The best children’s activities for your South West holiday
Posted by Bethany Walton on Updated on
From archery and rock climbing to family treasure hunts
While we love to recommend family favourites like surf lessons, cycling routes and wildlife spotting boat trips, there are plenty of activities to keep little ones entertained on holiday that they may not have tried before. We’ve been speaking to our knowledgeable team of local experts to find out what youngsters love to get up to while staying in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset.
For animal lovers, thrill-seekers, gaming experts and those with curious imaginations, browse our list of different days out suitable for the whole family.
For under fives
Famous for their friendly miniature pigs, Pennywell Farm in Devon, comes highly recommended amongst locals and it’s not just the children that love it! Take a stroll around the buzzing farmyard where there’s an abundance of activities to keep the whole family busy. Bottle feed hungry lambs, take goats for a walk or of course, cuddle their friendly little pigs.
Pick your own strawberries on the farm
Tucked away in the beautiful Cornish countryside, Trevaskis Farm is well-loved amongst locals for family days out. Little ones will love exploring the farm, with delicious fruit to be picked and plenty of animal friends waiting to say hello. In the summer months, take your time to select the sweetest strawberries, raspberries and blackberries to take home with you to enjoy.
Rainy day entertainment from Peas and Pod
While some activities are weather dependant, Peas and Pod offer crafty and educational boxes to keep children entertained on rainy afternoons. Taking inspiration from nature and the changing seasons, the boxes are bursting with creative activities and projects. From making lollipop caterpillars and beach scavenger hunts to sensory play and fun wildlife facts, these little boxes are ideal for curious young minds.
Use code perfectstays10 for an exclusive 10% discount off your first Peas and Pod box!
For more wet weather activities, take a look at our top recommendations for things to do in the rain in Cornwall.
For five to 12s
Walking through Eden’s beautiful biomes and gardens you may stumble upon something rather special. Across the school holidays, The Eden Project is hosting a variety of events to keep young imaginations busy. Expect mesmerising interactive theatre, dance performances and enchanting storytelling. There’s no schedule, so your visit will be full of surprises with secret activities hidden amongst the tropical gardens.
Perfect for young detectives and budding spies, Treasure Trails offer brilliant adventures across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. Crack codes and perplexing riddles, discover interesting facts about the local area and seek out hidden treasure. With trails all over the South West, take your pick of location, get your thinking cap on and begin your investigations. For those staying in one of our North Cornwall properties, we recommend exploring Boscastle’s medieval past or solve a curious mystery in the heart of Padstow.
Meet Somerset’s magnificent birds of prey
Wildlife enthusiasts will be mesmerised by the beautiful birds of prey at Exmoor’s Owl and Hawk Centre. Hosted by expert bird handlers, meet owls, hawks and buzzards, discover how they hunt and watch incredible flying displays. For those feeling brave, you can take part in one of their experiences and even hold out your arm for an owl to land on!
Lose yourself with a VR experience
For avid gamers and tech wizards, Player Ready offers a one-of-a-kind gaming experience. Using virtual reality headsets, you can transport yourself to different worlds and attempt challenging escape rooms, getting competitive with their racing simulators. Experience the thrills of high-speed go karting or explore mystical forests and ancient lands, all in front of your eyes in Devon and Cornwall.
For teenagers
Climb the rocky heights of Dartmoor
Young adrenalin junkies will love exploring Dartmoor from new heights. Adventure Okehampton offers the ultimate day of rock climbing, abseiling and bouldering. Suitable for all abilities, their trained instructors encourage everyone to challenge themselves to learn and improve climbing skills. They may even share their superb knowledge of the moors and the curious legends of yesteryear.
Known for their thrill-seeking coasteering and sea kayaking adventures, Cornish Rock Tors have revealed they’re now offering archery and axe-throwing sessions at The Point in Polzeath. Perfect for those looking to stay on dry land, Cornish Rock Tors’ skilled instructors are on hand to provide an afternoon of competitive target sports. Learn how to handle a bow, shoot an arrow, throw an axe and ace your shot!
Intrepid explorers will relish climbing high above ground and attempting an adventure course like no other. Tree Surfers challenges young explorers to test their ‘Tarzon-ometer’ on a range of constructed swings, bridges, tree top walks and zip wires. For those who’d prefer to keep their feet firmly on the ground, the woodland is great to explore on foot and watch adventurers from below.
One of our activity guides wouldn’t be complete without donning a wetsuit somewhere or another. Based in Kessel Quarry in West Cornwall, Kernow Adventure Park are experts in exhilarating watersports and are one of the best attractions in Cornwall. If you have young adults who enjoy getting out and about on the water, they’ll love the thrill of the Aquapark. Take on the inflatable assault course, complete with balance beams, trampolines and slides. We can guarantee adults won’t be able to resist leaping into the water and getting involved too!
We also challenge young adventurers to take on the Wipeout Course in the Ultimate Adventure Centre, for those staying in Devon.
Speak to our Concierge Team to start planning your Cornish staycation: 01208 895 570
Image credits: Treasure Trails, Pennywell Farm, Peas and Pod, The Eden Project and Cornish Rock Tors.
Posted by Bethany Walton
Beth can usually be found on a Cornish beach or enjoying a swim in the sea. She has great insight about where to visit across the county, plus plenty of recommendations for finding the best Cornish ice cream.
