Blackpool offers fun for all the family. If you are spending time in Blackpool, this guide helps you find great ideas of things to do with the kids, whatever the weather and whatever the time of year.
Days Out In Blackpool With Kids
If you are thinking of taking your kids on holiday within the UK, then Blackpool is a perfect choice. There is plenty for children to do as the resort is packed with attractions. There are all kinds of adventures to go on and places to explore as a family.
These include tourist favourites, soft play areas, amusement parks, shows and museums. The weather is no problem at all, as many of Blackpool’s child friendly attractions are indoors, so you can still enjoy your day if the rain arrives.
Finding the perfect day out in Blackpool is easy. Read on for ideas, tips on when to book, and simple ways to save on tickets so you can make the most of your visit.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Blackpool’s iconic Pleasure Beach is a theme park visited by families from all over the UK and the globe. It is one of the most popular parks in Europe and has more rollercoasters than any other theme park in Britain, including the Big One and other white knuckle rides. If your kids need something gentler, Nickelodeon Land inside Blackpool Pleasure Beach is bright, colourful and perfect for younger riders.
To make the most of your time, book wristbands online before you go. It helps you skip queues at the ticket office and can offer savings, especially in school holidays.
Sandcastle Waterpark
Sandcastle Waterpark is the largest indoor waterpark in the UK, which makes it a winner on cooler days. The centre is home to over eighteen different water slides and is open all year round, so you can join the fun whenever you visit.
Inside you will find the Master Blaster, the longest indoor rollercoaster waterslide in the world, along with the Sidewinder, Aztec Falls and Montazooma. Family areas and lazy rivers mean younger swimmers can enjoy the water in a calmer space too. Timed sessions are popular in peak periods, so book in advance to secure the time that suits you.
Blackpool Zoo
Blackpool Zoo is one of the resort’s best loved attractions. It offers a full day out with talks and feeds that help kids learn while they enjoy meeting the animals. The zoo is a short hop from the promenade and is easy to reach by car or bus. Expect to see gorillas, camels, big cats, elephants and red pandas. Leave time for the play areas and the farm zone, which are great for younger children to explore with friends.
Stanley Park Blackpool
Stanley Park is a stunning green space and a lovely break from the bustle of the seafront. You can wander through ornamental gardens, watch the fountains, hire a boat on the lake in season, or try the sports facilities. The Art Deco Café is a popular stop for lunch or an ice cream, and the model village is next door, which makes a neat two-for-one outing in good weather.
Sea Life Blackpool
Sea Life has more than fifty displays and over two thousand aquatic creatures. Rays, seahorses, octopus and tropical sharks glide past viewing tunnels and tanks, giving kids the feeling of diving without getting wet. Staff talks are friendly and short, so it is easy for children to follow. You can often save by buying a multi-attraction ticket that also includes other big names in the resort.
Madame Tussauds Blackpool
Madame Tussauds is a hit for photo fans. The wax figures are set in themed zones so kids can step into scenes from TV, sport and music. It is interactive and playful, with sets designed for selfies. It pairs well with Sea Life or the tower for a full day on the promenade.
Central Pier
Central Pier is home to the famous Big Wheel, which offers lovely views across the beach and the town.
There are rides to enjoy, classic arcades and plenty of places for candyfloss, doughnuts and burgers. If you love 2p pushers and prize games, you will find them here in abundance, with tickets you can trade for small gifts.
Blackpool Tower
The Blackpool Tower is the heart of the seafront and a must on a first visit. Start with the 4D cinema pre-show, then head up to the Tower Eye for sweeping views that can reach the Lake District on a clear day. The glass SkyWalk is a giggle for brave feet and makes a great family photo.
Inside the same building you will also find the Blackpool Tower Circus. This long-running show blends comedy and jaw-dropping stunts and is a fun choice if you want a sit-down treat after a busy morning on the sand. Seats often sell out in school holidays, so book tickets ahead where you can.
The Blackpool Tower Dungeon
The Dungeon is a spooky walkthrough of Lancashire history with live actors, special effects and a small drop ride at the end. It is well produced but can be intense, so it suits older children and teens. Check age guidance before you book and plan something lighter afterwards if your group likes gentler thrills.
Blackpool Beach
Seven miles of clean, flat sand make the beach the classic choice on a sunny day. Build a sandcastle, paddle in the shallows and enjoy donkey rides on Central Beach. Always check tide times and follow local safety advice. The lifeguards and clear flags make it easy to enjoy the sea with confidence.
