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Bristol Family Blog

days out in bristol

play areas bristol

20 Free Adventure Play Areas in Bristol & Bath

2 January 20263 January 2026 2026, Bath, Bristol, Bristol Guides, Parks & Outdoors, Things To Do

20 Free Adventure Play Areas in Bristol & Bath Looking for exciting play areas that…

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Portrait of Rose

Hello There!

Bristol Family Blog is all about sharing the best days out ideas for you and your family to enjoy making memories. I absolutely love doing the research, exploring with my family and sharing this information with you. Follow us if you want the insight on Bristol and surrounding areas family events and activities! We are on Instagram, Facebook, and I'm planning on a newsletter coming soon!

Latest Posts

  • february half term bristol
    Bristol & Bath February Half Term & What’s On Guide 2026
  • whats on in bristol in january 2026
    What’s On in Bristol & Bath for Families in January 2026
  • play areas bristol
    20 Free Adventure Play Areas in Bristol & Bath

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A Blog for Bristol Families ⭐️ Things To Do in Bristol & Beyond, Event Guides, Reviews & Family Travel! 💡
PR: rose@bristolfamilyblog.com
Things to do over the festive period in Bristol! O Things to do over the festive period in Bristol! Our highlights from @visitbristol’s #MerryBristmas campaign! 🎄🎅🏼 #ad contains some pr invites
Christmas at Westonbirt ✨🌟🎄 #ad invite 📍 Westonb Christmas at Westonbirt ✨🌟🎄 #ad invite 📍 Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury, GL8 8QS New light trail for 2024 at Westonbirt, brought to you by Sony who also run light trails at Kew, Blenheim, Stourhead and more! Pre-booking required. There is a Christmas Village with food, drink and a few fairground rides. The Village is close to the entrance/exit so you can visit at the start or end. Plenty of different beautiful light installations! We were there in total 1 hr 30 mins with stops for hot chocolate and doughnuts, a ride and toasting marshmallows 🔥 Near the end is a jolly Father Christmas to talk to/walk past 🎅🏼 Thank you for having us @westonbirtarb! #ChristmasAtWestonbirt #westonbirtarboretum
FREE Stick Man Christmas Trail & Storytelling at @ FREE Stick Man Christmas Trail & Storytelling at @mallcribbs🎄 📍 The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, Merlin Rd, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 5DG Collect your free trail map from the information desk (ground floor close to the middle, near the big display!) Easy trail with interactive parts and stamps! Great for little ones 😊 Santa Storytelling & Entertainment times: Weekday Mornings: 10am – 1pm (10am – 5pm from the 16th December) Saturdays: 10am – 5pm Sundays: 11am – 5pm Christmas Eve: 10am - 1pm Head to the middle in front of the big display for storytelling from Santa and his elves! 🎅🏼 🧝 Tag a friend that would be interested! ❤️
LUXMURALIS: In The Beginning 25-29 Nov 📍 Bristol C LUXMURALIS: In The Beginning 25-29 Nov 📍 Bristol Cathedral ✨ Tickets available via @say.yuup #ad invite #MerryBristmas @visitbristol
Owl Enounter @thebirdofpreyproject 🦉 Info below ⬇️ Owl Enounter @thebirdofpreyproject 🦉 Info below ⬇️ #ad invite 📍 The Grain Store, Newton St, Bath, BA2 9BT The Bird of Prey Project is a visitor attraction and conservation charity near Bath. The income from the attraction goes to fund conservation projects and welfare of the 24 birds of prey and owls on site. They offer Hawk Walks, Owl Encounters, Day Visits and Special Events! 🦅 Owl Encounters are private experiences for up to 8 people and age 6+. It was indoors so it didn’t matter it was torrential rain outside! We met three different owls within the hour and we had lots of time with the owls flying back and forth to us. Patrick was our owl handler and he was very knowledgeable and passionate about them. It was fascinating to see the owls up close and learn about them. This experience requires pre-booking! Keep an eye out for future events as I would recommend coming for an experience or a flying event! Flying display season starts in March, but owl encounters and hawk walks are all year round. These experiences are something special and would be a great as a birthday activity. Pair with lunch or coffee & cake at Newton Farm Shop next door! This has a lovely childrens area outside and pigs🎈🐷 ⭐️ 20% off Gift Vouchers until 29th Nov via their website ⭐️ Have you visited before? 🪶 #MerryBristmas #bathuk #bathmums
