Children’s Activities and Family Fun in Suffolk

Looking for events? Check our listings for What’s On in Suffolk.

If you’re on a family holiday with the kids or just looking for a fun day out with the children, Suffolk is a great choice for you. Packed full of fun things to do for families and children of all ages, Suffolk offers you tons of activity options that will inform, entertain and excite.

Indoor Things To Do

If your children want somewhere exciting to go to let off some energy then Clip ‘n Climb in Ipswich offers a range of exciting climbing courses and obstacles suitable for all ages. If some aren’t feeling quite that adventurous, then there’s also the option to jump in the soft play area. Parents and grandparents alike can enjoy some great food and drink in the cafe and diner that directly over looks the climbing area.

Thrilling family activities can also be found at Anglia Indoor Karting in Ipswich, as you race one another around their premier indoor karting track, and five-to-eight-year-olds can go wild on the Kubz Karting course! If you prefer to try Karting outside then take a look at Beacon Rally Karts just outside Ipswich, where they offer outdoor off road karting for everyone between 5 and 75 years old at competitive prices.

Outdoor Things to Do

Suffolk is a great place in which to keep the whole family occupied while getting some fresh air – not least during the spring and summer months. Suffolk enjoys fantastic weather (the driest in the UK) and offers a vast selection of outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy. But if the weather takes a turn, don’t worry, there are also plenty of rainy day activities for children in Suffolk.

Children who are into football and team sports or dance will have fun at Inspire Suffolk, who offer a wide range of high quality training, soccer camps and day programmes for children and adults during the year throughout the county.

Kentwell Hall is one of England’s finest Tudor houses, with a difference! It is home to Suffolk Punch horses, Norfolk Horn Sheep, Long Horn, British White Cattle and the Baudet du Poitou Donkey; less than 60 in the UK and 800 in the world. The gardens include a wildlife pond and the ancient Yew trees with a modern hedge of ‘Pied Piper’ topiary (see pic above). The Stable Yard Tea Rooms are open for refreshments and light lunches. Kentwell Hall houses many special events throughout the year; Tudor re-enactment weeks, Kentwell through the Ages, Magical Weekends and the award winning ‘Scaresville’. Plus musical and outdoor shows. Click on the link above to see what’s happening at the moment.

Suffolk Punch Trust

Your children will be as pleased as Punch with a visit to see these huge, gentle rare horses. With wagon rides, trips to the stud, museum, stables, and an implement barn, there is a lot to see and do. The Coffee Shop offers a range of delicious home cooked lunches and cream teas, & a great place to take a breather! Find out more here – Suffolk Punch Trust.

Or browse our guide to horse riding in Suffolk for information about stables and riding schools.

Seaside

Everyone enjoys a daytrip to the beach, and Lowestoft, Aldeburgh, and Felixstowe are all great sea-side, family friendly towns. There is plenty for the whole family in the lovely coastal town of Southwold, such as award-winning beaches, a great selection of shops, restaurants and inns, and of course, the traditional Southwold Pier. Children love the old-fashioned amusement arcade, the famously cheeky water clock, the Flash Gordon-esque telescope, and the weather stations, and adults love the cafes & shops!

Another seaside fun traditional day out for the whole family can be had in Mannings Amusement Park, Felixstowe. Here you will find children’s rides, penny pushers, video games, casino areas, crazy golf, Sunday markets, bars, cafes and more!

Nature

The RSPB Suffolk have a number of large reserves across Suffolk and offer a full programme of events for children, families and nature-lovers throughout the whole year. The Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Ipswich also have a number of events and activities running throughout the year that make for great family days out.

If you go down to the woods today you might find some archery taking place & children are welcome to join in. In Dunwich Forest on a Sunday morning you can find the Whitefriars Bowmen ([email protected]) who have been shooting in the woods for many years. Equipment available to hire and lessons given but best to email ahead first as competitions are also regularly held in the Forest.

Children love animals and activities involving all kinds of breeds can be found in Suffolk. They can meet the farm animals and go wild in the Adventure Playground at Jimmy’s Farm, Ipswich, say hello to the cute miniature Shetland ponies, visit the Stallion unit and then take a tour of The National Stud, Newmarket. Easton Farm Park has some imaginative themed events for children, as well as the opportunity to cuddle a bunny or hold a chick.

After a long day out, why not visit one of the many family friendly restaurants in Suffolk?

With all these great children’s activities and fun days out to choose from, your whole family is sure to have a wonderful time in Suffolk!