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40 activities for children and families on the Isle of Wight

An Isle of Wight family holiday is perhaps best suited for children during that brief patch when the toddler tantrums have stopped and the teenage door-slamming hasn't quite started (we've got guides for toddlers and teenagers if you're dealing with that).

Holidays with under fives are like transporting a circus, and once they reach the teenage years they start to claim that all their friends are going on shopping weekends in New York.

Here are our pick of some attractions, days out and things to do on the Isle of Wight with children who are Primary, Middle and Junior School aged (about 5-12 years old). ​

1. Best Isle of Wight beaches for children

For a cheap and (relatively) stress free day out with pre-teenage children, most people head for the busy beaches like Shanklin, Sandown, Ventnor or Appley (Ryde). Shanklin, Sandown and Ventnor are good for swimming. Appley is a vast patch of sand at low tide so is good for football and beach games.

They all offer lots of stress-reducing facilities like easy parking, decent toilets, cafes selling chips and beach-side amusements like mini golf, pedalos and machines which steal 10p coins. Sandown has a pier with amusements, bowling and an indoor play area whilst Shanklin is good for amusement arcades or beachfront minigolf.
We prefer slightly quieter beaches which sometimes require a little more effort or have more basic facilities. Try Colwell, Totland or Hanover Point/Compton Bay in the West Wight, St Helen's, Priory Bay or Whitecliff Bay in the East Wight, Steephill Cove in the South Wight or Gurnard in the North Wight.

Rockpooling in Bembridge is a good time-filler with pre-teenage children or if you want some waves for bodyboarding then Hanover Point is usually best (see the surf forecast). 

See our lovely clickable guide to the best Isle of Wight beaches for more detail or our guide to which is the best Isle of Wight beach for...?

2. Robin Hill Adventure Park and Gardens

Robin Hill is owned by the same people as Blackgang Chine and they are both good quality family attractions which can fill a whole day. I’ve always felt that Robin Hill is best for slightly older children (about ages 5 to 12, I would say) although we did take our 3 1/2 year old and she had a great time on the various playgrounds (and she got in free, so I was happy).

​There are a couple of medium sized rides – not quite Alton Towers, but better than the dodgy funfairs which appear on village parks with rusty dodgems. There’s also a toboggan run, a maze, some adventure playground type-things and loads of woodland to explore.

During the summer holidays, they usually put on shows in their woodland amphitheatre and there are other special events during other holidays.

Tickets are about £20.
Peacock
Squawk! Peacocks at Robin Hill
Family-friendly accommodation? Try our holiday park guide

3. Blackgang Chine 

As mentioned above, Blackgang Chine is a good day out but is probably better for slightly younger children (I would say about 4 - 10 year olds, ideally). Most people who have been to the Isle of Wight reminisce about its carbon fibre dinosaurs, crooked house, giant pirate, cowboys and various things which fell into the sea when the cliff gave way.

The kitschy nature of Blackgang Chine is still there, and there are also some medium sized rides including a water slide, a rollercoaster (which even my weak stomach can handle) and a newish animatronic dinosaur section called Restricted Area 5.

​Those who have been to big mainland theme parks might find it a bit tame, but there is enough to dazzle younger children, and it has more charm than most parks. The sea view is fantastic too.

Tickets are about £25. Read our blog about squeezing every penny out of Blackgang Chine.
Smuggler at Blackgang Chine
Yes, I know you went here on a school trip once...

4. Our Isle Spy car journey Game

The Isle of Wight's bumpy roads can be a bit nauseating at times, and can lead to children complaining from the back seat. One solution is to tell them to imagine it is a rollercoaster ride at Blackgang Chine but if that doesn't work then try our Isle Spy Car Journey game.

We've chosen 15 things which you'll see on an Isle of Wight car journey, including quirky road signs, a giant coloured cone and a very short stretch of dual carriageway. 

Print it off and see if you can find all 15 before someone throws up.
Isle of Wight numberplate
Can you spot an Isle of Wight personalised number plate?

5. ​TAPNELL FARM PARK

​Tapnell Farm Park is one of those attractions which appeals to Dads like me, who like to drive around on a go-kart because their daughter "is feeling a bit nervous". I'm dreading the day that the children tell me I'm too old to join in.

