlando’s volcano-themed water park with virtual queuing.
Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor
Scout: A great rest day between theme parks.
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
Walt Disney World, Florida, USA
Disney’s shipwreck-themed water park with a big surf pool and gentle areas for little ones.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Check seasonal opening: Disney water parks close for refurbishment at times.
Your local leisure pool
Leisure centres near you
Flumes, wave machines and inflatable sessions at local pools.
All agesIndoor
Scout: Look for family swim sessions and fun inflatable times.
Chester Zoo
Chester, England
One of the UK’s biggest zoos, run by a conservation charity.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Comfy shoes! It’s a big site.
London Zoo
Regent’s Park, London
The world’s oldest scientific zoo, run by ZSL.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Check the National Rail Days Out Guide offer first.
Longleat
Wiltshire, England
A drive-through safari park plus a stately home and adventure play.
All agesIndoor + outdoor
Scout: Windows up where the signs say: monkeys love car aerials.
West Midland Safari Park
Bewdley, Worcestershire, England
A drive-through safari plus walk-through areas and family rides.
All agesIndoor + outdoor
Scout: Do the drive-through first, then the walk-round areas.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England
Walk-through wildlife park known for its polar bears.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Walkways are long but flat, which is good for buggies.
Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh, Scotland
A hillside zoo famous for its penguins.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Hilly, so bring a sturdy buggy or carrier.
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.
San Diego Zoo
San Diego, California, USA
World-famous zoo in Balboa Park.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Use the bus tour to save little legs.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey, California, USA
Sea otters, kelp forests and a giant open-ocean tank.
All agesIndoor
Scout: Don’t miss the otter feeds.
ZooParc de Beauval
Saint-Aignan, Loire Valley, France
One of Europe’s best-known zoos, with giant pandas and a cable car.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Two days lets you see it all.
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.
Pick-your-own farms
Fruit farms near you
Strawberries in summer, apples and pumpkins in autumn. Pay for what you pick.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Go early in the season for the best pickings.
Pumpkin picking
Pumpkin patches near you (autumn)
Hay-bale mazes, wheelbarrows and the perfect carving pumpkin.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Book a timed slot at weekends and wear wellies.
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.
Science Museum
South Kensington, London
Space, flight and hands-on science. Free general admission.
Ages 5–11TeensIndoor
Scout: Some interactive galleries charge. Check before you go.
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.
National Museum of Scotland
Edinburgh, Scotland
Dinosaurs, Dolly the sheep and hands-on galleries. Free general admission.
All agesIndoor
Scout: Head up to the rooftop terrace for city views.
Eureka! The National Children’s Museum
Halifax, West Yorkshire, England
A hands-on museum made for children, with play-based galleries.
Under 5sAges 5–11Indoor
Scout: Best for under-11s. Book ahead in the holidays.
National Space Centre
Leicester, England
Rockets, a planetarium and space galleries.
Ages 5–11TeensIndoor
Scout: Catch a planetarium show: check times on arrival.
Royal Observatory Greenwich
Greenwich, London
Stand on the Prime Meridian and catch a planetarium show.
Ages 5–11TeensIndoor + outdoor
Scout: Greenwich Park next door is free and great for a picnic.
Smithsonian museums
Washington, DC, USA
Most Smithsonian museums are free, including Natural History and Air and Space.
All agesIndoor
Scout: Two museums a day max with younger kids.
Exploratorium
San Francisco, California, USA
Hundreds of hands-on science exhibits on San Francisco’s waterfront.
Ages 5–11TeensIndoor
Scout: Teens love the evening events: check the age rules.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Merritt Island, Florida, USA
Real rockets, astronaut stories and the Space Shuttle Atlantis.
Ages 5–11TeensIndoor + outdoor
Scout: An easy add-on to an Orlando trip. Check launch schedules.
Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie
Paris, France
One of Europe’s biggest science museums, with a dedicated children’s area.
All agesIndoor
Scout: Book the children’s area (Cité des enfants) in advance.
NEMO Science Museum
Amsterdam, Netherlands
A hands-on science museum in a striking green building, with a rooftop terrace.
Ages 5–11TeensIndoor
Scout: Great on a rainy Amsterdam day.
Your local museum
Museums near you
Many local museums are free and run holiday trails and crafts.
All agesIndoor
Scout: Ask at the desk for a kids’ trail sheet.
