National Parks, countless lakes, mountains, Beatrix Potter…are a few things among others that define the beauty of the Lake District region.

Located in the North West of England, the Lake District is a mountainous region that belongs to Cumbria county. The region hosts the highest mountain in England called Scafell Pike.

The Lake District National Park is very popular with English families and receives on average about 23 million day visits per year. Famous for its soaring peaks, calm lakes and chocolate box villages. Popular with hikers, climbers and active families, there are endless opportunities for outdoor activities here.

Due to the hilly landscape and proximity to the Atlantic, the weather in The Lake District can be very changeable, with visitors often seeing four seasons in one day!

So are you read to look at our selection of the best things to do in in The Lake District with your kids? Let’s go!


Family Friendly Places to Stay in Lake District

Family Restaurants in Lake District


1. The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway

Soak up the sights and sounds of an enchanting steam railway, admiring the beautiful countryside of The Lake District as you travel in style. This historic 3.2 mile route runs from Haverthwaite Station, which has over a dozen restored steam and diesel trains to admire, all the way to the shores of Lake Windermere.

Check out their website to buy combination tickets which include train travel plus entry to family friendly local attractions, such as Beatrix Potter World.

📍: Haverthwaite Station Nr, Ulverston LA12 8AL

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2. Sizergh Castle

Sizergh Castle is a National Trust property located near Kendal that is ideal for a family day out in the Lake District. This vast estate is a haven for wildlife and a perfect place to explore with the kids. Children will love the natural play trail featuring balance beams, a climbing wall, and den building.

📍: Sizergh, Kendal LA8 8DZ

🕐 Opening Hours: check their calendar

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Sizergh Castle - attraction in Lake District
Source: Dave Leeming / Flickr

3. Beatrix Potter World

Meet the famous author’s most-loved characters at this immersive experience that’s perfect for young children. Wander through 3D scenes from the books as you meet Peter Rabbit, Mrs Tiggy-winkle and Jemima Puddle Duck.

In addition, there’s a lovely garden, gift shop and tea room, plus lots of events throughout the year, from storytelling to Easter Egg hunts.

📍: Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere LA23 3BX

🕐 Opening Hours: Open daily 10am – 4:30pm

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Beatrix Potter World - lake district for kids
Source: Chris Dorney / Shutterstock

4. Lowther Castle & Gardens

If you are looking for kid-friendly activities in the Lake District, a visit to Lowther Castle & Gardens is perfect. Explore the Castle ruins and visit The Story of Lowther Exhibition to learn more about this historic estate. Lowther Castle is home to one of the UK’s largest adventure playgrounds, The Lost Castle, so the kids can enjoy hours of fun.

📍: Lowther, Penrith CA10 2HH

🕐 Opening Hours: daily from 10am until 4pm

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things to do in Lake District with children
Source: alh1 / flickr

5. Brockhole on Windermere

An excellent place to head to on a rainy day, the official Lake District Visitor Centre, Brockhole has free indoor play for under 4’s. Your family will also find indoor caves to clamber through, a dedicated creativity space with puzzles and colouring, an undercover climbing wall, and much more.

📍: The Lake District Visitor Centre, Windermere LA23 1LJ

🕐 Opening Hours: Open daily 10am – 6pm

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Source: Steph Fulke /  Brockhole.co.uk

6. The Puzzling Place

A visit to The Puzzling Place in Keswick is an experience you won’t forget. Prepare to be amazed as you venture into the Eyelusions Exhibition and Anti-Gravity Room. This wonderful world of optical illusion is a perfect destination for kid-friendly activities in the Lake District.

