Bristol Summer Activities – Family Guide for 2024!

Welcome to your family guide for Summer in Bristol! Browse the below categories to help you plan your summer based on your interests. If you find this guide helpful, please share and follow us on Instagram or Facebook for more days out ideas, new openings, future guides and reviews!

Contents:

Click to jump to…

• Festivals
• Water Play
• Boat Trips
• Animal & Adventure Parks
• Gardens & Outdoors
• Museum, Caves & Trains
• Theatre
• Pick Your Own
• Outdoor Cinema & Sports
• Fetes & Parties
• Other Events
• New Openings
• Holiday Clubs
• Free and Cheap Days Out

Festivals

Kids Fest 6, 7, 13 & 14 Jul

Kids Fest at Farringtons Farm Park 6, 7, 13 & 14 Jul Expect entertainment and activities such as Super Pirates, Circus Shows, Bubbles, Bluey & Bingo, and Inflatable Mega Slide! Book tickets

Pride Day on the Downs 13 July

Celebrate Pride as a family. There will be a dedicated family area, with craft play from Junkfish, special workshops, and Drag Queen Story Time will be reading stories at 1, 2, 3 & 4pm. More info & tickets

Bristol Harbour Festival 19 – 21 July

FREE action-packed festival with music, dance and circus performances and water-based activities. See our reel for highlights from 2022 (missed last year) including the baby race, sand and water play area, face painting and meeting a mermaid! We enjoyed a stroll around the harbour first thing seeing all the boats and we went on the wheel in Millennium Square.

It gets very busy so I would recommend going early as a family. We went on the Sunday as it feels quieter with revelers than Saturday. See the programme and more info at bristolharbourfestival.co.uk.

You can Build model yachts for a race at the Bristol Harbour Festival 6 and 13 Jul Book tickets

Feast on Festival 26-28 July

Food festival on the Downs. It has a children’s entertainment area and a cooking school for the whole family. Book tickets

Valley Fest 1 – 4 Aug

A family friendly food and music festival in Chew Valley! You can camp for the weekend or buy a day ticket for the Sunday. There is children’s theatre, crafts, play areas, bubble making and lots more. Find out more and book at valleyfest.co.uk

Bristol Balloon Fiesta 9 – 11 Aug

Free hot air balloon festival filled with spectacular mass ascents, night glows and lots of family entertainment! See our post from last year. I really recommend getting up early, taking a picnic blanket (buy coffee & crepes or take some croissants with you) and watch one of the morning ascents. There is lots of food and drink, funfair and other entertainment. There is an NCT tent for anyone with young children needing respite. Car Parking tickets are available now. More info at bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk

New this year! Community Launches 5-8 August Catch mass ascents in community locations around Bristol. Keep an eye out on socials for ideas of where these might be. This is a great way of getting up close to an ascent! You can nominate potential locations and local heros to fly in one of the balloons.

Old Down Estate Food & Drink Festival 11 Aug

Food & Drink Festival at Old Down Country Park. Expect food stalls and chef demonstrations. Book tickets

Hoo-Ha! at Bristol Beacon 27-28 Aug

Free festival for families with lots of activities and performances More info

Vegan Kids Festival 30 Aug-1 Sep

Family festival for vegan families with activities, workshops and playtime. Find out more

FORWARDS Festival 31 Aug – 1 Sep

Music festival with epic kids area filled with shows, music workshops, crafts and activities! See our reel from last year. This is a great day festival with kids and very easy to access on the Downs in Clifton. Book tickets

Harvest Home Festival at Mendip Activity Centre 30 Aug – 1 Sep

Live music, open air cinema, family activities, food, drink and partying. Booking available for certain days or whole weekend camping. Book here Mendip Activity Centre is worth a visit on its own and has many activities to do including tobogganing, dry skiing, canoeing, and lots more. We went camping to Mendip Basecamp last year and it was a great site!

DogFest at Ashton Court 31 Aug & 1 Sep

Displays, advice and workshops, fun dog show, a kids activity area and lots more! Book tickets

Water Play

Mall Cribbs Water Garden

Free water garden now open every day! There are bubble machines, splash streams and ice cream. They also have some outdoor sports pitches so take a football or basketball/netball, and there is an outdoor screen showing football!

St Andrews Park Paddling Pool

Open seasonally, now open for the summer 24/7. St Andrews Park has a great play area, toilets and a new cafe van has opened recently.

The Wave

The Wave is an inland surf destination in North Bristol! There are surf and body boarding lessons and sessions from 6+, or Little Rippers surf experience for ages 4-12. For all ages there are Play in the Bay sessions which are perfect for paddling, splashing and bodyboarding (surf boards not allowed for this session).

The Wave is free to visit as a spectator and there is a great play area, lots of paths perfect for scooting, garden games, table tennis, a skate park and a cafe. More information on thewave.com

West Country Water Park

West Country Water Park have a large swimming lake with an Aqua Park (giant inflatable obstacle course), SUP (from age 2), kayaking, wind surfing, swimming and more! It has a nice cafe overlooking the lake perfect for watching.