It's got a good mix of indoor and outdoor activities, including soft play and adventure play (zip wires, trampolines etc.) as well as a petting zoo with farm animals alongside foreign animals like wallabies and meerkats who are coming over here and stealing our, er, hearts. 

​The cafes sell food you aren't ashamed to feed your children and the gift shops sell local art and food (as well as the usual stuffed tat). It's only been open a few years, so new stuff is being added regularly and it's nice and clean.

​Alongside all that, it's got a distant sea view and it doesn't stink of poo like most farm parks. Be warned, it does get pretty busy and noisy during peak season. We arrive at opening time and do the indoor play area or go-karts first.

Entry is about £10. It's in the West Wight, so combine it with a quick trip to Freshwater Bay.

Read the blog about one of our visits.

6. Isle of Wight Zoo, Amazon World, Monkey Haven 

​I’ve bundled these three Isle of Wight animal attractions and zoos into one, as they are all family friendly and offer a similar sort of day out for a similar price (all are around the £10 mark).
​Which is best? Well, I guess it depends which type of animals you are most interested in seeing, but Trip Advisor reviewers gave Monkey Haven 4.5, whilst Isle of Wight Zoo and Amazon World both scored 4.0 (checked 2020). Monkey Haven won an award as 'Small Visitor Attraction of the Year' 2019 at the South East's Tourism Awards. Apparently the award relates to the size of the attraction rather than the size of the visitors.

Isle of Wight Zoo is by the beach in Sandown, Monkey Haven is near Newport, Amazon World is between Newport and Sandown.

You can read more about all three in our guides to animal attractions and discounts to Isle of Wight attractions.

Seaview Wildlife Encounter and Coleman's Farm closed in 2015 (most of the animals went to Tapnell Farm Park).
Isle of Wight Zoo
Isle of Wight Zoo is right by the beach in Sandown

7. Isle of Wight Aqua Park at Tapnell Farm

The Isle of Wight's first aqua park opened in 2020, unless you count my neighbour's enormous paddling pool/trampoline combo (Ed: I think that might be stretching it a bit).

It's on the same site as Tapnell Farm Park in the West Wight but it runs as a separate attraction which you pay extra for (£20 per person at the time of writing). It is only for those aged 8+ and there are rules about younger children being accompanied.

It's a bit like Total Wipeout where you clamber around inflatable floating things and leap into the water. The main difference is that it doesn't include Richard Hammond making sarcastic remarks and counting his money whilst sitting in a dry studio in a different country. 
Isle of Wight aqua park at Tapnell Farm
"Are we going on three or after three?"

8. Adventure golf/ mini golf/ crazy golf

If your idea of ‘crazy’ is putting a red golf ball around a corner then you’ve lived a very dull life, my friend. However, there are loads of adventure/mini/crazy golf courses on the Isle of Wight which fill a couple of hours with kids, until the inevitable cheating starts ('that was just a practice shot...' etc).

​We've argued our way round most of them now. A few to choose from:


For those keeping notes, Jungle Adventure Golf on Shanklin Esplanade disappeared in 2019 to make way for Caddyshack. No flowers please.

9. Alum Bay and The Needles

Alum Bay and the Needles reminds me a bit of the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. OK, so it’s not quite so spectacular but it is a natural wonder which has become a tourism hotspot with loads of different things to do.

​The bits that will appeal to children are unlikely to be the wartime, telecommunications and space race history of the National Trust's Old Battery.

​However, families do flock to: the chairlift, the handful of funfair rides, the boat ride out to the lighthouse (you can’t go in the Lighthouse unfortunately) and the shop where you can fill up a glass shape with multi-coloured sand.

You pay about £5 to park and then you just pay for whatever you decide to do.
The Needles Lighthouse from the Old Battery
The Needles Lighthouse from the Old Battery

10. Watersports

If your children won't complain about falling in the icy waters around the Isle of Wight then there are loads of watersports on offer. Some have age restrictions, but if you're older than 8 or 9 then there are some good options.

