Bournemouth is a popular destination for families looking for a fun-filled break. With seven miles of stunning coastline and a range of family-friendly attractions, Bournemouth has something to offer for everyone. From building sandcastles on the beach to indulging in local cuisine, exploring wildlife parks, and taking on adventurous outdoor activities, there’s no shortage of things to do in Bournemouth. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 fun things to do for famililes. We’ll include activities to enjoy in Bournemouth, ranging from beach days to crazy golf and everything in between.
1. Explore the Beaches:
Bournemouth’s beaches are one of the main attractions of the town, offering seven miles of stunning coastline to explore. The beaches are perfect for families, with plenty of activities and facilities to keep everyone entertained.
Alum Chine Beach is a popular family-friendly option, located to the west of Bournemouth. The beach features a large play area with a pirate ship and plenty of facilities, including toilets, showers, and refreshment kiosks. There’s also a paddling pool for young children to splash around in.
Durley Chine Beach is another great option, located to the east of Bournemouth. The beach features a wide expanse of sand, perfect for sunbathing and building sandcastles. There’s also a promenade that’s perfect for a leisurely stroll, as well as plenty of facilities, including toilets, showers, and refreshment kiosks.
Boscombe Beach is a great spot for surfing, with a surf school on-site for beginners. The beach also features a range of facilities, including toilets, showers, and refreshment kiosks. For those looking for a more active day out, there’s also a range of water sports available, including paddleboarding, kayaking, and windsurfing.
In addition to these beaches, Bournemouth also offers several other options, including Southbourne Beach and Hengistbury Head Beach. Southbourne Beach is a quieter option, located to the east of Bournemouth, while Hengistbury Head Beach is a nature reserve with stunning views of the coastline.
2. Explore the living ocean at Bournemouth Oceanarium:
Bournemouth Oceanarium is a must-visit attraction for families visiting Bournemouth. The aquarium is located on the seafront and features a range of exhibits that showcase the marine life of the world’s oceans.
Visitors can take an underwater adventure around the waters of the world and come face to face with hundreds of awesome creatures. The aquarium features a range of habitats, including a tropical reef, a seahorse nursery, and a penguin beach. There’s also a shark tunnel that offers a unique view of these magnificent creatures.
The Oceanarium offers a range of experiences that are perfect for families. Animal experiences give visitors the chance to be even closer to some of the most awesome animals, including penguins, otters, and turtles. There are also daily talks and feeds that offer insights into the lives of the aquarium’s inhabitants.
The Oceanarium also offers a range of facilities, including a café serving up a range of food and drinks, as well as a gift shop where visitors can purchase souvenirs and gifts.
3. Visit Splashdown Water Park:
Splashdown Water Park is a popular attraction for families visiting Bournemouth. The park is located in nearby Poole and features a range of water slides and attractions that are suitable for all ages. The park is spread over several levels, with different rides and attractions on each level.
The park’s most popular slides include the Screamer, the Spacebowl, and the Black Thunder. The Screamer is a high-speed slide that takes riders on a thrilling journey through a series of twists and turns. The Spacebowl is a unique slide that takes riders through a giant bowl before dropping them into a pool below. The Black Thunder is a high-speed slide that takes riders on a thrilling journey through a dark tunnel before dropping them into a pool below.
In addition to these slides, Splashdown Water Park also features a lazy river ride, wave pool, and toddler pool. The lazy river ride is a relaxing way to float around the park, while the wave pool is perfect for those looking for a more active experience. The toddler pool is a safe and fun area for young children to play and splash around.
The park offers plenty of facilities, including changing rooms, lockers, and a café serving snacks and refreshments. There’s also a gift shop where visitors can purchase souvenirs and swimwear.
Overall, Splashdown Water Park is a must-visit attraction for families visiting Bournemouth.
4. Try Tenpin Bowling:
Tenpin bowling is a classic family activity that’s perfect for all ages. Bowlplex and Hollywood Bowl are two popular options in Bournemouth, both offering a range of lanes and facilities.
Bowlplex is located in Tower Park and features 22 bowling lanes, as well as a range of other activities including laser tag, arcade games, and pool tables. The venue also features a bar and restaurant serving up a range of food and drinks.
Hollywood Bowl is located in Bournemouth’s town center and offers 16 bowling lanes, as well as a range of other activities including arcade games and pool tables. The venue also features a bar and restaurant serving up a range of food and drinks, including burgers, pizzas, and sharing platters.
Both venues offer special packages for families, including discounted rates for bowling and food, making it an affordable day out. They also offer shoe hire and bowling balls in a range of sizes, so there’s no need to bring your own equipment.
Tenpin bowling is a fun and competitive activity that’s perfect for a rainy day or a break from the sun.
5. Explore the RNLI Training Centre:
The RNLI’s Sea Survival Centre offers a unique and educational experience for families in Bournemouth. The center is located at the RNLI College and features a wave tank and a Lifeboat simulator, giving visitors a taste of what it’s like to be a real-life lifesaver.
The wave tank is a highlight of the center, simulating the conditions of a stormy sea and giving visitors a chance to experience what it’s like to be in a lifeboat in rough conditions. Visitors can also try their hand at using a life raft and learn valuable safety tips for being out at sea.
The Lifeboat simulator is another exciting feature of the center, allowing visitors to experience what it’s like to be part of a lifeboat crew. Visitors can try out the controls and work together to navigate through a simulated rescue mission.
In addition to the wave tank and Lifeboat simulator, the center offers a range of interactive exhibits and displays, providing a fascinating insight into the work of the RNLI. Visitors can learn about the history of the organization, as well as the latest technology and techniques used in lifesaving.