You may be able to catch an outdoor cinema event here where you can watch a film from the land or water – very cool! More information at westcountrywaterpark.co.uk

Slimbridge

Slimbridge WWT has Welly Boot Land: an amazing water play area! If you work/have worked for the civil service/public sector/education check out Boundless Membership It is only £40 a year and you get unlimited free entry to WWT for yourself, an additional adult and up to six children so it is a great deal!

Millenium Square

Water fountains in Millenium Square are great for free water play near the Harbourside. This one may be best with wellies for safety/cleanliness.

Portishead Open Air Pool

Heated open air pool with family sessions available to book. More info at portisheadopenairpool.org.uk

Ultimate Slip n Slide

The biggest Slip n Slide in Somerset! Located between Frome and Bath. Pre-book your slot.

SUP Harbourside Adventure

Join SUP Bristol for a stand up paddleboarding adventure and the chance to see Bristol’s floating harbour from a new perspective Book tickets

Brean Splash Waterpark

Indoor and outdoor waterpark in Brean with lots of slides, a lazy river, water play and lots to entertain children. Pair with a visit to the beach! More info at breansplash.com

Parish Wharf Leisure Pool

The family fun leisure pool in Portishead has small slides, jets, etc. Best for young kids. It is indoors but it is right by the marina so lovely to pair with a walk around the marina. Book here

Warleigh Weir

Beautiful swimming spot east of Bath. It is on privately owned land which is currently opened to the public, but please use responsibly or it may be closed in future! There are no facilities. There is no parking so they ask that visitors use public transport, bikes or walk. More info on warleighweir.co.uk

Mundy Playing Fields, Thornbury

Splash pad in Thornbury. Car park and toilets usually open 9am-8pm in the summer, with shorter hours in the winter.

Cleveland Pools

Currently closed after flooding. Check their website for details in case of re-opening clevelandpools.org.uk

Sydney Gardens

Sydney Gardens is a park/play area in Bath with a small water play area in the sand area. The water play is open seasonally. Next to The Holburne Museum which is also worth a visit and often has events/exhibitions on. Mr Doodle exhibition is on until 1 Sep.

John Coles Park, Chippenham

Splash pad in John Coles Park, Chippenham. It caters for children under 12 and is open from May – September (10am – 6pm). Cafe kiosk and toilets.

Portishead Lake Grounds

Boating lake with pedalos in summer months. Play area and lakeside cafe.

Mission Inflatable at University of Bristol Swimming Pool

Large inflatable obstacle course at the University of Bristol swimming pool in Clifton. Places must be pre-booked via the University of Bristol Active app or website.

Streams to paddle in

• Willsbridge Mill – lovely short river walks and paddling, a wildlife garden, fairy garden and cafe!
• Snuff Mills/Oldbury Court – Quickest route to enter at Vassalls Park end and head down to the river where you can paddle – often lots of dogs paddling too. Great play area in the park, cafe kiosk and toilets. River walk along Snuff Mills which is usually pram/buggy friendly except when muddy.
• Kingsgate Park, Yate – stream to paddle in, an excellent play area and next to the beautiful Vintage Birdcage Cakery for cakes/brunch/lunch!
• Sandpits Park in Bath – stream to paddle

Beaches

• Weston-super-Mare has a great beach, The Grand Pier, ice cream, fish and chips and even donkey rides! It is easy to visit on the train and a great one for families.
• Brean Down – Huge expanse of a beach. National Trust cafe and parking. You are able to drive down and park on Brean beach itself at TA8 2RR. I have always wanted to have a car boot picnic here!

Other attractions with some water play

• Longleat – splash pad in the adventure castle
• Avon Valley Adventure Park – water play area near the entrance with some pumps and fountains. 50m slip n slide and paddling pool for select dates for summer. Massive family water fight event on 31 August.
• Cattle Country – small water play area near the entrance
• Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm – small water play area near the ice creams

Boat Trips

There are some great boat trips around Bristol Harbour and beyond, and it has got to be one of the best Bristol summer activities!

The Matthew

This is a large replica ship of the Matthew which was used by the explorer John Cabot. Choose from Fish & Chips Trip, Avon Gorge Cruise or a Harbour Trip, and there are even options with live music! Find out more

Bristol Packet

The Bristol Packet host a number of trips including the City Dock Tour, Beese’s Sunday Drinks, Cream Tea Cruise, Pub Lunch Cruise and Avon Gorge Cruise. Find out more Beeses is a fab riverside pub and getting the boat here is a great one for when you have friends visiting to show them a bit of Bristol!