Family update: I have been quieter this week as ou Family update: I have been quieter this week as our beautiful Winston had to be put down 💔 He got ill with issues with his liver/gallbladder and it escalated quickly last weekend. We don’t know what caused it. He was in vet hospital for 2 1/2 days but he unfortunately got worse and never turned the corner we were hoping for. He was such a big part of our family so it has been a really sad week 😢 I wanted to share him on our grid for our memories, and so you know why he’s no longer in our posts 🐾 For anyone with pets, I cannot recommend pet insurance more. We had over £5,000 of vets bills in 2.5 days of care and this did not include any surgery. It can get expensive very quickly! Even though we didn’t have a positive outcome, I’m glad we were able to do everything that we could for him ❤️ I had some time off, but I have content to post from before this and we had some events this weekend (pre-booked some time ago), so normal content will be resuming soon - Rose x
Christmas & Winter Guide 🎄❄️ Visit www.bristolfami Christmas & Winter Guide 🎄❄️ Visit www.bristolfamilyblog.com for the full blog post with links & images!
Wallace & Gromit: A Cracking Christmas Experience! Wallace & Gromit: A Cracking Christmas Experience! 🧀🎄16-24 Dec INFO BELOW ⬇️ #ad invite #MerryBristmas 📍The Friary Building, Quakers Friars, Bristol, BS1 3BX Family interactive experience which involves a fantastic set, engaging actors, and lots of activities. There are theatrical storytelling performances at the start and the end, with free play of the activities around the room in between. My children loved this experience! The whole room looks magical, there are lots of interactive activities great for curious minds. Sessions are 30 mins total. We had a great time but we would have loved more time to play - we weren’t ready to leave at the end! I’d recommend prioritising the activities you want to do in case you can’t fit them all in. Also be aware that there isn’t an appearance from Wallace or Gromit as part of this experience 😊 The event is from the Bristol based production company @bakehousefactory who have been behind a number of great events! 👏 🎟️ Tickets are £7.50-£9 and are available to book via @cabotcirus Free for under 2s ⭐️ Arrive 5-10 minutes before your slot starts. As it is 30 minutes you don’t want to be late! 🚻 Toilets ☕️🖍️ New Wallace and Gromit Cafe with colouring 📸 Green screen for a photo with Wallace and Gromit! (Additional cost) 👶🏼 Buggy park & coat rack ⭐️ SEND Sessions available 🚘 Park at The Galleries or Cabot Circus Car Park 🎄Great to combine a visit with Bristol’s Christmas Market and shopping in Cabot Circus Tag a friend that loves cheese and crackers! 🧀
The Festival of Light @longleatofficial ✨🦁 Until 5 The Festival of Light @longleatofficial ✨🦁 Until 5 Jan #ad invite 📍 Longleat, Warminster. Postcode for satnav: BA12 7JS This year’s theme is ‘Journey Through Time’ and you will encounter dinosaurs, pyramids, kings and queens, a Christmas tree show and learn about the history of Longleat! This is our second time going and the light displays are truly outstanding, it is well worth the drive. We went straight from school on Friday and we didn’t get there until just after 5pm. If you want to see more of the park you can go for the whole day, or if you just want to see the lights the Twilight Ticket is a good option (and cheaper than a day ticket). We did this on our previous visit and if you arrive from 4pm you should have a bit of time to see animals! Pre-book tickets online. Will you be visiting this year? ✨
