50 brilliant things to do in Cornwall with kids

The best family attractions in Cornwall

Cornwall is worth the hype, the journey and the crowds. Our mostly westerly county has so much to fill a family holiday – great beaches of course but also child-friendly history, incredible scenery (both coastal and inland) and a host of attractions which are unique to the region. We’re planning a return trip to Cornwall next year so I decided to put together this list of things to do in Cornwall with kids in preparation for our visit.

Cornwall is a joy to visit in all seasons. It’s a magnet for families during the summer but spring and autumn visits are rewarded with fewer crowds, cheaper prices and changes in the scenery, food and festivals. Winter can be a challenge with wind and rain but if you happen upon a good week of dry, mild weather you can enjoy the most incredible walks along Cornwall’s coast. Winter is also appealing for the charm of cosy cottages in Cornwall’s fishing villages.

Bear in mind that some of the Cornwall attractions I’ve listed here are closed outside of the main holiday season so do check websites for up to date opening times.

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Map of things to do in Cornwall with kids

Outdoor attractions in Cornwall for families

Hit the beach

Even if the weather is less than perfect, there’s no denying that the beaches of Cornwall are incredible. And there’s a beach for every persuasion and occasion. Some popular family-friendly beaches include Fistral Beach in Newquay – great for teens, Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth – great for toddlers, and Porthminster Beach in St. Ives if you like to  have a town on your doorstep.

We loved visiting Kynance Cove on the Lizard – the kids particularly enjoyed the mad dash when the tide came in! Ensure you check tide times before visiting Kynance. At low tide, there are deep rock pools, rock stacks and caves to explore – it’s like a natural playground, but at high tide much of the beach disappears.

These are some of the big name beaches in Cornwall and they certainly pull in the crowds during the summer. There are of course plenty of quieter spots which are equally worthy of your attention. We enjoyed Kennack Sands on the Lizard – it has rock pools, safe shallow water for toddlers and there’s a dog section too.

To really get away from it all, head to the Isles of Scilly where even in August you’ll easily find a beach all to yourself.

Read my article about beach breaks across the UK

Discover your green fingers at the Eden Project

We took our kids to the Eden Project when they were aged seven and five. We spent most of the day there. I was impressed by how engaged the children were while we explored the biomes. There’s also plenty of more obvious kid-friendly attractions and entertainment during the school holidays.

The paths which wind their way through the complex are ideal for little kids who need to burn off some energy and there’s a decent play area too.

Take a Boat Trip along the Cornish coast

Embark on a boat trip along Cornwall’s coastline for a memorable family adventure. There’s a boat trip for every pastime – wildlife watching tours, pirate-themed cruises, and trips to see seals, dolphins, and other marine life.

There are of course various opportunities to take short boat trips at various Cornwall attractions – the boat trip to St Michael’s Mount when the tide is in and the “ferry” on the Helford River from Helford village to Helford Passage were two little trips our children enjoyed. They loved taking the helm and steering the boat when we were on the river.

If you make it all the way to the Isles of Scilly, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take to the sea – boats ply the waters between the islands each day.

Discover myths and legends at Tintagel Castle

Tintagel Castle is a legendary site steeped in history and folklore, making it an exciting destination for kids to explore. It’s worth reading up on the King Arthur and Merlin stories so the children can fully understand what they are walking through. I can’t wait to take one of my sons here – he’s read endless stories about King Arthur.

Set on the Cornish cliff tops, Tintagel has many highlights including the dramatic footbridge, Merlin’s cave and the bronze statue of a king.

Take in a show at the Minack Theatre

We were rather lucky on our visit to the Minack Theatre. We had perfect blue skies and a pod of dolphins literally stole the show. The setting of the Minack, hand cut from the rocky cliffs, is incredible – it’s worth visiting just to admire the fortitude of Rowena Cade, the creator and former owner.

There’s a rather steep but rewarding walk from the theatre down to Porthcurno beach via the cliffs – it’s definitely not suitable for little children (or pushchairs) but older kids will love the scramble. We spent the morning at the theatre and the afternoon at the beach – our kids spent ages playing in the stream which runs across the sand. Combining the Minack and Porthcurno is a really lovely family day out in Cornwall.