Bristol Ferries

Bristol Ferry is great for going all around the harbourside – you can turn up and get on/off at different stops. They also have shuttles to Beeses which is such a great trip as previously mentioned! Bristol Ferry also run shuttles to Beeses for their band nights. There are history tours and thirsty thursday tours with a well stocked bar. Find out more

Animal & Adventure Parks

Bristol Zoo Project

• We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Trail 23 March – 1 September. Sensory trail around Bear Wood following the much loved children’s book. Interactive installations. See our reel showcasing this.
• Brand new Explorers Basecamp adventure play area opening on 20th July! It is a three storey play tower based on a field station, with a different theme for each level including slide, trampolines, zip line and rope jungle!
• Have you ever fancied visiting Bristol Zoo Project in the evening? Special Summer Lates events on 12 & 26 July and 9 August, where you can discover what the animals get up to in the evening! Book tickets

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm

• 25% off tickets in July with code “LOCAL25” – need to pre-book online!
• Scarlet Oak Theatre Company Performances select dates 27 Jul – 31 Aug. The storytelling shows will feature animal puppetry and tales of conservation. More info
• Big Zoo Quest 12 Jun – 8 Sep Pick up your quest map at the ticket office and explore the zoo to find 12 unique boards, and complete challenges. Book tickets

Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park

• Summertopia! 13 Jul – 1 Sep: Giant slip n slide, huge paddling pool and every day ends with a foam party! New climbing tower. Plus all the usual attractions! Book tickets
• The Tartan Titan: The world’s longest inflatable assault course is leaving it’s home in Edinburgh to come to Avon Valley for the summer! Available on select dates July 27th & 28th, August 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st. More info & book
• FEAR Summer Frights 13 July – Scream park for one night only during the summer Book tickets
• Massive Family Water Fight 31 August

Longleat

DinoROAR 20 July – 1 Sep – Immersive dinosaur world with animatronics and a virtual reality adventure. Themed trail around the park, meet and greets and new giant inflatable! Book tickets

Slimbridge

Summer Code Breakers 20 July – 1 Sep. Trail combining fun, education and nature. Complete it and be in with a chance of winning a family membership. Other family art activities and workshops more info here! Wonderful water play in welly boot land, birds, play areas, canoe safari! Book tickets

As previously mentioned, if you work/have worked for the civil service/public sector/education check out Boundless Membership It is only £40 a year and you get unlimited free entry to WWT for yourself, an additional adult and up to six children so it is a great deal!

Bristol Aquarium

Summer of Sharks 20 July – 1 Sep – Shark talks and workshops, art exhibition. Book tickets

Funderworld

Funderworld theme park is back at The Downs (Clifton) 19 July – 17 Aug. We were invited (PR visit) last year and the kids loved it! See our write up. I was impressed how many rides my two could actually go on, it was more than expected. Check the ride restrictions.

Offers: 1) Opening night offer – All Rides Unlimited Riding £10 – Limited tickets! 2) Book early and save 25% on unlimited riding – use EARLYBIRD25 offer ends 30/07/24

Cattle Country

Farm Park approx 30 mins north of Bristol. Summer holiday event 20 July – 2 Sep. Farm animals, adventure play, cafe, tractor/trailer rides, animal petting, new huge soft play and sand play area. Book here

Puxton Park

Adventure Park approx 30 mins drive west of Bristol, near WSM. High ropes (including one for little ones which I haven’t seen anywhere else for this age), rides, train, farm animals and play areas.

Puxtonfest 6 & 7 July – Foam party, music, games & glitter tattoos included with admission Book tickets

Old Down Country Park

Country Park Estate with farm animals, two play areas, bouncing pillows, cafe and gardens just north of Bristol.

• Food & Drink Festival 11 Aug
• Country Fayre 18 Aug

Cotswold Farm Park

Farm Park approx 1 hr 5 mins north-east of Bristol in the Cotswolds. Farm animals, play areas and lamb feeding 20 Apr – 29 Sep.

• Party in the Park 13 Jul
• Cotswold Flower Festival 20 Jul – 31 Aug – Flower fields, maize maze, dog friendly day out, crafts, photo opportunities, pick your own sunflowers
• Potato Digging 1-3 & 7-8 Sep – Grab a wheelbarrow and trug, and dig up real potatoes to take home for your dinner! Book tickets

Over Farm’s Countryside Adventure

Big summer blowout 20 Jul – 2 Sep – Different entertainment every day of the week e.g. dinos, shows, workshops and reptile experiences – check site calendar for your date to see what’s on. Lots of other activities including adventure play area, bouncy pillows, animal trail, mini golf, tractor trailer rides, quad train ride and animal feeding! Combine with a visit to their PYO (details below) Book tickets

Gardens & Outdoors

Berkeley Castle

Castle and grounds approx 30 mins drive north from Bristol. Cafe and lots of events for the summer:

• Falconry Display 28 July
• Archery every Monday 29 July – 19 Aug
• ZooLab on Wednesdays 7 – 28 Aug – 4 workshops each day showing animals and find out their weird and wonderful uses in Tudor times.
• Family Magic Day 11 Aug
• Dinosaurs at the Castle 18 Aug
• The Joust 25-26 Aug – See jousting displays! Book tickets

American Museum & Gardens

Estate with museum and gardens on the east side of Bath. Beautiful setting, play area and cafe.

