Family Days Out in Cornwall: 12 Fun Activities for All Ages

Cornwall is one of the best places in the UK for a family day out, offering a mix of adventure, history, and nature that guarantees fun for all ages. Whether you’re exploring ancient castles, getting up close with wildlife, riding steam trains, or cycling along stunning coastal trails, Cornwall has something for everyone – from toddlers to grandparents.

What makes Cornwall so special for families? It’s a place where every outing is an experience. One day, you’re hunting for treasure in a pirate museum, and the next, you’re walking through a rainforest at the Eden Project. You can watch penguin feeding sessions, ride miniature steam trains, or even step into a fairy tale on the magical island of St Michael’s Mount.

To help you plan your perfect family adventure, we’ve rounded up 12 of the best days out in Cornwall, packed with all the details you need – ticket prices, must-see attractions, and insider tips. Get ready to create unforgettable memories in one of the most beautiful parts of the country!

1. Eden Project – Explore the World’s Largest Indoor Rainforest

📍 Location: Bodelva, near St Austell

🎟️ Entry: Adults £40, Children (5-16) £15, Under 5s Free (Discounted online tickets available)

🕒 Opening Times: 9:15 am – 6:00 pm (seasonal variations)

The Eden Project is a must-visit for families, offering an unforgettable experience inside two enormous biomes filled with plants from around the world. The Rainforest Biome transports you to the tropics, while the Mediterranean Biome offers a taste of sunnier climates.

🦋 Top family-friendly features:

• The Rainforest Canopy Walkway, where you can walk through the treetops
• The Core Building, packed with interactive exhibits about nature and sustainability
• Outdoor play areas and gardens for kids to explore
• Seasonal events like ice skating (winter) and adventure activities (summer)

🔗 Visit the Eden Project website for tickets and updates.

2. Newquay Zoo – Meet the Animals

📍 Location: Newquay

🎟️ Entry: Adults £17.50, Children (3-15) £14, Under 3s Free

🕒 Opening Times: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (last entry 4:00 pm)

One of Cornwall’s best attractions for young animal lovers, Newquay Zoo is home to over 1,000 animals, including lions, penguins, red pandas, and lemurs.

🐾 Top things to do:

• Watch feeding times and animal talks
• Walk through the free-flying bird aviary
• Let the kids run wild in the adventure play area

🔗 Visit Newquay Zoo for more information.

3. Camel Creek Adventure Park – Fun for Kids of All Ages

📍 Location: Near Wadebridge

🎟️ Entry: Adults & Children (over 92cm) £17.95, Under 92cm Free (Online discounts available)

🕒 Opening Times: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (seasonal opening – check website)

For a fantastic theme park experience in Cornwall, Camel Creek Adventure Park is perfect for families with younger children. With thrilling rides, play areas, and animal encounters, it’s an action-packed day out.

🎢 Family-friendly highlights:

• Wave Rider, a fun water coaster
• The Airbender, a swinging pendulum ride
• Mini rollercoasters and adventure play areas
• Animal encounters with ponies, meerkats, and reptiles

🔗 Visit the Camel Creek website for tickets and seasonal events.

4. Tintagel Castle – Step into the World of King Arthur

📍 Location: Tintagel

🎟️ Entry: Adults £16.90, Children (5-17) £10.10, Under 5s Free

🕒 Opening Times: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

History and myth come alive at Tintagel Castle, where King Arthur is said to have been born. This dramatic clifftop site offers stunning views, medieval ruins, and the famous Merlin’s Cave.

🛡️ Family-friendly highlights:

• Walk across the Tintagel footbridge, connecting two cliffs
• Explore Merlin’s Cave, only accessible at low tide
• Follow the children’s activity trails

🔗 Find out more.

5. Blue Reef Aquarium – Underwater Adventures in Newquay

📍 Location: Newquay

🎟️ Entry: Adults £15.15, Children £11.65, Under 3s Free

🕒 Opening Times: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

The Blue Reef Aquarium is home to over 40 themed habitats, including sharks, turtles, seahorses, and an incredible tunnel where fish swim overhead.

🐠 Top attractions:

• The Ocean Tunnel, where sharks and rays swim above
• The interactive rockpool, where kids can see starfish and crabs
• Daily talks and feeding sessions

🔗 Visit Blue Reef Aquarium.

6. Paradise Park & Jungle Barn – A Wildlife and Play Haven

📍 Location: Hayle

🎟️ Entry: Adults £16.95, Children (3-15) £13.50, Under 3s Free

🕒 Opening Times: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Paradise Park is a wildlife wonderland combined with an indoor soft play centre, making it a perfect family day out – rain or shine! With over 1,200 animals, the park specialises in exotic birds, red pandas, and penguins.

🦜 What makes it great for families?

• Daily feeding sessions with penguins, otters, and red pandas
• The free-flying bird aviary, where kids can walk among tropical birds
• The Jungle Express train ride for a fun journey through the park
• The Jungle Barn indoor play centre, with slides, ball pits, and climbing frames

During the summer, there’s a mini farmyard, where children can meet goats, rabbits, and donkeys.

🔗 Visit Paradise Park’s website for tickets and feeding times.

7. Lappa Valley – Ride the Miniature Steam Trains

📍 Location: Near Newquay

🎟️ Entry: Adults £16.95, Children £14.95, Under 3s Free

🕒 Opening Times: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

If your kids love trains and adventure, Lappa Valley is the perfect family escape. Nestled in the Cornish countryside, it offers miniature steam train rides, soft play areas, boating lakes, and outdoor play zones.