📍: Museum Square, Keswick CA12 5DZ

🕐 Opening Hours:
* during school holidays: everyday from 1oam until 5.30pm (Christmas holiday from 11am until 5pm)
* winter hours: 1st November until 20th March Tuesday to Sunday from 11am until 5pm. Closed on Monday. In January closed Monday to Friday.
* summer hours: 21st March until 31st October everyday from 11am until 5.30pm

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The Puzzling Place in Keswick - fun thing to do in Lake District
Source: The Puzzling Place

7. Theatre by the Lake

A live show is definitely a staple part of many families holidays, and a wonderful treat for the kids. The Theatre by the Lake in Keswick has indeed numerous family friendly shows throughout the year. So expect to see contemporary dance shows and musicals to educational talks about dinosaurs!

There are even more events during the school holidays, as well as a free weekly storytelling session for under 5’s.

📍: Lakeside, Lake Rd, Keswick CA12 5DJ

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8. Lakeland Maze Farm Park

Lakeland Maze Farm Park is an excellent day out in Kendal for animal lovers. Visitors can take a tractor ride tour, visit the petting areas, and explore the famous Lakeland maize mazes. There is also a soft play if the kids have any energy left after finding their way out of the mazes. 

📍: Raines Hall, Sedgwick, Kendal LA8 0JH

🕐 Opening Hours: currently CLOSED – re-open on the 29th May 2022 until 30th October 2022

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Things to Do with Children in Lake District
Source: Lakeland Maze Farm Park

9. Wray Castle

This National Trust castle on the shores of Lake Windermere differs from many other stately homes; informal and child friendly. And it’s very welcoming to families.

First, there’s a Peter Rabbit Adventure area for creative play, as well as dressing up and a ‘build your own castle’ room. Secondly, kids will love playing hide and seek as you wander through the Castle’s elaborate halls, towers and turrets, discovering hidden doors and arrow slots.

And as there are no original contents in the castle, you won’t need to worry about therm breaking anything valuable!

📍: Low Wray, Ambleside LA22 0JA

🕐 Opening Hours: Open daily 10am – 4pm

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Wray Castle - lake district for kids
Source: VisitCumbria.com

10. Lakeland Bird of Prey Centre

See fantastic birds of prey in action at the Lakeland Bird of Prey Centre on a family day out in Penrith. Take a wander in the Walled Garden to see the birds on display and then see them in action at the daily flying shows. Visitors can even fly a bird of prey themselves under guidance from the staff.

📍: Penrith CA10 2HH

🕐 Opening Hours: currently CLOSED but hopefully will reopen later in 2022

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Source: Mirko Zammarchi / Flickr

More things to do in Lake District with the kids?

11. Kids Friendly Trails in Lake District

Our number one activity has to be walking as there is so much amazing countryside to explore. Many walks are centred around the famous lakes like Windermere and Buttermere, but there are also forests, fells and picture-perfect villages to explore.  If you’re travelling with a baby, check out these 48 “miles without stiles” walks that are fully accessible for buggies. Be prepared for the weather to change quite quickly – take extra layers and waterproofs just in case!

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best things to do in Lake District
Source: Shutterstock

12. Muncaster Castle

Enjoy a historic family day out in the Lake District at Munster Castle. You and your family can take an audio tour of the castle to see its opulent rooms for yourself and learn about the fascinating history of this spectacular building. During your tour, you will learn about this haunted castle’s past residents and hear all about the 16th-century court jester that is still causing trouble in the castle hundreds of years later!

📍: Muncaster, Ravenglass CA18 1RQ 

🕐  Opening Hours

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Muncaster Castle - Things to Do with Kids in Lake District
Source: Muncaster Castle / Facebook

13. Graythwaite Estate Gardens

This 5,000 acre family estate has some beautiful formal gardens which are open to the public from April to August, offering a great day out for the family on a sunny day. Designed in 1889, they are indeed an explosion of colour and meticulous design. The estate’s woods were a favourite spot of William Wordsworth’s and also the setting for Beatrix Potter‘s tale ‘The Fairy Caravan’.

If you choose to stay in one of the estate’s luxury holiday cottages, you can explore even more of its stunning grounds with outdoor pursuits including archery, bushcraft and canoeing.

📍: Graythwaite, Ulverston LA12 8BA

🕐 Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm Monday to Saturday. Gardens open from April to August.

