51 unmissable things to do in Cornwall with kids

Last updated on December 1, 2025

We’re huge fans of Cornwall with its gorgeous sandy beaches, dramatic coastline and cute seaside towns. We like it so much that we got married there. And since having kids, it’s become a favourite family holiday destination. It has tons of things to do, from simply hanging out on the beach to visiting the incredible Eden Project or having an adrenaline-filled day at a theme park.

Here’s our pick of the best things to do in Cornwall with kids.

Also see our guide to the best luxury family hotels in Cornwall, things to do in St.Ives, and a detailed comparison of Watergate Bay, the Bedruthan and SeaSpace.

Map of things to do in Cornwall with kids

The best things to do in Cornwall with kids

The Eden Project

The Eden Project is a sight to behold – the iconic domes in the Cornish countryside are biomes housing the world’s largest indoor rainforest. Eden has a mission to connect people to nature and create a better future. And the Eden Project itself is an incredible family day out in Cornwall – offering more than just the epic biomes. It’s even home to England’s longest and fastest zip wire, SkyWire!

An unmissable part of your visit is walking through the biomes and experiencing the humid tropics and Mediterranean climate. A highlight is the canopy walkway that scales the top of the rainforest biome and gives amazing views across the forest. Our kids particularly love the rope bridge, waterfall, and a machine that creates a cloud of mist periodically that you can run through. They also loved the sculptures dotted throughout the domes.

The outdoor gardens are spectacular too, and include a brilliant kids’ play area. And older kids can get involved in some of the adventure activities on offer, including SkyWire, an aerial assault course and a giant swing.

And don’t miss the Invisible Worlds exhibition that explores the world beyond our senses with fun, interactive exhibits.

Finally, be sure to check out the Eden Project’s programme of events. They host lots of family-friendly events, especially during the school holidays. And our favourite is the Eden Sessions, where we once saw the Fleet Foxes (one of the best concerts of my life, with a hefty dose of that due to the setting).  

The Eden Project has some useful suggested itineraries for kids on the website. It’s easily one of the best days out in Cornwall for kids and adults alike. It’s at the top of the list for us for families in Cornwall.

Learn to surf

Cornwall has some of the UK’s best surfing spots and is a good place to learn. Just be sure to stay between the lifeguard’s black and white flags (or in between the red and yellow striped ones if you’re swimming). With lessons for all ages, it’s a great thing to do in Cornwall with family.

Popular surf spots for beginners include: Newquay, Harlyn, Bude (Widemouth Bay or Summerleaze), Perranport, St.Ives and Polzeath. Specific schools offering beginner lessons include: St. Ives Surf School, Big Blue Surf School in Bude, Wave Hunters in Polzeath, and King Surf in Mawgan Porth near Newquay.

We’ve tried both St Ives Surf School and King Surf and can vouch for both of them as excellent.

Other water sports for kids

If surfing isn’t your thing, there are lots of other water-based adventures:

• Bodyboarding – easier for younger kids
• SUP lessons – especially calm on the Gannel near Newquay
• Kayaking at Helford Passage or Fowey
• Coasteering – for confident swimmers aged roughly 8–10+

The Lost Gardens of Heligan

The Lost Gardens of Heligan are as magical as they sound. The fairytale garden is most famous for its iconic woodland sculptures that rise out of the forest ground. Don’t miss The Giant’s Head, Mudmaid and Grey Lady, which are sure to enchant all ages.

But beyond the sculptures, there are 200 acres of ancient grounds to explore, including a jungle area that has its own microclimate, five degrees warmer than the other gardens. It has one of the UK’s longest Burmese rope bridges and is filled with exotic plants, pools and wildlife that you can explore via a network of raised boardwalks.

There’s also a brilliant adventure playground, and lots of farm animals throughout the gardens. It’s a fantastic family day out in Cornwall.

