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10 activities and things to do with toddlers on the Isle of Wight
Our little one was still at the gurgling and crawling stage when we first wrote this guide, so we consulted with Granny Guru (TM) to come up with a list of things to do with toddlers on an Isle of Wight holiday.
We've also got guides to Isle of Wight days out and attractions for teenagers (13 - 19) and things to do on the Isle of Wight for junior school aged children (5 - 12 year olds).
If you're planning your holiday, you might like to check out our guide to Isle of Wight holiday parks, many of which offer toddler friendly accommodation.
We've also got guides to Isle of Wight days out and attractions for teenagers (13 - 19) and things to do on the Isle of Wight for junior school aged children (5 - 12 year olds).
If you're planning your holiday, you might like to check out our guide to Isle of Wight holiday parks, many of which offer toddler friendly accommodation.
1. Outdoor Playgrounds
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Granny Guru's favourite outdoor playground is at Sandham Gardens in Sandown (PO36 8AS - on the Esplanade near Dinosaur Isle) and it might even satisfy some teenagers as well, as it's got a fair few facilities including a skate park (see our guide to activities for teenagers) a big minigolf course, a children's go-kart track (about £5), a basketball court and a play area for slightly older children. It's also got a pond with ducks and swans (subject to availability).
After you've been to Sandham Gardens, you might like to try the nearby Clubhouse cafe in Brown's Golf Course. It's nothing special from the outside but we've found it to be very toddler friendly inside with toys for little people. |
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Click on the drop down menus to read about other Isle of Wight playgrounds we've tried out:
Playgrounds in Ryde, Bembridge and East Wight
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Bembridge has a good sized and modern playground in the park on Steyne Road (PO35 5SL), along with a skate park, football pitch, basketball court and outdoor gym. It also has free parking and toilets. On our last visit, I gleefully told the man who was emptying the bins that it was "one of my top 5 Isle of Wight playgrounds" and gave him a thumbs up. He seemed pleased.
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The playgrounds at Appley (Ryde - PO33 1ND) are good, with one on the beach (see image) and a smaller, sandy one on the Esplanade. There's also a paddling pool on the Esplanade in Ryde. The only thing missing from the bigger playground is a swing, which didn't go down well with my youngest child. The views almost make up for it.
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Also in Ryde is a medium/large sized playground at Puckpool Park (PO34 5AR), which has a mix of things for toddlers and slightly older children. The same park has minigolf and a cafe. We were flummoxed by a game you can play on a giant spider climbing frame.
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Playgrounds in Ventnor, Shanklin and South Wight
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The Ventnor 'Seabreeze' playground near to the Winter Gardens and Dudley Road (PO38 1EH) isn't huge but it has a gorgeous view over the bay (read the blog). Dads will feel obliged to climb up the giant spider's net and pretend they are captain of a ship.
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Niton's playground is surprisingly big and modern, considering Niton is the Isle of Wight's equivalent of Outer Mongolia. It is hidden behind houses off Allotment Road (PO38 2DT) and is spread out so is a good one for energetic children.
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Shanklin's Big Mead is a large patch of grass, which is a little way inland (don't expect a sea view). The playground is small/medium sized. Not the newest and flashiest, but it was quiet and filled half an hour before a trip to the beach. Free parking (PO37 6RJ) and a duck pond.
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Playgrounds in Newport and Cowes
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We like the sea themed playground at Gurnard (PO31 8LE), which has a big boat in the middle with smaller things to fall off around the edges. It's not huge, but it's right by a beach where you can skim some stones to fill another 10 minutes until someone sits in the water and cries. Free parking. Cafe and toilets nearby, or there's a pub if you feel like you need a stiff drink.
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East Cowes playground (PO32 6AE) on the Esplanade is very well equipped with a zip wire, huge climbing ropes, slides and swings and it also has a big paddling pool. Unfortunately it did smell awful on the first day we visited (read the blog) and it was over-run with boisterous children and oblivious parents staring at their phones on the second visit.
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Newport's Seaclose Park (PO30 2EL) - home of the Isle of Wight Festival - has a good sized modern playground, although you might baulk at having to pay to park. There are rumours (which I just made up) that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards played on the zip wire shortly before going on stage. It gets a bit busy.