Hire bikes at Lanhydrock

For something a bit different, head to the National Trust Lanhydrock estate where you can hire a bike (balance bikes are available for little ones) and explore one of several dedicated cycling trails. I think my kids would like the dual slalom race track. If you’re visiting with toddlers, there’s a specific track for balance bikes.

Obviously, this being the National Trust, there’s also a stately home, formal gardens plus a play area and cafe.

Hire a beach hut

For a truly English seaside experience, having a little wooden hut on the beach to retire to (or shelter in) adds an extra touch of romance to a trip to the beach.

There are a few different beaches across Cornwall which have beach huts for hire, but most are privately owned and difficult to get hold of. However, the huts in Bude are owned by the council and can be rented for three, four or seven days.

Check out my article about beach huts for more information.

Visit mainland Britain’s most south westerly point

Or, my preference, its most southerly. Land’s End has turned into something of an end of the island theme park – fun for the kids undoubtedly, getting a photo with the famous sign is a highlight. But if you’d prefer a less touristy experience, head to Lizard Point for the UK’s most southerly cream team – the views are amazing.

Aside from ticking off these must-visit Cornwall destinations, both Land’s End and Lizard Point offer access to some stunning coastal walks. From Land’s End you can walk to Sennen Cove, and from Lizard Point there are several short walks which children will enjoy.

Free things to do in Cornwall with kids

Walk to St Michael’s Mount

Whilst there is a charge in the summer months to visit St Michael’s Mount (you can explore the island for free off-season), the actual walk across the causeway doesn’t carry a charge. This is a great free activity in Cornwall for kids – just make sure you check the tide times, otherwise you’ll have to pay for your return journey.

The path is accessible for around four hours each day. Otherwise, St Michael’s Mount is a sight to behold if you decide to admire it from Marazion Beach – whilst crafting your own castle in the sand perhaps.

Explore the ruins of Wheal Coates Tin Mine

It’s worth paying to visit Geevor Tin Mine Museum (there is an entry charge) to fully understand Cornwall’s mining heritage. However, a walk along the South West Coastal Path to the ruins of Wheal Coates Tin Mine is a good introduction. There’s a charge for the National Trust car park but the one mile circular walk is free. The trail takes you through fields of heather with fantastic ocean views, kids will enjoy exploring the remains of the mine and looking down the mine shaft to the sea below.

Explore ancient landscapes on Bodmin Moor

If your children are studying ancient history at school, you can look for Bronze Age hut circles and a Neolithic tor enclosure at Bodmin Moor. Roughtor – Cornwall’s highest point at 400 metres – is a great spot for far reaching views of this remote landscape.

Walk the South West Coastal Path

You don’t need to walk the whole 630 miles of the path (it winds its way through neighbouring counties Devon, Somerset and Dorset too). The South West Coastal Path website highlights which walks are accessible to pushchairs and suggests walks on the north and south coasts which kids will enjoy such as the Boscastle and Pentargon waterfall trail or the Pendennis Castle hike.

Visit Truro Cathedral

Truro Cathedral is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture and is free to enter for visitors. Admire the stunning stained glass windows, intricate carvings, and peaceful atmosphere.

Explore some of Cornwall’s fishing villages

No matter which area of Cornwall you base yourself in, you’re never far from a quaint fishing village – some are more touristy than others. Port Isaac is popular as the filming location of Doc Martin. Padstow is famous for its celebrity chefs (although my sons and I want to visit it after reading the Laura Marlin mysteries).

We enjoyed visiting the coastal villages on the Lizard Peninsula during our family trip to Cornwall – Coverack and Cadgwith Cove were both really pretty.

Things to do with teenagers in Cornwall

Go Surfing or Bodyboarding

Cornwall is a mecca for surfers of all ages, and there are plenty of surf schools offering lessons for families. Head to surf-friendly beaches like Fistral Beach or Polzeath and let the kids catch some waves or try bodyboarding. I’m determined to get my boys standing up on boards this summer!

