Days out with the kids UK
Planning a family day out in the UK is one of the most rewarding weekend activities, but with hundreds of attractions to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. Whether you are looking for theme parks, zoos, museums or outdoor adventures, the UK offers a huge range of options that suit different ages, interests and budgets. This guide covers the best days out with the kids across the country, including near-me discovery, budget-saving tactics and unique experiences.
From the rolling grounds of National Trust properties to the thrill of Merlin attractions, families have more choice than ever. The key is knowing which tools and passes can help you cut costs while still enjoying a memorable day. Below is a quick snapshot of what to expect.
National Attractions
Best UK-wide destinations – theme parks, zoos, museums.
Budget-Friendly
Cheap days out under £20 for a family of four.
Unique Experiences
Offbeat activities like farm parks, treasure trails, or escape rooms.
Passes & Discounts
How to use Kids Pass, National Trust membership, and loyalty schemes.
Key insights for families
- Booking online in advance can save 10-30% on family attraction tickets.
- Kids Pass offers up to 56% off at 1,000+ attractions – trial for £1.
- National Trust membership pays for itself after 3-4 family visits.
- Many outdoor attractions are cheaper on weekdays and off-peak months.
- Combining attractions (e.g., zoo + park) often yields multi-attraction pass savings.
Family days out at a glance
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Average cost for family of 4 | £40-£80 per day (entry + food + travel) |
| Most popular category | Outdoor adventure parks & zoos |
| Best time to visit | Weekdays during school term (fewer crowds, lower prices) |
| Top discount pass | Kids Pass (up to 56% off, free trial) |
| No. of attractions on dayoutwiththekids.co.uk | Over 5,000 listings across the UK |
Days out with the kids near me
Finding family days out near your home or holiday destination is one of the most common searches for parents. Two major aggregators make this simple: Day Out With The Kids claims to list over 8,500 attractions across the UK, with a search tool that lets you find “things to do with the kids near me.” It also offers a VIP Pass with discounts like “kids go free” and “2 for 1” at venues such as SEA LIFE, Clip & Climb, and BeWILDerwood.
Kids Days Out is another directory that shares discounts and special offers for visits with children. For London specifically, these sites often highlight free museums, parks and markets that are easy to reach by public transport.
UK family days out near me
Beyond national chains, smaller independent attractions feature strongly in local results. Great Days Out UK offers a simple directory of venues, while the National Trust family activities page lists hundreds of properties with outdoor spaces, trails and events. Using these resources alongside a map search will give you a solid shortlist.
Days out with the kids London
London offers a dense mix of attractions. The RAF Museum London is a free day out with aircraft and RAF history, making it a strong low-cost educational option. Other free-entry venues include many national museums such as the Natural History Museum and the British Museum. Use the Things to Do in Oxford guide as a similar resource for university-city days out.
Always check the official attraction website for the latest opening times and ticket prices. Many venues require advance booking, especially during school holidays, so do not rely on walk-ins.
Cheap family days out UK
Saving money on days out without sacrificing fun is a top priority for many families. Several dedicated resources can help you cut costs significantly.
Kids Pass official site advertises up to 56% off at more than 1,000 attractions, plus discounts on cinema tickets and dining. A free trial lets you test the service before committing. Meanwhile, the Picniq blog lists specific low-cost outings, including free entry at Moors Valley Country Park & Forest and The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, which is open 365 days a year. Family tickets at places like Bekonscot after 3pm cost £23.20, and Puzzlewood in Gloucestershire is £25 for a family.
How can I save money on days out with the kids?
MoneySavingExpert highlights a 33% discount on Merlin attractions via the Days Out Guide when you hold a valid National Rail ticket. Cheap single fares can sometimes qualify strategically. The MoneySavingExpert deals page also covers other discount-ticket websites and voucher codes.
Free or low-cost family attractions in the UK
Frugal Mum’s guide recommends memberships such as National Trust, English Heritage and the Merlin Annual Pass for repeated visits. It also points to free museum entry, discount-ticket sites and National Rail’s 2-for-1 Days Out Offer. The cheapest approach of all is to choose free-entry attractions like The Donkey Sanctuary, Moors Valley Country Park & Forest, and certain museums such as the RAF Museum London. The Frugal Mum cheap days out article provides further seasonal ideas.
Combining a free discovery site like Day Out With The Kids with a discount pass such as Kids Pass can maximise your savings. Always compare direct ticket prices against pass discounts before booking.
Unique family days out
For families who want something beyond the usual soft play or theme park, several unusual attractions stand out. Puzzlewood in Gloucestershire is a woodland site often promoted as an extraordinary family outing. The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth offers a peaceful, cost-free visit. Bekonscot, near London, is a miniature village with cheaper after-3pm family pricing.
What are the most unusual family days out in the UK?
