Not sure what to do with the kids this summer? Cornwall has a wealth of fun attractions to consider, and a selection of great free activities to try too. Here’s a look at what family fun you can enjoy this summer in cornwall
Adventure on the beaches
If you’re staying in the picturesque county of Cornwall, spending time on the glorious coastline is essential. There’s a fabulous array of sandy beaches to choose from: Constantine Bay is the place to be for surf, St Ives provides sheltered sands and The Bar and Cove Vean is excellent for snorkelling and exploring rock pools.
Get back to nature
It can be hard to get children engaged with the great outdoors, what with much more appealing prospects coming from computer and phone screens, but you’ll find a number of animal and nature focussed attractions that will delight the whole family. Newquay Zoo is a great place to get up close to species from across the world whilst the Blue Reef Aquarium lets you see the wonders of beneath the sea. The Monkey Sanctuary in Looe is another highlight for animal lovers, whilst Paradise Park in Hayle is home to over 650 birds.
Go for a ride
Forget long car rides – are we there yet? – opt for horseback explorations at the Newtown Equestrian centre in Helston or with Redruth’s Cornish Riding Holidays. Suitable for all abilities from just 4 years old.
Get the adrenaline pumping
Have you bred a brood of thrill seekers? Head to the intense karting circuits of Jeepers Karting, Hayle or St Eval Kart Circuit, Wadebridge – for an afternoon of racing. Or try your hand at water sports at Loe Beach, Truro. There’s also a number of popular indoor swimming centres with slides, like Newquay’s Waterworld where you can really make a splash!
Explore the museums
No family holiday would be complete without the obligatory museum trip, but you can save your kids the moans and groans of boredom with Cornwall’s best interactive options. Start with the Wheal Martyn Museum and Country Park in St Austell which provides a unique day out for all ages. You’ll enjoy outdoor trails amongst a Victorian clay works as well as an indoor discovery centre. Then there’s the National Maritime Museum Cornwall which features a diverse collection of small crafts from the UK and overseas spanning 150 years of maritime history, and includes a virtual tour.
Just play!
Do your little ones just need to let off steam? Cornwall has several nice play centres in which they can let loose, run, jump and scream until their hearts content, whilst you just sit back with a coffee and watch their smiles. Try the 54,000 sq ft Kidzworld Indoor Play centre in St Austell’s or the Colliford Lake Park near Bodmin Moor , which has outdoor fun too when the sun’s shining.