Blue Reef Aquarium

Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay is right on the seafront and has over 40 different habitats with everything from sharks to turtles to octopuses. A highlight is the ocean tunnel, where you can see sharks, lobsters, pufferfish, loggerhead turtles, and a rainbow of tropical fish.

There are also talks and feeding times throughout the day, and lots of educational exhibits, teaching about sea life and conservation.

Other wildlife and animal experiences

• Seal-watching boat trips from St Ives, Falmouth and Padstow
• Sea safaris for dolphins and basking sharks (seasonal)
• Paradise Park and JungleBarn – fun for little ones with a big indoor play barn
• Newquay Zoo – small but lovely for a half-day

Lappa Valley Steam Railway

If you have a kid who loves trains, be sure to head to the Lappa Valley Steam Railway. As well as miniature railways to ride through the woodland, there are also lots of other fun activities, including crazy golf, a boating lake with pedalo swans, and a big adventure play area.

Most recently, they opened the Engine Shed, an indoor multi-level soft play with a coffee shop so adults can sit back while the kids play.

Another good railway to try is the Bodmin and Wenford Steam Railway

Tintagel Castle

This probably isn’t one you’ll want to brave with younger kids (the steps are seriously steep and the drops sheer), but for older kids, Tintagel Castle is a cool Cornwall experience, bathed in myths and legends.

The castle ruins are perched dramatically on the clifftop, linked by an epic footbridge. Some believe it was the birthplace of King Arthur, and you can also explore Merlin’s Cave down on the beach. There’s a museum and displays throughout the grounds that bring to life the story of the castle and the people who have lived there.

Don’t miss Gallos, the life-size bronze figure inspired by the legend of King Arthur.

Tintagel is one of the best family attractions in Cornwall, and is a perfect Cornwall family day out.

Tip: Arrive early or late afternoon to avoid queues on the bridge. Most people spend 2–3 hours here.

Try a cream tea

Who doesn’t love a sweet treat? And Cornwall is famous for its classic cream tea. Be sure to try one while there – it’s essentially scones with clotted cream and jam, accompanied by a pot of tea. Kids can substitute the tea for a babycinno or some such, so it’s a treat the whole family can enjoy.

You’ll find tea rooms throughout Cornwall. We often like the ones that double as walkers’ huts, as they tend to be quirky and with a dose of added charm. This one in Bude is very cute. Although sometimes you can’t beat a proper tearoom, like Charlotte’s Tea House in Truro.

And yes, in Cornwall it’s jam first, cream on top.

Hit the arcades

If your kids spot an arcade, there’s no going back. Like it or not, they’re a British seaside rite of passage – and parents get a bit of nostalgia thrown in too. There’s a great one beside Porthminster Beach where we spent a happy hour on the 2p machines. We give the kids a budget beforehand so both the time and games are limited. More than an hour in an arcade and I reach peak sensory overload!

Visit a theme park

Don’t expect anything like Alton Towers or even Chesington, but Cornwall does have some cute old-school theme parks with fairground-style rides and play areas. Sadly, the old favourite, Flambards, has now closed, but other theme parks in Cornwall include: Camel Creek Adventure Park near Wadebridge and the Milky Way Adventure Park, which is actually in North Devon, but only 30 minutes from Bude.

Adrenaline Quarry

For thrill-seekers, Adrenaline Quarry near Liskeard is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It has one of the UK’s longest zip lines, sending you soaring across a flooded quarry, plus a giant swing that feels like a freefall drop. Older kids and teens will also love the inflatable aquapark (age 6+), go-karting track (7+) and axe-throwing (12+) sessions. It’s an action-packed day out for adventurous families – definitely one for older, confident kids rather than toddlers.

Cornwall’s best family-friendly beaches

Cornwall’s beaches are a huge part of any family holiday. These are some of the most family-friendly, usually with lifeguards in summer, good facilities and plenty of space to play.

