On my daughter’s first go to to Liverpool, she had eyes just for Thomas the Tank Engine – quick ahead a number of years, she’s found the Beatles and a return journey is on the playing cards (although evidently, that’s solely one of many points of interest in Liverpool with children).
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Regardless of rising up solely an hour or so from Liverpool, it’s a metropolis I didn’t begin exploring till I left residence, when one in every of my finest associates moved there – and every time I’m going again, the thrill and ambiance makes me suppose I ought to do it extra typically.
From some unbelievable museums to the good waterfront space, hundreds for followers of music and soccer, plus extra enjoyable household points of interest, I’ve picked a number of the prime issues to do in Liverpool with children that will help you plan your individual journey.
Albert Dock
The regenerated docks are an ideal place to start out your loved ones metropolis break in Liverpool – residence to a number of of the points of interest listed beneath, there are all the time loads of household actions happening as properly.
Opened in 1846, the docks have been being utilized by fewer and fewer ships within the twentieth century, which noticed the warehouses shutting too – the whole lot formally closed within the 70s, till redevelopment began to rework it into the Albert Dock you may see at this time.
Hop on the Victorian carousel earlier than strolling alongside the waterfront, previous bars, eating places and accommodations, in addition to trying out a number of the museums and The Beatles Story.
There are occasions galore too, with the whole lot from journey trails to actions, even circus methods throughout a number of the faculty holidays. There’s a light-weight path too at Christmas.
Learn extra about my go to to Albert Dock with children – sadly Mattel Play didn’t survive the pandemic and closed in 2020
The Beatles Story
Most individuals know that Liverpool was the birthplace of one of many best bands of all time, the Beatles.
And the town can be now residence to the world’s largest everlasting exhibition telling the story of the lives and occasions of the Fab 4, set on Albert Dock.
At The Beatles Story, you may browse the in depth assortment of memorabilia, together with devices, unique music lyrics and even John Lennon’s glasses, excellent for music followers of all ages.
Youthful children will love the Beatles Story’s Discovery Zone, an interactive zone for teenagers to study in regards to the iconic group, together with an enormous flooring piano and karaoke. You by no means know, it’d even encourage a future musician.
It’s price figuring out there’s additionally a second museum themed across the Fab 4, the Liverpool Beatles Museum, beforehand referred to as the Magical Beatles Museum, round a 15-minute stroll away
Try the Liverpool Go which incorporates entrance to a string of points of interest, equivalent to The Beatles Story and the British Music Expertise
The British Music Expertise
In case your children love music, there’s greater than The Beatles to find in Liverpool – the British Music Expertise has costumes, devices and memorabilia from a string of stars throughout six many years.
From Bowie to Oasis and Adele (OK, and The Beatles), you may hint the historical past of British music from post-war jazz on by means of eight completely different zones, with 600 completely different items within the assortment.
There’s additionally an opportunity to see snippets of iconic performances in addition to to study to play some devices your self and non permanent exhibitions.
Not the very best attraction in Liverpool for toddlers admittedly, however it gained’t simply be teenagers who take pleasure in this.
Get a reduction on tickets for those who e-book through the Tiqets web site utilizing my code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Liverpool World Museum
First opened in 1853, the World Museum is the oldest museum in Liverpool and is assured to be successful with adults and kids of all ages – excellent too for those who’re searching for free issues to do in Liverpool with children.
The fascinating collections and shows span life sciences, earth sciences, and human tradition, so you possibly can come head to head with life-size dinosaur skeletons, stand up near creepy crawlies within the Bug Home, and study all in regards to the world of Historical Egypt.
There’s an aquarium and planetarium, in addition to spectacular Greek, Roman and Anglo-Saxon collections. Preserve an eye fixed out for the common non permanent exhibitions, equivalent to one on Physician Who in 2022.
The museum cafe has a kids’s menu, whereas a picnic space can be obtainable for households. And for those who’re visiting with infants or toddlers, there’s buggy parking obtainable within the cloakroom.
Museum of Liverpool
The Museum of Liverpool was the world’s very first museum devoted to the town it’s primarily based in. Voted the winner of the Household Pleasant Museum Awards in 2019, it’s additionally one other must-visit in Liverpool with children.
Households can discover 10,000 years of Liverpool’s historical past, with a number of objects displayed low down for younger guests to see.
