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Cardiff and the region has plenty to keep the kids occupied on a fun packed family break. We have a great choice of outdoor and adventurous activities, interactive museums, historic attractions to explore and acres of beautiful parks.

When the sun shines, entertaining children is easy but whatever the weather Cardiff is well equipped to stave off the cries of ‘when are we going home?’

 

With a huge variety of indoor and outdoor activities, Cardiff and its surrounding area has plenty to entertain all the family and all within a budget too. To fit it all in, why not make your stay a little longer and book your accommodation online. For family friendly places to stop for refreshments, see below.

Adventure Cardiff, the city’s water activity centre in Cardiff Bay offers various water activities and events throughout the year- such as yachting competitions, jet ski displays and water polo tournaments.

 

Bring out your inner ape at the Go Ape! High Wire Forest Adventure. 3 hours of tree-top adventure including rope ladders, zip wires, tunnels and high-wire rope bridges. Under 18s must be supervised by a participating adult.

 

For more active family fun try the Taskforce Skirmish Paintball Games near Cowbridge. Paintball, Laser Tag, Archery and Laser clay shooting make for fantastic fun and excitement at this 30 acre woodland site for adults and juniors (11 to 16 year olds).

 

To burn off some of the excess energy, even when the weather doesn't smile, try Wales' largest indoor climbing centre, Boulders. Perfect for first time climbers, as well as those with experience, Boulders provides qualified instructors, equipment and a range of climbing experiences.  

 

 

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Cardiff Barrage

The Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre is open year round to offer more information on events and the history of the Bay. Moored next door to the Tube is the Lightship 2000 where you can explore the light tower, engine room, cabins, and chapel or enjoy light refreshments in the ‘galley’ in an atmosphere of Christian friendship. A stones throw away from the Lightship is the Norwegian Church, this former Norwegian Seamen’s Church, where children's author Roald Dahl was baptised, has recently been rebuilt as a culture and arts centre. 

 

Five miles from Cardiff, in the middle of the Bristol Channel, is Flat Holm Island - a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The island is home to a large gull population and other wildlife including slow worms and shelducks. Visitors can join day tours to the island during the summer, or stay on Flat Holm as part of a residential art, photography or wildlife course. Find out more here.
 

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Enter a world of science and technology at Cardiff Bay’s Techniquest, which is sure to delight children of all ages. Fancy firing a rocket, launching a hot air balloon or racing an electric car? There are over 160 hands-on exhibits with puzzles and activities to entertain the whole family. There are also shows in the Science Theatre and tours of the Universe in the Planetarium.

  

For sports fans why not take a tour of the Milllennium Stadium, the home of Welsh rugby. Walk down the players' tunnel and sit in the royal box, for an iconic experience.

 

For when indoors is the only option make your way to The Red Dragon centre, a buzzing, state of the art entertainment complex located in the heart of Cardiff Bay. Enjoy the latest release at the ODEON cinema, enjoy a game at the Hollywood Bowl or visit the phenomenally popular Doctor Who Up-Close exhibition.

 

Try all the thrills of motor sport in a fun and safe environment. TeamSport Indoor Karting is the UK's biggest Go Karting Company with unrivalled experience and expertise. The professionally designed track and amazing facilities are amongst the best in the UK.

 

Also located in Cardiff Bay is the largest swimming facility in the UK, Cardiff International Pool. This venue boasts among others a spectacular leisure pool, incorporating a beach area, flumes, space ball area, lazy river and bubble lounger.

 

Cardiff runs a full calendar of events suitable for all the family. In the summer, Cardiff Festival and Cardiff Harbour Festival feature family entertainment and children's workshops. Throughout the year Cardiff's theatres put on a programme that includes plenty for kids, particulary during half-terms and holidays. For full event listings, click here. 

 

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Just around the corner is the stunning Wales Millennium Centre which dominates the Cardiff Bay skyline. This purpose built Arts and entertainment venue is home to the Welsh National Opera; it also has a great variety of children's and family shows.

 

For the best pantomime and family shows in the city the New Theatre is a must visit. This Edwardian Playhouse opened in 1906, and is celebrating its centenary in 2006.

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Museums

The National Museum Cardiff will keep the whole family entertained for hours, with interactive exhibitions, natural history displays and children’s art workshops. You'll find a stunning natural history section: follow the poignant story of the stranded leatherback turtle, witness how the basking shark, cavernous mouth agape, filters its food, or follow Wales’ incredible journey from the Big Bang to the present day, meeting dinosaurs and mammoths along the way.

 

 

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Where to Eat & Drink

Cardiff has plenty of family-friendly cafes and resturants. For full listings on where to eat and drink, click here.