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Also in Newport is Litten Park's playground (PO30 1EL) which is modern but fairly small and good for combining with a trip to M&S opposite. Tends to be busy as it's right in the centre of town.
Northwood Park is nice and leafy, but I'd say the playground is a bit basic and a bit of a walk from the main car parks in Cowes.
Playgrounds in Freshwater and West wight
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Freshwater playground is not as new as some, but is a good size and also has an outdoor gym (in the park just off the main road - PO40 9AX). There are two halves to it, with one bit for toddlers and another bit for slightly older children.
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Brighstone playground is fairly small and not the newest, but it's a bit of a hidden gem alongside a stream in a pretty village. You can also waste a few minutes playing Pooh sticks on the little bridges. Park on the street on Wilberforce Road (PO30 4BE). If you look carefully at the photo you can see my mother dutifully scrabbling onto the main climbing frame.
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If you'd rather let your children play whilst drinking a large glass of wine (I'm not judging you), then Granny Guru recommends the pub playground at the Eight Bells in Carisbrooke (PO30 1NR). The Horse and Groom near Shalfleet also has a play area (PO30 4NW).
The Isle of Wight council provide a useful list of playgrounds.
2. Toddler-friendly beaches and swimming pools
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In our view, the most toddler friendly beaches are Sandown, Yaverland, Shanklin, Ventnor, Appley (Ryde) and Colwell (see our interactive map of Best Beaches for locations).
They all have parking, public toilets and somewhere to buy food. Sandown and Shanklin have a lot of seafront attractions, such as minigolf and amusement arcades which may appeal to slightly older children. |
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Appley makes the list because it has two playgrounds on the Esplanade, a modern paddling pool and it's also got Puckpool Park which has minigolf and gardens. The long esplanade is good for pushing toddlers along on a trike. There is also a small funfair with a carousel and other attractions for older toddlers called Peter Pan's (read the reviews here).
Four of the six had blue flags for water cleanliness, until the Isle of Wight Council decided not to cough up for the Blue Flag applications in 2015. We now recommend the free Safer Seas app as a way of checking water quality.
Shanklin and Appley were the two which didn't get Blue Flags back in 2015 - although they did have Seaside Awards, and I'm pretty sure Shanklin has the same water as Sandown next door.
If you've packed your trunks ready for a swim but you arrive to find monsoon conditions then the chlorine and plasters of a public swimming pool may be your only option. Lots of the Isle of Wight's caravan parks and hotels have their own pools but there are public swimming pools in Newport (Medina Leisure Centre) and Sandown (The Heights). Both have two pools - a larger one and a smaller one with toddler sessions at certain times, although neither have flumes. Make sure you check their timetables first as they often have school groups etc. We've tried them both recently and have found them to be decent and clean.
West Wight Swimming Pool, which runs as a charity, puts on some activities for toddlers. We also like the Waterside Pool in Ryde which only has a big pool, but welcomes toddlers and is on the seafront (and it is pretty warm too). There's also a pool at Fitness At Gurnard near Cowes which appears to be open to non-members (I've not been yet).
There aren't any currently water parks on the Isle of Wight, although some of the big holiday parks (e.g. Whitecliff Bay) have pools with flumes and water activities for children. At the time of writing, there is talk of a water park opening alongside Robin Hill.
Four of the six had blue flags for water cleanliness, until the Isle of Wight Council decided not to cough up for the Blue Flag applications in 2015. We now recommend the free Safer Seas app as a way of checking water quality.
Shanklin and Appley were the two which didn't get Blue Flags back in 2015 - although they did have Seaside Awards, and I'm pretty sure Shanklin has the same water as Sandown next door.
If you've packed your trunks ready for a swim but you arrive to find monsoon conditions then the chlorine and plasters of a public swimming pool may be your only option. Lots of the Isle of Wight's caravan parks and hotels have their own pools but there are public swimming pools in Newport (Medina Leisure Centre) and Sandown (The Heights). Both have two pools - a larger one and a smaller one with toddler sessions at certain times, although neither have flumes. Make sure you check their timetables first as they often have school groups etc. We've tried them both recently and have found them to be decent and clean.
West Wight Swimming Pool, which runs as a charity, puts on some activities for toddlers. We also like the Waterside Pool in Ryde which only has a big pool, but welcomes toddlers and is on the seafront (and it is pretty warm too). There's also a pool at Fitness At Gurnard near Cowes which appears to be open to non-members (I've not been yet).