Warwick Castle
Warwick, England
A medieval castle with shows, towers and family events.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Climb the towers early, before queues build. It’s on the Merlin pass.
Alnwick Castle
Northumberland, England
Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter films. Try broomstick training.
Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor
Scout: Broomstick training is pure joy for young wizards.
Tower of London
London
The Crown Jewels, Yeoman Warders and nearly 1,000 years of history.
Ages 5–11TeensIndoor + outdoor
Scout: Join a Yeoman Warder tour: they’re great storytellers.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh, Scotland
Scotland’s famous castle, with the Honours of Scotland and city views.
Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor
Scout: Book a timed ticket online. Popular slots go fast.
Dover Castle
Dover, Kent, England
A huge medieval castle with secret wartime tunnels beneath.
Ages 5–11TeensIndoor + outdoor
Scout: English Heritage members go free.
Caernarfon Castle
Gwynedd, Wales
A mighty medieval fortress cared for by Cadw.
Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor
Scout: Climb the towers for views over the Menai Strait.
Stonehenge
Wiltshire, England
The world-famous stone circle, with a visitor centre and Neolithic houses.
Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor
Scout: Book ahead. Members of English Heritage go free.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Bavaria, Germany
The fairy-tale castle on the hill in the Bavarian Alps.
Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor
Scout: Tickets are timed. Book well ahead in summer.
Heritage Open Days
Across England, every September
Hundreds of historic places open for free, with tours and family events.
All agesIndoor + outdoor
Scout: Some events need booking. Check the website in August.
Lake District National Park
Cumbria, England
Lakes, fells and boat trips. Some of England’s best walking.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Pick a short lakeside walk with a café at the end.
Peak District National Park
Derbyshire and around, England
Caves, edges and trails, easy to reach from many cities.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Former railway trails are flat and great for bikes and buggies.
Giant’s Causeway
County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Thousands of hexagonal basalt columns, and a legend about a giant.
Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor
Scout: Walking to the stones is free. The visitor centre charges.
Eden Project
Cornwall, England
Giant biomes with a rainforest inside, plus play areas and events.
All agesIndoor + outdoor
Scout: The rainforest biome is warm. Wear layers.
Kew Gardens
Richmond, London
World-famous gardens with a treetop walkway and children’s play garden.
All agesIndoor + outdoor
Scout: The treetop walkway is a hit with all ages.
Yosemite National Park
California, USA
Waterfalls, giant sequoias and granite cliffs.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Check if timed-entry reservations apply in peak season.
Grand Canyon National Park
Arizona, USA
One of the world’s great views, with easy rim walks.
Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor
Scout: Stick to rim trails with young kids. Carry water.
Yellowstone National Park
Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, USA
Geysers, hot springs and bison, in the world’s first national park.
Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor
Scout: Stay on boardwalks in thermal areas: it’s dangerous off them.
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.
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.
Stargazing at a dark sky place
Dark sky parks and reserves
Dark sky parks and reserves have some of the best night skies around.
Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor
Scout: Go on a moonless night and let eyes adjust for 20 minutes.
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.
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.
A classic seaside day
Seaside towns near you
Sandcastles, pier arcades, crazy golf and chips on the prom.
All agesIndoor + outdoor
Scout: Choose lifeguarded beaches and swim between the red and yellow flags.
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.
Zip World
Wales and the Lake District
Big zip lines, underground adventures and trampolines in caverns.
Ages 5–11TeensIndoor + outdoor
Scout: Weight and age limits apply to some rides. Check first.
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.
High ropes & climbing towers
Activity centres near you
Many activity centres and farm parks have low and high ropes courses.
Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor
Scout: Low ropes courses suit younger kids. Start there.
Trampoline parks
Trampoline parks near you
Wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits and dodgeball courts.
All agesIndoor
Scout: Look for toddler-only sessions for under-5s. Grip socks needed.
Bowling
Bowling alleys near you
Bumpers for little ones and fierce family rivalries for teens.
All agesIndoor
Scout: Weekday daytime games are often cheaper.
Laser tag
Laser tag arenas near you
Team games in a neon arena. Brilliant for birthdays.
Ages 5–11TeensIndoor
Scout: Check minimum ages: some arenas are 7+.
Soft play
Soft play centres near you
Slides, ball pits and climbing frames built for little ones.
Under 5sIndoor
Scout: Term-time weekday mornings are calmest.
Kids’ cinema mornings
Cinemas near you
Many cinema chains run cheaper kids’ screenings in the holidays.