We explore these in more detail in our guide for teenagers, but the main providers are:
  • Adventure Activities Isle of Wight (based in the West Wight offering family kayaking and stand up paddleboarding for aged 8+)
  • Tackt-Isle Adventures (based in St Helens in the East Wight offering sailing and windsurfing for aged 8+ and kayaking for 9+)
  • Wight Water Adventure Watersports (based in Lake in the East Wight offering equipment hire and lessons in various watersports for 8+)
  • Beach kayak hire (a good el-cheapo option is hiring a kayak from some heavily tanned guy sitting on a deck chair and wearing a bum bag. Shanklin is a good bet for this option).
  • UKSA (UK Sailing Academy) offer fun days for 7-15 year olds during most school holidays. When I checked it was £35 for a full day, with all equipment included.
  • Bayside Beach Hire (based in Sandown, offers kayaking, standup paddleboarding, pedalos for 5+ for about £7-£10)

For those not paying attention, there's also the Isle of Wight Aqua Park which we mentioned earlier.

11. Dinosaur Isle

The first corridor at Dinosaur Isle is a bit educational for my liking, although I'm sure it's very worthy and important stuff for academics. As I've said before, trying to educate your children in August is a bad move.

However, once you get into the main room, it is much more child-friendly with things to prod, poke and smell. There are staggeringly large bones which are well presented and genuinely interesting.

​It is quite small but it is near to some other nice beaches and attractions (Sandown Bay, Yaverland beach, Sandham Gardens - see #12, Brown's Golf Course).
Dinosaur Isle
Dinosaur Isle's funky building

​12. Newport and Ryde Cinemas

​If it’s raining then you might like to shelter in the safety of the modern multiscreen cinema in Newport, which is owned by Cineworld, or the more nostalgic cinema in Ryde which is much smaller but is usually very cheap (£4 at the time of writing). Good luck finding a film that everyone is happy with…
Cineworld Newport Isle of Wight from outside
Newport's 11 screen cinema

13. Ryde 10 pin bowling alley (Superbowl)

The Wii version of bowling is certainly cheaper for a family activity, but you can't beat the real thing. Ryde has a 10 pin bowling alley. Sandown Pier also has a half decent (and cheap) bowling alley with four lanes.

14. Sandham Gardens 

Just round the corner from Dinosaur Isle on Sandown esplanade is Sandham Gardens, which has been revamped with a number of new things being added and other stuff planned for the future.

There’s a skate park and football/basketball court alongside a play area which older children will enjoy, as well a toddlers' playground. Dads won’t be able to resist trying out the zip wire. See our toddlers guide for more playground advice.

The recent additions are a fancy dinosaur themed minigolf course, which opened in 2019 (about £6) as well as some electric go karts (about £5 a race) and some 'Skynets' which opened in 2020 where you can bounce around in giant nets (about £13). 

In case you're worried, the Skynets in Sandown have no relation with the baddies of the same name in the Terminator films.
Playground at Sandham Gardens in Sandown
Sandham Gardens has a good playground, as well as minigolf, go karts and 'skynets'

15. Traffic-free cycle tracks

The Isle of Wight has loads of gruelling cycle routes down chalk ridges and up steep hills but if your child's helmet has Moana or Spiderman on it then it's probably best to keep it simple and traffic free.

Most families with children on wobbly bicycles attempt a section of the Red Squirrel Trail. It's mostly former railway lines (i.e. flat and car-free) but some parts go through towns. 

The whole thing is 32 miles long and covers Cowes, Newport, Shanklin and Sandown but you can easily just do a small section of it. 

Some people hire a bike in Cowes and cycle to Newport alongside the River Medina (4 miles each way, options include Two Elements). Alternatively, you can do a more circular ride by starting from Wight Bike in Merstone, routefifty7 in Shanklin or Isle Cycle in Sandown

Other car free cycling options suggested by the Red Squirrel Trail people include:
Other bike hire options include TAV Cycles in Ryde.

The map below shows the Cowes to Newport section of the Red Squirrel Trail. See our full cycling guide for more waffle on Isle of Wight cycling holidays.

​16. Bembridge lifeboat station

Another good free outing is to Bembridge Lifeboat Station to see their impressive vessel which hangs at the top of a slope ready to swoosh into the sea. There's a huge great walkway/pier, although it does have some small gaps in it so smaller children need to watch out.