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Source: Graythwaite

14. The Lake District Wildlife Park

The Lake District Wildlife Park is situated in Keswick and is one of the top kids-friendly things to do in the Lake District. This vast animal park spans 24-acres and is home to over 100 species of animals. The Lake District Wildlife Park has both domestic and wild animals and hosts presentations each day so visitors can learn more about the different animals. The Wildlife Park also has an outdoor play area and indoor soft play area for kids to explore. 

📍: Bassenthwaite, Keswick CA12 4RD

🕐 Opening Hours: 10am – 4pm Monday to Sunday

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What to Do with Kids in Lake District
Source: Lake District Wildlife Park / Facebook

15. Watersports

Waterbabies will love exploring the Lake District’s ample opportunities for watersports, be it rowing, sailing, kayaking or fishing. Windermere, Coniston, Derwentwater and Ullswater all have Watersports Centres on their shores. There are indeed a lots of companies who offer day cruises too. So you can just sit back and admire the beautiful scenery.

More info on where to practise watersports in Lake District

Source: Pixabay

16. Grizedale Forest and GoApe

Enjoy some fresh air and get outdoors with the kids in the stunning surroundings of Grizedale Forest. There are many trails to follow to help you make the most of your visit and a children’s play area for the kids. If you fancy something more adventurous and have a head for heights, the GoApe Tree Top Adventure is an ideal kid-friendly activity in the Lake District to try during your visit.

📍: Go Ape, Grizedale, Ambleside LA22 0QJ

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Visit Grizedale Forest Website

Fun Things to Do in Lake District with Children
Source: GoApe

17. Leighton Hall Estate

Another beautiful country estate to visit, Leighton Hall in Carnforth has an impressive array of family-friendly activities that are sure to entertain all ages. You can for instance explore the manicured gardens, spot wildlife and carved “tree faces” on a woodland walk. Or get lost in the caterpillar maze and watch birds of prey in action with the expert falconer.

After all that fresh air, make your way to the tearoom to refuel with a delicious slice of homemade cake, while the kids explore the playground.

📍: Leighton Hall, Storrs Lane, Carnforth LA5 9ST

🕐 Opening Hours:  Open from May to September, 2pm – 5pm Tuesday to Friday and on Bank Holidays. Open on Sundays in August.

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Source: Leighton Hall / Facebook

18. Ambleside Climbing Wall

If you are looking for indoor kid-friendly activities in the Lake District, the Ambleside Climbing Wall is a perfect choice. Whether you are an experienced climber or complete novice, the whole family can have a great time scaling the climbing wall at Ambleside. After working up an appetite on the climbing wall, why not visit the Café Altitude for a well-deserved treat?

📍: 101 Lake Rd, Ambleside LA22 0DB

🕐 Opening Hours:  Open Monday to Friday 10am until 5.30pm and Saturday to Sunday 10am until 6pm

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Fun Things to Do in Lake District with Kids
Source: Ambleside Adventure

19. Treetop Trek Windermere

Finally, an award winning high ropes adventure course suitable for ages 3 and above, this is sure to be a hit with the whole family. For ages 7 and above there are two levels of high ropes courses at differing heights in the trees, so you can be as brave as you wish! Little ones can enjoy the outdoor giant bouncy nets with slides, tunnels and ball pits. Advance booking online is highly recommended to get the time slot of your choice.

📍: Brockhole, A591, Ecclerigg, Windermere LA23 1LJ

🕐 Opening Hours: 9am – 5:30pm.

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20. Upfront Puppet Theatre

A trip to the Upfront Puppet Theatre is another fantastic indoor activity for families in the Lake District. The Upfront Puppet Theatre is located near Penrith and is one of just a handful of dedicated puppet theatres in England. The entire family will be mesmerised by the puppetry productions shown at the Upfront Puppet Theatre, which will keep all ages entertained. The theatre is also home to a gallery and a café.

