15 things to do in Blackpool with kids

Blackpool, for me, is a home away from home. I lived there for a number of years and my first daughter was even born there. It is hands down, one of my favourite places and I love nothing more than going back every so often.

Over the years, I think Blackpool has developed a trait of being the ‘stag & hen’ do scene and in a lot of ways, it is. But in so many more ways, it’s so much more than that! Throughout this post, I am going to tell you 15 things to do in Blackpool with kids! 

Where I used to live, we were quite close to Stanley Park. An absolutely stunning park that is perfect for walks, picnics, a little boat ride if you fancy it, or perhaps take a book and read on a bench for a few hours. You can do it all. So, this is my first recommendation…

Stanley Park 

This beautiful park opened up in 1926 {which was news to me!} and it has everything from an iconic bandstand, a beautiful boating lake and Italian style gardens. 

My kids and I love nothing more than a good old-fashioned picnic under the shade of the trees in Stanley Park, especially on a good day! We love playing with our frisbee, hanging out with friends, going for a walk to see what wildlife we can spot and just generally enjoying this gorgeous park. It is open 7 days a week, all year round and it really is a must-see place when visiting Blackpool. 

There are toilets available and a cafe by the boating lake, too. Just across the lake {and the road} you’ll find Blackpool Zoo, which brings me to my next place to visit!

Blackpool Zoo

Living in Northern Ireland, we only really know our local Belfast Zoo. But Blackpool Zoo is so much better {sorry Belfast!} – better still, it’s all on flat ground! It has loads to see & do and even a great park for the kids. 

It is full of amazing information about the zoo’s conservation work and how you can even adopt an animal at the zoo. You can also be a Junior Keeper for the day with Blackpool zoo – my teenager daughter got this as part of her birthday present and absolutely loved it. A highly recommended experience for any and all animal lovers. 

North Pier

There is just something about a pier that I just adore. The fresh sea air all around, the amusement music in the background – I just love it. North Pier was built back in the 1860s, which makes it the longest and the oldest of the three piers along Blackpool’s coast. 

It has a theatre that many a comedian has made its audience cry with laughter in and a great amusement arcade for the kids to spend their {or your!} pennies in! There are even sun loungers out on the end of the pier which is a real delight. You get a real feel of the pier’s victorian nature at this part of the pier {in my opinion} and it is just lovely. 

Central Pier

This pier, in my opinion, is the most iconic {and busiest} of the three piers. It has amusement arcades, restaurants, shops and stalls and it even has a Ferris wheel! This is the pier I lived not far from when I lived in Blackpool and I was a frequent visitor – I just love the arcade music in the background and the hustle and bustle style atmosphere. 

If you walk out to the end of the pier {which is around 339 metres} the views are nothing short of breathtaking. 

Pleasure Beach

This is one of the UK’s most iconic theme parks and even though I lived in Blackpool for 7 yrs, I never visited! Which is crazy, I know! But, when we took a family holiday back, we swung by and man, what a day we had! My teenage daughter is the adrenaline junkie of the family, so she lived her best life. Annabelle lived for the ghost train {this ghost train was built in 1930 and known as the first-ever Ghost train in the world} and Jacob adored the arcades. 

If you get the good weather, you’re guaranteed a great day! As for places to eat inside the Pleasure beach, we can recommend the restaurants facing the water fountain – which also has a water display show every 15-20 minutes. The Pleasure Beach in Blackpool is hands down a must-see attraction if you’re visiting. 

Sandcastle Waterpark

The Sandcastle waterpark is an amazing attraction in Blackpool, however, it is also one of the most expensive. However, it is still a super fun place to visit with the kids if you love a waterpark, slides and lazy river’s. 

Coral Island

This is Blackpool’s largest indoor amusement arcade which is all pirate-themed and loads of fun. There are loads of rides, arcade machines, bingo, casino games for the adults and a selection of restaurants, too. You could easily spend the afternoon here and just have the best time. Whether you are riding with the Raving Rabbids on the VR machine or challenging a friend on the Arabian Derby! 

Coral Island is also home of the scariest ghost train in Blackpool and I have to admit, it’s hands-down the best Ghost train we have ever experienced. Watch out for Captain Jack though, he’s a sneaky one and loves to scare you mid-ride! He got us twice!! But it’s loads of fun and we would recommend this place enough.