Cycle the Camel Trail

This is top of the list for our next family trip to Cornwall. Running 18 miles from Padstow to Wenfordbridge, this disused railway line offers predominantly traffic-free cycling through beautiful Cornish landscapes. There are plenty of handy pitstops along the route and bikes can be hired at various points if you don’t fancy tackling the whole trail.

Try coasteering

This combination of swimming, climbing, and cliff jumping along the rugged coastline of Cornwall isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But thrill seekers will love the exhilaration of exploring the Cornish coast from this wet and wild perspective. There are several adventure outfits offering coasteering experiences.

 Try outdoor rock climbing

There are some incredible cliff climbing opportunities in Cornwall, most in the west of the county. Inland, there’s climbing on the rocks at Bodmin Moor. Guided climbing sessions and courses are available for all skill levels, some of the companies who offer coasteering also do rocking climbing sessions.

Appreciate art in St Ives

This isn’t every child’s idea of a fun family day out in Cornwall – one of my sons would enjoy it and the other one would run a mile. But if you do have children with an interest in art, visiting some of the art galleries in St Ives is a great way to learn more about contemporary British art.

Tate St Ives has family-friendly activities during the school holidays. The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden is a good option for younger children as the sculpture garden is a freer experience than the indoor exhibitions.

If you enjoy outdoor art, check out my guide to the best sculpture parks and gardens across the UK.

Try sea kayaking or paddle boarding

We enjoyed a tranquil afternoon paddle boarding and kayaking on the Helford River during our trip to Cornwall. This is a particularly lovely area of Cornwall and ideal for kids as the water is obviously much calmer than the open sea.

Falmouth is another good spot for paddling as the water tends to be flat. However, if you fancy more of a challenge, there are sea kayaking outfits all along the Cornish coast.

Read my article about UK adventure holidays for more ideas of active holidays close to home.

Expend some adrenalin

Most of the disused quarries near me have been turned into nature reserves. If that sounds a bit too peaceful, Adrenalin Quarry might be more up your street. Here, kids can whizz down zipwires, go on giant swings, and splash around the aquapark.

Rainy day activities in Cornwall for families

Explore the Lost Gardens of Heligan

The Lost Gardens of Heligan is a magical garden paradise with winding paths, secret gardens, and playful sculptures to discover. Kids can explore the jungle-like environment, visit the farm animals, and enjoy the adventure playground.

Visit the National Maritime Museum Cornwall

Located in Falmouth, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall offers interactive exhibits and activities that are both educational and entertaining for kids. I’m sure my children would love learning about Cornwall’s maritime history and exploring the boat collection. There are plenty of hands-on activities too.

Marvel at giant whale bones in Cotehele House

At the National Trust’s Cotehele House in eastern Cornwall, you can walk through the jaws (they frame a doorway) of a giant whale. Estimated to come from a creature in the region of 18 metres long, these massive bones are an impressive sight.

Cotehele is a Tudor house with medieval origins. You can learn about the estate’s medieval origins, explore the gardens and visit the Victorian water mill.

Find out more about Cotehele

Meet the animals at Newquay Zoo

If surfing’s not your thing, Newquay Zoo is home to a variety of animals from around the world, including lions, lemurs, and penguins – the bouncing lemurs are always my favourite. Kids can enjoy feeding sessions, animal encounters, and play areas throughout the zoo.

Ride the Bodmin & Wenford Railway

Perfect for a rainy day activity in Cornwall, take a steam train ride through the picturesque Cornish countryside aboard the Bodmin & Wenford Railway. Kids will love the vintage carriages, scenic views, and special events like Thomas the Tank Engine days.

Enjoy a day out at Flambards

We had such brilliant weather during our visit to the Lizard so we couldn’t tear ourselves away from the beaches. However, my brother takes his daughter to Flambards on all their visits to this part of Cornwall. They love the old fashioned feel of this local theme park.

Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro

Tracing the history of Cornwall from the Stone Age to the present day, the Royal Cornwall Museum is a great way for kids to understand that there’s much more to Cornwall than its beaches. There are family trails, an interactive nature gallery as well as temporary attractions during school holidays.

Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay

Newquay’s aquarium is home to local sea life and creatures from other parts of the world. Highlights include turtles, sharks and beautiful lionfish. There’s a tunnel through the main ocean tank so visitors can get a close look at all the creatures.