• All American Summer Party 7 July – Expect live music, KidzFun zone, lawn games, face painting and more Book tickets
• American Roadtrip Exhibition – Family friendly exhibition with large-scale-travel games, theatrical sets, and an array of American road-trip memorabilia

Arnos Vale Cemetery

Woodland cemetery in Brislington – lovely for a walk, free scavenger hunt and beautiful cafe! Summer events:

• Den building workshop 29 July
• Stomping story – Superworm 30 July
• Gruesome tour for teens and tweens – 30 July
• Stomping story – Owl Babies 5 Aug
• Bugging-out for kids – FREE session about bugs 5 Aug
• Stomping story – Pirates 6 Aug
• Pond dipping drop-in FREE 6 Aug
• Magic wand making 12 Aug
• Fire lighting workshop 12 Aug
• Stomping story – Dinosaur 13 Aug
• Natural dyeing and leaf printing 13 Aug
• Dome Club Planetarium – Family planetarium shows at Arnos Vale Cemetery 16 -18 August Book tickets
• Stomping story – Monkey Puzzle 19 Aug
• Knife skills bushcraft 19 Aug
• Stomping story – The Tiger 20 Aug
• Wild cooking workshop 20 Aug

Most events require pre-booking. Book your place

Chew Moos Ice Cream

Chew Moos needed a mention as when you think of Bristol summer activities, ice cream has got to feature! This is a fab ice cream parlour in the Chew Valley! It has a play area in a field, ride ons and some animals. FREE to visit (just pay for ice cream/drinks!). Check their Facebook for opening times.

Palette and Pasture

Ice cream parlour with bouncy castle inflatable park (weather dependent), tractor ride ons and a few animals. Around 50 mins drive from Bristol, near Frome.

Maize Maze open from 27 July! We have done this maze before and it was huge! Bug Quest also coming this summer. Sunflower and Cornflower PYO are due to be ready in August. More info and booking at paletteandpasture.co.uk

Tyntesfield National Trust

National Trust gothic house and gardens, approx 17 minutes to the west of Bristol. Multiple play areas and a cafe.

• Festival of Archaeology 13 – 28 July. Learn about the history of the lost conservatory and the discoveries made during an archaeological dig on the site in 2013, and try your hand at archaeology skills.
• Summer of Play – Games – 22 July – 5 Aug Take part in Victorian games such as skittles, boccia and croquet.
• Summer of Play – Family camping activities 6 – 19 Aug – Find bell tents with storytelling, music and role play cooking on the campfire.
• Summer of Play – Let’s Play 20 Aug – 2 Sep – Pick up a free Let’s Play map and activity sheet at the welcome building, then head out into the estate to discover the many ways to play at Tyntesfield. Build your tallest tower or best balance beam course in the ‘Let’s Build’ area. Head to ‘Let’s Discover’ to become a woodland explorer or ‘Let’s move’ to try your hand at tennis.”

Dyrham Park National Trust

National Trust estate near Bath, with 17th century house, adventure play and cafes. Deer have recently been re-introduced. No dogs allowed. Summer of Play event 20 Jul – 3 Sep with active and creative activities. Challenge yourselves to do the ‘Dyrham decathlon’ or have a go at some arts and crafts.

Enchanted Garden at Painswick Rococo Gardens

21 July – 30 Aug. Willow sculptures trail of fairies, mythical creatures and woodland friends. Stunning gardens with adventure play area and cafe! Hilly site. Around 1 hr drive north of Bristol. See our reel from a previous year. Book tickets

Picking Patch Maize Maze & PYO Sunflowers

Located between Keynsham and Saltford. Open 9-11, 16 -26 Aug 2024. Maize Maze, PYO Sunflowers, Escape Room, Graffiti Area, Arts and Crafts, Games Area and food from Flourish. Book activities here

Bowood House & Gardens

House & Gardens approx 45 mins drive east of Bristol near Chippenham. What to expect:

• Huge adventure play area and play barn for kids
• Arts and crafts during the holidays
• Become a Nature Explorer and have fun completing Summer Explorer worksheets
• Wiltshire Game & Country Fair on 10 & 11 Aug
• Outdoor theatre and Adventure Cinema (Top Gun, Mamma Mia, Pretty Women July dates)
• Mud & Guts educational outdoor sessions select dates with den building, fire lighting, games, tree climbing, rope swinging and more Find out more

Ashton Court Miniature Railway

Miniature Railway train ride at Ashton Court. Public running days on Sunday 7, 21 & 28 July, Sunday 25 & Monday 26 August. Tickets are available at the ticket office on the day. The closest car park is the one by the golf course. Great place for a walk and scoot! Main cafe and toilets at Mansion House. Also check out Adventure Bristol high ropes course!

Sudeley Castle

Beautiful castle and 10 gardens to explore. Large adventure play area and safari sculpture trail. Approx 1 hr drive north of Bristol, near Cheltenham. What’s on this summer:

• Falconry at the Castle – Every Tuesday and Thursday 23 July – 29 Aug. Falconry experience where you can watch birds of prey demonstrations, have them land on your own (gloved) hand, photo opportunities and learn about them.
• Knight School – Every Wednesday and Thursday 24 July – 29 Aug. Dress up as knights and get involved with knight-themed activities such as sword-fighting, archery and jousting. Book tickets

Westonbirt Arboretum

Popular arboretum, lovely for a family walk and has a gruffalo trail. Approx 30-40 minutes north-east of Bristol. Family activities days this summer:

• Music in Nature 20 July
• Spoon Carving 27 July
• Earth – The Art of Mud 6-8 Aug
• Wind – Blown Away 13-15 Aug
• Fun with Sticks 17 Aug
• Sunshine & Shadows 20-22 Aug
• Water – Amazing Journeys 27-29 Aug
• Forest Live music event with concerts from: Gregory Porter 4 July, Anne Marie 5 July, The Corrs 6 July, Van Morrison 7 July, Nile Rodgers & CHIC – with special guests Sophie Ellis-Bextor and DECO 12 July

Prior Park National Trust

National Trust landscape garden in Bath with Palladian bridge. Cafe kiosk.