You can too observe the Liver Chicken path to see what number of birds yow will discover across the museum, in addition to visiting Little Liverpool, a hands-on fantasy world for kids below six (entry is free however you want to pre-book a time).
Whenever you enter the museum, don’t overlook to select up a free ‘Once I was little’ exercise pack that’s specifically designed for kids aged 3 to 7 and their grandparents or older relations visiting collectively.
Merseyside Maritime Museum
One other of the string of points of interest on Royal Albert Dock, the Merseyside Maritime Museum is the proper place to delve into the town’s wealthy maritime historical past.
Children will love exploring the mannequin ships and studying what it takes to be a sailor within the interactive Life on Board exhibit, or the harmful world of smuggling.
You can too see objects salvaged from shipwrecks and uncover the tales of tens of millions of people that left Liverpool for the New World, in addition to the town’s central position within the Titanic story
Remember to choose up the ‘The place’s Matt?’ path information for a enjoyable option to hold youthful children engaged as you discover – hold an eye fixed out for the little cartoon character who’s hidden across the museum and tackle the quiz as you wander previous the shows.
TATE Liverpool
One of many few branches of the Tate outdoors London, Tate Liverpool is the town’s largest free artwork gallery and museum, with an enormous assortment of British and worldwide artwork from the sixteenth century to the current day.
And the gallery is a good place to go to on a household day trip in Liverpool, with loads of enjoyable actions for teenagers of all ages.
There are common workshops and family-friendly classes, plus path maps to maintain youthful guests whereas exploring the in depth collections, and inspiration for family-friendly video games to play across the museum on the TATE’s web site.
The Walker Artwork Gallery
When you’re visiting Liverpool with children who love artwork, there’s a second tempting possibility for those who’re searching for nice free artwork galleries on the Walker Artwork Gallery, which even has its personal devoted kids’s gallery.
Large Artwork within the Gallery is aimed toward children aged as much as 5 years previous, with a number of interactive enjoyable – the whole lot from costumes and toys to books, video games, work, sculptures and extra. There’s even one thing for the youngest guests, in addition to common altering craft themes so you may head again aain and once more.
There are free timed slots all through the day, and no prebooking is required, simply choose up a ticket whenever you arrive for the classes which run between 10.15am and 4.45pm.
There’s additionally a brand new digital path telling a number of the tales behind works within the gallery’s assortment, so children can uncover inspirations behind the work in addition to listening to from the artists too.
Soccer Stadium Tour
As a metropolis that’s famously residence to 2 Premier League groups, soccer followers can’t miss the chance to go to one in every of Liverpool’s iconic stadiums.
Only a brief distance away from one another within the north of the town, you’ll discover Anfield, residence to Liverpool soccer membership., and Goodison Park, the house floor of Everton F.C.
On non-match days, you may go to both stadium on a particular guided tour. You’ll get to step contained in the gamers’ altering rooms, see the luxurious hospitality bins, stroll down the Gamers’ Tunnel, and even take a household photograph with the groups’ trophies.
Whether or not you’re crew blue or crimson – or but undecided – for teenagers who love soccer, a stadium tour is unmissable.
Eureka! Science + Discovery
The thrilling new sister attraction to Eureka! The Nationwide Kids’s Museum in Halifax opened in Liverpool in 2022.
Simply throughout the Mersey from the town itself, set in Seacombe, Eureka! Science + Discovery is aimed toward children aged as much as 14, with the give attention to studying about STEAM (science, expertise, engineering, the humanities, and arithmetic) by means of play.
The means limitless probabilities to get fingers on, as children uncover the whole lot from how the physique works to what makes a house and locations the place you’re inspired to get inventive your self and make one thing new.
The Burrow exploration zone for age 0-7 opens in 2023, together with a restaurant.
Think about That! Science and Discovery Centre
Think about That! Science and Discovery Centre is a unbelievable museum in Liverpool for teenagers aged as much as 10, with loads of interactive enjoyable.
The family-friendly Liverpool museum has 4 thrilling themed zones; science, artwork, development, and creativeness, all full of reveals.
Children may get fingers on with varied experiments, from making their very own slime and portray on the graffiti wall, to digging up dinosaur bones, constructing architectural masterpieces and raiding the dressing-up field to placed on a present within the mini-theatre.
It’s a brief drive from the town centre, however with 15,000 sq. toes of actions to take pleasure in, you’ll positively need to hold a number of hours free for this one.
