When it comes to holidays in the UK that have a little bit of something for everyone no matter their age, Devon is a perfect choice. There’s some great towns and cities like Plymouth and Torquay to explore, a huge range of beaches for a trip to the seaside and loads of parks, activity centres and attractions that make the perfect day out. If you’re thinking of renting out one of our luxury holiday homes and cottages in Devon, we’ve got the perfect read for you – below you’ll find our list of the best kids activities in Devon for you and the whole clan to enjoy!
Why go: If you live in a city and don’t get the chance to experience farm life then The BIG Sheep is a great day out. Even if you do live near a farm or see animals all the time there is so much more to this park than just the animals. With 11 daily shows through the summer from their hilarious sheep show to the world famous sheep race, there’s plenty to keep busy. Thrill seekers will also love their rides and the with the longest rollercoaster in Devon you best put on your brave face for the camera! So, if you’re looking for things to do in Devon with kids, this one has to be on your list!
Location: The BIG Sheep, Abbotsham Road, Bideford, Devon, EX39 5AP
Why go: The Milky Way Adventure Park is a great choice for family days out in Devon, with attractions to suit all ages. It’s designed to be fun for parents as well as kids, and there are no hidden extras as all of the rides, shows and play areas are included in the entrance fee. With over 110,000 sq ft of indoor fun & acres of outdoor activities, a visit here is a must. Take a ride on the Cosmic Typhoon roller coaster, have a close encounter with aliens in the Clone Zone dark ride and take on the huge death slide in the Time Warp – if you dare. PLUS brand new for 2018 is Gravity Rider – a 30ft tall doughnut slide that will satisfy any daredevils in the family with a need for speed! There’s plenty for smaller adventurers too including the innovative Little Stars play centre, designed especially for babies to pre-schoolers. There are so many things to do you won’t know where to start!
Location: The Milky Way Adventure Park, Bideford EX39 5RY
Why go: Before booking a day with Unique Devon Tours, you have the challenge of deciding what to see and do. Perhaps your children are budding palaeontologists who want to hunt for fossils on the beaches; maybe they are die-hard Sherlock Holmes fans who want to retrace the Hound of the Baskervilles, or perhaps they’re wannabe seafarers who will want to see all the naval sights of the coast. The good news is that whatever you want to see and do, the team at Unique Devon Tours will be happy to accommodate you. The private, curated trips are led by Alex, a Devonshire man ready and raring to share his local knowledge. Groups of more than six people need to book in advance, but the affable host is happy to take large families around all of Devon’s best sights.
Location: 3 Moorland Avenue Denbury, Newton Abbot tq12 6eu, England
Diggerland is the UK’s most unique attraction where children and adults have the chance to ride, drive and operate REAL full-size construction machinery, under the guidance of fully trained staff – no driving licence required! With 4 sites across the UK located in, Devon, Kent, Durham and Yorkshire you’re never too far away from digging to your heart’s content.
Diggerland is the perfect place to take your kids for action-packed family days out in Devon. Experience the thrills of spinning around fast in a Giant Digger bucket on the Spindizzy ride, operating a Giant JCB 806 Digger, driving a REAL car, racing around in a Go-Kart, getting lifted 50ft in the air by the Skyshuttle, whirling around on the Dig-a-round and so much more! There is an indoor play area, sandpits, coin-operated rides and much more where younger visitors can let off steam while their parents can just sit back, relax and watch the fun… or join in! Diggerland also boasts The Dig Inn as an eating establishment at each of the locations. The Goodie Store is also stocked full of toys and has a great selection of digger related products and clothing. You’ll find something there for all the family to buy as a memento of their day out at Diggerland.
Why go: Children who dream of flying will be in transports of joy as they rise into the skies above Devon. Aerosaurus Balloons run flights at sunrise and sunset from the South Hams, an area of natural beauty that juts out into the sea. Gaze down on the colourful land below and see what the children can spot from the basket, whether it’s castles and stone circles or vast stretches of uninterrupted Dartmoor wilderness. Flights also leave from Tiverton, a fantastic launching point for seeing the beauty of Exmoor and the river valleys that course through the centre of the county.
Location: Flight Meeting locations, Tesco Superstore, Lee Mill, South Devon, pl21 9pe and The Westward Inn, Lee Mill, near Ivybridge, South Devon, pl21 9ee
Why go: Spend an afternoon touring the sights of south Devon by the river and by rail. The Railway and River Boat Company takes you through the hills and fields around Galmpton, Greenway and Paignton on that most beloved of engines, the vintage steam train. When you reach the River Dart, you get the ferry to Dartmouth before cruising up the estuary on a riverboat. The final stretch of the journey takes place on an old-fashioned bus, often with an open top. The rides take you around some of Devon’s most attractive scenery, and the constantly changing mode of transport will help stop the kids from slipping into boredom.
Location: Queens Park Station Torbay Road Paignton tq4 6af
Why go: Children like choice, so give them the option of choosing which kind of excitement they want for their day out at the Ultimate Adventure Centre. The centre offers several different ways to get the adrenaline pumping. There’s an assault course comprising water pools and giant inflatables like you’d find on a game show and high ropes courses for energetic thrills without the falls. For kids who don’t mind getting wet, there’s kayaking and coasteering (a unique activity that involves plunging into the waves and traversing the rock faces of the coast). Teens might enjoy the mud-flecked thrills of mountain boarding and biking or the sheer comedy of water-zorbing, where you float in giant hamster balls on a shallow pond.
Location: Abbotsham Rd, Bideford, Devon ex39 5ap, United Kingdom
Why go: Most children will be chuffed with any kind of animal-related activity. Axe Valley Wildlife Park is the home of lemurs, zebras, flamingos and wallabies, among many others – making it one of the most exciting kids activities in Devon and also the proud owner of the playhouses for kids similar to the best outdoor playhouses online. If you really want to send your little ones into raptures, sign them up to become a Junior Keeper for the day. This unique experience lets children follow the staff of the zoo for a day and join in with their daily tasks, including feeding the animals and cleaning out their enclosures. The knowledgeable staff will also field questions from your inquisitive little keepers in the making.
Why go: There are few sports that are as simply cool as surfing. Granted, it might not look that way when you first give it a go. Don the wetsuits and grab a board – all provided by the North Devon Surf School – and head out into the seas of the north Devon coast, a place many name among the best surfing destinations beaches in the UK. Lessons are available for every level of confidence and the emphasis is placed firmly on having fun; so even if they don’t quite conquer the art of wave riding, they’ll still have a great time trying. For a slightly slower-paced option, try paddleboarding, a new craze that’s a little like kayaking while standing up.
Location: North Devon Surf School, Pebbleridge Road, Westward Ho, North Devon ex39 1hn
Book: Call 0123747466
North Devon Surf School – Devon
By now you’ve probably got a bit of an idea of the fun things to do in Devon with kids – all you need now is somewhere to stay! Talk to our concierge team, who can help you find and book the perfect villa no matter what type of holiday you’re after. Still looking for a little more inspiration? Our blog can help you out there, with loads of stuff to check out including more family activities, some brilliant ideas for grown-ups, and even how our photographer Leti got on with some team travels to the South of England.
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