Bristol has LOADS to keep your kids occupied and entertained , and (you never know you) you might just have fun as well. We’ve put together this list of fun things to do as a family in Bristol so that you can dive right in - have fun!
Bristol Zoo Project
Zoo Project, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol BS10 7TP
At Bristol Zoo Project you can explore 50 acres of beautiful nature, from woodlands and gardens to the tranquil Tower Meadow, which is perfect for summer picnics (food and drink are sold at various stands throughout the park). As well as regular expert talks on the different animals and plants to be found, the staff have curated plenty of attractions for kids including a Fun Fort, Barefoot Trail and Butterfly Maze! What’s more, there are loads of special events to pique your interest, like a Star Gazing Party, specials talks and workshops, as well as opportunities to feed the animals.
Under-2s go free, and day tickets start from £10, with membership options availale; you can purchase them here.
(By visiting, you’ll be supporting the conservation efforts of the wider Bristol Zoological Society in nine countries around the world).
Bristol Aquarium
There’s more in store for animal fans at Bristol Aquarium, which has eight permanent exhibits including the Sunken Shipwreck, Bay of Rays and Learning Lab, as well as the Urban Jungle Botanical House. You can get up close and personal with a huge array of sea creatures in tropical and native environments, from the mighty shark to the humble sea bass.
The Aquarium website has great information (including a blog) about the site and what they do there and further afield, which is a great way to get set on a journey of learning, or just to to get the kids excited about their visit! Plus, if your kids are hardcore fans, The Aquarium even offers guided VIP tours and Shark, Pirate and Mermaid-themed parties for Birthday boys and girls!
Opening times vary according to the different seasons, with tickets starting at £13.35 for 3-12 year olds (tickets can be urchased here).
Wake The Tiger: The World’s First Amazement Park
127 Albert Rd, Bristol BS2 0YA
Wake the Tiger is truly unique, and an experience for adults and kids alike. The website defines ‘Amazement Park’ as “A transformative and empowering space that uses art as an invitation to connect and inspire positive change”, with a powerful message of environmentalism at its core. A huge team of artists and designers has created the alternative, post-apocalyptic world of Meridia, which you will experience in a self-guided walk through over 30 different immersive environments set across The Dream Factory, The Sanctuary and The OUTERverse, where you will learn all about eco-systems and the power of funga not just in Meridia, but here on Earth.
Depending on how quickly you move through the different environments (and we reccommend taking your time to take it all in), the experience lasts between 40 minutes and 2 hours, and you can (and should) purchase tickets here.
Aerospace Bristol
Aerospace Bristol, Hayes Way, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 5BZ
For super-sonic family fun, head to Aerospace Bristol! There’s plenty to do for aviation, engineering and science fans of any age, with over 50 galleries, including interactive exhibits and free talks by volunteers and experts, exploring different aircraft from over 100 years of aviation history. The Concorde Hangar houses the Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, the last ever concorde to take to the skies! You can also visit the Conservation in Action workshop, where efforts are underway to restore aircraft from every era.
There is also The Little Pilots Outdoor play and seating area, with a cafe, for tots and tired parents.
Get you tickets here.
We The Curious (reopening Summer 2024)
1 Millennium Square, One Millennium Square, Anchor Rd, Bristol BS1 5DB
We the Curious is temporarily closed until the Summer of 2024, but it deserves a place on this list. Describing itself as an ‘indoor festival’, We The Curious is all about asking questions and breaking down the boundaries between art, science, people and idea. The approachable team are always on-hand answering questions, giving talks and leading tours through Discovery Levels 0 and 1, and Project What If incorporates the Open City Lab, The Theatre of Curiosity and The Box art gallery, and is all inspired by questions asked by real-life Bristol residents.
Even though the site is not open until Summer, the website is a great resource for curious kids.
Tickets here
Wookey Hole Caves
The Mill, High St, Wookey Hole, Wells BA5 1BA
Take a day trip to Wookey Hole and you won’t leave disappointed. There is plenty to do inside and out, including a vintage penny arcade, museum, adventure golf, and soft play, to name but a few of the attractions. These are all centered around the famous Wookey Hole Caves which, over the course of millions of years, have been home to giant hyenas, bears, Neanderthals, and many local people. The current owners have a proud history of running circuses all over the world, so they have even set up the world-famous Wookey Hole Circus on site!
You can buy tickets to Wookey Hole Caves here.
Bristol Harbourside Treasure Trail
Goldfinch Create and Play
If you want to get the kids active, both mentally and physically, Treasure Trails has got you covered! Just download the PDF (for £9.99) and you’re off on a self-guided tour of Bristol’s Harbourside and historic quays - work together as a family to decifer the clues and follow the trail to Greybeard’s golden hoard!
The trail covers about 1.5 miles, and should take around 1.5 hours at a leisurely pace - just make sure you start before 3PM; the return jounrey includes the ferry (£1.20), and we’d hate for you to miss the last one!
10 Canford Ln, Westbury on Trym, Bristol BS9 3DH
In the heart of Westbury-on-Trym, in outer-Bristol, there’s a real feeling of community at the delightful art cafe Goldfinch Create and Play, where children and adults alike a given the tools and materials to create whatever they like, taking inspiration from nature to see where imagination takes them. On offer are art classes for kids as young as three up to adult classes in skills like Life Drawing and Jewellery Design, as well as Holiday Clubs and Art Parties. It’s a great place to foster creativity and play.
Bristol Hippodrome
‘Bristol’s West-End theatre’ brings top shows and stars from around the country for your viewing pleasure, and there are plenty of shows that are child-friendly; a cursory glance at their What’s On page reveals West End hits Wicked and Matilda, as well as Britain’s Got Talent legends Diversity!
The theatre also puts on workshops and classes that are well worth checking out; if your kids are real fans of the stage, during February half-term Bristol Creative Learning puts on Musical Week, where stars of the stage train budding thespians (aged 6-14) to rehearse, produce and perform their own show for parents to see at the end of the week!