DISCOVER
Every place in Leicester
Family days out in and around Leicester, each one written up honestly with the details parents actually need.
259 places · page 7 of 11
from £14Megazone Leicester
Leicester · ages 6+
A city-centre UV laser tag arena with ramps, fog, bases and party packages near Belgrave Gate.
Booking requiredFood on siteHalal optionsVegetarian options+2 more
from £3.50Melbourne Animal Farm
Derby
Handling rabbits, guinea pigs and ducklings, feeding the farm animals, and a bouncy castle if you want to pay extra for it.
Birthday partiesIndoor playFood on siteOutdoor play+2 more
from £2Melton Mowbray Miniature Railway
Melton Mowbray
Volunteer miniature railway in Wilton Park - weekend rides Easter to October from about £2.
ParkingToilets
from £5Middleton Hall & Gardens
Tamworth · ages 2-17
A 950-year-old house, a walled Georgian garden and a nature trail to hunt through on a kids' trail, with your ticket covering the whole day.
CaféGroup bookingsPicnic areaPicnics allowed+1 more
from £5.95Midland Air Museum
Coventry · ages 5-15
Wander among historic aircraft outdoors and climb into cockpits like the Vulcan bomber's.
Blue badge parkingCaféDog friendlyFree parking+1 more
from £7Midlands Roller Arena
Lutterworth
Roller skating sessions, a Roller Disco with lights and games, and lessons for anyone who's never worn skates before.
Birthday partiesCaféFree parkingIndoor seating+3 more
from £20Mindfulness Unleashed
Leicester
Adults-only meditation and movement sessions, from a 25-minute morning sit to full silent retreats over a weekend.
Blue badge parkingFree parkingFood on siteVegetarian options
from £6.95Mini Mischiefs
Market Harborough · ages 0-10
Dedicated indoor soft play in Market Harborough with a 5.5 m three-tier frame and baby/toddler zones for ages 0-10.
Indoor playCaféFree parkingParking+4 more
Mini and Me
Loughborough · ages 0+
Baby sensory classes with music, gentle exploration and teacher-led play, open to newborns.
Free parking
Motorpoint Arena Nottingham
Nottingham · ages 0+
A big Nottingham arena that hosts touring family shows, ice hockey and concerts, right by the Lace Market tram stop.
Accessible toiletBooking requiredCaféGroup bookings+3 more
Mrs Bridges Tea Rooms
Leicester
Breakfast, brunch, cake and afternoon tea in a historic Lanes tearoom with an upstairs parlour.
Birthday partiesGroup bookingsFood on site
FreeMuseum of Making
Derby · ages 0+
Free entry to a museum built on Derby's 300 years of making, with workshops and maker spaces to poke around in.
Bike parkingBlue badge parkingCaféGift shop+3 more
from £5National Fairground Museum Statfold
Tamworth
Vintage fairground rides, a heritage railway and a soft play barn on one site near Tamworth, plus mini golf outdoors.
Accessible toiletAllergy awareBaby changeBirthday parties+12 more
Coming soonNational Gas Museum
Leicester
Free gas-history museum with 500+ exhibits - temporarily closed until 13 October 2026 for maintenance works.
ToiletsFree parkingBike parking
from £11.50National Justice Museum
Nottingham
A Georgian gaol and Victorian courtroom where actors re-enact real trials and executions, daily.
Accessible toiletBirthday partiesBooking requiredCafé+6 more
from £20National Space Centre
Leicester · ages 0+
A planetarium show, rockets to climb through and hands-on galleries about space, all under one roof in Leicester.
Booking requiredCaféGift shopParking+8 more
from £13National Water Sports Centre (Holme Pierrepont Country Park)
Nottingham · ages 1+
Two heights of rope course over the water sports lake, plus mini golf and a free play park to fill the rest of the day.
CaféToiletsParkingBirthday parties+6 more
FreeNaturescape Wildflower Farm
Langar, Nottingham
A free-to-visit wildflower garden with two ponds, a play area and a tearoom for cake afterwards.
CaféDog friendlyGift shopIndoor play+6 more
from £4Nene Valley Railway - (Wansford, Station)
Peterborough · ages 1-15
Steam and diesel trains along the Nene Valley, with a miniature railway, playground and museum to fill the gaps between departures.
Accessible toiletBaby changeDog friendlyFree parking+5 more
FreeNew Art Exchange
Nottingham
Free gallery visits and a Saturday art club with hands-on making, right opposite the Forest tram stop.
Allergy awareBlue badge parkingCaféGroup bookings+4 more
FreeNewarke Houses Museum
Leicester
Free social-history museum with toys, a 1950s street and gardens - limited Saturday and holiday opening, so check dates.
School visitsGroup bookingsPicnic areaLockers
from £7.50Northampton & Lamport Railway
Northampton · ages 2-17
A heritage steam or diesel train ride out to Boughton and back, with a buffet and shop at the home station.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBlue badge parkingCafé+4 more
FreeNottingham Arboretum
Nottingham
Free tree trail walks through 800-plus trees on flat paths, right by Nottingham's tram stops.
CaféDog friendlyFood on siteOutdoor play+5 more
FreeNottingham Beach
Nottingham
A free pop-up beach with sand, a pool and paid rides in the middle of the city, open all summer.
Card onlyCash onlyToilets
THE WEEKENDER
Next weekend, sorted. Every Thursday, free.
The best family things happening around Leicester, one hidden gem, and a rainy-day backup plan, from a dad who's been there with a bored seven-year-old.
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