20 Kids Activities in Cornwall You’ll Love

Cornwall is one of the best family holiday destinations for creating childhood memories, from rock-pooling to watching your little one surfing their first wave. Whatever the weather, whatever the age, there's always something to fill the hours between breakfast and bedtime.

We're lucky enough to sit right on the clifftops above Mawgan Porth, with a wide, golden beach on our doorstep and some of Cornwall's top family attractions just a short drive away.

Here’s our pick of the kids' activities in Cornwall that always go down well, whether you're staying with us or just passing through.

If you fancy a break that gives everyone what they need, our Family Time, You Time offer blends family adventure with a little downtime too, made even sweeter when under 3's go free!

Some of the best kids' activities in Cornwall are free. Grab a bucket, head down the sandy path from the hotel and see what the tide has left behind. Mawgan Porth's rock pools are full of crabs, anemones and the odd baby fish, and there's plenty of soft sand for building, digging and general beach chaos in between. Go at low tide for the best exploring.

You can't come to this stretch of coast without at least trying to stand up on a board. Our friends at Kingsurf run brilliant lessons for beginners of all ages, from first-timers to confident young surfers. Watching your seven-year-old catch a wave before you do will stick with you.

An hour or so from Bedruthan, the Lost Gardens of Heligan turn a garden visit into an adventure with jungle valleys, a rope bridge, giant sculptures and a farm with pigs, sheep and Highland cattle. There's an adventure playground too, so there’s plenty of space for running around.

Back at Bedruthan, our daily craft sessions cover everything from colourful messy play and tie-dye to creative decoupage. Our Jungle Tumble soft play area is perfect for burning off energy on a rainy day, and our play space creche means that grown-ups can grab a quiet drink while the little ones are entertained.

Land's End has earned its reputation with its dramatic cliffs, photo opportunities and attractions that include animal encounters, an arcade and family shows. Older kids love the story of it being the most westerly point of mainland England, and there's enough clifftop path to burn off energy before the drive home.

Over in Hayle, Paradise Park is a wildlife sanctuary with red pandas, otters and one of the largest collections of parrots in the UK. There are daily bird of prey displays and an otter feeding session, plus a jungle-themed play area. It's an easy pairing with a St Ives day out, just up the coast.

Right on the seafront in Newquay, Blue Reef Aquarium features over 40 habitats within one building, ranging from tropical fish to turtles and reef sharks gliding overhead in the ocean tunnel. It's an easy, indoor option for a blustery Cornish afternoon.

Down in Gweek, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary is a firm favourite with younger children. Rescued seal pups, sea lions and even penguins are all cared for onsite, with feeding times and talks throughout the day. It's educational without ever feeling like a lesson.

Lappa Valley is home to steam trains, a boating lake with pedalos, crazy golf and an adventure play area, all set in the woods near Newquay. It's perfect for younger children and slow-paced enough that nobody goes home overtired.

Down the lanes near Newquay, this small Elizabethan manor house is a lovely, low-key introduction to Cornwall's historic houses for younger children. There's a free children's trail through the rooms, a walled garden to run around and archery sessions in the summer holidays.

Overlooking the north coast, Tintagel Castle mixes medieval ruins with centuries of King Arthur folklore. The footbridge that crosses the gorge to the headland is an adventure in itself, and discovering the legend keeps young imaginations entertained for hours.

A short drive from Bedruthan, the Eden Project's giant biomes are still one of the most inspiring days out in Cornwall for kids. Wander through a rainforest, get lost in the Mediterranean garden and let older adventurers loose on the zip wires and aerial obstacle courses next door. It's the sort of place where you can happily spend a whole day, whatever the weather's doing outside.

A little further afield near Liskeard, Carnglaze Caverns is a former slate mine that makes for a great family day out. A self-guided tour leads underground through candlelit chambers and ends at a crystal-clear lake. It's one of the best ways to learn about Cornwall's mining history.

This National Trust estate near Truro features parkland, woodland trails and views out over the Fal estuary, with loads of room to roam. Children can follow the outdoor trail through the walled garden, hunt for wildlife along the river paths, or just tear about on the open lawns while the grown-ups take in the view with a cream tea from the café.

For a rainy morning, Tate St Ives runs family workshops and has a dedicated kids' playroom alongside its gallery spaces. It's a hands-on way to introduce children to art, with the bonus of St Ives town being right outside for pasties and harbour-watching afterwards.

Beyond Mawgan Porth itself, this coastline is dotted with beaches worth the walk or short drive, from Watergate Bay for space to run, Bedruthan Steps for dramatic rock stacks and adventure and Booby's Bay for rock pooling. Pack a picnic and let the kids decide the day.

Just off the A30 near St Columb Major, Screech Owl Sanctuary is home to dozens of species from around the world, alongside meerkats, alpacas and raccoons. Daily flying displays bring the birds in close, and there's an outdoor play area for when little ones need to burn off energy between talks. It's one of the more intimate wildlife encounters.

Thirteen acres of sub-tropical gardens and over 130 species, Newquay Zoo is compact enough while still having plenty to see. The play areas and animal encounters are an easy add-on to a beach day at Towan.

Just over towards Wadebridge, Camel Creek is an exciting theme park with log flumes, go-karts, a dodgems arena and a soft, indoor play barn for when little legs need a rest. It's perfect for families with a mix of ages, and easy to combine with a picnic on the grass if the sun's out.

For something a little different, Carnewas near Bedruthan Steps is a Dark Sky Discovery Site. On a clear night, it's one of the best spots in Cornwall for budding astronomers to spot constellations and planets, all within walking distance of the hotel.

With this much on the doorstep, the hardest part of the holiday is deciding what to leave for next time. That's easier when the essentials are sorted, from comfy naptime rooms, family-friendly dining and an easy walk down to the beach. The only planning left is which activity comes first.

Take a look at our family holidays at Bedruthan to start planning your stay, or browse our current offers and breaks for family-friendly rates.