They also hold training events where you can watch the lifeboat being launched. Details are usually on their Facebook page.
Walkway to Bembridge Lifeboat Station
This walkway leads to Bembridge Lifeboat station

17. Breezer Buses

​For those without wigs, the 'Island Breezer' open top bus routes provide a fun way to see the Isle of Wight. A warm day is preferable, or you'll soon be calling it the 'Freezer'.

​The Needles Breezer trundles through Yarmouth, Freshwater, Alum Bay and Colwell in a circular motion in just under an hour, whilst the Downs Breezer does a circular route through Ryde, Sandown, Brading and Arreton in just over an hour. The Island Coaster is no longer open top, but has good views and goes from Ryde to the Needles, via Ventnor in 2 hours 45 minutes. You'll be stunned to read that the Shanklin Breezer travels around Shanklin.
The Island Breezer open top bus
Hold on to your hats!
You can hop on and off all four, and you can buy an all day ticket which also covers the connecting 'normal' buses.

I would say that the Needles Breezer is better for seeing unspoilt scenery and some sea views, whereas the Downs Breezer is better if you want to stop at busy seaside resorts and attractions on route (having said that, Brading Downs has lovely views).

​The Island Coaster is an epic journey of nearly three hours which takes in loads of lovely coastline and sea views. It is very scenic in places but personally I'd be somewhat sick of buses after three hours (and it's not circular so you'll need to get another bus back to wherever you are staying). Of course, you could just do part of the journey. It's no longer an open top bus which does take away some of the appeal in my view.

It's better value if you travel in a group. At the time of writing (2020 prices), you can get a hop-on hop-off 24 hour ticket for £10 for an adult or £5 for a child - but it's only £25 if you travel in a group of any five people.

One ticket gives you access to all four buses (and other Southern Vectis buses) - so you can attempt a bus tour challenge if you fancy it.

18. Wight Karting

Go-karts are never a cheap day out, but Wight Karting near Ryde does family deals and it gets rave reviews from visitors. Also, bear in mind that Lewis Hamilton earns about £40 million a year and he started out go-karting, so it's a more sensible investment than a lottery ticket.

There are various speeds of vehicle available, so anyone over the age of 3 can take part. It even runs in wet weather, ideal for those who like the 'drowned rat' look.
Go karts at Wight Karting Isle of Wight
Wight Karting is open on rainy or sunny days

19. Carisbrooke Castle

​**Discount code: 15% off the cost of English Heritage Membership with the discount code EH2020** Expires 31/10/20
I wasn’t sure if I should include anything which may appear educational in this list, as I used to get very irked when my mother used to try and make me learn things during school holidays. 

However, if your kids are constantly lunging at each other with swords and holding shields then you might get away with Carisbrooke Castle. 
​
English Heritage make a good effort to keep it family-friendly with jousting on the bowling green in the summer. Is there a charge? Yes of course, that's the general idea of jousting (Ed: groan).

There are also donkeys which pull up a bucket from a well all year round and a dry moat outside the ground which we used to run up and down like lunatics. 

There’s another smaller castle in Yarmouth, but Carisbrooke would be my choice if you only have time for one. 

Osborne House (another big English Heritage property) didn't interest me until I was at least 25, but well-meaning parents may be able to talk children round with the promise of summertime entertainment which has previously included a Punch and Judy show on Queen Vicky's beach.

If you plan to visit two or three of the Isle of Wight's English Heritage properties then you might consider membership as it also gets you a ferry discount.
Carisbrooke Castle
Carisbrooke Castle hosts jousting in the summer

20. Isle of Wight Steam Railway and Island Line Railway

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway appeals to a) families who fancy a nice ride on an old train and b) men called Nigel and Brian who like to discuss the merits of Ivatt Class 2 locomotives.

A round trip takes about an hour, but they do put on special events throughout the year and there's also a play area, woodland walk and the 'train story discovery centre'. The train route is inland and goes through some nice scenic fields although you won't get a sea view.

​An alternative option is the Island Line which travels from Ryde Pierhead to Sandown and Shanklin. The route is relatively attractive but not stunning (the bit along the pier is the most exciting). We wrote a blog about our trip on the Island Line service.
Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Well trained staff at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway

21. Horse Riding

Encouraging young girls to try horse riding carries a severe risk of a lifetime of poverty, weekend gymkhanas and shovelling manure at 6am. However, there are three family-friendly stables to choose from on the Isle of Wight (Sally's Riding School, Bembridge, Island Riding Centre and Hill Farm Stables, Freshwater).

