The kid.ooo UK blog

UK family days out: soft play, adventure playgrounds, half-term and holiday ideas, family-friendly pubs and cafés from the kid.ooo community.

Golden autumn morning light over the grass in Bushy Park, one of London's best autumn parks and playgrounds

Playgrounds & soft play

Autumn leaf adventures: the best parks and playgrounds for October 2026

Autumn parks and playgrounds for October half-term 2026: 14 UK spots for leaf kicking, conker hunting and play, with ages, prices and café tips.

13 October 2026 · 6 min read

Quiet sandy beach on the Algarve coast with a few parasols, ideal for September travel with pre-schoolers

Travel with kids

Off-peak September travel with pre-schoolers: UK and Europe

Off-peak September travel with pre-schoolers: quieter UK and European breaks, from Cornwall and Norfolk to the Algarve and Copenhagen, with tips.

10 September 2026 · 7 min read

Crescent sun during a partial eclipse low over hills and clouds, what families can expect watching a solar eclipse with kids

Adventures & outdoors

Solar eclipse 12 August 2026: where to watch with kids in the UK and Spain

The solar eclipse with kids on 12 August 2026: where to watch the deep partial eclipse in the UK and totality in Spain, plus safety tips and kit.

11 August 2026 · 5 min read

Lego model of Edinburgh Castle in Miniland at Legoland Windsor, one of the most popular UK theme parks for young children

Attractions & events

UK theme parks 2026: Legoland, Paultons, Alton Towers – which suits your kids?

UK theme parks compared for families: Legoland Windsor, Paultons Park, Alton Towers and more, by age, height, price and tips for the summer holidays.

9 July 2026 · 5 min read

Bow of a yellow kayak on a calm lake with paddlers ahead, the kind of Father's Day adventures kids remember

Adventures & outdoors

Father's Day 2026 adventures: climbing, kayaking and zip lines with kids

Father's Day adventures for 2026: where to try climbing, kayaking and zip lines with kids in the UK, with ages, difficulty, safety tips and snack stops.

9 June 2026 · 5 min read

Parent cycling with a child seat over an Amsterdam canal bridge in spring, one of the easiest European city breaks with kids

Travel with kids

May half-term 2026: European city breaks with kids under 2 hours' flight

European city breaks with kids for May half-term 2026: six cities under two hours from the UK, with family attractions, stays, food and travel tips.

12 May 2026 · 7 min read

Puffin with a beak full of sand eels at its burrow on the Farne Islands, a highlight of wildlife spotting with kids

Adventures & outdoors

Spring wildlife spotting: puffins, lambs and bluebell woods

Wildlife spotting with kids this spring: where to see puffins, baby lambs and bluebell woods in the UK, with best times, distances, kit and snack stops.

9 April 2026 · 5 min read

Roast lamb with a giant Yorkshire pudding, vegetables and gravy, a classic among family-friendly Sunday roasts

Kid-friendly cafés & restaurants

Mothering Sunday 2026: family-friendly Sunday roasts

Family-friendly Sunday roasts for Mothering Sunday 2026: pubs, farm restaurants and chains with kids' menus across the UK, plus booking tips.

10 March 2026 · 5 min read

Curling stones lined up on the ice of a covered rink, a fun way to try winter sports with kids

Adventures & outdoors

Winter Olympics 2026: try curling, skiing and skating with kids in the UK

Winter sports with kids in the UK during the 2026 Winter Olympics: where to try curling, indoor skiing, ice skating and Scottish ski slopes.

10 February 2026 · 5 min read

Edinburgh Castle on its rock dusted with snow, a magical February half-term family break

Travel with kids

February half-term 2026: 12 UK breaks for families

February half-term 2026 ideas: 12 UK breaks for families, from York and Edinburgh to Cardiff, the Lakes and Northumberland, with travel and plan Bs.

13 January 2026 · 7 min read

Two toddlers climbing into a colourful ball pit at the bottom of a red slide, perfect indoor play for cold days

Playgrounds & soft play

Christmas holidays 2025: indoor fun when it's cold

Indoor play for the Christmas holidays 2025: soft play, trampoline parks, climbing walls and free museums across the UK for cold, wet winter days.