21. Lakes Aquarium

The Lakes Aquarium is located at Newby Bridge and is an excellent destination for a kid-friendly day out in the Lake District. Visitors to the Lakes Aquarium will see incredible wildlife from the Cumbria area and plenty of exotic species too. As well as fascinating species of fish such as piranhas, the aquarium is also home to otters, harvest mice, frogs, and axolotl. The Journey Below Lake Windermere display is an experience not to be missed and features an impressive underwater tunnel.

📍: Lakeside, Newby Bridge, Ulverston LA12 8AS

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Source: Pixabay

22. Derwent Pencil Museum

Who would have thought that a museum could be dedicated to pencils? Derwent Pencil Museum is located in Keswick and tells the story of this everyday life object. From World War 2 pencils to miniatures pencils of all colours, this museum is a fun activity with children in Lake District. You can also enjoy different workshops at the Artisan Café.

📍: Southey Works, Keswick, Cumbria, UK CA12 5NG

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A fun day out activity in Lake District with Kids
Source: Derwent Pencil Museum

23. The Old Laundry Theatre

This small charming theatre in Windermere has several family friendly plays all year round. A great way to introduce to your kids great entertainment and revisit old children’s books such as Peter Rabbit. Make sure you check the starting age for the play before booking your seats though.

📍: Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere LA23 3BX

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A entertaining fun thing to do in Lake District with Children
Source: The Old Laundry Theatre / Facebook

24. Lakeland Pony Treks

One of the things we enjoy doing when we are discovering a new destination is to check out possible horse of pony riding options. Lakeland Pony Treks is a fantastic centre for adults and children who want to be introduce to horse riding. And if you are already an experienced rider, you can also more advanced treks. Usually each lesson takes about 1 hour and children can be accompanied with an adult in their social circle.

📍: Patterdale Rd, Windermere LA23 1PA

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Source: Pixabay

25. Keswick Museum

This small museum is a perfect place to be on a rainy day in Lake District if you are visiting Keswick. The venue has two rooms with a quite a lot of interactive exhibits suitable for your children. There is also a clue trail for children so they can explore the museum with fun things to discover throughout. Definitely a little museum to visit and support on your next holiday in Lake District with the family.

📍: Station Rd, Keswick CA12 4NF

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Source: Keswick Museum / Facebook

26. Hope Park

And finally if you are looking to stay outdoor in Keswick, don’t miss out the beautiful Hope Park with pristine gardens and even picnic tables if you would like to lunch al fresco with the kids. There is also a fun mini golf where parents and children can compete to each other. And yes there is a Café available as well if you fancy a hot drink and snacks on your walk to the park.

📍: 30A Lake Rd, Keswick CA12 5DG

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An fun day out with the family in Lake District at Hope Park
Source: Hope Park Games and Cafe

CONCLUSION

I hope you have found this article very useful for your next family holiday in the Lake District. The Lake District is such a beautiful region of England with great landscapes that will keep your camera very active to make sure you have the best photos of the area. No wonder why it was elected a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2017.

Please feel free to share this article with your friends and family and we are welcoming any feedback or suggestions on more things to do in Lake District with children too.

Enjoy your holiday in the Lake District!

26 Things to Do in Lake District for Kids

1. The Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway
2. Sizergh Castle
3. Beatrix Potter World
4. Lowther Castle & Gardens
5. Brokehole on Windermere
6. The Puzzling Place
7. Theatre by the Lake
8. Lakeland Maze Farm Park
9. Wray Castle
10. Lakeland Bird of Prey Centre
11. Kids friendly Trails in Lake District
12. Muncaster Castle
13. Graythwaite Estate Gardens
14. The Lake District Wildlife Park
15. Watersports
16. Grizedale Forest & GoApe
17. Leighton Hall Estate
18. Ambleside Climbing Wall
19. Treetop Trek Windermere
20. Up Front Puppet Theatre
21. Lakes Aquarium
22. Derwent Pencil Museum
23. Old Laundry Theatre
24. Lakeland Pony Trek
25. Keswick Museum
26. Hope Park

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