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A girl standing beside sheep at a farm

Local days out

Days out near you: local family day trip ideas

The best days out are often just down the road. Here’s how to find great local family days out wherever you live, and the kinds of places that work for every age.

Photo: Duong Thinh on Unsplash

Scout the Fox

Scout’s tip

Scout’s local-day-out trick

Search your council’s website and your local tourist board for “events this weekend”. They list free fun days, farmers’ markets and festivals that big sites miss.

  • Check opening days: small attractions often close midweek in winter
  • Look for under-3s free or family tickets
  • Pack a picnic and save on lunch

Local day out ideas for every age

Toddler favourite

Farm parks & petting farms

Feeding lambs, tractor rides and play barns. Brilliant for under-8s.

Toddler ideas →

Pick-your-own farms

Strawberries in summer, pumpkins in autumn. Pay only for what you pick.

Pumpkin picking →

Nature reserves & country parks

Trails, bird hides and play areas, often free (parking may charge).

Free days out →

Heritage steam railways

Short rides behind a real steam engine, with themed events through the year.

Steam days out →

Swimming & splash parks

Leisure pools with flumes, and free outdoor splash pads in summer.

Rainy day ideas →

Libraries & local museums

Free story times, holiday activities and small museums packed with local history.

Budget tips →

Day outs you’ll find near you

Water slides at a water parkWater parks & pools£ Budget

Photo: Konrad Burdyn / Unsplash

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.

Scout’s guide
A young boy feeding an animal at a farm parkFarms & 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 girl carrying a pumpkin she has pickedFarms & pick-your-own£ Budget

Photo: Patrick Fore / Unsplash

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.

Scout’s guide
Two children sitting on a hay bale surrounded by pumpkinsSeasonal events£ Budget

Photo: Christopher Luther / Unsplash

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.

Scout’s guide
Looking up at a dinosaur skeleton in a museumMuseums & scienceFree

Photo: Aditya Vyas / Unsplash

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.

Scout’s guide
A child in yellow wellies walking through autumn leavesNature & 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
A boy and girl walking across a green fieldEscape 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 guideOfficial site ↗
A fairy-tale castle lit up at nightNature & national parksFree

Photo: PAN XIAOZHEN / Unsplash

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.

Scout’s guide
Two parents and a child holding hands on the seashoreBeaches & 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 family walking on the beach holding handsBeaches & seaside£ Budget

Photo: Jennifer Kalenberg / Unsplash

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.

Scout’s guide
Riding a zip line through a forestZip lines & high ropes££ Mid-range

Photo: Nadiia Ganzhyi / Unsplash

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.

Scout’s guide
An indoor trampoline parkIndoor fun£ Budget

Photo: Lawrence Crayton / Unsplash

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.

Scout’s guide
A bowling ball hitting the pinsIndoor fun£ Budget

Photo: Karla Rivera / Unsplash

Bowling

Bowling alleys near you

Bumpers for little ones and fierce family rivalries for teens.

All agesIndoor

Scout: Weekday daytime games are often cheaper.

Scout’s guide
A neon sign for escape roomsIndoor fun£ Budget

Photo: Zachary Keimig / Unsplash

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+.

Scout’s guide
An indoor obstacle course with a foam pitIndoor fun£ Budget

Photo: Lawrence Crayton / Unsplash

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.

Scout’s guide
A neon sign for escape roomsIndoor fun£ Budget

Photo: Zachary Keimig / Unsplash

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.

Scout’s guide
A neon sign for escape roomsIndoor fun£ Budget

Photo: Zachary Keimig / Unsplash

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.

Scout’s guide
Climbing an indoor bouldering wallIndoor fun£ Budget

Photo: Yns Plt / Unsplash

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.

Scout’s guide
A neon sign for escape roomsEscape 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
A boy and girl walking across a green fieldEscape rooms & trails£ Budget

Photo: Alvin Mahmudov / Unsplash

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.

Scout’s guide
Two go-kart drivers on a race trackKarts, 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
A skateboarder at a skate park at sunsetKarts, 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
Skate park ramps covered in graffitiKarts, skates & bikes£ Budget

Photo: ALEXANDRE LALLEMAND / Unsplash

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.

Scout’s guide
A family walking through a field with their dogKarts, skates & bikesFree

Photo: Kateryna Hliznitsova / Unsplash

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.

Scout’s guide
A group of people learning to surfSurf & paddle££ Mid-range

Photo: Buddy AN / Unsplash

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.

Scout’s guide
Skating on an ice rinkSnow & ice£ Budget

Photo: Natalya Karpeka / Unsplash

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.

Scout’s guide
A heritage steam train passing through a forestTrains & steam£ Budget

Photo: Denis Chick / Unsplash

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.

Scout’s guide
A family gathered around a Christmas treeSeasonal events££ Mid-range

Photo: Jakob Owens / Unsplash

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.

Scout’s guide
Twinkling red and white festive lightsSeasonal events££ Mid-range

Photo: Cole Ciarlello / Unsplash

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.

Scout’s guide

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.

How to find days out near you

  • Tourist boards: VisitEngland, VisitScotland, Visit Wales and Discover Northern Ireland list attractions by area. In the US, state tourism sites and state parks do the same.
  • Membership maps: the National Trust and English Heritage have maps of properties near you.
  • Rail offers: the Days Out Guide lets you search attractions near a station.
  • Search HappyDaysOut: try the search box with a type of day out, like “zoo” or “steam train”.

Bringing the dog?

Many country parks, beaches (outside seasonal restrictions) and National Trust gardens welcome dogs on leads. If the dog can’t come, our sister site PetSavings covers dog walkers and pet sitters.

Last updated: 14 October 2026

Frequently asked questions

How do I find family days out near me?
Check your local tourist board, council events listings, National Trust and English Heritage maps, and the National Rail Days Out Guide. Local parenting groups are great for recommendations too.
What are good local days out for toddlers?
Farm parks, soft play, aquariums, local parks with playgrounds and story time at the library. Short trips with plenty of snack stops work best.

Keep exploring

Two parents and a child holding hands on the seashore

Free days out

Free museums, beaches, open days and schemes that let kids in free.

Explore → A grey stone castle against a blue sky

UK days out

LEGOLAND, Longleat, free museums, castles and steam trains across the UK.

Explore → A toddler wearing wellies

The best days out with toddlers

Farm parks, aquariums, gentle rides and nap-friendly planning.

Explore → A family sitting on a picnic blanket in the grass

The family picnic day out checklist

What to pack, how to keep it cool and which attractions allow picnics.

Explore →

Where shall we go next?