Preserve an eye fixed out for particular occasions for teenagers going down all year long, equivalent to Santa’s Grotto and festive arts and crafts through the Christmas holidays.
Mersey River Cruise
Sure, you’ll be buzzing Ferry Cross the Mersey for the remainder of the day, however hopping on a Mersey River Cruise allows you to see Liverpool from a completely new perspective, in addition to studying how the river formed and moulded the town.
On a 50-minute river explorer cruise, you may spot the Three Graces and Albert Dock from the river as a information talks you thru the historical past of the waterfront, together with tales of smuggling and of The Beatles acting on board the Royal Iris.
A river cruise can be a very good alternative to let little ones have a little bit of a relaxation after a busy day sightseeing.
Wild Shore Liverpool
One other nice family-friendly attraction on Liverpool’s docks is the Wild Shore exercise centre.
Good for a sunny day within the metropolis, Wild Shore options a big inflatable impediment course, with trampolines, slides and rafts. The entire household can bounce, splash and slide your approach across the fun-filled aqua journey park.
For one thing a bit of tamer, it’s also possible to rent pedalos, boats and arise paddleboards to take out on the water.
Most actions permit kids 6+ to participate, whereas the boats are appropriate for teenagers 4+, and it’s often open from April to October – verify the web site for the newest opening occasions
The Wheel of Liverpool
I do love a ferris wheel – nice views, a enjoyable option to get them, and an opportunity to sit down down for a bit of bit as you gaze out.
And in addition to the panoramic viewpoint, looking throughout the town’s landmarks, you get a commentary as you slowly sail round within the Wheel of Liverpool throughout your 10-minute experience.
Rising to 196ft (or 60m) excessive, with 42 separate air-conditioned and heated capsules, the Wheel is a stone’s throw from Royal Albert Dock on Keel Wharf.
Quirky Quarter
“A world the place nothing is sort of what it appears”; the Quirky Quarter must be one in every of Liverpool’s most original and mind-boggling experiences for households.
The immersive museum is full of puzzling challenges, enjoyable brain-teasers, optical illusions, photograph alternatives and interactive experiences.
Whereas a number of the uncommon reveals are extra appropriate for older kids, there’s loads to see and do for teenagers of all ages (really useful from 5+).
Simply keep in mind, because the attraction factors out, “curiosity, and a way of humour, are absolute requirements”. And don’t overlook your digicam for this one.
Take a tour of Liverpool
When you’re seeking to discover a number of the metropolis’s key sights, there are some nice excursions of Liverpool with children.
Do this self-guided scavenger hunt of the town, which you are able to do at your individual tempo – supreme if you wish to cease at any points of interest alongside the best way, or for those who’re exploring with youthful children who want a break.
There are additionally two nice treasure hunts of Liverpool from Treasure Map Trails, designed to get children looking for quirky particulars and sudden sights across the metropolis. Get 10% off utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS
Or if you wish to save your toes, there’s all the time a basic open prime bus tour which takes round 50 minutes from Albert Dock to point out you a number of the better of the town.
Shiverpool Historic Ghost Tour
When you’re searching for a tour with a distinction, it’s exhausting to beat Liverpool’s award-winning theatrical ghost and historical past tour expertise ‘Shiverpool’.
Led by costumed character guides, the interactive Hope Avenue Shivers Ghost Stroll tour will take you to go to the town’s cathedrals, cemeteries and again alleys whereas listening to grotesque tales and legends of the town’s most notorious ghosts.
You’ll even stroll down essentially the most haunted avenue in Northwest England, full of tales of the supernatural. E book by means of the tiqets web site for a reduction with my code MUMMYTRAVELS6.
When you’re visiting through the chilly winter months and don’t need to be strolling round outdoors, there’s additionally a Shiverpool ghost bus tour.
The tour doesn’t have an age restriction, nevertheless, they do suggest that kids are 9+ as a result of spooky nature of the expertise.
Blue Planet Aquarium
A visit to the aquarium is all the time a winner for my daughter, to not point out an excellent possibility for those who’re visiting Liverpool with children on a wet day.
Set round a half hour drive outdoors the town, the Blue Planet Aquarium is tempting at any time of 12 months although, as you may stand up near 1000’s of marine creatures throughout 100 dwelling shows.
