Looking for toddler days out in the Lake District? We’ve got you covered!
Toddlers are cute and lovable but need constant stimulation to keep their curious minds active and at ease. It’s not always easy for us parents to find suitable activities to keep them out of trouble!
Thankfully, this beautiful region is simply brimming with toddler-friendly activities, the best of which we’ve rounded up for you today. From wildlife centres to outdoor adventure parks, your toddler is sure to be ready for a nap after a day out in the Lake District!
Whether you’re local or planning a family holiday to the area, here’s a list of 11 family-friendly things to do in the Lake District with toddlers.
Best Toddler Days Out in the Lake District
Lake District Wildlife Park
Nature conservation is essential to the Lake District Wildlife Park, which makes this place one of the most sustainable Lake District attractions.
The wildlife park’s 24 acres of parkland is a haven for hundreds of animals, including exotic species. The park hosts an average of 78 species of domestic and wild animals, including reptiles, mammals, and birds.
Lake District Wildlife Park has plenty to offer both toddlers and older children (and animal-loving adults too!). The park has an indoor soft play area where your toddler can become immersed in a world of carefree indoor fun. There is also a large outdoor adventure playground allowing for fun in the sun with views of Skiddaw in the background.
Have an adventure-filled day with your whole family, and later enjoy a meal at the indoor cafe.
Coniston Boating Centre
Coniston Boating Centre in the Lake District promises tremendous fun out on the water for all the family with their boat trips.
They have electric motorboats or traditional wooden rowing boats for the entire family to enjoy a variety of boat trips. Explore the great outdoors and catch a breath of fresh air as you and your family row in a peaceful river.
The boating centre offers rowing, kayak rides, and a yacht experience for up to 6 members and even a well-trained family dog. You can enjoy open Canadian canoes or go paddleboarding with the experienced team’s guidance.
You and your family can go on a boat cruise on Coniston, Windermere, Derwentwater, and Ullswater; there are many facilities onboard. Fully equipped with bathrooms and cafes, it is covered so you can enjoy the rain (the area gets plenty of it!) through the window from the comfort of the boat.
A lake cruise in the Lake District is a great sunny or rainy day attraction for a young child. You can keep the whole family entertained as you enjoy watching freshwater fish on the boat ride.
Alpacaly Ever After
Have you ever wanted to walk an alpaca? Yes, of course, you have! And if you didn’t, you might as well try it anyway.
Alpacaly Ever After allows you and your family to walk rehomed llamas and alpacas in the beautiful Lake District countryside. Give your toddler the experience of a lifetime by signing up to meet the cute and fluffy llamas and alpacas!
You can partake in this unique experience perfect for animal lovers at one of the company’s four locations around Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwentwater in the Lake District.
Keswick Climbing Wall and Outdoor Adventure Centre
One thing that almost toddlers have in common is their knack for climbing things around the home. So, why not take your toddler on a climbing experience?
Keswick Climbing Wall and Outdoor Adventure Centre in the Lake District provides the ultimate climbing experience for you and your toddler. Trained instructors will show you the ropes on their indoor activities and an outdoor play area – there’s a special area for the under 8s as well as more advanced routes for older children.
Take a 5-minute drive outside Keswick to indulge in Keswick Climbing Wall and Outdoor Adventure Centre with your toddler.
The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction
The World of Beatrix Potter is great for an interactive and immersive outing in the Lake District. Meet Peter Rabbit and all of his friends while watching the stories of Beatrix Potter unfold.
The Bowness-on-Windermere attraction was created and inspired by the fantastic landscape of the Lake District. Prepare to be thoroughly entertained and filled to the brim at Peter Rabbit tea parties with Peter in his tea room.
Have an interactive day out with the family with Peter Rabbit in Mr McGregor’s Garden, then enjoy the indoor soft play adventure playground while bonding with the kids. Come rain or shine, this attraction is sure to make for a memorable day out with younger children.
National Trust – Wray Castle
Wray Castle is near Ambleside on the western shore of Lake Windermere; you can enjoy outdoor adventures or explore the mock gothic castle. Perfect for a rainy day during the school holidays.
Wray Castle provides an educational experience as you can learn about the castle’s fascinating history through guided tours. Enjoy the stunning views of Lake Windermere in the countryside, offering family-friendly walks as you drive to and from Wray Castle.
Wray Castle joins the Allan Bank as part of the National Trust properties group and offers a unique experience for the entire family. The castle is one large adventure playground offering everything from a boat trip to picnic spots, art galleries, and a walk by the Bowness on Windermere Lake.
Rheged Centre
Rheged Centre in the North Lakes offers various dynamic children’s activities and exhibitions. The centre is perfect for artsy families who love to get creative!
Inside offers a children’s theatre and opera display, and there are live ballet shows streamed on the centre’s giant cinema screen.
Enjoy a coffee at the cafe in the visitor centre while your toddler plays in the large outdoor adventure play area, then you can visit the centre’s gift shop for local art and produce.
Child and Buggy-friendly Walks
The Lake District has many family-friendly walking trails, perfect for keeping active as a family.
Friar’s Crag in Keswick offers beautiful views of the Lake District’s central mountains, the lush forests, and refreshing shorelines.
The child-friendly walks are calming, quite therapeutic, and are often the more exciting walking trails. And if you prefer, you can find a bike hire shop and hire bikes to ride through the trails of the Lake District countryside.
If you and the kiddies enjoy an off-road track, you’ll love Windermere’s Western Shore route in Western Lake District.
Lakeland Maze Farm Park
Lakeland Maze Farm Park in Sedgwick has family values and togetherness at its centre.
The family-owned farm offers various activities throughout the seasons. The property hosts an active farm where you and the kiddies can enjoy tractor rides across the farmlands.
You will see and interact with your favourite farm animals, including free-range chickens, piglets, sheep, alpacas, ferrets, llamas, rabbits, goats, small rodents, horses, and donkeys. Kids who are used to city life are sure to have a great time meeting new furry friends!
Lakeland Maze Farm Park has child-friendly petting areas, interactive mazes, and a soft play area. They also have a cafe where you and your family can enjoy tasty meals and snacks to refuel after a busy time exploring all the activities on offer.
Lakes Aquarium
The Lakes Aquarium is one most loved aquariums in the north of England. The aquarium offers various family-friendly activities that are fun, entertaining, and educational.
The Lakes Aquarium is quite big, and you can take a steam train or boat to the aquarium, which adds to the excitement. If you want to take the steam train, you wait at the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway for your train. If your toddler loves boat trips, you can enter from Ambleside or Bowness with Windermere Lake Cruises.
Your family can enjoy mesmerising views of local marine life, such as the thornback ray, arctic char, pike, and the aquarium’s diving ducks. The aquarium also hosts hundreds of exotic species from Africa, Asia, the Amazon Rainforest, and the Americas.
A visit to the Lakes Aquarium promises an immersive and safe experience. Expect educational talks, an underwater tunnel with many sea creatures, and a lakeside stroll, amongst other things.
Muncaster Castle
Nested in the Western Lake District, Muncaster Castle is the perfect day out for families with toddlers and older children alike.
Let your little ones burn off some energy as they run around the gardens, or let them climb and explore in the maze and adventure playground.
Once they’re ready to sit still again, check out the bird of prey shows – your little ones will be squealing with delight seeing owls and hawks up close (and even flying right above their heads!).
Looking for another location? Check out our Days Out section for more ideas.