• Festival of Archaeology 15-26 July – Live dig happening Monday to Friday so if you visit then, you’ll be able to see archaeologists in action. Heritage explorer trail to find archaeology spots around the garden.
• Summer of Play 20 July – 3 Sep – Explore nature with a bug trail, or use an explorer pack to identify creepy crawlies. There will be a range of activities such as active play station, wooden blocks and table top games.

Newark Park National Trust

National Trust estate approx 40 minutes north of Bristol. There are some lovely wooden animal carvings, a small adventure play area and tea pavillion.

• Classic Cars display 14 July
• Summer of Play 20 Jul – 1 Sep – Dragon themed activities in the garden.
• Bug Hotel Making 9-10 Aug Book here

Stourhead National Trust

National Trust estate approx 1 hr south of Bristol

• Summer of Play 6 July – 1 Sep – Visit Stourhead for the summer holidays for a festival of fun in the play meadow, with games, crafts, music and workshops. There will be a craft tent, giant marble run, lawn games and more.
• Recycled Crafts 27 July – 1 Sep
• Bigtopmania Circus Skills 3-4 Aug
• Flotsma the Fool’s Circus Skills 10 Aug – 1 Sep
• Junk Drumming 17-18 Aug

Hestercombe Gardens

Historic House and Gardens near Taunton, approx 1 hr south of Bristol. Small play area and cafe.

• Shaun the Sheep: Fun with the Flock AR Trail 20 July – 8 Sep – Augmented reality trail around the gardens. Shaun the Sheep inspired crafts and activities inside Hestercombe House (Monday to Friday during the Summer Holidays)
• Petting Farm at Hestercombe – every Weds throughout the school holidays, from 24th July to 28th Aug. Animals include a donkey, shetland pony, sheep and goats, and rabbits and guinea pigs.
• Angelica Sprocket’s Pockets with Folksy Theatre 26 July
• Fun Dog Show 18 Aug

Book tickets

Bishop’s Palace, Wells

Medieval palace and gardens in Wells, approx 45 mins south of Bristol.

• Vikings and Archery Day 27 July More info
• Robin Hood theatre 31 July evening

Museums, Caves & Trains

We The Curious – Opening July!

Don’t miss the newly refurbished We The Curious re-opening 2 July. It is an interactive science museum with lots of hands-on fun, shows, a planetarium and so much to discover! wethecurious.org

Bristol Museums

Lots of free and low-cost activities at Bristol Museums over the summer:

• MShed Steam Train Ride Buy tickets at the ticket office by the MShed platform. Single £3, Return £4.50. Running on 13, 14, 20, 21 July and 3, 4, 17 & 18 August. More information here
• Space Shanty at Mshed – a playful intergalactic experience and voyage through time-based on Bristol’s involvement with space science and travel. Coming this summer Register your interest
• Bristol’s Brilliant Archaeology at Blaise Museum 13 July – Tours, demos, mini-excavations, weaving, pot-making, face painting, archery and more. Free event More info
• Kings Weston Roman Villa family fun 24-26 July – Explore where Romans used to live right on Bristol’s doorstep, discover amazing mosaic floors, underfloor heating and a Roman bath suite. Activities e.g. dressing up, craft, trails and more. Free event More info
• Crane visits at MShed 27 & 28 July, 10 & 11 Aug – Experience a working crane on the dockside with trips inside the cranes More info
• MShed’s Twinning Tuesdays – Discover more about the cities twinned with Bristol. Crafts, films, handling and activities. 6, 13, 20 & 27 Aug – Free event More info
• Bristol Museum & Art Gallery Family Holiday Activity: Create a masterpiece – Weds 7, 14, 21 & 28  Aug. Free event More info
• Blaise Museum – Drop-in Family Holiday Activities Thurs 8, 15, 22 & 29 Aug – There will be crafty things to make and take, interactive story sessions, trails and more More info
• The Hay Wain Theatre Production at Blaise Museum 14 & 15 Aug and Bristol Museum & Art Gallery 16 & 17 Aug – Age 12+ More info

Aerospace Bristol

Aviation Museum in North Bristol with Concorde, aeroplane themed play area and cafe. Tickets valid for a whole year! Fab for anyone that love aeroplanes and helicopters. There is also an interactive kids app. See our day out here on our Instagram. Book tickets Upcoming events:

• Supersonic Brick Day 20 July – Interactive activities including Lego, remote control cars, robot wars and great ball contraptions
• Look Up! The story of hot air ballooning in Bristol 24 July – 1 Sep – Discover how hot air ballooning took off in Bristol with balloons, baskets, burners and more alongside the iconic Concorde. Floating on air science show, design your own hot air balloon and see Britain’s first hot air balloon.
• Big Balloon Weekend 3 & 4 Aug – Ballon inflation, meet the pilots, walk inside a balloon, and more activities.