From one in every of Europe’s largest collections of sharks to vibrant coral reefs full of unique fish and the swish Dalmatian Pelicans, there’s loads to see and discover. Control the schedule for the additional household occasions and actions at weekends and through faculty holidays too.
Plus whenever you’re performed marvelling on the aquatic life indoors, you may head outdoors to Blue Planet’s children journey Pirate Playground, with a shipwreck, slides, monkey bars, and crocodiles.
When you’re searching for different animal points of interest in Liverpool, Knowsley Safari Park is round half an hour away, and Chester Zoo the same distance, however you gained’t discover a zoo within the metropolis itself.
Liverpool Central Library
A library won’t be the very first thing you consider in the case of household points of interest, however Liverpool Central Library is among the largest and most lovely public libraries within the UK and an excellent place to spend a wet day in Liverpool with children.
In addition to an enormous kids’s part with a whole bunch of books, you’ll discover a vibrant kids’s room with computer systems, crafts, and actions for below 12s, and a multimedia zone with Xbox 360s (plus a espresso store to seize a drink).
Do check out the Picton Studying Room when you’re there – with its excessive wood cabinets and domed ceiling, it’s a e-book lover’s dream.
The library additionally places on common story classes and rhyme occasions for kids below 5, in addition to loads of different enjoyable and academic free household occasions through the faculty holidays.
Sefton Park
Set within the south of the town, Sefton Park is an ideal spot to flee the bustle on a sizzling day – with 235 acres of lush gardens and delightful open inexperienced areas, it’s a well-liked spot for households.
Stroll alongside the beautiful pathways surrounded by timber and vibrant flowers, seek for the statues of Eros and Peter Pan, rent a rowing boat on the massive boating lake, or just seize an ice cream from the cafe and sit within the solar for some time.
There’s additionally a good-sized kids’s playground for youthful kids to take pleasure in.
Sefton Park’s Palm Home additionally places on common occasions all year long. Preserve an eye fixed out for household occasions through the faculty holidays, such because the all the time widespread Grim Tales Workshops.
Birkenhead Park
Birkenhead Park is one other beautiful place to get open air, in Birkenhead on the west aspect of the River Mersey. Courting again to 1847, it was the world’s first publicly funded park and is one in every of Britain’s most essential historic parks.
To at the present time, Birkenhead Park is widespread with each locals and vacationers searching for greenery and open areas near Liverpool metropolis centre.
The park has many lovely woodland walks, two giant lakes with historic bridges and a boathouse, a kids’s play space, and extra.
Delicate play in Liverpool
When you’re searching for someplace for youthful children to burn off power in Liverpool on a wet day, there are a string of soppy play areas to select from.
Preserve the Beatles theme going at Yellow Sub, which has a separate toddler play space in addition to its huge play body (and pizzas within the espresso store) – set on the Liverpool waterfront, not removed from Albert Dock, it’s simple to suit into your day too.
Or take a mini journey to New York at Bubbles World of Play – with 5 ranges of enjoyable on the principle play body, there are ball swimming pools, slides and video games galore.
However it’s also possible to discover zones themed round 30 completely different nations, position play within the metropolis themed space (together with police station and jail), plus a toddler space themed across the Large Apple. Set on New Brighton Promenade throughout the river, it’s a 20-minute drive or you may take a practice to New Brighton.
There’s additionally Cirq D-Play close to Everton Park, which has its personal play space and toddler play space, for one more possibility not removed from the town centre.
When you’re searching for a trampoline park in Liverpool, Bounce Home is round a mile from the town centre with leap baggage, trampolines, excessive slides and an assault course – there are additionally particular toddler classes however in any other case it’s finest for age 5+
Theme Park close to Liverpool
When you’re searching for theme parks for a day trip throughout your go to to Liverpool with children, you gained’t discover one within the metropolis itself however Gulliver’s World Theme Park is round a 30-minute drive away in Warrington.
Aimed toward children aged 2-13, there are six themed areas together with Safari Kingdom, The Misplaced World and Smuggler’s Wharf, plus the brand new Gulliver’s Gears launching in 2023, with new rides, the Grand Prix Racers Coaster and The Overdrive 360° Spin Journey.
Plus a complete string of play areas and different actions, together with a maze and fossil dig plus indoor and outside play at Gully City.
*First printed 2021, up to date 2023*
PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN LIVERPOOL WITH KIDS
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