A beautiful and thriving county smack abng in the middle of the UK, Staffordshire has so many varied and interesting places to go with kids. With great motorway links from Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham and direct trainlines from London, the attractions in Staffordshire are easily accessible, making it the ideal destination for a fantastic family day out. If you are looking for action-packed indoor activities for kids, Staffordshire has them in abundance. If you prefer a more wholesome day out exploring the outdoors, Staffordshire can meet your needs too with the rural backdrop of the Peak District.
With Staffordshire’s city of Stoke–on–Trent being steeped in centuries of ceramic industry history the area oozes culture and pride in it’s deep Industrial identity and these days the region is exceptionally well known for it’s world class tourist attractions. There is certainly no shortage of both traditional and unusual things to do with kids in Staffordshire that will entertain the family during weekends and school holidays, so let’s dive into some of those!
Kid’s have a lot of energy to burn off, but it can be difficult to find things to do when the whether isn’t on your side. Fortunately there are plenty of super-fun indoor places to visit in Staffordshire.
Located at Festival Park in Stoke-on-Trent, Waterworld is one of Staffordshire’s top attractions with children visiting by the coach-load from throughout the Midlands and beyond. With water slides of all types and sizes, rapids and a large wave pool, Waterworld is great fun for water babies of all ages and is a way to build children’s water confidence and swimming skills whilst having fun.
There are many indoor play centres throughout Staffordshire, but if you are looking one which is suitable for children of all ages then Come into Play in Stone is a great option. Here you will find a securely gated soft play room for children under 2, an area for children under 5 and a separate area of larger slides and obstacles for older children. Drinks, hot food and snacks are always available to order so that you can dine at your table on the outskirts of the play centre while watching your children enjoy themselves.
It’s important to keep the family active and climbing is a great way to let off steam, have fun and get off the tech. Children from the age of two can join in on the climbing walls and there is also a lovely soft play area for younger children. For those dare devils amongst you, the drop slide offers that extra adrenaline rush and even has the grownups biting their nails! Why not extended your experience with a bite to eat or a drink at the café where you can enjoy a view of the climbing centre from above.
If you are looking for an informative day out with the kids then you will be glad to hear that there are plenty of educational things to do in Staffordshire. Learning doesn’t have to be dull. in fact, it can be great fun for kids and the adults may even learn a thing or two along the way!
Showcasing a whole host of historical treasures, the Potteries Museum in Hanley is the perfect day out for kids who have a thirst for knowledge. Whilst here, don’t forget to check out the Spitfire, at the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery. (The founder of the Spitfire, Reginald Mitchell was born In Stoke!).
Located in Stafford, Shugborough Hall is a National Trust site which borders our beautiful River Sow and Canal System. Enjoy a wander around the grounds, take a look at some delightful farmyard animals and explore the Hall itself where you will find friendly guides offering some fascinating nuggets of information. What more could you want from a day out with the kids in Staffordshire?
If you are looking for something educational to do with the kids on a budget then try The Brampton Museum in Newcastle-Under-Lyme. Free to enter, the museum is bursting with historic treasures from the local area dating from the Roman invasion onwards. On site you will also find a lovely café and an outdoor play park from which you can take a ride on the small steam train on weekends and bank holidays. If the weather is poor there is also a small indoor play centre called Cheeky Monkeys where kids can burn off some energy.
When it comes to things to do with kids, theme parks are a great option and always go down well with children of all ages. Our two local theme parks make for some of the most well-known attractions in staffordshire. No matter which one you chose (if not both) you are guaranteed to fuel everybody’s adrenaline hunger and make some fantastic family memories along the way.
Operated by Merlin Entertainments Group, Alton Towers (in Alton) boasts some of the largest rides in the country for adults and older children as well as the incredible CBeebies Land for younger ones. For those who want to stay for more than one day, there is a number of on-site accommodation options to choose from and even a huge waterpark to try, making for a super-fun family break.
There’s lots to explore at Drayton Manor Resort (in Drayton Bassett) including over 50 thrilling rides, Europe’s only Thomas Land and even a 15-acre zoo. Here there really is something for everyone making it one of the most fun places to visit in Staffordshire.
Whether you live in Staffordshire or are just visiting, exploring some of Stoke-on-Trent’s history in the pottery industry is a must. Learning about ‘The Potteries’ will enrich your children’s knowledge and trying out some practical pottery making or painting skills is so much fun. This is the perfect family day out for those with creative kids!