Avon Valley Railway

Summer Saturdays! Take a trip to the ‘seaside’ on the heritage diesel service. Meet some donkeys, go on a hand-operated children’s roundabout and play vintage games! Book here

SS Great Britain

Explore Brunel’s SS Great Britain ship. Climb aboard and see how the Victorian passengers lived on board. Tickets valid for a year for free returns. Nice to visit with a walk along the Harbourside, and good for all ages. Summer Lates Series with live music the evenings of 4 July, 25 July, 1 Aug Book here

John Wesley’s New Room

• Summer Holiday Crafts 30 July Going for Gold Olympics theme, 6 Aug Up, Up and Away Hot Air Balloon theme, 13 Aug Colour Fun Book a place
• Films on Friday – Free Films for Kids Friday 2, 9, 16 & 23 August at 10.30am. Suitable for children aged 3-11. More info

Bristol Cathedral

FREE Cathedral Music Trail from 2 July. Collect your trail map and musical kit bag from the welcome desk to complete the interactive Music Trail. Learn more about music at Bristol Cathedral alongside the Organ Exhibition in a hands-on way. Available during opening hours. More info

Wake The Tiger

Amazement Park in Bristol with art installations that makes you feel as if you are in a different world. It quite recently had a large expansion! See our reel to get a sense of what it is like. There are a lot of interactive parts and bits to climb through so great for all ages.

Summer Holiday Activity: Sundust Secrets – Interactive Scavenger Hunt for All Ages 19 June – 1 Sep. No extra cost to your ticket. Book tickets

Wookey Hole

• Magical summer days out 25 July – 1 Sep. Lots to do at Wookey Hole with the caves being the main attraction. Explore the caves with a tour guide, and spot the moon. Meet the Witch of Wookey Hole, see a Wild West themed Circus show, dinosaur area, adventure golf, 4D cinema experience, soft play and more! It is approximately 50 minutes drive south of Bristol, near Wells. Book tickets
• Family Silent Disco 2 Aug
• Magique – Magic and illusion show 6 dates within July & Aug Book here

Cheddar Gorge Caves

Caveman Curiosity 25 July – 1 Sep. Expect an immersive journey back in time to meet your stone age ancestors, learn about how they lived and survived, and how it compares to 21st century living. Activities such as dressing up, talks and demonstrations! Explore the caves and museum. Book tickets

Haynes Motor Museum

Motor museum approx 1 hr south of Bristol, near Yeovil. Summer at the Museum 25 Jul – 2 Sep – New family trail where you’ll discover the more unusual ways we move around from the earliest days of motorised travel to the modern day. Outdoor car displays, little tike cars, cinema, brass rubbings, go-karts, diggers and more! More info

The Holburne Museum

• Museum Mayhem Art show from Mr Doodle on until 1 Sep. Doodle and Draw Trail for kids and creative area next to the cafe. See our reel for what to expect! Book tickets
• Doodle Day with Bath Carnival Sat 13 July – Drop-in & FREE More info
• Mini Doodlers – FREE Family Creative Drop-In 9 Aug More info
• A maker like Moore – FREE Family Creative Drop-In 13 Aug More info

The Helicopter Museum

Dino Weekend 27 & 28 July – A fun packed weekend of Dinosaurs and Helicopters. Live Dino Shows, interactive 3D backdrop displays from Jurassic Park, Dinosaur Petting Zoo, Meet and Greet Dinos, Climb in helicopter, Dinosaur Feeding Area, Jurrassic Hunt and Sit on Mini-dinosaurs. Find out more

Magic at the Museum event every Wednesday in August. Different activities each week: there will be magic shows, balloon modelling and illusions.

The Roman Baths

Roman-themed crafts will be running Monday to Friday throughout the school summer holidays, with a different theme each week. More info

Theatre

Family theatre in and around Bristol this summer, including some outdoor performances!

Pick Your Own

Pick your own fruit or flowers is a lovely outdoor summer activity! The PYO dates below are rough as it is weather dependent when the fruit are ripe/flowers ready. Please check for availability on the relevant websites/socials before you go to check they have produce available:

• Palette & Pasture – Sunflowers and Cornflowers in Aug
• Over Farm, Gloucester – Strawberries and blackberries from June usually until the end of August. Sunflowers in August. Book here They also have their Countryside Adventure which is a great day out.
• Farringtons Farm – Sunflowers expected mid-July into Aug. Sign up to their newsletter to be the first to know about tickets
• St Aldhams Nursery, Pucklechurch – Strawberries expected to be ready in Aug Check for updates
• Primrose Vale, Gloucester – Strawberries, Raspberries, Tayberries, Loganberries, Blackberries and both Redcurrants and Blackcurrants available Check for availability Play area and cafe.
• Thurloxton Farm, Taunton – Strawberries and Gooseberries (Mid June-Mid July), Raspberries (July-early Aug), Loganberries (Mid July-Mid Aug), Redcurrants and Rhubarb (Mid June-end July), Blackcurrants (Mid-end July), and Broadbeans (June-July). Sunflowers usually Aug/Sep. Check for updates They also have a mailing list.
• Lotmead Farm, Swindon – Strawberies, raspberries, gooseberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, broad beans, sweetcorn & potatoes, Check for availability

Outdoor Cinema & Sports

We have yet to try one of these but they look really good fun and there are quite a few on this summer!