Find out more about the Blue Reef Aquarium

Shipwreck Treasure Museum in Charlestown

This museum on the south coast is a brilliant rainy day out in Cornwall for families. There are artefacts taken from over 150 shipwrecks, from cannon balls to coins. Budding pirates will be in their element at the Shipwreck Treasure Museum.

Lock the kids up in Bodmin Jail

Bodmin Jail takes visitors back in time to learn about Cornwall’s maritime history and infamous criminals. I know my kids would love exploring the recreated 19^th century cells, although the Victorian hanging pit might be a bit much for me.

Go shopping

Whether  you fancy browsing the art galleries of St Ives, the antique shops of Lostwithiel, or the teens persuade you to do some clothes shopping in Truro or Newquay, you’ll not run out of shopping destinations in Cornwall.

Par Market in St Austell has a huge array of market stalls and eateries under one roof, as well as a big soft play area next door. Lemon Street Market in Truro is also worth a visit with plenty of independent shops to explore.

Book your kids onto a cookery course

If you want your children to learn a new skill in Cornwall (other than how to stand up on a surfboard), you could book them onto a cookery course where they’ll learn how to fillet a fish. Or, if you’d like them to really get back to basics, you could send them off to forage for local Cornish produce with a foraging course.

Go swimming (indoors!)

If you don’t fancy swimming in the rain, there are some decent indoor swimming pools – Newquay’s Leisure World has a tropical-themed pool with flumes and slides as well as a trampoline park.     

Go indoor climbing

If it’s too breezy to climb outdoors on the Cornish cliffs, there are several climbing walls across Cornwall including Tide Climbing near Wadebridge where kids can learn basic climbing skills and tackle climbing walls of varying difficulty levels.

Learn about Cornwall’s mining heritage

Discover the mining heritage of Cornwall by visiting attractions like the Geevor Tin Mine Museum and the Levant Mine and Beam Engine. Guided tours and interactive exhibits provide insight into Cornwall’s industrial past.

Visit Henry VIII’s seaside castle

I hadn’t realised Henry VIII’s castle building had stretched as far as Cornwall. Built during the 16th century as part of the king’s defences against France, Pendennis Castle is a brilliant day out in Cornwall for families.

Situated on a hilltop overlooking the estuary at Falmouth, Pendennis has interactive exhibits for kids as well as the usual castle highlights – gun rooms, narrow stone stairways and even a castle-themed soft play area.

Find out more about Pendennis Castle

Things to do in Cornwall with toddlers

Meet the animals at Dairyland Farm World

This family friendly farm near Newquay is perfect for toddlers – they can meet farm animals, enjoy tractor rides, and play at indoor and outdoor play areas.

Find out more about Dairyland Farm World

Eat ice cream at Roskilly Farm

Roskilly’s dairy farm is a great place to visit in Cornwall with kids. Entry is free and you just pay for ice cream and oh, is the ice cream good!

Visitors are free to go for walks around the farm – there are various trails to follow. As well as the cows, there’s also pigs, sheep, turkeys and chickens. Kids can buy bags of food to feed some of the animals.

Find out more about Roskilly Farm

Explore Golitha Falls Nature Reserve

If you’re cursing the heavy rain during your precious summer holiday, you’ll be pleased to hear that Golitha Falls on the River Fowey near Liskeard is better after a downpour. The main trail – about a mile long – is perfect for children who fancy a little adventure.

My kids always run along riverside trails – there’s something about the proximity of water which gives them more energy. There are sections of the Fowey which are perfect for paddling and lots of rocks and steps to keep the kids engaged.

Adopt a lobster in Padstow

Little children will enjoy a visit to the National Lobster Hatchery where they can observe baby lobsters and other marine creatures in the nursery tanks. This marine conservation charity is a great rainy day attraction in Cornwall for toddlers.

Visit the Cornish Seal Sanctuary

We had planned to visit this family friendly Cornwall attraction when we stayed nearby but the weather was so good we couldn’t leave the beaches. However, next time we’re passing Gweek, we’d love to visit the seal pups and learn about their rehabilitation.