Kingfisher Forest School & Willsbridge Mill 🌳 📍 Kingfisher Forest School & Willsbridge Mill 🌳 📍 Willsbridge Mill, Willsbridge Hill, Willsbridge, Bristol, BS30 6EU We love the forest school sessions with @kingfishersforestschool! There are always so many creative play and nature activities, very EYFS friendly. There are three undercover structures, a toilet, a mud kitchen, mud pit, pots and pans, play equipment, chalks, and whatever special setups are on that day! ⏰🎟️ Forest school sessions run termly on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays 9.15-10.30 & 11-12.15 for ages 1-5. You can book a trial session to see how you like it! They often do sessions in school holidays for a wider age range (Halloween special was ages 1-7!) 🔥 Sessions are generally 1 hr free play, then everyone gathers around the campfire for a snack and songs or a story. The forest school is at Willsbridge Mill, which is also lovely for a visit even if not going to forest school! There are short woodland walks with a river, a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating, two ponds and a fairy garden (this is looking a bit weathered now so hopefully will get a refresh when funding allows)! Keep an eye out for seasonal events at the cafe 🎄 🚘 Car park on Long Beach Road a bit of a walk through the woods 37 Long Beach Rd, Longwell Green, Bristol BS30 9UA. There is also some parking on the main road right outside the entrance off the Bath Road - I tend to try this first! Tag a friend that might be interested! ❤️
New! Mini Cycleway in Alice Park, Bath 🚲🛴 📍 Alice New! Mini Cycleway in Alice Park, Bath 🚲🛴 📍 Alice Park, Gloucester Rd, Bath, BA1 7BL This new mini cycleway is a great place for children to practice cycling and road safety on a pretend road system, or just fun for roleplay! The cycleway is within the park and has a mini roundabout, pedestrian crossing and a number of signs. This is such a great idea! 😊 Alice Park also has: ☕️ Cafe with indoor and outdoor (covered) seating, overlooking the play area 🛝 Good sized play area 🚻 Toilets 20p and take contactless payments 🚘 Car park with free parking What other parks would you like to see this in? Do you know of any others?
Tyntesfield National Trust 🌳 📍 Tyntesfield, Wrax Tyntesfield National Trust 🌳 📍 Tyntesfield, Wraxall, Bristol, BS48 1NS What can I see and do? 🎃 Autumn Harvest Display - on until 15 November! Gourd-geous display in The Orangery. This might be the best one yet! 🐈‍⬛ Halloween Trail - on until 3 November. £3 per trail with a treat from a witch at the end! This is a fun trail finding the missing ingredients and there is something interactive to do at each spot. Our favourite was the broom racing! ⭐️ The Uninvited Guest art installation in the house - on until 3 November 🛝 Play areas! There are play areas at The Courtyard, near the Kitchen Garden, and in the woods! See the last 3 images for photos of the woodland play areas and directions to these. These two photos were from a different visit but I am including them as often get asked where these are! However, some of the woodland play areas are closed for maintenance. ☕️ Two cafes 🍁 Some beautiful autumn colours, great for a walk. Dogs on leads! 📗 Did you know you can buy National Trust Passports? They are £5 in the shop and a lovely keepsake. You can get them stamped at every National Trust that you visit 🎟️ Check admission prices on the National Trust website. Membership options available. More free National Trust family passes are coming in November! ⏰ Opening times vary seasonally so best to check on the National Trust website before going. The estate is usually open 10am until 5 or 6pm 🚘 There is a car park but at popular times of year it can get full and they have to turn people away. To avoid disappointment arrive early or keep an eye on @tyntesfieldnt stories for car park updates. Often spaces may become free later in the day as well. Tag a friend that might be interested! ❤️