FANSTAND at Quakers Friars

Watch sport on the big screen at Cabot Circus over summer including Wimbledon and the Olympics. Book your FREE tickets here

Outdoor Sports Screen at Cribbs

FREE Outdoor Sports Screen and Sports Arenas at Cribbs (Plus Water Garden) More info

Clifton Summer Screenings

📍 The Mall Gardens, Bristol

• Thurs 4 July – Mary Poppins, UP
• Fri 5 July – Sleeping Beauty, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Pirates of the Caribbean
• Sat 6 July – The Land Before Time. Plus Raptors World Fossil Experience!
• Sun 7 July – Madagascar

Book here

Adventure Cinema

📍 Queen Square, Bristol

• Thurs 15 Aug – Dirty Dancing (12)
• Fri 16 Aug – Wallace and Gromit Spectacular (PG), Top Gun (12A),
• Sat 17 Aug – Frozen Sing-a-long, Mamma Mia!
• Sun 18 Aug – The Gruffalo/Stick Man, Sing, Jurassic Park (PG)

Book here

Bath Open Air Cinema

📍 Bath Racecourse

• 19 July Mamma Mia!

Book tickets

Fetes and Parties

There will be too many of these to list but here are a selection. Support your local school and village hall events!

• For wannabe Vets: Community Fun Day Langford UoB Site 20 July – Vet talks, demos, children’s activities. FREE but requires booking Book here
• Princess Disco at Emersons Green Village Hall 21 July Book tickets
• Teddy Bear Picnic at Emersons Green Village Hall 24 July & 7 Aug Book tickets
• Penny Party in the Park at Riverside Holiday Park (near WSM) 25 July Live family entertainment, rides, circus skills, face painting, crafts, swimming and more. 1p entry fee but raising money for charity. More info
• Bounce Mayhem at Almondsbury Creative 26 July Book tickets
• Zionbury Festival – Free community party 27 July Book tickets
• Summer Disco with Party Peeps at Emersons Green Village Hall 27 July Book tickets
• Spideys Grant UK Tour at BS14 Club 31 July & 28 Aug Book tickets
• Breakfast with the Princesses at Zion 1 Aug Book tickets
• Princess Summer Party with Magical Moon in Oldland Common 1 Aug Book tickets
• Peppa Pig Stay & Play at Little Stoke Hall 2 Aug Message @softplayheaven or @bubblehousebristol to book
• Inflatable Fun Day at Emersons Green Village Hall 2 & 23 Aug Book tickets
• Summer Holiday Party at Redcatch Community Garden 9 Aug Book tickets
• Summer Tea Party by Drama with Hannah Rose in Clifton. Ages 2-6. 10 Aug Book here
• Barbie Dance Party at Zion 15 Aug Book tickets
• Party Peeps On The Pier 29 Aug Book tickets

Other Events

• Lumosphere at Cabot Circus – Immersive art installation coming this summer Sign up for updates
• Wild Goose Chase Trail 1 July – 31 Aug – Find 15 knitted geese around central Bristol. £3 for a map raising funds for the Wild Goose Day Centre in Bristol, which provides food, clothes, showers, laundry and more for people struggling with homelessness and poverty. Purchase Map
• Family friendly Community Farmer Days at The Community Farm, Chew Valley 6& 20 July, 17 & 31 Aug Book here
• Lazy Sunday Afternoon Concerts in Page Park – Free concerts on the bandstand 2pm 7, 14, 21 & 28 July, and 4, 11, 18 & 25 Aug, and 1 Sep. Check Bean Tree Cafe Facebook for updates.
• Free Family Nature Day at Iford Manor 7 July. Butterfly trail and craft activities. Please note this does not take place in the Gardens, which is age restricted and does not allow children under 10, except for >1 babies in slings. More info
• Priddy Folk Festival 12-14 July – Lots of free children’s events More info
• Lucas Jet Circus Show & Workshop at Redcatch Community Garden 14 July
• Living with Wildlife at Kingswood Heritage Museum 18 July Book here
• Wild West Themed Craft Day 30 July Book tickets
• LEGO Day Competition at Zion 2 & 16 Aug
• George’s Marvellous Science Workshop 7 & 21 Aug at Redcatch Community Garden Book tickets 7th Book tickets 21st
• Starting School Workshop from Drama with Hannah Rose at Long Ashton Community Centre. 15 Aug Book here
• Dino Themed Craft Day at Emersons Green Village Hall 16 Aug Book tickets
• UK Bungee Club at Bristol Amphitheatre One for the thrill seekers – on 17 & 18 Aug you can bungee jump in Bristol Amphitheatre! Book tickets
• Farm Yard Craft Day at Emersons Green Village Hall 21 Aug Book tickets
• Bee and Pollination Festival at UoB Botanic Gardens 24 & 25 Aug More info
• Bristol Vegan Fayre 24 Aug Book tickets
• Children’s Scrapstore Various Craft Workshops over summer Book here
• The Bristol Graffiti Workshop – Practice graffiti with an active and experienced graffiti writer. Workshop on 10 Aug. Find out more and book tickets
• Where The Wall Street Art ‘Introducing Stencil Art’ Spray Sessions on multiple dates. Find out more
• Kingfisher Forest School Summer Sessions at Willsbridge Mill – Gruffalo & friends 26 & 28 July, Bluey 10 & 11 Aug, Dinosaurs 24 & 25 Aug Book here
• Felix Road Adventure Playground and St Pauls Adventure Playground often have lots of FREE events/play sessions on during the summer holidays
• Family cinema releases: Inside Out 2 (12 June), Despicable Me 4 (12 July)