There aren't any currently water parks on the Isle of Wight, although some of the big holiday parks (e.g. Whitecliff Bay) have pools with flumes and water activities for children. At the time of writing, there is talk of a water park opening alongside Robin Hill.
3. Blackgang Chine
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Blackgang Chine - Land of Imagination - is a kitschy mix of carbon fibre model dinosaurs and cowboys, a spooky mansion, an underwater kingdom, a crooked house, a handful of fairly small theme park rides, an exhibition about the disappearing coastline and another about traditional trades.
It quite rightly claims to be an 'Isle of Wight institution' and has been around in some form or other since the 1840s. |
Smugglers, dinosaurs and dodos at Blackgang Chine
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Older children might find it a bit tame compared to big theme parks like Alton Towers but toddlers and younger children will love it. I'd recommend it from about the age of 3 or 4 up to about 10.
It's not cheap - entry is about £25 per person aged 4 to 59 (2019 prices) and there are rarely discounts. Younger children get in free.
Read the blog about our visit to Blackgang Chine or our tips for getting good value from your ticket.
On a similar note, The Old Thatch Teashop in Shanklin (PO37 6NU) may appeal to older pre-schoolers. It's an ultra-twee thatched tearooms (a Tweerooms perhaps) with a garden full of fairies. Thanks to Rachel for getting in touch and recommending it.
It's not cheap - entry is about £25 per person aged 4 to 59 (2019 prices) and there are rarely discounts. Younger children get in free.
Read the blog about our visit to Blackgang Chine or our tips for getting good value from your ticket.
On a similar note, The Old Thatch Teashop in Shanklin (PO37 6NU) may appeal to older pre-schoolers. It's an ultra-twee thatched tearooms (a Tweerooms perhaps) with a garden full of fairies. Thanks to Rachel for getting in touch and recommending it.
4. Tapnell Farm Park
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Tapnell Farm Park offers a toddler-friendly mix of indoor play barns, a giant bouncing pillow, a petting zoo and lattes for parents. There is the usual selection of piglets, calves and goats along with wallabies and the now ubiquitous meerkats. There's also a herd of decorated cows, an adventure barn for junior school aged children and great views of the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival site and the mainland (although I wouldn't expect a parent with toddlers to have time to look up and admire a view obviously).
It's got plenty indoors, so one to consider on a rainy day. |
Indoor play at Tapnell Farm Park in the West Wight
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5. Isle of Wight Donkey SanctuaryFree parking and free entry makes the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary a fantastic value toddler friendly day out. It's obviously a charity so they do appreciate visitors making a donation or adopting a donkey (please do not take the adopted donkey home with you).
Read the blog about our visit to the Donkey Sanctuary. |
Heehaw!
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Check out our guides to Glamping and Holiday Lodges
6. Indoor Soft Play
You may not want to spend your whole holiday kneeling in a ball pool, but soft play is just about preferable to standing in the rain on a beach.
Our personal favourite is the indoor barn at Tapnell Farm Park (see #4) although it is part of an attraction in the West Wight with animals so it's more of a day or half-day out (so costs more than the others in this list, about £11). It also has a giant bouncing pillow, zip wires, go karts and playground stuff, although some bits are outdoors.
Another good soft play area is at Monkey Madness near Sandown, which opened at Amazon World Zoo Park in 2019. You pay separately to visit the soft play area (£7.50 for 4-14 year old when I checked) but it is probably the biggest one on the Isle of Wight.
A new soft play area opened at Aspire Ryde in late 2019 called Aspire Kingdom Play. Aspire is a Christian charity based in a former Church of England building which runs a number of local community activities and projects.
JR Zone in Newport (which used to be called Jolly Rogers) is reasonably large. We've not been for a while but reviews give is 3.5/5.
There is also an indoor play site called Jungle Jim's in Shanklin (2.5/5 on TripAdvisor) and there's Magic Island on Sandown Pier (3.5/5 on TripAdvisor though that's the score for the whole Pier). Both are cheap and cheerful compared to the soft play we've been to on the mainland (between £2 - £4) and are a welcome shelter if it starts raining whilst you are at the seaside.
There's a fairly small indoor play area called Monkey Mansion which is part of Gurnard Pines Holiday Village but seems to be open to the general public as well.