​Sally's Riding School and Island Riding Centre sometimes lead horse rides along the beach, which sounds like it would be great fun, especially if it was in slow motion with an 80s ballad playing in the background.

The Island Riding Centre also has lots of modern accommodation for those who really want the full horsey holiday experience. Options include:

22. ISLE OF WIGHT TREASURE TRAILS and Geocaching

Treasure Trails is a national provider of treasure hunts which offers several around Isle of Wight towns. They're one step up from the kind of thing your mother used to write, although you do have to pay for them (about £10). 

They usually take a couple of hours and involve a walk of a couple of miles, although some are done on bike and travel a bigger distance. If you get stuck you can text them and they'll give you a hand, and if you complete the puzzle you can enter a prize draw and download a certificate.

​So far we've done the Treasure Trails in:
  • Cowes - couple of hours around the town, about 30 steps but you can take a detour if you've got a pushchair. Small playground towards the end of the route. Some scenic seaside bits.
  • Freshwater Bay and Tennyson Down - it took us a whole year to complete this one, as we did half of it in 2019 and returned in 2020 to finish it off. Beautiful beach and one of the Island's best views from the top of the Downs. We took a pushchair but we regretted it as there were lots of gates and a really steep climb towards the end. Quite a lot of walking and massive cliffs so it may not be ideal for rogue children.
  • Godshill - shorter and more compact Treasure Trail with less walking and a couple of tricky questions. Keep a close eye on children in the pavement-free areas and shops selling breakables. 
  • Ventnor town - lots of lovely views, very steep hills to climb, took us two hours. Playground about halfway round the route. About 20 steps, but you can take a detour if you know the town a bit. 
  • Ventnor to Steephill Cove coastal path - fantastic sea views, lots of steep ups and downs as well as some steps. Was pouring with rain for most of the time when we did it but we still enjoyed it. Took us about three hours over two days. Probably my favourite so far.
  • Yarmouth - nice mix of scenery along a cycle path and sea wall and through the small town centre. Mostly off road, we managed it with a pushchair though there was a steep slope with steps at one point. Scenery not quite so spectacular but still coastal and very pleasant.
Treasure Trail
Our five year old detective trying to crack the case in Cowes
Freshwater Bay and Tennyson Down
The Freshwater Bay and Tennyson Down Treasure Trail offers terrific views
Meanwhile, Geocaching combines a 17th century pirate's love of treasure hunting with a 21st century child's love of staring at small screens. The basic idea is that you download an app on a smartphone which shows you roughly where little boxes of 'treasure' are hidden all over the world.

The 'treasure' is usually a tupperware box full of little trinkets that has been hidden by a fellow geocacher. 

​You sign a log book, swap a trinket if you want to and then declare to the world that you found it. There are lots of 'caches' hidden across the Isle of Wight, some of which are at landmarks and historic sites. 

It is free for the basic app or you can pay a fee if you want the version with more features.

We wrote a blog about our first Isle of Wight geocache adventure. You might also like to watch this video called What Is Geocaching?