Set right on the canal in the hear of Stoke-on-Trent, this historic site is exactly what comes to mind for many of use when we think of The Potteries. The world famous Burleigh pottery has been created here since 1889 and the public is now invited to experience that, shop and dine making for a lovely family day out. The carol concern on the cobbles is an absolute must for a memorable festive family activity.
Also in Stoke-on-Trent, The Gladstone Pottery Museum is a working museum of a medium-sized coal-fired pottery. Here you can immerse yourself in the true history of Stoke-on-Trent as this is the only complete Victorian pottery factory with original workshops. Keep an eye on their programme of events and activities for all ages.
Why not try your hand at pottery throwing at the fantastic World of Wedgwood in Barlaston. Here you and your children can also go on a guided tour, dine in the eateries and even do a spot of shopping. At certain times of the year they also offer special events such as a magical Storytime with Santa.
Still hungry for traditional Potteries culture? Be sure to make a visit to Emma Bridgewater just outside of Hanley in Stoke-on-Trent, a charming cobbled site where you can turn your hand to pottery painting, have a bite to eat in the café and finish up with a browse in the large giftshop. This is a day out which mum may enjoy more than the kids!
As well as indoor activities, there are plenty of outdoor things to do in Staffordshire too. It is important for children to have the opportunity to explore their outdoor environment, breath fresh air and connect with nature. There are so many interesting and fun ways to do this in Staffordshire.
The Trentham Estate 9#(in Trentham) is known for it’s shopping, tranquillity and long walks but also has a lot of offer children in Staffordshire with it’s popular play park, themed events throughout the year and even ice-skating in Winter. On this large estate you will also find The Monkey Forest where you can witness some cheeky chimps swinging through the trees as you enjoy a leisurely stroll.
If you prefer getting back to nature in our great outdoors head for a walk in Cannock Chase where you and your children can go exploring, hire mountain bikes or if you’re feeling brave you can even hire segways! Also located at Cannock Chase is Go Ape which allows both adults and children to swing through the tree tops with the safety of a harness.
Whilst at Cannock Chase visit the National Arboretum. The Arboretum welcomes over 300,000 visitors to site each year, including over 20,000 young people for formal and informal learning visits. Visitors can enjoy discovering over 400 memorials nestled amongst some 25,000 trees, experience riverside walks and participate in a wide variety of daily activities: guided walks, land train tours, memorial talks, exhibitions and buggy tours. Each year around 250 events take place on site, from small intimate services of Remembrance to set piece events like Armistice Day, Remembrance Sunday, a summer proms and Armed Forces Day.
Located in the village of Froghall, Churnet Valley Railway offers a really interesting family day out in Staffordshire. Whether you opt for the public train service, the Sunday lunch train or their magical polar express experience, your children are bound to make some lovely memories away from the hustle and bustle of modern day life.
If you’re looking for a good old-fashioned day in the great outdoors for the family then Barlaston Downs is the answer. There are plenty of trails to walk and thanks to the natural stream which runs through you are almost guaranteed to see some fascinating wildlife (look out for the kingfisher!). On a clear day, make sure you head to the rock pillar at the highest point to see the local landmarks including The Long Mynd, Mow Cop Castle, the Wrekin, and the Clee Hills.
The walk through set-up at Peak Wildlife Park in Leek offers a truly unique and immersive animal experience which allow you to come face to face with exotic and endangered animals from across three continents. We think that this makes for a great activity to with kids in Staffordshire it because it offers a great mix of education and fun!
There’s lots on offer at Amerton Farm in Stafford including a farm yard, wildlife centre, summer steam train and garden centre. There are also tracter rides available for a tour around the land where you can often spot some adorable animals. If the weather does take a turn, there is also a fantastic an indoor adventure play area for kids to enjoy.
For those passing through or wishing to stay in Staffordshire there are plenty of campsites available to stay in your RV or tent. Check out www.hipcamp.co.uk or www.campsites.co.uk to find your perfect family campsite.
You can hire a campervan or motorhome from https://www.quirkycampers.com/uk/, the UK’s leading campervan rental site, throughout the country, to travel around Staffordshire or head off to Snowdon or the Lakes afterwards. It’s a great stop off point also travelling to Scotland, the most popular location for Brits in CamperVans and Motorhomes.
Staffordshire awaits!
Ed is a campervan enthusiast and co – owner of Clip N Climb climbing centre in Staffordshire and ambassador for Staffordshire with the #wearestaffordshire forum. He is contactable at ed@clipnclimbstoke.co.uk