Our personal favourite is the indoor barn at Tapnell Farm Park (see #4) although it is part of an attraction in the West Wight with animals so it's more of a day or half-day out (so costs more than the others in this list, about £11). It also has a giant bouncing pillow, zip wires, go karts and playground stuff, although some bits are outdoors.
Another good soft play area is at Monkey Madness near Sandown, which opened at Amazon World Zoo Park in 2019. You pay separately to visit the soft play area (£7.50 for 4-14 year old when I checked) but it is probably the biggest one on the Isle of Wight.
A new soft play area opened at Aspire Ryde in late 2019 called Aspire Kingdom Play. Aspire is a Christian charity based in a former Church of England building which runs a number of local community activities and projects.
JR Zone in Newport (which used to be called Jolly Rogers) is reasonably large. We've not been for a while but reviews give is 3.5/5.
There is also an indoor play site called Jungle Jim's in Shanklin (2.5/5 on TripAdvisor) and there's Magic Island on Sandown Pier (3.5/5 on TripAdvisor though that's the score for the whole Pier). Both are cheap and cheerful compared to the soft play we've been to on the mainland (between £2 - £4) and are a welcome shelter if it starts raining whilst you are at the seaside.
There's a fairly small indoor play area called Monkey Mansion which is part of Gurnard Pines Holiday Village but seems to be open to the general public as well.
7. Ventnor, Appley and East Cowes Paddling Pools
My brother walking over the East Wight
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Ventnor Esplanade is home to a rather quaint public paddling pool in the shape of the Isle of Wight. In summer time it is full of toddlers who are either giggling at the hilarity of it all or crying because they have got their trousers wet.
Appley (Ryde) has a modern paddling pool with jets of water and watery toys to play with. It is often closed outside of peak season, but it is good when it is open (read the blog) East Cowes has a big paddling pool on its Esplanade with some free on-street parking (read the blog). |
8.Godshill Model VillageGodshill Model Village is a quaint attraction within a quaint village. It's been in the same family for the last 35 years, and they take great pride in the quality of everything from the church to the 3000 model conifers. Young children obviously need to be accompanied to make sure that you don't get home to find half a dozen residents and a lamp-post in a coat pocket. Under threes get in free.
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Yes, there is a model village within the model village
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If you're in Godshill I would also have a look at the (free) gardens at the Old Smithy which have a few odd characters which will appeal to young visitors.
9. Movies for Juniors
Newport's Cineworld
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The Isle of Wight's biggest cinema (Newport Cineworld - PO30 2TA) regularly does Saturday morning films for younger viewers, which only costs £2. Ryde Cinema (PO33 2HX) is a much more vintage day out, with three screens and regular kids films but is also very cheap (currently £4).
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10. Parkhurst and Bouldner Forests
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For a free day out, Granny Guru recommends Parkhurst Forest which has red squirrels, information boards with things to look for and plenty of bumpy tracks for walking. You may like to visit the Woodland Trust's Nature Detectives site for free activity sheets for youngsters.
Having said that, red squirrels are pretty shy and require silence before they come anywhere near humans - so toddlers may not be ideal... We found it difficult to navigate our way round Parkhurst Forest so you might want to have a read through this guide first. I don't usually include day to day 'events' in these guides as there are excellent daily guides elsewhere, but the Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust run something called Wildlife Tots once a week during term time where under 5s can run around Bouldner Forest near Yarmouth whilst their parents try not to look bothered that they are covered in mud. |
A rarely spotted red squirrel. Photo by Kate Bucci.
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11. Animal adventures
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Quarr Abbey (PO33 4ES) has some pigs you can feed (free entry, small charge for pig food).
The Isle of Wight Zoo in Sandown has improved greatly in recent years (PO36 8QB) and is now a decent day out for younger ones, as is Amazon World (PO36 0LX) and Monkey Haven (PO30 2NB). |
Isle of Wight Zoo
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They all cost about £10 for an adult but there are often deals available via our guide to discounts to Isle of Wight attractions.
Robin Hill Adventure Park and Gardens (PO30 2NU) has some enthusiastic carp that you can feed (entry about £15-£20). We took our three year old to Robin Hill and found plenty to do (adventure playgrounds etc) although I would say its core audience is junior school aged children.
