We love living in Wirral, it has a perfect mix of woodland, countryside and beaches to explore and there is so much to do outdoors with kids. Are you ready for 10 of our favourite things to do with the kids around the Wirral?
It can be difficult entertaining children outside of the house throughout the year, and expensive! There are plenty of attractions to enjoy in Wirral, Liverpool and the surrounding area. If you’re undecided on what to do, you could always just head to the beach with your family. Here are 10 of our favourite days out with the kids around the Wirral, all are based outdoors, free, low cost or reasonably priced and lots of fun.
1. Feed the animals at Church Farm
Church Farm is a beautiful well kept farm in the Wirral with amazing views over the River Dee. The farm park hosts family events, school visits and farm parties.
They have many animals you can feed at the farm, including alpacas, goats, sheep, hens, emu, ponies and cows. Bags of animal feed are 75p each. You can purchase them online with your tickets or from the kiosk on the day.
One thing we love is their Lapland Loop, so check out their new reindeer in their outdoor enclosures. They have an array of animals here so make sure to see the meerkats, miniature cows, emu, alpacas, peacocks and many more too!
We particularly love to visit for Halloween, where you can pick pumpkins and enjoy lots of spooky-themed fun. They also feature tractor rides, space hoppers, pedal go-karts, and boats. If it rains, don’t worry; there’s a huge indoor area with a sandpit, mini diggers and pedal tractors, and a tractor TV area.
2. Find your way out of Brimstage Maze
We loved visiting Brimstage Maze as children. It is a fantastic place to visit for a day out. Here you can enjoy acres of space packed with family-friendly fun and adventure for all ages. The maize maze takes us around 60 and 90 minutes to complete. There are clues and puzzles to solve as you wander through.
There is also a magical fairy wood; follow the trail through the growing maize crop to discover it. Outdoors they also have two giant jumping pillows, laser tag and a water bomb. In addition, they have an indoor softplay for 0-12-year-olds featuring a massive 4-lane Astra slide, football zone and separate toddler area. Brimstage Maze is an excellent option for a family day, whatever the weather.
3. Explore New Brighton
We have been visiting New Brighton for beach days and fun at the arcades long before it benefited from a £60 million redevelopment scheme. Now open are the Travelodge hotel, restaurants, Light Cinema and Caffe Cream Ice Cream Parlour and Coffee Shop, and Championship Adventure Golf at Marine Point. It is also home to the Floral Pavilion Theatre and Conference Centre. So there is plenty to do there with the family.
New Brighton is great for a fun family day out beside the seaside. Aplenty of attractions and facilities are especially popular: the Riverside Bowling Alley, the Laser Quest centre, and the New Palace Amusement Arcade, which has a small well-loved fairground. These are the little things you remember from childhood!
4. Spot fairies at Vale Park
Vale Park is a truly magical little park that boasts views of the River Mersey whilst you play in the greenery. There is a fairy village here which is really quirky and a lovely imaginative place for children to explore. My son loves to make up stories about the fairies living here and tries to spot them hidden in the park. In the summer there is a bandstand here that hosts events including music and outdoor theatre. There is also a kick-about pitch and children’s play area here. The perfect place to explore and then enjoy a picnic together.
5. Have a BBQ at Wirral Country Park
One of our favourites parks in the Wirral is Wirral Country Park. It was actually the first designated Country Park in Britain. You can see magnificent views of migratory birds over the River Dee. Enjoy a wander on Thurstaston Beach, have a barbecue or picnic in bbq and picnic areas. It is a truly beautiful place, it can get busy at peak times however the beach is never really busy as it’s not as accessible to access as other Wirral beaches.
Here you have access to the Wirral Way which is a 12 mile long walking or cycle route with separate horse riding route self-guided trails. Maps are available from the visitor centre. A ranger-led events programme is often held here, there is a Café, bird hide and toilets available here.
6. Cycle or walk along Wirral Way
The Wirral Way is a path on the track of an old railway that goes from West Kirby to Hooton in Wirral. It offers superb views over the Dee Estuary to Wales. Originally the railway formed a circuit of Wirral. It’s great to cycle along with children as it’s away from busy roads. Or, walk and stop for a picnic, spot wildlife and admire views along the way. Our favourite Wirral walks article has more information about the Wirral way.
7. Visit Tam O’Shanter Farm
Tam O’Shanter Farm is a free urban farm run by a charitable trust to provide an enjoyable and educational experience for kids and adults. It’s one of our go-to farms for an afternoon or morning; it’s situated on Bidston Hill, an excellent area for walking.
Tam O’Shanter provides education and volunteering opportunities for all ages. In addition, they are passionate about encouraging engagement with nature and promoting enhanced mental and physical well-being through exercise, horticulture, outdoor activity, nature trails, scavenger hunts, regular events, and more. It is a lovely farm to visit with the family; there is also a play area and cafe.
Even though the farm is free to enter, they appreciate any donations to keep this wonderful place going. So please donate whatever you can!
8. Take part in a forest school session with Grow Wellbeing
Forest school’s are a wonderful way to get children outdoors and enjoying nature. Based in the woodland at the back of Tam O’Shanter Farm GROW-Wellbeing C.I.C is a not-for-profit organisation that delivers creative, personally affirmative opportunities for children, young people, and adults to engage in activities in the natural environment. Using forest learning, creative arts, storytelling, nature studies, outdoor adventures, games, play, and eco-therapy, they aim to support the growth and development of resilient children and young people, committed to the future stewardship of the natural environment. We absolutely loved our session with Grow Wellbeing, check out our full review here.
9. Head over to Hilbre Island
West Kirby beach is such a peaceful place to visit, it has a beautiful beach that is easy to access, plenty of parking and the marine lake for watersports or to enjoy a walk around. It’s from this beach that you can walk to Hilbre Island. The Hilbre Islands are one of the most beautiful locations for walking in Wirral. It is a great place to spend time enjoying nature and even trying to spot seals. It is essential to check the tide times and recommended a safe crossing route before walking across to the islands. Tide tables are on display at Dee Lane slipway. You can also get an idea of the tide times here.
When planning a trip to the island it is important to remember that there are no shops, public toilets, or any fresh water on the islands, and very little shelter. It is important to wear suitable footwear and always carry waterproofs and warm clothing.
10. Catch a ferry across the Mersey
Catching a ferry across the Mersey is a fun way to get to Liverpool. The River Explorer Cruise is a 50-minute cruise on the River Mersey where you can enjoy the spectacular view of the Liverpool waterfront. The River Explorer Cruise operates hourly from Pier Head (Liverpool), Seacombe and Woodside terminals. You can start your journey at any terminal, and a return ticket allows you to break your journey at any terminal and rejoin the cruise later in the day. Head to one of the free Museums in Liverpool, have some lunch and make a day of it.
Recommended reading: Outdoor activities in Wirral for children
Let us know your favourite things to do with kids around the Wirral in the comments below.
