Discover the fun and excitement to be had with the family in Blackpool this summer and beyond, including must-see attractions, activities and events.
Ideas and inspiration for summer days out with the family
Children always look forward to fun-filled days out with the family over summer, especially to Blackpool. From experiencing the Pleasure Beach roller coasters and taking exhilarating trips up The Blackpool Tower, to playing on the award-winning sandy beach and each of the three piers, it is clear to see why kids enjoy visiting the seaside town so much.
If you are planning on visiting Blackpool over the summer months and are looking for ideas and inspiration for your day trip, here are ten top activities to think about adding to your itinerary.
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| Blackpool Tower & Beach |
1) Thrill seeking at the Blackpool Pleasure Beach
The Pleasure Beach was recently voted the best amusement park in the UK. There are activities for kids of all ages, including white-knuckle roller coasters like The Big One and Ice Blast, old classics such as the Grand National as well as Nickelodeon Land which contains rides themed around popular Nickelodeon characters – perfect for any younger children.
Guaranteed to please everybody and keep children and adults entertained for hours, the Blackpool Pleasure Beach is always a must for families.
2) Soaring skywards at The Blackpool Tower
The Blackpool Tower is well worth a visit; prepare to be amazed by the 4D cinema experience which tells the story of a child’s journey through Blackpool in a way that engages all five senses.
Your family can also head up to The Blackpool Tower Eye and enjoy breath-taking scenes across the coastline. No doubt your kids will especially love the Skywalk experience, as the glass floor seems as though you are walking on air.
3) Animal watching at The Blackpool Zoo
A popular activity for family days out, Blackpool Zoo is home to many fantastic exhibits including the Big Cat House, Giraffe Heights and award winning Gorilla Mountain. With an ever-increasing and varied collection of birds, mammals, reptiles and more, your children can enjoy discovering some of the most amazing animals in the world.
There is also a Children's Farm, where kids can play and learn about smaller animals. We would highly recommend making a special visit to the new arrivals at the zoo, which includes the Orang-utan Outlook and the two endangered Siberian Tiger Cubs.
4) Splashing around at the Sandcastle Waterpark
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| SEA LIFE Blackpool Boris and Betty |
If your children are fans of waterslides, Blackpool is home to the largest indoor water park in the UK. There are 18 different attractions to keep them entertained, including fun pools, wave machines and water chutes. As your kids splash away in the pools, there is a burger bar and snack bar for you to take full advantage of for a few hours.
5) Exploring the underwater world at SEA LIFE
Children who visit SEA LIFE Blackpool are always wowed by the 2,000 aquatic creatures on display, including tropical sharks, sea horses, colourful fish and octopuses. For those feeling a little brave, there is an Interactive Rockpool Experience where children can hold or touch starfish. Your family should also walk through the underwater tunnel, where sharks and rays swim right overhead.
6) Becoming an Aztec adventurer at Jungle Jims
If you have younger children, a visit to the Jungle Jim’s indoor adventure playground is recommended. Located in The Blackpool Tower, your brave little explorers can swing, slide and climb through the soft play centre while you rest your feet in the Jungle Jim’s cafe.
7) Gazing up at the dazzling Blackpool Illuminations
The Blackpool Illuminations are always a favourite for parents and children as there are an array of different lights, designs and characters to gaze up at every year. In 2014, the Illuminations run from the 29th August until the 9th November. The Switch-On Festival Weekend is set to be one of the biggest Blackpool events of the year, with comedian Peter Kay switching on the Illuminations and chart toppers Little Mix headlining the show.
If you can only visit Blackpool during the daytime, visit the brand new Illuminasia. The world’s largest indoor illuminations attraction contains six interactive zones including The Mysteries of China, The Lazer Show and The Land of the Giants, where Chinese paper lanterns are used to create dazzling light displays.
8) Strolling down the beach and its piers
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| Central Pier |
A trip to the award-winning Blackpool beach is an absolute must during summer. With ice creams to indulge in, donkey rides for the kids and plenty of paddling opportunities, it is an ideal summer’s day activity.