The Sea Survival Centre is suitable for all ages and is a great way to learn about the important work of the RNLI while having fun at the same time.
6. Visit Zoos and Wildlife Parks:
Bournemouth’s surrounding areas offer several wildlife theme parks that children will love. Monkey World is a popular choice, located in Wareham, just a short drive from Bournemouth. The park is home to over 250 primates, including chimpanzees, orangutans, and gibbons. Visitors can see the primates in their natural habitats, learn about their behavior and conservation, and even adopt a monkey.
Marwell Zoo is another great option, located in Winchester, about an hour’s drive from Bournemouth. The zoo is home to over 140 species of animals, including tigers, giraffes, and penguins. Visitors can see the animals up close, learn about their habitats and behavior, and even take part in animal encounters and feeding sessions.
New Forest Wildlife Park is a smaller park, located in Southampton, about 45 minutes’ drive from Bournemouth. The park is home to a range of native and exotic animals, including wolves, lynx, and otters. Visitors can see the animals in their natural habitats, learn about their conservation, and even take part in animal encounters and feeding sessions.
In addition to these wildlife parks, Bournemouth is also home to several nature reserves and parks, including Hengistbury Head and the Avon Heath Country Park. These parks offer a range of walking and cycling trails, as well as opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.
7. Opt for Outdoor Activities:
Bournemouth offers a range of exciting outdoor activities that are perfect for adventurous families. Go Ape is a popular outdoor adventure park located in Moors Valley Country Park, just a short drive from Bournemouth. The park offers a range of activities for all ages, including high ropes courses, zip-lining, and tree-top adventures. Visitors can swing through the trees, tackle obstacles, and enjoy stunning views of the forest.
There are also several climbing centers in the area, including RockReef and The Project Climbing Centre. RockReef is located on Bournemouth Pier and offers a range of climbing walls and challenges, including a vertical slide and a leap of faith. The Project Climbing Centre is located in Poole and offers a range of climbing walls and bouldering routes for all skill levels.
For those who prefer to stay on the ground, Bournemouth offers a range of outdoor activities, including cycling, hiking, and horse riding. The New Forest National Park is located just a short drive from Bournemouth and offers a range of cycling and hiking trails, as well as opportunities for horse riding and wildlife spotting.
Bournemouth’s beaches also offer a range of water sports, including surfing, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Surfing lessons are available at Boscombe Beach, with a surf school on-site for beginners. Paddleboarding and kayaking are also popular options, with equipment available for hire at several locations along the beachfront.
8. Indulge in Soft Play:
Lemur Landings is a popular indoor play center located in Tower Park, Poole. The play center is one of the biggest and best play centers in Dorset, offering a range of soft play areas and activities that are perfect for families with children of all ages.
The soft play areas at Lemur Landings are designed to be safe and fun for children of all ages. The toddler zone is a dedicated area for younger children to play and explore, featuring soft play equipment and toys that are suitable for their age group. The sensory room is another great option for younger children, providing a calming and relaxing environment with a range of sensory activities.
For older children, Lemur Landings offers a climbing wall and a laser tag arena. The climbing wall is a fun and challenging activity that requires strength and agility, while the laser tag arena is perfect for older kids who want to test their skills and strategy.
Wild Thing! is an Aztec-themed soft play area located at Adventure Wonderland in Bournemouth. The soft play area is perfect for younger children, offering a range of obstacles, slides, and activities, including a ball pit and a climbing wall. The area is designed to be safe and fun for children of all ages, with dedicated areas for younger children to play and explore. Wild Thing! is open year-round, making it a great option for families looking for a fun and safe indoor activity, regardless of the weather outside.
9. Crazy Golf:
Crazy golf is a fun and entertaining activity that the whole family can enjoy. Bournemouth offers several crazy golf courses that are perfect for a fun and competitive day out. One of the most popular courses is Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, located just before Bournemouth Pier. The course features 18 holes and a pirate theme, with obstacles including water features, caves, and bridges.
Another popular option is the Lower Gardens Mini Golf course, located in the town center. The course features 18 holes and a range of obstacles, including windmills and ramps. The course is suitable for all ages and skill levels, making it a great option for families.
Boscombe Chine Gardens Mini Golf is another great option, located in the beautiful Boscombe Chine Gardens. The course features 18 holes and a range of obstacles, including water features and tunnels. The course is suitable for all ages and skill levels, making it a great option for families.
Mighty Claws Adventure Golf is an awesome, dinosaur themed mini golf course. These courses offer a fun and entertaining activity for families.
The adventure golf course at Mr Mulligans Bournemouth features 18 holes, each with its own unique theme and challenges. The courses are designed to be fun and challenging for players of all ages and skill levels. The courses are also wheelchair accessible, making it a great option for everyone.
Overall, crazy golf is a fun and competitive activity that the whole family can enjoy. With a range of courses available in Bournemouth, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, regardless of age or skill level.
10. Compete At Boom Battle Bar
Boom Battle Bar Bournemouth is a competitive gaming bar located in Bournemouth, Dorset. The venue offers a range of activities that are perfect for groups of friends or families looking for a fun and exciting day out.
Boom Battle Bar Bournemouth features a range of competitive games, including axe throwing, augmented reality darts, beer pong, and shuffleboard. The venue is designed to be a fun and interactive space, with a lively atmosphere and plenty of opportunities to compete against friends and family.
In addition to the gaming activities, Boom Battle Bar Bournemouth also offers a range of food and drink options. The venue features a bar serving a range of beers, cocktails, and soft drinks, as well as a menu of hot and cold food options.