23. Child Friendly short walks on the Isle of Wight

If you'd rather keep it simple and free, some of our favourite short strolls on the Isle of Wight include:
  • Bonchurch to Ventnor, along the sea wall. Not great for little children as there are no railings stopping them falling into the sea for most of the journey but it's a flat walk which we have managed with pushchairs in about half an hour. The walk also displays a scale model of the Solar System. Warning: Ventnor doesn't have great mobile signal so be prepared to blag your way through a series of questions about the planets without the help of Google. We park at the Shore Road car park in Bonchurch and then walk towards Ventnor where there are places to eat and a playground near to the Winter Gardens.
Bonchurch sea wall
Bonchurch to Ventnor is a flat walk, whilst Ventnor to Steephill Cove is much hillier
  • Gurnard to Cowes is an easy walk with a playground in Gurnard and plenty of shops and cafes in Cowes. It's a good one if you like watching the yachts and cruise liners on the Solent. If you've got time, have a wander round the back of Gurnard's sailing club as there's a hidden beach which most people miss.
Gurnard playground
The Cowes to Gurnard walk includes a playground with a view
  • Shanklin to Sandown is another nice walk along the seafront. Again, there aren't railings for the whole way so it's a bit tense with wobbly toddlers. There is parking at either end of the walk and plenty of family-friendly things to do including a good playground in Sandown at Sandham Gardens and money-hungry amusements at Shanklin.
  • Carisbrooke Castle's dry moat is good for a short walk and you can access it without paying to get into the Castle. You can walk up from Carisbrooke village via Castle Street which has a ford for children to fall into. Alternatively, drive up to Carisbrooke Castle and walk round it for nice views across Carisbrooke and Bowcombe.
  • Freshwater Bay to Tennyson Down is a bit more ambitious but it has a good combination of a glorious beach at the start of the walk and fantastic views from the top of the downs. Sometimes there are cows in the field and there is also a cliff edge so perhaps not one if you're feeling a bit tense because of a stressful morning of arguments over who left the dishwasher open.
  • Ryde Esplanade is long and has some attractions and entertainments along the route including two playgrounds on the seafront and a splash park. If you keep going past Appley Tower you'll end up at Appley Park which has another good playground.
  • Compton Bay is probably our favourite beach for a wander along the sand. It gets nice sunsets and is particularly appealing in the late afternoon on a hot day when everyone else has gone home. You can either park at the Hanover Point end which has about 20 steps to climb down or the Compton Farm end which has better views but a precarious set of steep steps and a bit of clambering to get on to the beach. Yaverland Beach is a better option for walking if you have a dog, as it allows dogs all year whereas Compton Bay is closed to dogs in the warmer months.
  • Totland to Colwell is a short walk along a coastal path. You can park on the seafront at Totland and walk round the corner in about 20-30 minutes. There aren't any railings so watch out for wobbly children. At one point you can see where there was a massive landslide in 2012 which closed the path for three years. There are places to eat at both ends of the walk.

24. Amusement Arcades

If you have deep pockets and a high tolerance for electronic noise, there are amusement arcades on the seafront in Sandown (on the Pier), Shanklin (our personal favourite) and a small one in Ryde.

Ventnor's Gaiety seafront amusement arcade was boarded up a few years ago and is looking a little sorry for itself.
Amusements arcade
Sandown, Shanklin and Ryde have amusement arcades on their esplanades

25. Seafront 'funfairs'

On Ryde's Esplanade, towards the Appley end you will find Peter Pan's Funfair and Amusements, which is aimed at younger children and has things like a small carousel, teacups and little cars to drive.

I've only looked at it in passing, but there are reviews on TripAdvisor.

Meanwhile, Shanklin Seafront has some small funfair type attractions, like those balls you climb inside and run on water.
Ryde funfair
Peter Pan's Funfair in Ryde

26. National Museum of Poo

Isle of Wight Zoo sporadically incorporates Poo At The Zoo, a celebration of all things turdy. Prepare yourself for sniggering and poo-related puns with remnants from safari animals and ancient humans amongst retro toilet seats and educational bits about the power of poo.

At the time of writing it had left the Zoo for a bit, but was on offer nearby as a 'plop-up' attraction.

​Stop giggling at the back.

27. The Wight Military and Heritage Museum

I know what you're thinking - my kids are not going to be impressed if I take them to something which is bordering on educational during the school holidays. However, the Wight Military and Heritage Museum may well appeal to some as they offer rides in armoured vehicles. Check their website in advance as it is a charity run by volunteers.

28. Sea Safaris and Pleasure Cruises

Taking children on a boat trip is a bit of a gamble, as there is always a chance that one member of your party will start to feel sick and ask to go home when you are sat out in the Solent.

If you are willing to risk such things then you might consider the following:
  • Needles Pleasure Cruises runs a tame 20 minute tour out to the famous red and white lighthouse (you can't go in the lighthouse) and a less tame 15 minute high speed ride around the coastline. They leave from Alum Bay and cost about £7 for the slow ride or £12 for the fast trip.
  • Black Rock Cruises also covers the Needles, but they leave from Yarmouth which makes it a longer journey which explores more of the West Wight coastline. Costs about £20 for two hours. They also do a fishing trip which lasts a couple of hours. 
  • Coral Star is another boat which is based in Yarmouth and offers trips to the Needles.
  • During the summer months, the world's last 'seagoing paddle steamer' (the Waverley) usually does trips around the Isle of Wight. It's based in Scotland but visits other parts of the UK (reviews can be found here).

