Schools Out: Things to do with the kids in Liverpool
We all know what it can be like trying to keep the kids entertained when there's so much available on their screens. So, if you're in Liverpool, we wanted to give you some options of ways to get them out of the house!
Last updated: 25th Jul 2022
Originally published: 22nd Jul 2022
The Merseyside is a fantastic place full of amazing characters and things to do, and with the school holidays approaching, and the shout of 'I'm bored' from the kids on the horizon, what better time to take advantage of the all the scousers have on offer.
Whether interactive science exhibits, water obstacle courses on the seafront, or tours of one of the great homes of football, there are so many things to do with the kids in Liverpool. So start scrolling and prepare yourself for some of the best family days out that the Liverpudlians provide!
Stimulate their minds at Imagine That!
Image: Imagine That! on Facebook
When: 9:30am - 5:15pm Every day
Where: 26-32 Faraday Rd, Liverpool L13 1EH
Here's one of the most fun things Liverpool has to offer the little uns'. With a whole host of interactive fun science experiments that will spark fascination in their growing minds, Imagine That is the place to take them for the perfect mix of education and laughs. They can journey through all four zones on offer in the centre: The Imagination Village, Artbeatz Art Zone, Bright Sparks Science Zone and Slime Factory. Every zone offers a new exciting experience for them and we can guarantee they're going to love it.
Image: Spring City on Facebook
When: Opening times vary check their website for details
Where: 1 & 2, Glacier Buildings Harrington Road Liverpool, L3 4ED
The energy of children is unparalleled, and Spring City is one of those that'll get them moving and also result in a quiet night for you (we can guarantee they'll be kipping all the way home after this workout). They'll have the time of their lives jumping a flipping around here and you can watch their smiles as they shout over to you to watch them do the trick they learnt only minutes before. Plus, (if you've got the stamina in your old age) you can join in all the laughs too. So get them down here and have a bounce around!
Find tickets for events at Spring City - here
Walk the plank at Lock and Quay's Pirate festival
When: Saturday 13th August 2022
Where: Lock & Quay, 2 Irlam Road, Bootle, L20 4AH
Ahoy there, if you are the kids are after a swashbuckling adventure of the Jack Sparrow variety, then you just have to get them down to the Lock & Quays Pirate festival. With a range of nautical-themed activities for them to sink their swords into it promises to be a great day of pirate fun. They'll be competing on their fancy dress (those with a shoulder parrot will be prioritised in the rankings), test out their ability to navigate the waves on a canoe (they ain't old enough for a proper ship, not yet anyway), and an unlucky few will be asked to Walk the Plank...
Alongside the festivities, you'll be treated to some shanty-esque tunes by both The Old Time Sailors and Xander and the Peace Pirates, and you and the kids can dance around the bounty and head home with a beaming smile, one of the most fun things to do in Liverpool with the kids this summer!
Find tickets for the Pirate festival - here
Walk amongst sporting heroes at the Anfield Tour
Image: Liverpool FC on Facebook
When: book tickets online
Where: Anfield Rd, Anfield, Liverpool L4 0TH
Is your kid a bit football mad, do they think they can make it alongside Jurgen, Salah, and Co.? Well, whether they're a super fan of the club, or just a fan of football in general, the tour of the scouse mecca, otherwise known as Anfield, will be right up their alley. The history of the football club is explored, from Shankly to Gerrard, and you'll get the chance to see the spectacle of the stadium with your own eyes. The only thing better is to get down to an actual matchday and experience the kop in all its glory. A great day out for any fan of football; we highly recommend visiting.
Find tickets for events at Anfield - here
Boogy with all generations at Summer Family Fun
When: Saturday 13th August 2022
Where: The Sandon Complex, 166_182 Oakfield Road, Walton, Liverpool, L4 0UH
There are few better days out with the kids than at a good old-fashioned British fun fair, and The Summer Family Fun day at The Sandon Complex offers all the classic festivities for all the family. The kids can laugh their socks off to the on-site clown, who is bound to bring balloon tricks and fun little games for them; they can test out their singing chop at the kid's karaoke, and you can see if you've got the next Adele or Ed Sheeran on your hands; you can also get them tickets to the raffle, and watch as they go up and pick out the toys instead of the nice looking bottle of bubbly (why oh why do we let then choose their own prizes.)
When looking for things to do with the kids in Liverpool, the Summer Family Fun Fair promises to provide everything you remember it to be and give the kids a slice of British culture.