New Openings

• Wild and Free – Outdoor Playgroup 📍Yate @wildandfreeoutdoorplay ⭐️Now Open⭐️
• Little Town Adventures – Immersive theatrical play experience @littletownadventures 📍WSM ⭐️Now Open⭐️
• Ultimate Slip n Slide 📍Beckington near Bath @ultimateslipnslide ⭐️Now Open⭐️
• Discover Play Cafe – Indoor & Outdoor Play Cafe 📍Willsbridge @discoverplaycafe ⭐️Now Open⭐️
• The Secret Garden Play – Outdoor playgroup 📍Warmley @secretgardenplay ⭐️Now Open⭐️
• We The Curious – The long awaited re-opening of Bristol’s science Centre and Planetarium! @wethecurious_ 📍Bristol City Centre ⭐️Opening 2 July⭐️
• Tots and Teapots – Play cafe 📍Totterdown @totsandteapotsuk ⭐️Open early summer⭐️
• Chaos Inflatable Park 📍Brislington Find them on Facebook, from @bouncingbrothersbristol ⭐️Opening this summer⭐️
• Jumpin Fun Inflatable Park 📍Eastgate Retail Park, near IKEA @jumpinfunofficial ⭐️Opening this summer⭐️

Holiday Clubs

Find a selection of holiday clubs below. You may want to check whether the after-school club provider at your school is running any sessions, or ask on your school’s Whatsapp group for what classmates are doing!:

• The Outdoors Project at The Ardagh and Sefton Park Infant & Jrs Age 5-12. Huge variety of themes and activities Book here
• Little Foxes Forest School at Westbury Wildlife Park. Ages 5-11 Book here
• Theatre in the Garden present “A Play in a Day” at Redcatch Community Garden – Ages 5-10 – 12 & 19 Aug Book here
• Drama with Hannah-Rose Book here
  • Victoria Park Primary Ages 4-7: Animal Olympics 23 July, Enchanted Forest 6 Aug, Super-Kid Training Camp 27 Aug
  • Cathedral School Ages 4-7: Dinosaur Disco 24 July, Animal Olympics 7 Aug, Enchanted Forest 28 Aug
  • Long Ashton Community Centre Ages 4-7: Super-Kid Training Camp 25 July, Dinosaur Disco 8 Aug, Animal Olympics 29 Aug
  • Cathedral School Young Performers Club Ages 5-8: All About Animals 29-31 July
• Adventure Bristol at Ashton Court. High ropes course. 6, 7, 14, 15, 20 & 21 Aug. Ages 7-14 Book here
• Your Holiday Hub – All families with children and young people from Reception to Year 11 (inclusive) who receive benefits-related free school meals can explore Your Holiday Hub (YHH) for fully-funded school holiday clubs and activities. Bookings go live 1 July. Explore & book
• The Little Pottery Barn at Farringtons 29 July – 1 Aug various craft workshops. Over 5s can be left if you stay on site. Message to book
• Kids Circus Summer Camp at The Bendy Studio BS14. 15 Aug. Ages 5-12 Book here
• No.17 Art Club Summer Holiday Art-Workshops – 24 & 25 July & 5, 6, 28 & 29 August. Stoke Gifford. Ages 6 – 16 yrs. Mosaic-making, Canvas-painting, Rock-painting, Clay-modeling & More! Contact Kirsty: 07779080995 or no.17artclub@gmail.com
• Tennis Camp at Knowle Tennis Club – Mon-Fri 29 July – 23 Aug. Ages 4-14 Book here
• Sports Camps (Year 1-6) & Girls Football Camp (6-14 yrs) in Fishponds with AB Sports Coaching Book here

Free and Cheap Days Out

For more free and cheap days out ideas for Bristol summer activities see this post! There are also so many lovely parks in Bristol so why not explore some with a picnic, or take teddies to make it a teddy bears picnic! Chilled garden days with a paddling pool and BBQs should definitely feature in everyone’s summer plans. There are a lot of memories to be made without spending much.

Thank you for reading our Bristol summer activities family guide!

Please share our Bristol Summer Activities Guide with anyone that might find this useful, and follow us on our Instagram (most active here) or Facebook for more days out ideas! Any additional events will be shared to stories and pinned to a summer highlight on Instagram! This guide focuses on events, but there are other attractions which you can browse on our map.