Blackpool Model Village & Gardens
Next to Stanley Park, the model village offers calm paths, tiny houses and detailed scenes that reward slow wandering. Kids enjoy spotting the miniature residents and the working railway that runs through the main village.
Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Blackpool
Ripley’s mixes odd facts with hands-on displays. Expect fun surprises on two floors, from optical illusions to curious artefacts. It is a good choice for a rainy afternoon when you want something different.
Impact Blackpool
For active families, Impact offers outdoor adventures at Whyndyke Farm. Laser tag, archery, axe throwing and paintball are on the menu, as well as escape rooms that work well for teens. Wear old clothes and plan time for a shower before dinner.
Blackpool High Ropes
Tackle wobbling beams, rope bridges and zip wires on this high ropes course. Start on the low ropes for confidence, then work up to the eight metre platforms. It is a brilliant way to burn energy and enjoy a challenge together.
Coral Island Family Arcade
Coral Island is Blackpool’s largest free to enter attraction and a favourite near the centre of the promenade. The themed rides like Pirate Flyer and the Pirates Quest Ghost Train are short, lively breaks from the arcade games.
Collect tickets and trade them for prizes before you head out.
North Pier and South Pier
Do not miss the other two piers. North Pier is the oldest and offers a gentler pace with deck chairs, a small theatre and lovely sea views. South Pier leans into rides and thrills, which can suit families with older children. A stroll along all three in one day is a simple way to enjoy the sea air and spot the tower from different angles.
Illuminations and Evenings on the Promenade
From late summer into autumn, the Blackpool Illuminations light up the promenade each evening. Families can drive or walk the route and enjoy the animated tableaux and glowing arches. The heritage trams often run special illuminated services, which is a magical way to see the lights. If you visit outside the Illuminations, the sunset alone is worth the time, and the light on the tower makes for beautiful photos.
Trams and Getting Around
The modern trams run the length of the seafront, which makes it easy to hop between attractions without moving the car. Day tickets can offer good value if you plan several stops. Kids tend to love the ride itself and the views as you glide past the beach.
Shows and Live Entertainment
Blackpool is famous for live shows. The Grand Theatre, Winter Gardens and Viva Blackpool host family friendly performances through the year, from pantomimes to tribute concerts and variety acts. If your children enjoy music and comedy, check listings when you book your trip and plan a special night out.
Free and Low Cost Things to Do
There are plenty of free choices if you want to balance the budget. Walk the beach, explore the piers, hunt for shells, watch the sunset and enjoy the lively street performers around the tower. Stanley Park’s playgrounds are excellent, and the Art Deco features are fun to spot. Many attractions offer free entry for under-twos, so check details before you buy.
Rainy Day Ideas
On wet days, the largest indoor waterpark is an obvious win, but there is more to try. Indoor play centres, small museums, and the arcades can fill an afternoon. Sea Life, Madame Tussauds and the Tower Eye are all indoors, and the tram ride between them keeps you dry.
Food, Treats and Places to Rest
You will find family friendly cafés and restaurants across the promenade. Fish and chips are a seaside classic, but there are plenty of lighter options and picnic spots too. If you are visiting with friends, meeting at the Tower Festival Headland gives you space to sit and enjoy the view. Many venues offer kids eat free deals at set times of day, so keep an eye on signs as you explore.
Smart Ways to Book and Save
Buy tickets online where possible, especially for busy days in summer and school holidays. Combo tickets can link the tower, the Dungeon, Sea Life and Madame Tussauds, which saves money if you plan to visit more than one. Pleasure Beach wristbands are usually cheaper if you book in advance, and timed sessions at Sandcastle Waterpark help you choose the part of the day that suits your family best.
One Day and Weekend Itineraries
If you only have one day, start early with the beach and a paddle, then ride the tram to the tower for the Tower Eye. After lunch, choose between Sea Life or Madame Tussauds, then finish with the Big Wheel on Central Pier. If you have a weekend, spend day one at Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Nickelodeon Land, and day two between the zoo and Stanley Park, with a walk along the promenade in the evening. You will cover a lot without feeling rushed.
Accessibility and Prams
Blackpool is set up for families. The trams have level access, many venues have lifts, and the promenade paths are wide for prams. Most big attractions publish access guides on their websites, so you can plan your route and book any support in advance.
Are you planning a trip to Blackpool to enjoy the famous illuminations and other attractions? There are many wonderful things to do for all the family throughout the year.
If you want to enjoy our wonderful seaside town, we offer comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation at reasonable prices.
We are located in the heart of Blackpool with easy access to all the local attractions. We look forward to seeing you at our cosy guest house.