All agesIndoor
Scout: Check your local cinema’s holiday kids’ club.
Arcades & games centres
Seafronts and leisure parks near you
Retro machines, air hockey and VR games.
Ages 5–11TeensIndoor
Scout: Set a budget on a play card before you start.
Climbing & bouldering walls
Climbing centres near you
Taster sessions teach the basics. Bouldering needs no ropes.
Ages 5–11TeensIndoor
Scout: Book a family taster first: staff set you up safely.
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.
Self-guided treasure trails
Towns and villages near you
Follow clues around a town to solve a mystery, at your own pace.
Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor
Scout: Great for making a town walk feel like an adventure.
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.
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.
Roller skating rinks
Roller rinks near you
Disco lights, music and roller skates. A retro favourite.
Ages 5–11TeensIndoor
Scout: Beginners’ sessions are less hectic.
Traffic-free family bike rides
Trails and cycle paths near you
Old railway paths and forest trails: flat, car-free and great with bike hire.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Choose a route with a café or playground halfway.
Surf lessons in Cornwall & Devon
North Cornwall and North Devon beaches
Beginner surf lessons with wetsuit and board included at many surf schools.
Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor
Scout: Pick a school with qualified instructors and lifeguarded beaches.
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.
Kayaking & paddleboarding
Lakes, rivers and coasts near you
Guided taster sessions on calm water are a great first go.
Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor
Scout: Always wear a buoyancy aid, and go with a guide first.
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.
Chill Factore
Manchester, England
An indoor real-snow slope with lessons and snow play.
Ages 5–11TeensIndoor
Scout: Snow play sessions suit younger kids who aren’t ready to ski.
Ice skating rinks
Ice rinks near you (plus winter pop-ups)
Year-round rinks and festive outdoor rinks in winter.
Ages 5–11TeensIndoor
Scout: Skate aids help little ones find their feet.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park, London (winter)
A huge seasonal festival with rides, an ice rink, markets and shows.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Weekday daytime visits are calmer. Some attractions are ticketed separately.
The Jacobite steam train
Fort William to Mallaig, Scotland
The “Hogwarts Express” route over the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Seasonal.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: No tickets? Watching it cross the viaduct is free.
Heritage steam railways
Preserved railways near you
Short rides behind real steam engines, plus themed event days.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Check the timetable. Most don’t run every day.
Santa experiences
Farms, gardens and railways near you (December)
Grottos, elves, crafts and a gift from the big man himself.
Under 5sAges 5–11Indoor + outdoor
Scout: Book in October for the best slots.
Christmas light trails
Gardens and estates near you (winter)
Illuminated evening trails through gardens and parks.
All agesOutdoor
Scout: Early-evening weekday slots are often cheaper.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
Leavesden, near Watford, England
Real Harry Potter sets, props and costumes. Under-5s free.
Ages 5–11TeensIndoor
Scout: Allow 3–4 hours and book direct.
Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross
King’s Cross station, London
The trolley vanishing into the wall. Your own photo is free.
All agesIndoor
Scout: Go early to beat the queue.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan
The Making of Harry Potter, in Tokyo since 2023.
Ages 5–11TeensIndoor
Scout: Book timed tickets well ahead.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Los Angeles, California, USA
A working film studio with a famous Studio Tour, rides and a Wizarding World.
Ages 5–11TeensOutdoor
Scout: Do the Studio Tour early, before queues build.
No adventures match those filters. Try fewer filters, or hit 🎲 Surprise me!
Cost bands are a rough guide to a typical family visit, not prices. Always check current prices, ages and opening times on the official site.
Frequently asked questions
What do the cost bands mean?
They’re a rough editorial guide to a typical family visit: Free, £ Budget (a cheap treat), ££ Mid-range (a typical paid attraction) and £££ Splurge (a big-ticket day or trip). They aren’t prices. Always check the official site.
What does “Near you” mean?
Types of day out you’ll find near most homes, such as trampoline parks, farm parks, skate parks or rock pooling, rather than one specific venue.
Keep exploring
Teens
Thrill parks, escape rooms, karting, zip lines and surf.
Explore →
Toddlers
Farm parks, soft play, aquariums and gentle rides.
Explore →
Free days out
Free museums, beaches, open days and schemes that let kids in free.
Explore →
Theme parks
LEGOLAND, Alton Towers, Disney, Efteling and more, with real ways to save.
Explore →