• Porthcurno (near Land’s End) – turquoise shallows, soft sand and sheltered nooks
• Gyllyngvase (Falmouth) – great café, toilets and calm swimming
• Daymer Bay (near Rock) – one of the best toddler-friendly beaches in Cornwall
• Polzeath – brilliant for beginner surf lessons
• Perranporth (near Newquay)– huge sandy stretch with rock pools and Chapel Rock pool
• Summerleaze (Bude) – includes the famous tidal sea pool

Always check tide times and stick to RNLI flag guidance – red flag means danger and no entering the water at all.

Family-friendly walks in Cornwall

Cornwall has some of the UK’s most beautiful walks, both along the coast and inland, and there are some nice family-friendly options. If your kids are anything like ours, you might need to bride them with the promise of an ice cream!

• St Michael’s Mount causeway – magical at low tide, and kids tend to be enchanted by the fairytale tower.
• The Lizard coastal loop – gentle with epic views and seals
• Cardinham Woods – buggy-friendly trails and play areas
• Tintagel to Rocky Valley – dramatic but manageable for older kids
• Bedruthan Steps viewpoint walk – short, striking cliff-top path

Indoor rainy-day things to do in Cornwall

Rain is a common in Cornwall, so it’s worth having a few indoor options up your sleeve. Here are some ideas for rainy days in Cornwall.

• National Maritime Museum Cornwall (Falmouth) – excellent hands-on exhibits
• Tate St Ives – family workshops, kids’ playroom and art activities
• Shipwreck Treasure Museum (Charlestown)
• Bodmin Jail Experience – good for teens
• Telegraph Museum Porthcurno – surprisingly fascinating
• JungleBarn soft play (Hayle) – ideal for small children
• Lands’ End – I didn’t love this as it’s fairly rundown, but the kids enjoyed a game of indoor mini golf, and they also have an Aardman exhibition

Free and cheap things to do in Cornwall with kids

With so much natural beauty, it’s easy to find free ways to entertain the family in Cornwall. Here are some ideas for free thins to do in Cornwall with kids.

• Go rock pooling. There are good spots at Treyarnon, Crooklets, Porthtowan or Hannafore. And we also had luck in St Ives at Porthminster.
• Explore Holywell Cave at low tide
• Cycle the Camel Trail
• Walk the South West Coast Path (short family sections)
• Spot seals at Godrevy or Mutton Cove
• Go beachcombing after high tide
• Sunset picnics. There are loads of spots that are perfect for this, for example Gwithian or Widemouth Bay

Seasonal events and festivals

Here are a few Cornwall family events that you could time your visit with…

• Eden Project Christmas: A magical festive takeover with twinkling light installations, seasonal activities and an indoor ice rink.
• Mousehole Harbour Lights: One of Cornwall’s most enchanting Christmas traditions, with the whole harbour illuminated in colourful, whimsical displays.
• St Ives September Festival: A lively two-week celebration of arts, music and culture, with plenty of family-friendly workshops and performances.
• Padstow Obby Oss (May Day): Cornwall’s oldest and most eccentric folk festival, filled with costumes, drumming and processions.
• Boardmasters for teens: A huge surf and music festival near Newquay that appeals to older kids and teens, mixing world-class surfing with big-name bands.

Where to stay in Cornwall with kids

Cornwall has some of the UK’s best glamping. You can stay in yurts, shepherd’s huts, railway carriages, cabins, converted barns and all sorts of unique accommodation. We’ve put together a guide to some of the best Cornwall lodges with hot tubs and the best Cornwall Airbnbs.

And we’ve also written reviews of the beautiful Rosewood Yurt near Bude and this railway carriage near Saint Austell. Most recently, we stayed in this cute family cottage near Port Issac.

If you want something a bit more fancy, there’s the fabulous Watergate Bay Hotel, or one of these other luxury family hotels in Cornwall. We’ve written a detailed comparison of three of the best family hotels near Newquay.

Cornwall also makes a good Christmas break, and we’ve included it in our guide to the best UK Christmas family holidays.

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