Things to do in Cornwall with the Kids this Summer

School’s out which means weeks of family fun at the seaside in Cornwall, making memories that will last a lifetime. Aside from beach days, picnics and crabbing off the harbour wall, Cornwall is packed with things to do with the kids in the summer.

From white-knuckle thrills on land and sea, to rainy day attractions and bike trails, check out some of our top things to do in Cornwall with the kids this summer. Whether you’ve got tots or teens, there’s something for everyone.

Giant Slip and Slide, nr St Columb Major 

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. 

Go Karting, 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

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

Our go-to for rainy days, the Tide Indoor Climbing Centre, located between St Columb Major and Padstow, caters for all sorts of climbing with bouldering and rope climbing. If you’re inspired by the sport climbing athletes competing in the Paris Olympics this summer, join up for a taster session or test your skills with a free climb on the bouldering walls. 

National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow

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 

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

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. 

Eden Project, St Austell

Cornwall’s star attraction needs no introduction, but even if you’ve visited the Eden Project’s iconic biomes before, it’s worth another visit on your holiday in Cornwall. This summer you can tap into your wild side with family trails, puppet shows and interactive exhibits, or why not get your adrenaline fix on England’s longest and fastest zip wire and fly high above the biomes?

Adrenalin Quarry, Liskeard

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.)

Cycle from Coast to Coast 

While Padstow’s Camel Trail is Cornwall’s best-known family biking route, why not freewheel further afield on the Coast-to-Coast cycle trail: 11 miles of flat (ish), mostly off-road trail through a World Heritage Mining Site between Portreath and Devoran. Tick off sea views, woodland, engine houses and quarries. Rest assured, there are plenty of pit stops for tired little legs, including The Bike Barn (2 miles from Portreath), the Bike Chain Café at Bissoe and Devoran’s Old Quay Inn.  Bike hire is available at Portreath and Bissoe.

Tintagel Castle, North Cornwall 

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. 

The Isles of Scilly, from Penzance or Newquay

Did you know that 28 miles off the southwest tip of Cornwall awaits a sub-tropical archipelago of over 50 islands that you can visit on a day trip? Hop on The Scillonian ferry from Penzance or fly from Cornwall Airport Newquay to the Isles of Scilly, where you can roam along golden shores and rocky promontories, boat hop between paradise islands, and pause to refuel in tea rooms, traditional inns and seafood shacks. 

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 Stay for Memorable Days Out in Cornwall

There are still cottages and holiday homes available for summer stays in North Cornwall. Check availability in our holiday homes in Padstow or any of the surrounding villages.