The best theme parks for toddlers (and their parents)

toddler at theme park

by Emma Bailey |
Updated on

We get it, thinking up a great day out for your toddler to keep them entertained can be hard work. If you don't fancy checking out a museum or splashing about at an indoor water park, why not add a trip to one of these theme parks for toddlers to your diary? Just remember the healthy snacks – for you, too!

The best theme parks for toddlers

Alton Towers, Staffordshire

Mum and daughter

This popular park is also home to none other than CBeebies Land (complete with Cbeebies hotel!), where children can learn and play with the likes of Postman Pat, Captain Barnacles and Iggle Piggle.

There’s also a Something Special Sensory Garden, a woodland trail designed for little ones with varied learning abilities.

Paultons Park, Hampshire

peppa pig

Paultons is home to Peppa Pig World with rides, play areas and exhibitions all based around everyone’s favourite pink pig. We've got lots of Peppa Pig World deals and offers to help get you there.

LEGOLAND, Windsor

legoland

With attractions you’ll love (check out Miniland – it uses nearly 40 million LEGO pieces to recreate US and European scenes) and loads for young children, LEGOLAND Windsor Resort is an ah-mazing day out. Toddlers will enjoy the DUPLO play too, and over-threes can try for their first driving license in electric LEGO-style cars.

Drayton Manor, Staffordshire

thomasland

If your child’s more of a Thomas than a Peppa fan, try Drayton Manor’s Thomas Land. There are over 25 rides and attractions to enjoy and you can join Sir Topham Hatt and his station sweepers Rusty & Dusty as they host interactive singalong shows throughout the day.

Pleasurewood Hills, Suffolk

horse ride

This park’s kid's zone boasts a mini twister, spinning tea cups, flying elephants and 'rootin tootin target trail'. The whole family will enjoy the stunning sea lion and parrot shows.

Lightwater Valley, Yorkshire

lightwater

Mini theme parkers can climb aboard the animal carnival, giggle in the hall of mirrors and take a fun and entertaining journey around the farm. Why not explore the brand-new Discovery Woods? This lakeside woodland nature trail is filled with interactive, hands-on adventures.

Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Inverness-shire

siblings

With an outdoorsy, nature theme, this Scottish park is all about being active – so think trails, climbing walls and play areas. As well as the thrilling Dinosaur Kingdom, there are also mini diggers to play with plus a butterfly house where you can make some friends.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Lancashire

dora land

Welcome to the home of Nickelodeon Land. The ultimate venue for any Nick fans, this has 12 rides including Spongebob Splash Bash, Rugrats Lost River and Dora’s World Voyage.

Diggerland, Devon/Durham/Kent/Yorkshire

kid playing on toy digger

Mini aspiring builders will be in their element here – Diggerland lets you drive actual construction machines (under supervision, of course). Yes, really! There are also play areas, sand pits and rides for really little ones.

Oakwood Theme Park, Pembrokeshire

oakwood

This park in south Wales has lots of family rides, as well as Neverland for little ones with Crocodile Coaster and Tink's flying school.

Plus, for hardcore thrillseekers, its Megafobia wooden rollercoaster has been voted the best in the UK and the third best in the world.

M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park, Motherwell

In addition to rides which include a children's grand prix track and flying elephants, this theme park offers bowling, mini golf and a tropical rainforest section full of animals. There’s also a mahoosive soft play area (earplugs at the ready…).

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