Things to do in Cornwall with the Kids this Summer
Your family holiday in Padstow starts here…
School’s nearly out and Cornwall is calling. That means beach days with ice creams and crabbing, and weeks of family fun by the sea. But while beach days are at the heart of every holiday, there’s a whole world of adventures waiting beyond the buckets and spades.
Whether you’ve got fearless teens, curious kids or pre-school explorers, we’ve rounded up our favourite things to do with the kids in Cornwall this summer — all within easy reach of your Harbour Holidays cottage.
Giant Slip and Slide, nr St Columb Major
Image courtesy of Giant Slip and Slide
How about throwing yourself down a slippery 440ft chute on an inflatable ring or a bodyboard for some thrills and spills with the kids? Once you’ve exhausted yourselves doing rounds on the Giant slip and slide you can launch into a full family battle at the water pistol park.
Cycle the Camel Trail at Golden Hour
Cycle the Camel Trail with kids. Photo by Hayley Lawrence
Cornwall’s most popular cycle trail between Padstow and Bodmin gets busy on summer days – but the hungry cyclists clear off as dinner calls, making sunset the best time to ride the Camel Trail. With kids in tow, why not just cruise the flat five-mile stretch from Padstow to Wadebridge, then stop for fish and chips before freewheeling back toward the sunset?
Open Air Cinema at Lusty Glaze, Newquay
Movies on the beach at Lusty Glaze.
Just imagine the kids wide-eyed with Moana on the big screen, waves lapping the shore, popcorn in hand… From Surf’s Up to Moana 2, and Grease sing-alongs to Bridget Jones, settle in for a big-screen hit at the Open Air Cinema on Lusty Glaze Beach. Pack a picnic, bring a blankets, and brace yourself for the magic of watching a movie with your toes in the sand.
Take a Wildlife Boat Safari from Padstow
High-octane wildlife watching with Padstow Sealife Safaris.
Budding marine biologists and adventure seekers will love a high-octane nature trip that brings North Cornwall’s sea life thrillingly close. Hop aboard a rib with Padstow Sealife Safaris and skim out of the harbour in search of seals, puffins, dolphins – and even basking sharks.
Hike to Cornwall’s Highest Peaks
Peace and views from Roughtor. Photo by Hayley Lawrence.
Ditch the crowds, hit the moors and rise above the summer madness when you climb Rough Tor & Brown Willy. This five-mile loop is just the tonic for time out with your tribe, surrounded by ancient moorland, big skies, and a real sense of freedom. Pack snacks, let the kids run wild where giants once roamed, and linger on the summit for sunset.
Family Surf Sessions at Harlyn
Family Surfing at Harlyn in Cornwall. Photo courtsey of Harlyn Surf School
From wobbly first waves to triumphant high fives, surfing is Cornwall’s famous fast-track to family fun. And with gentle waves just a few miles from Padstow, Harlyn is the perfect place to get your family standing up and stoked. Harlyn Surf School offers lessons for kids aged 7+, and tailored family packages mean everyone can share the stoke.
SUP the Camel Estuary
For less adrenalin and more exploring, swap surfboards for paddleboards and hit the calm, tidal waters of the Camel Estuary – one of the most scenic spots in North Cornwall. With expert tuition and kit hire from Camel Ski School in Rock, you can glide past golden sandbanks, and team up to share the paddle work, while keeping your eyes peeled for egrets, cormorants, and silvery fish.
Forest Adventures at Cardinham Woods
Family trails at Cardinham Woods. Image courtesy of Forestry England.
When you need a break from the beach, but still want fresh air and fun, Cardinham Woods is our family go-to. Kids will love following the Stick Man trail through dappled glens and winding woodland paths – pick up an activity pack with stamps and crafts, and spot birds and mini-beasts along the way. Dogs and buggies are welcome, or you can ramp things up on the mountain bike trails. However you roam, finish up in the adventure playground and refuel in the woods café.
Go Karting, St Eval
Go Karting at St Eval
For some fast and furious fun with the family, head to St Eval Go Kart Track, where everyone over seven can put their foot down behind the wheel. Cornwall’s premier go karting centre track has a huge 1000m track with sessions split into cadets (7-11 years old) and family fun sessions (12-15 years old), so everyone can quench their need for speed. There’s even an infant track for 3-6 year-olds with simple coin-operated karts.