As for where to eat inside Coral Island, check out The Buccaneer Restaurant – delicious food and the staff are lovely.

Keep an eye on the paintings on the wall though, they’ve been known to move! 

Blackpool Tower

There are so many things to do in the Blackpool Tower, but if you love a good view {and even a little scare} get the lift to the top and admire Blackpool from 158 metres up. 

There is a cool 4D cinema experience to enjoy before heading up to the glass floor and if you brave the glass floor, be sure to swing by the gift shop for your medal of bravery!

Blackpool Tower Ballroom

This gorgeous attraction was open to the public in 1894 {WOW!} and it is the most elegant room I have personally ever walked in to. There is a real sense of history in this room and a true feeling of refined beauty. The detailing on the walls are nothing short of stunning and the whole atmosphere of the room transforms you back 100yrs. 

You can watch people as they do all sorts of different dances {which is so lovely to witness} and you can even book yourself in for afternoon tea. This is a family-friendly attraction, so the kids are more than welcome too and they are even catered for if you book afternoon tea. 

The afternoon tea we kindly experienced was beautiful. The kids thought the people up dancing was a little weird at first but they were soon mesmerised. The food was delicious and there was everything from sandwiches, scones, cakes and jams. There was tea for us adults and juice for the children – it was a real treat and something we would highly recommend if you’re in Blackpool. 

Blackpool Beach

If you’re visiting a seaside town, then you must visit the beach! Blackpool beach is beautiful and such a massive space to enjoy. If you’re not a fan of building sandcastles or eating chips out of a cone, then go and see the donkeys!

Along the promenade, there are stalls to hire out sun loungers, deckchairs etc which is really great and for a good price, too. It really is a beautiful place to hang out on a beautiful day. 

Sealife Centre

The Sealife Centre is always a fun attraction to visit with the kids and the Sealife Centre in Blackpool is loads of fun. We pop by every time we’re visiting Blackpool and last year, my teenage daughter even got a VIP Shark Keeper experience for her birthday. It was the most amazing experience and one that we can both highly recommend.

There are lots to see and do within the Sealife centre and at the end, there is a cafe to enjoy some refreshments and even a soft play area for the kids to run off some steam. 

Madame Tussauds

This sort of attraction is fun to kill an hour or so. We’ve only ever been to the one in Blackpool and it is a lot of fun. There is something for everyone to see, reminisce over and enjoy.

The kids enjoyed the Bushtucker trial section and the Spiderman scene. It’s good fun and gets a lot of giggles. 

Blackpool Tower Circus

This is known as the most famous circus in the UK and as a family who has seen it twice, I am inclined to agree. The clowns, Mooky & Boo at the Blackpool Tower Circus are the stars of the show and I have hands down never seen clowns more funny, sweet or endearing in all my days. 

If the adorable clowns don’t entice you to visit, then perhaps the jaw-defying stunts are more your thing? Not leaving out the feeling of being seated in an arena that opened to the public in 1894! It is a glorious attraction – can be a little pricey but it is 100% worth it. 

Blackpool Tower Dungeon

This attraction is not for the faint-hearted but is incredibly fun with a delightful side order of creepy! If you’re looking to take the kids? The age is recommended to be 8 yrs and over but kids with a nervous disposition it is not ideal for. 

It is a well-told theatrical experience, I personally loved it! My kids, not so much! As much to my disappointment. But if this is the sort of thing you love {and your kids too} then get yourself tickets booked and you won’t be disappointed. 

Nickelodeon Land

This attraction is located inside the infamous Pleasure Beach and is perfect for little kids. There are height restrictions on all 11 rides within Nickelodeon Land. For example, for the Fairy World Taxi Spin it is 120 cm and the Rugrats Lost River it’s a 132 cm height requirement. 

Nickelodeon Land is such a fun part of the Pleasure Beach theme park, for the kids. My gang love it and it’s hard not smile with all of the fun, bright colours everywhere. If your little ones love Dora the Explorer, Sponge bob or even Pirates – they’re going to love this place. 

So there you have it, my 15 things to do in Blackpool with kids. I do hope you find this post helpful. Blackpool is one of our favourite places to be and with it being my second home and the birthplace of my eldest daughter, a piece of heart will always reside there. 

Have you ever visited Blackpool? What was your favourite thing to do? 

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