9 December 2025 · 7 min read

Victorian glasshouse glowing purple and pink at night, the magic of winter light trails for families

Attractions & events

Winter light trails 2025: the best festive illuminations for families

Winter light trails for families in 2025: festive illuminations at palaces, gardens and forests across the UK, with ages, booking tips and food.

11 November 2025 · 5 min read

Hundreds of glowing carved pumpkins at a Halloween festival, the spooky side of pumpkin patches in autumn

Kid-friendly cafés & restaurants

Pumpkin patches & farm cafés 2025

Pumpkin patches and farm cafés for October half-term 2025: 11 UK farms with pick-your-own pumpkins, play areas and kid-friendly food, plus tips.

9 October 2025 · 5 min read

Families paddling in the City Park mirror pool in front of City Hall, a highlight of Bradford with kids

Attractions & events

Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture: what to do with kids

Bradford with kids during UK City of Culture 2025: City Park fountains, free museums, Saltaire, Haworth and a steam railway, with tips by age.

9 September 2025 · 5 min read

Seafront promenade, kiosk tables and sandy beach on the Sunderland coast, a great base for late summer breaks

Travel with kids

Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 & late summer breaks across England

Late summer breaks across England during the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: family trips to Sunderland, York, Bristol, Brighton, Exeter and more.

12 August 2025 · 6 min read

Swimmers and rocks at sunset on a Devon beach, a classic summer holiday bucket list moment

Adventures & outdoors

Summer holiday bucket list: 30 adventures before September

A summer holiday bucket list for families: 30 outdoor adventures before September, with 10 UK spots, distances, difficulty, kit and snack ideas.

10 July 2025 · 5 min read

View over the pitch and stands at Wembley Stadium, a favourite among stadium tours for kids

Attractions & events

Women's Euro 2025: football days out and stadium tours for kids

Women's Euro 2025 is coming: football days out and stadium tours for kids across the UK, from Wembley and Anfield to Cardiff, Glasgow and Manchester.

10 June 2025 · 5 min read

Walkers on the wide lawns of Greenwich Park below the National Maritime Museum, one of London's best family picnic spots

Kid-friendly cafés & restaurants

Picnic season: the best family picnic spots and deli stops

The best family picnic spots for May bank holidays, from London parks to gardens and estates, plus deli stops and farm shops to fill your hamper.

13 May 2025 · 5 min read

Brighton Palace Pier seen from the sea, an easy trip for the Easter holidays by train

Travel with kids

Easter holidays 2025 by train: where kids travel cheap

Easter holidays by train in 2025: how kids travel cheap with railcards and free under-5 fares, plus six family-friendly destinations, stays and tips.

10 April 2025 · 7 min read

Fenced park playground with swings, a seesaw and a climbing frame, like many free adventure playgrounds in London

Playgrounds & soft play

Best adventure playgrounds in London: 15 free spots

The best adventure playgrounds in London are free: 15 parks and play spaces from Kensington to Hackney and Greenwich, with ages, tips and café stops.

11 March 2025 · 6 min read

Blue whale skeleton above families in Hintze Hall at the Natural History Museum, one of the best free science museums for kids

Attractions & events

Science museums for kids: free days out in London, Manchester and Edinburgh

Science museums for kids with free entry: the best February half-term days out in London, Manchester and Edinburgh, with ages, tips and lunch stops.

11 February 2025 · 5 min read

Plate of fish and chips with mushy peas, a classic choice when kids eat free at family restaurants

Kid-friendly cafés & restaurants

Kids eat free in 2025: family-friendly restaurant deals and local gems

Kids eat free in 2025: how to find family restaurant deals in January, which UK chains have good kids' menus, and how to spot great local gems.

9 January 2025 · 5 min read

Steam locomotive crossing a bridge on a crisp winter day, the setting for festive Santa experiences on heritage railways

Attractions & events

Meet Father Christmas: best grottos and Santa experiences 2024

The best Santa experiences and grottos for Christmas 2024: steam train Santa specials, farm and zoo grottos and Lapland UK, with ages and booking tips.

10 December 2024 · 5 min read

Colourful Christmas lights glowing through a misty tea room window, the cosy feel of festive cafés in winter

Kid-friendly cafés & restaurants

Christmas afternoon tea for kids & festive cafés 2024

Festive cafés and Christmas afternoon tea for kids in 2024: family-friendly tea rooms in London, York, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and booking tips.

12 November 2024 · 5 min read

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