Find out more about the Cornish Seal Sanctuary

Enjoy a miniature train ride near Newquay

Lappa Valley near Newquay is a great day out in Cornwall for families with little children. As well as miniature steam train rides through the countryside, there’s also an adventure golf course, boating lake and a soft play area plus outdoor play spaces too.

Take a walk in the woods at Tehidy Country Park

This stretch of ancient woodland with lakes and streams is a good alternative walking destination for families if it’s too windy at the coast. There are walking trails of various lengths and reputedly there are some very friendly squirrels. There are several car parks or you can walk here from Portreath if you fancy a longer trail.

Find out more about Tehidy Country Park

Wildlife watching in Cornwall

While it will take a bit of patience and a certain amount of luck to spot some of the more exciting creatures which inhabit the waters surrounding Cornwall, there are quite a few animals which are easy to find if you know where to look.

Puffins nest off the coast of North Cornwall and there are boat trips available from Padstow to view these unique and entertaining birds. Even if you’re not much of a twitcher, you can’t help but be charmed by these characterful seabirds.

While on the water, boat trippers may be lucky enough to see dolphins, seals and – this would be great – basking sharks.

Unusual things to do in Cornwall with kids

Appreciate outdoor art in a truly stunning location

Not only is this one of the best free things to do in Cornwall, it’s also one of Cornwall’s loveliest hidden gems. Tucked away 10 minutes walk from the fishing village of Coverack is a series of sculptures by the artist Terence Coventry. The mostly figurative sculptures are placed across several fields close to the South West Coastal Path.

Outdoor sculpture is a great way to engage young minds with art – it’s much easier to enjoy than art in a traditional gallery setting.

There are outdoor sculpture parks all over the UK – take a look at my article about outdoor art for more locations.

Take your budding witches and wizards to Boscastle

If you have (older) Harry Potter fans in your family, I’d imagine the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic will be a real hit. Located in the harbour town of Boscastle on the north coast of Cornwall, this spooky museum contains over 3,000 artefacts relating to magic, the occult and witchcraft. One for the more mature Potter fan I think.

Davidstow Airfield and Cornwall at War Museum

This modest military museum is located close to Camelford in North Cornwall. I say modest in the sense that is not vast and well known but it is nevertheless packed with thousands of artefacts, predominantly relating to the part Cornwall played in World War II, although other conflicts are covered.

The museum is a good rainy day attraction in Cornwall as most of the exhibits are undercover. Visitors can explore the museum independently or undertake one of the weekly guided tours (pre-booking essential).

Find out more about Davidstow Airfield and Cornwall at War Museum

Channel your inner Daphne du Maurier

I know, this isn’t exactly a child-friendly pursuit but you’ll be visiting relatively child-friendly places in the process. I rather like du Maurier’s novels – the creepiness of Rebecca and Jamaica Inn, the pirate escapades of Frenchman’s Creek. Head to Jamaica Inn for dinner on a stormy night, a trip along the Helford River on serene summer’s day or wander through the gardens of one of the National Trust properties to get yourself in the du Maurier mindset.

Transport yourself to the tropics at Trebah Gardens

Complete with a rhododendron valley (maybe this ticks the box for du Maurier’s Rebecca?), this magical garden hideaway near Falmouth has a bamboo maze, giant ferns and lush “elephant’s rhubarb” – this is the kind of place children will delight in exploring.

There’s even a private beach at Trebah, ideal for a peaceful dip in the Cornish sea.

Find out more about Trebah Gardens

Stay on a car-free island

Well, mostly car-free. Cornwall’s Isles of Scilly offer a holiday experience of yesteryear where visitors are forced to slow down – literally. We explored the Scillies by bike and by boat (my parents explored by golf buggy). Residents of the main isle – St Mary – have vehicles but holiday makers have to arrive as foot passengers on the ferry or travel by air.

To really get away from it all, stay on one of the four “off isles” which only have a few vehicles. We loved walking across the island of St Martin to the stunning beach at Great Bay, deserted even in August.

Read more about the Isles of Scilly in my guide to visiting the Scillies or check out what there is to do in the Scilly Isles for families.

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What are your favourite things to do in Cornwall with kids? Let me know in the comments below.