Hartcliffe City Farm 🐖 NEW play barn & cafe! 📍 Ha Hartcliffe City Farm 🐖 NEW play barn & cafe! 📍 Hartcliffe City Farm, Lampton Ave, Bristol, BS13 0QH This South Bristol city farm has been developed so much since they first opened! A new indoor play barn and cafe has just opened and there’s so much to play with. There is an outdoor play area, lots of animals e.g. pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, geese and guinea pigs, a pond, outdoor seating and gravel/construction vehicle play! Lots to do, it is well worth a visit and it is FREE! Well done @hartcliffecityfarm @windmill_hill_city_farm @heartofbs13 hope you are proud of your accomplishments! 👏 ⏰ Open 7 days a week 9am - 4pm ☕️ The Hay Bale Cafe is newly opened so check socials for opening times as these may change 🚻 Toilets 🚘 No parking on site (except disabled) but there is street parking nearby Have you been here yet? The new play barn makes it great for all weather! 🌧️ ☀️
New blog post with Fireworks Displays & Bonfire Ni New blog post with Fireworks Displays & Bonfire Night events! 💥 🔥 Click the link in our bio or go to https://bristolfamilyblog.com/fireworks-displays-bonfire-night
Parent & Toddler Sessions @bristolhawksgymnastics Parent & Toddler Sessions @bristolhawksgymnastics 🤸‍♀️ 📍 Bristol Hawks Gymnastics Club, 11 Roman Rd, Easton, Bristol, BS5 6DH Gymnastics sessions for 18 months – 5yrs. This is a really fun drop-in class! Pre-book the individual session online before going. There is usually a short warm-up at the start for the kids and parents, then the majority is free play but with assistance from the coaches when you need it! There is a little sit down together again at the end. I really like the structure, there’s a great variety of apparatus and I also enjoyed the playlist (lots of Disney!) ⏰ Sessions are Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs & Fri at 9.30, 10.30 & 11.30am and Sat 9am. They are 45 mins. Sat session is entirely free play. Have you been yet? 😊
Tickets available this weekend for Dear Zoo Live! Tickets available this weekend for Dear Zoo Live! @theredgravetheatre 18-20 October! 🐘🦁🦒🐫🐒🐍🐸🐶 #ad invite 📍 Redgrave Theatre, Percival Rd, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3LE Dear Zoo is a popular book with little ones, and this theatre production tells the story as a colourful, fun and engaging play. There are three actors, puppets and animatronic zoo animals. Expect the story you are familiar with plus songs, counting and interactive elements. We originally saw this when Ada was 2 and Leo 7 months, and this time they were 5 and 3. They enjoyed it both times! This is a good first theatre experience for little ones, especially when you are familiar with the story! ⏰ Shows: 19th & 20th October - 10:30am & 1:30pm. Duration: 55 mins 👶🏼 Age recommendation 3+ (but as I said above we enjoyed at an earlier age and there were certainly a lot of ages 0-2 on the Friday performance) 🎟️ Tickets: Adults £16.25 / Child £14.25. Family ticket offer. Have you seen this yet? 🐘
Favourite autumn family tradition - Pumpkin Pickin Favourite autumn family tradition - Pumpkin Picking at @avonvalleypark! 🎃 #invited (but we paid for everything there!) There is so much to do and I loved the setup this year. Loads of pumpkins and photo opportunities. Be aware there are extra costs eg marshmallow toasting, food and drink, fairground and games. These are all optional. As an idea we did spend around £50 on marshmallows, hot chocolate, doughnuts, a ride each and pumpkins! Will you be going pumpkin picking this year?
Gaia & Pinkmans at Bristol Cathedral! 🌍 ☕️ 🌍 Bri Gaia & Pinkmans at Bristol Cathedral! 🌍 ☕️ 🌍 Bristol Cathedral is hosting Luke Gerram’s Gaia 15 Oct – 9 Nov. It is FREE to visit during usual Cathedral opening hours. It is beautiful to see and an easy inexpensive outing. Why not pair a visit with one of their upcoming events: • Stargazing in the Cathedral Garden 18 Oct evening Pre-book tickets ⭐️ • Create Your Own Hanging Garden with We The Curious 19 Oct Drop-in 10-12pm and 1.30-3.30pm 🪴 • Crafty Cathedral Gaia Special 28, 29 & 31 Oct Drop-in 10–12pm & 1.30–3.30pm 🎨 ☕️ Pinkmans have opened a new cafe in the Cathedral (opened today!) 🙌 ➡️ Swipe for photos. There is indoor seating and outdoor seating in the Cathedral Garden which feels like a secret garden in the city centre 🪴We didn’t have time to get a coffee today but definitely recommend from visiting their other cafes! Have you seen Gaia before?