29. Family friendly festivals and events

The Isle of Wight has a busy calendar of events which start around mid-Spring and continue until the Autumn (see our guide to festivals and carnivals).

Child-friendly ones include Carnivals which take place in July and August in Sandown, Shanklin, Ryde, Newport, Ventnor, Cowes, Yarmouth and St Helen's (Islanders sure do love their carnivals). The Garlic Festival is family-friendly, whilst Cowes Week is good for a wander.

Along similar lines, Jay Miller's Circus turns up on the Isle of Wight for a few weeks in the summer. The National Trust run sandcastle building competitions in July and August (more details in our annual events guide).

30. Sandown Pier

Sandown's Pier is one of four left on the Isle of Wight (Yarmouth, Ryde and Totland are the others) but it is the only one which offers classic pier-style attractions.

So, roll up, roll up for the headache-inducing clankity-clank of amusement arcades and the flashing lightbulbs of teacups and dodgems. You'll also find a cheap bowling alley, minigolf, indoor play and a couple of bars. 

​It's cheap and cheerful but it's a good way to waste a couple of hours if it suddenly starts raining when you are sat on the beach in your pants. 

Read the blog about Sandown Pier.
Sandown Pier
Sandown Pier is a good place to hide if it starts raining

31. Chessell Pottery Cafe and Arty Shakes

Chessell Pottery Cafe is a pleasant attraction in the West Wight where pleasant people eat pleasant cream teas whilst painting pleasant pottery. There's no entrance fee, but you pay a studio fee (about £7 last time I checked) if you want to paint anything. You then buy a plate, mug or whatever you fancy painting. My daughter chose a unicorn, obviously.

You can either have your pottery glazed or use acrylic paints which is less durable. Unfortunately, the only real option for most holidaymakers is acrylic paints, as it takes about two weeks for pottery to be glazed and they don't post them out anymore (this changed a couple of years ago).

There are also paint-your-own souvenir type places in less rural locations in Ryde (Fired Art Ceramics which will glaze your masterpiece) and Shanklin (Arty Shakes or Isle of Sweets Craft Centre). 

32. Mottistone Gardens

Now don't get me wrong. Children will not be entertained by the glorious floral displays and tea served in delicate crockery at Mottistone Gardens (West Wight, near Brighstone). Nor will they be impressed with the adjacent manor house which is apparently owned by Benedict Cumberbatch's in-laws (the house is closed to the public apart from a couple of days a year).

However, children can waste an hour spotting the puntastic flowerpot celebrities hidden around the grounds and another 10 minutes in the maze or den building area. It is a National Trust property so worth a stop if you are members. It's not open every day so check the website first. ​​
Mottistone Gardens flowerpot
Harry Pot-ter hiding in a tree at Mottistone Gardens

33. The Garlic Farm

I wouldn't plan a full day out with children at The Garlic Farm, but it is worth an hour or two of your time if you are in the Sandown or Shanklin area. Entry is free and then you pay a couple of quid for a 20 minute tour around the farm in a trailer pulled by a tractor. If you prefer, you can follow a walking trail through the woods. It's family run and is very well kept and laid out.

It is a working farm, although we didn't actually see any garlic growing as they rotate round between fields and were using a section a couple of miles away.

There's a small (but modern) playground, a popular cafe and various garlic tasting opportunities. Of course, there's also a large garlic themed shop where you can discover what happens when you add garlic to perfectly decent tasting things like beer. The owners also organise the Garlic Festival in August which is a sort-of country show with a focus on garlic.

Not recommended for vampires or first dates. 

34. Godshill Model Village

I previously just included Godshill Model Village in our guide to days out for toddlers. I've added it to this guide for older children after a successful day out with three girls aged four, six and nine who spent an hour or two pointing and giggling at things and completing a quiz. I wouldn't drag a teenager round.

The Model Village is immaculately kept and has the feel of a family's pride and joy rather than an attraction created to relieve tourists of their money. 