Coasteering, Polzeath
Photo courtesy Era Adventures
Swim, scramble and cliff jump on an exhilarating coasteering adventure that will bring you nose-to-nose with North Cornwall’s rugged shoreline. The experts at Era Adventures will take you to your limits as you swirl in plunge pools, swim into sea caves and leap off rocky ledges on an energetic adventure. All ages over 10 are welcome – and it’s up to you how high you dare to climb and take the plunge.
Tide Indoor Climbing Centre, nr Padstow
Photo courtesy of the Tide Climbing Centre
Rainy days don’t stop play in Padstow. With bouldering and top-rope climbing for all levels, Tide Indoor Climbing Centre is a great spot to burn off energy whatever the weather. Join up for a taster session or just turn up and test your skills on the bouldering walls.
National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow
Photo courtesy of The Lobster Hatchery
A trip to the National Lobster Hatchery on Padstow Quay will captivate young children, as they get to witness Cornish lobsters at different stages of their life cycle – from lobster babies to giant lobsters. It’s a pioneering and inspiring project working to boost the lobster population of Cornwall, and if you’re really taken with these crustaceans, you can adopt a lobster, name it, and track its release back into the sea.
Flowrider, nr Wadebridge
Photo courtesy of Flowrider
If you don’t fancy braving the Atlantic rollers or the surf is flat, hit the never-ending stand-up wave of Cornwall’s FlowRider at Retallack Resort. You can get to grips with riding the simulated wave by swooshing down the face on a bodyboard, before progressing to a stand-up board and practising your surfing skills. It’s a fantastic family activity (open to everyone aged 8+), whatever the weather. The resort also has an aqua park, ringo rides, wakeboarding, pedalos and paddle boarding, so you can really make a day or week of it.
Lanhydrock, Bodmin
Woodland fun at Lanhydrock.
National Trust’s Lanhydrock is an all-round family pleaser for a day out away from the beach, with something for all ages to get excited about. Visit the historic manor house, stroll through the pretty gardens, take woodland strolls, and let off steam in rolling parkland with an adventure playground and café. However, what we love the most about Lanhydrock is the web of graded mountain bike trails – from easy-going family routes and a skills track, to steep woodland paths for the experts. Don’t worry if you left your bikes at home – there’s a wide selection to hire there.
Camel Creek Family Adventure Park, nr Padstow
If the kids’ favourite day out includes white-knuckle rides and theme park attractions, make a beeline for Camel Creek Family Adventure Park on the outskirts of Padstow. Easy to get to from your holiday cottage, it’s packed with exciting rides, such as the log flume and pirate ship, as well as an indoor play area and animal encounters. You can even get unlimited access throughout the holidays with a Summer Pass.
St Michael’s Mount, Penzance
Walk in the footsteps of a legendary giant when you cross the causeway to the sea-wrapped fortress of St Michael’s Mount. Hunt for the giant’s stone heart etched in a cobbled pathway, climb to the castle turrets, explore sub-tropical gardens clinging to rocky terraces, then wait for the tide to come in and hop back to the mainland by boat.
Adrenalin Quarry, Liskeard
Photo courtesy of Adrenalin Quarry
If you’re an adventurous family, you can pack all sorts of activities into a day at Adrenalin Quarry, near Liskeard. Launch off a cliff on the zip wire, free fall on the giant swing, race around the go-karting track or try axe throwing. Then cool off in the Aqua Park, where the whole family can get wet and wild. (Note that varying age limits apply to the activities.)
Tintagel Castle, North Cornwall
Stepping into the shoes of King Arthur and his knights at Tintagel Castle.
Get swept away by the legends of King Arthur when you step across the footbridge to the 13th-century ruins of Tintagel Castle, where a mighty sculpture of the King stands sentry. Set your imaginations free as you conjure up scenes of knights on horseback, the Earl of Cornwall feasting in the great hall, and King Arthur’s magical conception. Regardless of its enthralling past, it’s also a gob-smacking location to roll out a picnic rug on the headland, spot seals and seabirds, and explore sea caves and rock pools.
Hit the Beach at One of Our 7 Bays
Cornish beaches are magical places to spend summer making memories with your family. Hit the surf, search for critters in the rock pools, dip in the tidal pools and bodysurf the whitewater.
The RNLI lifeguard service is in operation on most of Padstow’s beaches throughout the summer holidays and we have some of the best beaches in Cornwall on our doorstep, with seven bays including Harlyn, Constantine and Treyarnon.
Book a Beach Cottage for Family Days in Cornwall this Summer
Still haven’t planned summer? No problem. We still have availability at some of our holiday cottages in Padstow and North Cornwall.