🚂 Why visit?

• Ride on a real steam train through the valley
• Try canoeing on the boating lake (life jackets provided)
• Let the kids run free in the outdoor play fort and climbing areas
• Play mini golf or enjoy the indoor soft play centre

Lappa Valley is best for families with younger children but offers enough activities to keep older kids entertained too.

🔗 Plan your trip here.

8. The Camel Trail – A Scenic Bike Ride for Families

📍 Locations: Padstow, Wadebridge, and Bodmin

🎟️ Entry: Free (Bike hire costs vary)

🕒 Open all year

For outdoor-loving families, the Camel Trail is a safe, flat, and scenic cycling route that follows the River Camel through some of Cornwall’s most stunning landscapes.

🚴‍♂️ Why is it perfect for families?

• Completely traffic-free, making it safe for children
• Smooth and flat, ideal for bikes, scooters, and pushchairs
• Beautiful wildlife, including kingfishers, herons, and even otters

🚲 Need bikes? You can hire them in Padstow, Wadebridge, and Bodmin, with options for children’s bikes, trailers, and tandems. There are also great picnic spots along the route.

🔗 More information here.

9. Cornish Seal Sanctuary – Meet Rescued Seals

📍 Location: Gweek

🎟️ Entry: Adults £16.50, Children £13.50, Under 3s Free

🕒 Opening Times: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Cornwall is famous for its wild coastline, but did you know that many injured and orphaned seals are rescued here each year? The Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek is a working rescue centre where families can meet adorable seals, sea lions, penguins, and even otters.

🐬 What makes it a great family day out?

• Meet rescued seals and sea lions up close
• Watch seal pup feeding time and hear about their stories
• Walk the nature trail, which has stunning views of the Helford Estuary
• Kids will love the interactive rock pool, where they can touch starfish and crabs

🔗 Visit the Seal Sanctuary.

10. Minack Theatre – A Spectacular Open-Air Cliffside Theatre

📍 Location: Porthcurno

🎟️ Entry: Adults £10.50, Children £5.50 (Ticket prices vary for performances)

🕒 Opening Times: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

If you want a truly unique Cornish experience, Minack Theatre is a must-visit. This open-air theatre, carved into the cliffs above Porthcurno Beach, offers breathtaking sea views and live performances.

🎭 Why it’s great for families:

• Watch family-friendly plays, including fairy tales and children’s theatre
• Kids can take part in storytelling sessions
• Walk around the theatre and learn about its incredible history

🌅 Best tip: Visit at sunset for an unforgettable view of the coastline.

🔗 Check showtimes and book tickets.

11. Geevor Tin Mine – Step into Cornwall’s Mining History

📍 Location: Pendeen, near St Just

🎟️ Entry: Adults £16.50, Children (4-16) £9.50, Under 4s Free (Family tickets available)

🕒 Opening Times: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (last entry 3:30 pm)

Cornwall’s mining history is legendary, and Geevor Tin Mine offers one of the most immersive experiences in the region. This former working tin mine lets families explore real underground tunnels, try their hand at panning for minerals, and learn how miners lived and worked.

⛏️ Why it’s great for families?

• Explore an underground mine (hard hats provided!)
• Hands-on exhibits, where kids can touch and feel real mining tools
• Gold and mineral panning, perfect for little explorers
• Spectacular views across the rugged Cornish coast

This attraction is fun and educational, offering an insight into Cornwall’s rich mining heritage while keeping kids entertained with interactive activities. It’s the perfect mix of history and adventure!

🔗 Plan your visit.

12. St Michael’s Mount – A Fairytale Island Adventure

📍 Location: Marazion

🎟️ Entry: Castle & Garden Adults £16.50, Children £8.50, Under 5s Free

🕒 Opening Times: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Check tide times for causeway access)

A visit to St Michael’s Mount feels like stepping into a fairy tale. This tidal island, accessible on foot at low tide or by boat at high tide, is home to a medieval castle, subtropical gardens, and stunning sea views.

🏰 Why it’s a great day out?

• Walk the historic causeway, just like ancient pilgrims
• Explore the legendary castle, home to a real family
• Enjoy the subtropical gardens, filled with exotic plants
• Take a boat ride when the tide is in

🌊 Top tip: Check tide times before your visit to plan your journey!

🔗 Check tide times and book tickets.

Why Cornwall is the Ultimate Family Destination

Cornwall isn’t just a holiday spot – it’s a playground of adventure, history, and natural beauty for families of all ages. Whether you’re cycling along the Camel Trail, meeting rescued seals, exploring legendary castles, or watching theatre on a clifftop, there’s something magical about every experience.

What makes Cornwall truly special is that every family day out feels like an adventure. You can step back in time at Tintagel Castle, walk in the footsteps of pirates in Charlestown, or ride steam trains through hidden valleys. You don’t need to choose between thrill rides, wildlife encounters, or scenic walks – because in Cornwall, you can do it all.

And let’s not forget the unforgettable landscapes that surround these attractions. From rugged coastlines to tropical gardens, every outing offers breathtaking views and a chance to connect with nature.

So whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a full family holiday, these 12 incredible places guarantee fun, adventure, and memories that will last a lifetime.

What’s your favourite family day out in Cornwall? Let us know in the comments!