​If you want an amusing five minutes then stand near to the model of the model village and listen to every visitor having the same conversation. I thought about recording eight hours of it and entering it into the Turner Prize.

The Model Village costs about £5. Prudes should look away when they get to the streaker at the model football match.
Godshill model village
If you are allergic to quaintness, stay away from Godshill Model Village

35. Ryde Canoe Lake

Have you ever wanted to pretend you were a swan? 

Fulfill your dream with a trip to Ryde's Canoe Lake with its novelty swan shaped pedalos and canoes for those who are less bothered about imitating a large white bird.

36. Fort Victoria

Fort Victoria is a medley of small attractions, housed within a beachside fort designed for firing cannonballs at unwelcome ships in the Solent. 

There's a planetarium, a model railway, the 'Sunken Secrets Archaeology Discovery Centre' and the Isle of Wight Reptilarium and Terrapin sanctuary .

The attractions cost about £3 - £5 each.

There's also a woodland with natural trails at the site which is worth exploring. We found homemade swings and a rarely visited beach which can be reached via some steps in the woods.

37. Briddlesford Lodge Farm Tours

On 'Welly Wednesdays' during school holidays, you can take a tour of Briddlesford Lodge Farm for about £8. There are tractors and Guernsey cows, as well as some activities for kids. 

According to the blurb, the tour includes an appetising opportunity to "stop off at the silage pits to look at and smell the different varieties of silage". It's a bit like a vineyard tour where you get to sniff the bouquet of fine wines, except that it's nothing like that at all.

38. Isle of Wight Board Game CAfe

Newport is home to a board game cafe which opened in 2019. 

If you're into this sort of thing, there are lots of specialist games with hundreds of cards and funny shaped dice. Younger visitors may prefer to stick to that one where you have to climb ladders and slide down snakes. I forgot what it's called.

My advice is to let the youngest player win unless you want a tantrum in Newport town centre.

When I checked, it cost from £2 to play any game you like.

39. Parkhurst Forest or Firestone Copse

Parkhurst Forest is a good sized forest and is also a popular spot for seeing red squirrels in a specially built 'hide'. 

There aren't a huge number of child-friendly things to do, but if you're one of those parents who went hiking when your children were still in nappies then you might like it. You can read about our visit to the red squirrel hide.

Firestone Copse which is nearish to Ryde is another good-sized woodland on the Isle of Wight.

Other notable woodland on the Isle of Wight include Brighstone Forest (West Wight), Borthwood Copse (near Sandown) and America Wood (near Shanklin).

There's also a small woodland at Fort Victoria near Yarmouth which is alongside a beach so you get glimpses of ships sailing past the trees.
Picture
I can't figure out if the trees are leaning over or if my camera work was wonky

40. Isle of Sweets Craft Centre

Someone in Shanklin obviously decided that they could appeal to most of the world's children by opening a shop which offered a) sweets b) craft activities and c) wool. I do wonder if the third one should have been Super Mario, but it seems to be working out for them, with loads of 5 star reviews.

The craft activities are reasonably priced and could fill a couple of hours if it happens to rain on your 'summer' holiday. Their Facebook page has information on booking.

41. West Wight Alpacas

If a box of souvenir Isle of Wight fudge will cause Aunt Ethel's teeth to fall out then you might consider a trip to the shop at West Wight Alpacas. Just think how great she'd look down the Post Office with an alpaca scarf or shoulder bag.

Besides the shop, there is also 'The Llama Tree' pizzeria which does those fancy wood-fired pizzas. For about £8 (less for children) you can have a look round the farm or you can take an alpaca for a walk from about £20 (2020 prices).
Two alpacas on the Isle of Wight
Alpacas tucking in to some grass in Wellow

42. Tweerooms

Younger girls that are into pink things, fairies and pixies (or boys, I'm not judging), may enjoy a visit to The Old Thatch Teashop in Shanklin. It is English tweeness turned all the way up to 11 with a thatched roof, garish pink walls and a well-kept 'fairy garden'. It is right in the middle of Shanklin's olde village, which is pretty twee in itself.

Thanks to Rachel for getting in touch and recommending it.
Fairies
Catch the ferry to see fairies in Shanklin
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