Also, we would highly recommend taking the kids along to the central pier for a few hours. There are classic fairground rides like dodgers, waltzers and The Big Wheel as well as The Family Bar and The Showbar, both of which present live entertainment and shows throughout summer.
9) Watching in awe at the Blackpool Air Show
Great for summer days out on a budget, this activity is completely free for all the family. You can sit on the beach and watch as planes take to the sky to perform amazing stunts, aerobatic displays and even wing walking tricks. These fine displays are carried out by incredibly beautiful aircrafts, including the finest military and civilian aircrafts from both the past and present.
In 2014, the Blackpool Air Show will take place on Sunday 10th and Monday 11th August.
10) Enjoying family time at Stanley Park
Stanley Park is well worth visiting on a sunny day if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the promenade. It has recently received a Green Flag Award 2014 - which rewards the best parks and green spaces in the UK - and a 'certificate of excellence' from Tripadvisor due to the quality of reviews earned over the past year.
The 390 acre park has stunning landscape design including delightful Rose, Remembrance and Italian Gardens, water fountains, statues and a boat lake along with an impressive Bandstand and Cocker Tower. There is also a unique Art Deco cafe offering stunning views across the greenery and a large animal farm themed play area for children.
For attractions and activities that require tickets, we recommend buying them online beforehand. This will allow you to make the most of any online deals and discounts, while helping you to avoid certain queues on the day so that you can truly make the most of your time in Blackpool.
Author Bio: Cassie Forshaw is Head of Marketing at Blackpool’s Back. Blackpool’s Back is an information website about all of the top attractions, events and things to do in Blackpool.
Let's have a look at some of the top things to do in Kent for the kids!
Diggerland –
What’s not to love about Diggerland? Kids can drive and ride trucks and diggers under the safety and supervision of professionals (Diggerland makes sure all pieces of equipment and machinery are manned).
Recommended time at attraction: You could easily stay for a whole day here and go on all the rides and activities 2 or 3 times.
Cost: £19.95 for an adult and children 90cm or over. (Pssst… don’t forget to download our discount vouchers).
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The Hop Farm Family Park –
Where to start with Hop Farm? How about some giant jumping pillows? Boing! Once the kids have been bounced out, why not have a blast in the Mega blaster Arena or enter the Hop Farm’s Magic Castle! Other attractions include the Animal World and Birds of Prey Zone, kids driving school, outdoor play areas, crazy golf and the outdoor dig out zone.
Recommended time at attraction: Up to a full day.
Cost: Free to enter, activities cost around £1-£3 each.
Dover Castle –
Surely one of the best historical places to visit for kids in Britain, Dover Castle is packed with fun things to do including exploring the grounds and hidden tunnels, reaching the top of the great tower and loads of interactive exhibitions, museums and tours.
Recommended time at attraction: Between half a day and a full day. Expect lots of walking!
Cost: £45.50 for two adults and up to three children.
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| © English Heritage Photo Library | © English Heritage Photo Library |
Howletts Wild Animal Park –
Not much beats the amazement on a young child’s face as it watches a tiger tuck into its lunch! Highlights include a walkthrough lemur experience and the lowland gorillas.
Recommended time at attraction: Up to a full day.
Cost: £23.95 for an adult and £19.95 for a child aged 3-15 years. You can also upgrade your ticket to a passport ticket on the day of entry which allows unlimited access to the park for a whole year.
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| © Howletts | © Howletts |
Kent Life –
Kids will love all the farmyard animals which includes sheep, pigs, horses, donkeys, rabbits, goats, ducks and alpacas! The fun doesn’t end there either, with an outdoor and indoor play area, electric quad bikes, plus tractor rides for the adventurous!
Recommended time at attraction: Up to a full day. A membership pass allows unlimited access for a year.
Cost: £9.25 for an adult and £7.25 for a child aged 3-15 years.
Eagle Heights –
A birds of prey centre with over species of bird, most of which can be viewed in their daily demonstrations. There’s also a play area for kids who want to run off some steam!
Recommended time at attraction: 2-3 hours
Cost: £9.00 for an adult, £5.50 for a child aged 4-14 years.
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