Find tickets for Summer Family Fun - here
Feed the animals at Farmer Teds Adventure Farm
Image: Farmer Teds Adventure Farm on Facebook
When: 10am - 5:30pm Every day
Where: Worrall House Farm Larder, Flatman's Ln, Ormskirk L39 7HW
Who thought a farm could have so much to do? Well, any visit to Farmer Teds will pull out your expectations and plant a seed of enthusiasm in everyone that steps onto its fields. From the typical interactions with the animals, from grooming horses to live cow miking; to getting lost in their Maize Maze, which is bigger than 8 football pitches; to the brand new Shaun the Sheep adventure where you can meet the cracking duo, create masks of them, and maybe even get some of that moon cheese they love. Whatever their interests, they'll have a great time and Farmer Teds is one of the best things to do with the kids in Liverpool.
Start them raving young at 4 Ever Young Rooftop Party
When: Tuesday 2nd August 2022
Where: Garden of Eden, Shankly Hotel, Millennium House, 60 Victoria Street, Liverpool, L1 6JD
Are your little uns' partial to a proper boogie? Well then let them team up with some like-minded future ravers at the Garden of Eden at Shankly Hotel this summer for the 4 Ever Young rooftop party. The event for 10-14-year-olds is for kids and by kids, with the main DJ being just a few years older than the crowd. So whilst the booze will most definitely not be flying around the soft drinks and mocktails will be providing the sugar rush they need to dance the night away and, with several successful events already held, it promises to be a top night for all involved.
Find tickets for 4 Ever Young Rooftop Party - here
Get soaked and slide around Wild Shore
Image: Wild Shore on Facebook
When: 9am - 5pm Monday to Saturday, 10am - 4pm on Sundays
Where: Gower St Dukes Dock, Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AD
Are your kid's sticklers for the wet and wild? Is the garden paddling pool not quite cutting it for them? Well then get them on to Wild Shore in Liverpool Docks for the water adventure they've been craving (and the chance to push them off something without consequence that you've been craving.) The blow-up obstacle course has quickly become one of the best things to do in Liverpool, especially with the kids. Watch as the whole family struggle to get up the slippery slopes, and laugh as they slip and fall into the depths of the docks. A proper good time for the whole family!
Get face to face with the animals at Knowsley Safari Park
Image: Knowsley Safari Park on Facebook
When: 10am - 6pm Every day
Where: Knowsley Safari Park, Prescot, L34 4AN
Ever wanted to get up close and personal with some of the most incredible animals on the planet, well Knowsley Safari Park allows you to do just that. You can experience what it's like to have just a screen between you and a tiger, get splashed by the sea lions, or, most famously, get your windscreen wipers knicked by some cheeky monkeys on their safari trail. The kids will love it, and the park is a right of passage for any kid in the northwest (I don't know anyone who doesn't have a story about the monkeys doing something to their car). But don't let these stories scare you, the kids will have a riotous time laughing as it unfolds and it's just one of the best days out Liverpool has to offer.
Find tickets for events at Knowsley Safari Park - here
Let the Little uns' loose at Bubbles World of Play
Image: Bubbles World of Play on Facebook
When: 9:30am - 6pm Every day
Where: Marine Point, King's Parade, New Brighton, Wallasey CH45 2HZ
If your little uns' are really little, then there are few safer bets for them to have a good time than a creche play area, and Liverpool has one of the best around with Bubbles World of Play. The largest indoor play area in the UK, the site provides a fun and educational approach to entertaining children, with many geographically themed areas to the Creche, from Sydney to Italy to India, they won't even realise that their learning due to the fun being had. If you're looking for an afternoon off from the youngins then look no further.
Go for a dip when the suns out at Formby Beach
Image: Scouse scene on Facebook
When: All the time (we'd recommend waiting for the sun though)
Where: Victoria Rd, Formby, Liverpool L37 1LJ
When the sun's out, few family activities beat going to the seaside, and Liverpool has few options better than Formby beach. Whilst you may have to fend off other punters for a good spot, when you get here you'll be able to build sandcastles, wrestle waves and play all the sand-filled games you could want. With Fish and Chips and Ice Cream aplenty Formby has everything you could want for a classic British beach adventure, all without having to travel too far from home, what could be better?
Spark their minds at the World Museum
Image: World Museum on Facebook
When: 10am - 6pm Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays
Where: William Brown St, Liverpool L3 8EN
Now if you're after something educational when looking for things to do with the kids in Liverpool, then the world museum will provide everything and more. From the sea to the stars, a visit to World Museum reveals millions of years of the Earth’s history through thousands of exhibits and hands-on activities.
From an array of tropical fishes and other creatures of the sea to the wonders of space in their planetarium, your little uns' can ponder the world they live in and its incredible history here. And who knows, you may even learn thing or two yourself!
Find tickets for events at World Museum - here
Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.
