Family Attractions & Entertainment in Bournemouth
From soft play centres and indoor adventures to model villages and steam railways, you can keep smiles on their faces come rain or shine.
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Family Fun
From soft play centres and indoor adventures to model villages and steam railways, you can keep smiles on their faces come rain or shine.
With miles of safe, sandy beaches, traditional seaside attractions, a town centre that’s within easy walking distance of the seafront, and a whole bunch of festivals and events throughout the year, Bournemouth is the ultimate family destination. With excellent train, bus, and road networks, as well as heaps of accommodation to choose from, getting here is easy. So, the only thing you have to worry about is whether you’ll have time to see and do it all!
We’ve got everything you’d expect from a classic British seaside break, from funfair rides to pier amusements, so you can while away the sunny days down on the beachfront. And, of course, you can always simply find a spot on the beach and spend the day building sandcastles and paddling in the sea. We even run a very successful beach safety scheme; find out about LV=KidZonewhile you’re here.
If you’re holidaying with little people in tow, you’ll find plenty of things to keep tiny tots amused.
From soft play centres and indoor adventures to model villages and steam railways, you can keep smiles on their faces come rain or shine. For older children and history buffs in the family, there are museums, art galleries, and sightseeing tours in and around the resort, so you can have fun on a day out together as well as learn more about the area’s exciting past.
As night falls, we’ve got family-friendly entertainment across the town, including West End shows and pantomimes in the Pavilion Theatre. If you’re here during one of our famous festivals or live music events, you can even catch music acts on outdoor stages overlooking the sea.
So, whether you’re visiting a few miles from home or on a long summer vacation, you and your family can make lasting memories by the sea here in Bournemouth!
Family attractions worth your time
The Bournemouth Guide has a listing page for every one of these, with the map, the opening details and what is nearby.
- Bournemouth Beach: seven miles of sand with lifeguards, the pier and the KidZone wristband scheme in summer.
- The Lower Gardens: the aviary, the mini golf, the splash pad and the walk from the pier into town.
- Oceanarium: sharks, turtles and penguins on the seafront, two to three hours for children under twelve.
- Bournemouth Pier: the zip wire, the amusements and the walk to the pier head.
- Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum: a Victorian house museum on the East Cliff with a garden overlooking the bay.
- Hengistbury Head: a nature reserve with a visitor centre, the land train and the walk to Mudeford Spit.
- Alum Chine Beach: a pirate playground, a water play area and a quieter stretch of sand.
- Durley Chine Beach: a calmer Blue Flag beach with a kiosk and easy promenade access.
- Boscombe Beach: surf lessons, the pier and the beach huts at Boscombe Overstrand.
- Southbourne Beach: cliff-lift access, a cliff-top café and space for families.
For a full family plan, day by day and by weather, read Bournemouth with kids: a local family guide.