Tapnell Farm Park (see #4) adopted some of the animals from Colemans Farm and Seaview Wildlife Encounter (including wallabies, meerkats, donkeys, farm animals) when they closed. The park also has a big indoor soft play area and a bouncing pillow which is a bit like a bouncy castle but without the annoying ridges.
The farm at West Wight Alpacas is free for under 4s to look round (£7.50 for adults in 2019). There's also a cafe and shop or you can pay to take an alpaca for a walk.
Read about our visits to the Isle of Wight Zoo or read our guide to Isle of Wight zoos and animal parks for more details.
Robin Hill Adventure Park and Gardens (PO30 2NU) has some enthusiastic carp that you can feed (entry about £15-£20). We took our three year old to Robin Hill and found plenty to do (adventure playgrounds etc) although I would say its core audience is junior school aged children.
Tapnell Farm Park (see #4) adopted some of the animals from Colemans Farm and Seaview Wildlife Encounter (including wallabies, meerkats, donkeys, farm animals) when they closed. The park also has a big indoor soft play area and a bouncing pillow which is a bit like a bouncy castle but without the annoying ridges.
The farm at West Wight Alpacas is free for under 4s to look round (£7.50 for adults in 2019). There's also a cafe and shop or you can pay to take an alpaca for a walk.
Read about our visits to the Isle of Wight Zoo or read our guide to Isle of Wight zoos and animal parks for more details.
12. Isle of Wight Steam Railway
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If your toddler spends hours running around the lounge say 'choo-choo' then they may enjoy the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. As well as the hour long train ride, there's a woodland walk and a play area (not huge).
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All aboard the Isle of Wight Steam Railway
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13. Robin Hill Country Park
I used to tell people that Robin Hill (also mentioned earlier) is only really suitable for children aged about 4 or 5 upwards, but after visiting with my 3 1/2 year old I've changed my mind (read the blog about my 'Road to Damascus' moment).
There are various adventure playgrounds that will appeal as well as a couple of tame rides, tunnels to crawl through, fish to feed, a miniature village and a maze. More adventurous 3 year olds are also allowed on the Toboggan Run with an adult. It's also worth noting that under 4s get in free, so perhaps one to consider if your pre-schoolers are a couple of months away from their fourth birthday.
Entry for adults and children is about £20 (2019 prices). 0-3 year olds are free.
There are various adventure playgrounds that will appeal as well as a couple of tame rides, tunnels to crawl through, fish to feed, a miniature village and a maze. More adventurous 3 year olds are also allowed on the Toboggan Run with an adult. It's also worth noting that under 4s get in free, so perhaps one to consider if your pre-schoolers are a couple of months away from their fourth birthday.
Entry for adults and children is about £20 (2019 prices). 0-3 year olds are free.
14. Quarr Abbey
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Quarr Abbey (also mentioned at #11) is free and is worth an hour of your time if you are in the Fishbourne area. It's a Benedictine monastery which is mostly of interest to older visitors but there's a woodland trail which we managed with an off-road pushchair in half an hour. There are also some pigs and a coffee shop.
We kept our preschoolers away from the section of Quarr Abbey which requests silence for obvious reasons... |
The modern Quarr Abbey
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15. Isle of sweets Craft Centre
Older toddlers can waste a bit of time in the Isle of Sweets Craft Centre, which is a shop in Shanklin High Street specialising in a) sweets b) crafts and c) wool.
You can pay a few pounds to make little souvenirs and can book through their Facebook page. On our visit we painted some pottery with acrylic paints which filled an hour.
I'm not a crafty person, but those who are will be impressed with posts on their Facebook page and website which say things like "We have just had an amazing new delivery of buttons" and "we always keep up to date with new patterns and yarns".
You can pay a few pounds to make little souvenirs and can book through their Facebook page. On our visit we painted some pottery with acrylic paints which filled an hour.
I'm not a crafty person, but those who are will be impressed with posts on their Facebook page and website which say things like "We have just had an amazing new delivery of buttons" and "we always keep up to date with new patterns and yarns".
The-Isle-of-Wight-Guru-Don't-Blame-Us-Disclaimer™ The information on this website is correct, as far as we know, but please do check opening times and details with attractions directly if you are planning a long journey - and please contact us if you find anything inaccurate.