New bookshop for spooky season @thehauntedbookshop New bookshop for spooky season @thehauntedbookshop_bristol 👻 There are fantasy, horror and witchcraft books, a selection of children’s books and other witchy items! The downstairs seating area will be available for reading with PSLs, book clubs & other events 📚 ☕️
Tots & Teapots 🔆🫖 New Play Cafe in South Bristol! Tots & Teapots 🔆🫖 New Play Cafe in South Bristol! 📍 186 Wells Rd, Knowle, Bristol, BS4 2AL Tots & Teapots is a new play cafe aimed at ages 0-5. It is a lovely light space and very aesthetic set up. The space is divided into a traditional play cafe, a small soft play, and a cafe/seating area. My three year old was interested for the whole session. He really enjoyed both play areas and being able to move between them. There are lots of roleplay/imaginative toys and plenty for babies as well so a great place for maternity leave meet-ups. It is a good size space, and I expect it will work really well for a birthday party! 🥳 It is owned by Jess and Rosie, two local mums! Go try it out and show them some support 🤍 General Info: 🚻 👶🏼 Toilets and baby change, toddler steps and toilet seat ☕️ Hot and cold drinks, cakes and light lunches 🚘 Some customer car parking at the front, street parking also available ⏰ Open Monday - Saturdays. Sessions are 1 1/2 hrs. Pre-book your session via their website! Tag a friend you want to visit with! 🤎
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Scroll to top
  • Things To Do
    • Animals
      • Bristol Zoo Project
      • Avon Valley Park
      • Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm
      • Lackham Lambing Weekends
      • Lamb Feeding in Buckland Dinham
    • Outdoors, Parks & Gardens
      • A Brand New Water Play is Coming to Hengrove Park for 2026! 💦
      • A-maize-ing Maize Mazes near Bristol
      • Hestercombe Gardens
      • Funderworld Theme Park
      • Palette and Pasture
      • Kingsgate Park & Vintage Birdcage Cakery, Yate
      • Rainbow Wood, Bath
      • Westonbirt Arboretum
    • Theatre
      • Hamilton at Bristol Hippodrome – Review
      • The Tiger Who Came to Tea – Review
      • I Want My Hat Back Trilogy – Review
      • Disney on Ice: Discover the Magic – Review
    • Museums
      • The SS Great Britain
    • Play Cafes
      • Skyboat Cafe
      • Sansway Street
      • Out There Indoors
      • My Little Town
      • Wild Things Play Project
  • Bristol Guides
    • Free and Cheap Days Out for Families
    • Rainy Days in Bristol
    • Birthday Parties in Bristol Guide
    • Dog Friendly Family Outings in Bristol (and surrounding areas!)
    • Bluebell Woods & Walks
    • Past seasonal guides
      • Summer in Bristol – Family Guide 2025
      • May Half Term Guide 2025
      • Your Ultimate Family Guide to Bristol Easter Holidays in 2025
      • Mother’s Day Days Out Guide
      • Bristol & Bath February Half Term & What’s On Guide 2026
      • Christmas & Winter Guide for Families in Bristol and Bath 2025!
      • Fireworks Displays & Bonfire Night 2024
      • Family Guide to Halloween Events, October Half Term & Autumn in Bristol & Bath 2025
      • Summer in Bristol – Family Guide 2024
      • Lambing Events
      • 2-for-1 Gardens Entry Card Across The UK Available Now!
      • Family Friendly Coronation Events in Bristol
      • Snowdrop Walks Near Bristol
      • Free & discounted entry days out with the National Lottery 18-26 March!
  • Family Travel
    • Disneyland Paris – First Timer Tips!
    • La Croix du Vieux Pont
    • Bella Italia, Lake Garda, Italy
    • Cambrils Park, Spain
    • Domaine Les Ormes, Brittany, France
    • Bluestone, Wales
    • Whitmead Holiday Park, Forest of Dean
    • Toddler Friendly Pembrokeshire Holiday
    • Rome 4 Day Itinerary
  • Family Life
    • Primary School Admissions Guide
    • Lapland UK Review – 2024 Visit
    • How To Host An Amazing ‘Adopt a Pet’ Party!
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