Family things to do

Bristol is a great destination for a family trip and we pride ourselves on being a family-friendly city, offering entertainment for kids of all ages.

We've picked Bristol's family-friendly things to do and sorted them into the handy list below. We also have plenty of family events in Bristol to enjoy as well as excellent family hotels and places to stay to make your break to Bristol extra special. So get making some memories and visit Bristol with your family.

Bristol for families

There is a whole city to explore with world-class attractions and exciting activities. Become a Bristol adventurer and search for Banksy on the walls, or sharks under the water at Bristol Aquarium. You could explore the World's first great ocean liner Brunel's SS Great Britain, travel through space in the Planetarium at We The Curious (currently closed for repairs) or pilot Concorde at Aerospace Bristol.

In Bristol families could come face to face with a cheeky lemur at Bristol Zoo Project or even a dinosaur at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. 

Boat trips are a brilliant way to explore the city, with Bristol Ferry providing a service around the harbour and to Temple Meads, or Bristol Packet Boat Trips running extra trips during the school holidays.

A perfect family base

Bristol has all the exciting bustle and culture you'd want from a city break but with countryside, seaside and green spaces all around and right on our doorstep, meaning it's a great base for families to explore not only the city itself but really let off some steam in nearby Somerset, South Gloucestershire and The Cotswolds.

You could spend some time in the English countryside and visit some amazing family attractions near Bristol including The Grand Pier in Weston-super Mare, Wookey Hole, Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park, Longleat Safari Park, Cheddar Gorge, Chew Valley Animal Park and Noah's Ark Zoo Farm.

For some outdoorsy activities, book the kids in for a surf session at The Wave, or see how many bird species you can spot from your wild canoe safari at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre.

Or for some indoor fun to enjoy whatever the weather, experience the world's first Amazement Park at Wake the Tiger, bounce around at AirHop Bristol or practice your bowling skills at Roxy Lanes.

If the kids need some sea air, then head to Weston-super-Mare or Clevedon in coastal Somerset for beaches, piers and seaside fun.

Family friendly restaurants in Bristol

After you've been exploring and adventuring all day with your family, you'll need somewhere to refuel. So check out our section on family-friendly places to eat in Bristol here.

Still got questions?

Travelling with your family is wonderful, but the logistics can sometimes be hard and we want to make it as easy for you as we can. So if you have any more specific questions about pushchair access, changing facilities, children's menus, family rooms or anything else then please contact us.