12 family day out activities on your doorstep
12 family day out activities on your doorstep
From animal attractions to adrenaline thrills, here are the top spots to keep the kids entertained this summer
Main image: Go Ape Battersea
Animal Attractions
Battersea Park Zoo
Nestled in the gorgeous Battersea Park, this home for smaller animals is an ideal place to take the little ones to learn more about otters, capuchins and chinchillas. There’s also an interactive play area.
Deen City Farm
If the children love getting up close with friendly farm animals, there’s no better place than Deen City Farm. Run by a charity, it is an educational petting zoo with cows and rare goats, and there’s also a riding school for any horse lovers. Plus – they do goat yoga!
Hobbledown
Epsom
At Hobbledown you can visit the farm and zoo animals, explore the indoor playbarn, get active on the jumps, swings and High Ropes and meet the Hobbledown characters. There’s also an immersive and sensory Imaginarium for water-themed fun.
London Zoo
Regent’s Park
Head to London Zoo, where you can make a whole day of seeing everything from giraffes and tigers to apes and hippos.
Adrenaline Thrills
Go Ape
Battersea Park
If you fancy getting up high to see some spectacular views, check out Go Ape’s Battersea Park location. The Treetop Challenge crossings here are twice the height of most Go Ape locations! You can also try out the Treetop Adventure, the Fisherman’s Net and the zip wire.
Sandown Sports Club
Esher
At Sandown Sports, you can try out skiing, from open practice ski sessions to fully taught lessons and courses. There’s also some thrilling high ropes adventure courses, from the Skywalk to the Aerial Adventure.
White Spider
Surbiton
Energetic kids can try their skills at climbing and bouldering at this indoor climbing centre. There are courses as well as taster sessions available.
Campaign Paintball
Cobham
Located in a 100-acre forest, Campaign is the perfect place to get your thrills with a paintball or laser tag war. Their atmospheric sets include WW1 trenches, a 30-foot zombie tower and jungle zones.
Indoor fun
Gravity Max
Wandsworth
This active entertainment venue can keep the kids happy for hours – with activities from virtual go-karting and bowling to street golf and e-sports. There’s also VR, such as Ghostbusters VR Academy.
The Golf Groove
Wimbledon
Located inside Wimbledon Quarter, The Golf Groove is London’s largest indoor golf experience, complete with 12 golf simulators and a bar & lounge area where you can enjoy drinks and a bite to eat.
Kingston Escape Rooms
At the Rotunda in Kingston, you can book an escape room for a couple of hours of fun. You’ll have puzzles to solve, and interact with live actors.
Local Theatre
Catch Wimbledon Children’s Festival at New Wimbledon Theatre including The 13-Storey Treehouse on stage and the Science Museum Live. See Milkshake! Live – On Holiday! with the likes of Paw Patrol at the Rose Theatre. Polka’s line-up includes Rise and Fall, a breath-taking show all about balloons.