Hounslow Urban Farm and Ventura Wildlife Park are lower-cost animal days out. Kirkley Hall Zoo and the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway provide niche zoo and heritage-rail experiences. The Tank Museum, SEA LIFE Centre Weymouth and The Tutankhamun Exhibition are highlighted as family-friendly Dorset options, though not all are free. The Tin Box Traveller UK attractions page covers these and other offbeat locations.
Off-the-beaten-path family activities
For more ideas, consider treasure trails, escape rooms or apple-picking farms. Many of these appear in local tourism blogs rather than large aggregators. The Virgin Experience Days family experiences page also lists giftable unique days such as flying lessons or pottery workshops.
Weather can cause last-minute closures for outdoor attractions. Always check the forecast and the site’s cancellation policy before setting off, especially in winter or after heavy rain.
Days out With The Kids login
If you already have a membership with Day Out With The Kids, logging into your account gives you access to the VIP Pass discounts. The site says it offers household-wide savings such as “kids go free” and “2 for 1” at participating attractions. You can manage your pass and view available offers through the login portal on the official site.
Days out with the Kids Pass
Separately, the Kids Pass is a subscription-based service that provides discounts on a wide network of family attractions, cinema tickets and dining. Frugal Mum also mentions the Merlin Annual Pass as a money-saver for those planning multiple visits to Merlin-owned sites like LEGOLAND, Alton Towers and SEA LIFE. Pass users should check the terms carefully – some discounts are only available for certain time slots or require advance booking.
For help with journey planning to reach these attractions, the National Rail Journey Planner can help you find cheap advance fares, which may also unlock 2-for-1 offers.
Seasonal guide: family days out throughout the UK year
Family days out vary considerably with the seasons. Knowing what to expect can help you plan ahead and avoid disappointment.
- Spring (March–May): Easter events, lambing, garden openings at National Trust properties.
- Summer (June–August): Peak season for theme parks, beach days and outdoor festivals – book ahead to secure tickets and avoid crowds.
- Autumn (September–November): Pumpkin patches, Halloween events, forest trails with changing leaves.
- Winter (December–February): Christmas grottos, pantomimes, indoor attractions like museums and soft play centres.
What is known and what remains unclear about days out with the kids
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Opening times and ticket prices should always be verified on the official attraction website. | Weather can cause last-minute closures for outdoor attractions – check forecasts and cancellation policies. |
| Kids Pass discounts are applied at checkout on kidspass.co.uk. | Some attractions require advance booking (especially school holidays) – do not rely on walk-ins. |
| National Trust family membership covers entry to all UK properties. | Discounts and offers change frequently – always compare with direct booking prices. |
How the major platforms compare for family days out
Day Out With The Kids is the broadest discovery platform, listing thousands of attractions, but it does not sell tickets directly. Kids Pass provides cash savings but only for its partner attractions. The National Trust offers curated experiences with high trust, but its geographic coverage is limited to its own properties. For pure cost-saving, the best approach is to combine a free discovery site with a discount pass. For unique experiences, independent blogs or local tourism websites fill the gaps left by larger aggregators.
What the main sources say about days out with the kids
“We’ve plenty of ideas for family days out at our places near you, come rain or shine.”
National Trust family page
“Save up to 56% on family days out, cinemas, dining and attractions across the UK.”
Kids Pass
“Helping you find great days out since 2006.”
Day Out With The Kids
Final thoughts: making the most of your family days out in the UK
With so many resources available – from large directories like Day Out With The Kids and Kids Pass to budget-focused sites like Picniq and MoneySavingExpert – families can plan affordable, enjoyable days out across the UK. The key is to combine a free discovery tool with a discount pass or membership, verify opening times directly, and remain flexible about the weather. Start your planning with the Day Out With The Kids official site to find attractions near you.
Frequently asked questions about days out with the kids
How can I save money on days out with the kids?
MoneySavingExpert highlights a 33% discount on Merlin attractions via the Days Out Guide when you hold a valid National Rail ticket. Cheap single fares can sometimes qualify strategically. The MoneySavingExpert deals page also covers other discount-ticket websites and voucher codes. Frugal Mum’s guide recommends memberships such as National Trust, English Heritage and the Merlin Annual Pass for repeated visits. The cheapest approach of all is to choose free-entry attractions like The Donkey Sanctuary, Moors Valley Country Park & Forest, and certain museums such as the RAF Museum London.
What are the most unusual family days out in the UK?
Hounslow Urban Farm and Ventura Wildlife Park are lower-cost animal days out. Kirkley Hall Zoo and the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway provide niche zoo and heritage-rail experiences. The Tank Museum, SEA LIFE Centre Weymouth and The Tutankhamun Exhibition are highlighted as family-friendly Dorset options, though not all are free. For more ideas, consider treasure trails, escape rooms or apple-picking farms. Many of these appear in local tourism blogs rather than large aggregators.
Freddie Arthur Cooper Harrison is Editor-in-Chief of PopCulture UK, covering film, TV, music and celebrity news. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards, and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process so that every article separates verified fact from rumour and is reviewed before publication.