Felixstowe Things to do with kids

Felixstowe is a seaside town in Suffolk and has the largest container port in the UK.  However we discovered Felixstowe is more than just a port and makes a perfect family seaside trip.  Here is my list of things to do with kids in Felixstowe.

Felixstowe Pier
Who doesn't love a seaside pier.  The new Boardwalk restaurant and bar is lovely and sitting on the pier overlooking the sea is just beautiful.  The kids love the arcade which is a great size with a mixture of machines and small bowling alley.  Unfortunately you cannot walk the length of the pier as it's closed due to health & safety but still a lovely place to enjoy some chips, an ice cream and the view.

Leisure Centre
Good size swimming pool with slide, soft play area, café, creche and gym.  Opening times vary but approximately 7am to 10pm.  Fun pool and flumes are open at certain time so check the timetable.  £5.15 per adult and £3.30 per child for a swim session.  Perfect for a rainy day or if you are on a site with no pool.

Adventure Golf
Sea Road, Felixstowe, IP11 2DH
9 hole mini golf course £2 kids and £2.50 adults.  Nice water features and small but entertaining course.


Martello Park
Lovely play area hidden behind the beach huts.  Lots of equipment for all ages.  Ice cream Kiosk and café not far away.

Landguard Fort
Viewpoint Road, IP11 3TW
This was the defence for Harwich Harbour and now an English Heritage building.  £5.50 adult and £2.50 child under 5's free.  Café, Museum, Exhibition and free parking.

Harwich Harbour Foot Ferry
This is a 58 passenger foot & bicycle ferry which goes between Felixstowe and Harwich from 1st April 2019m to 3 November 2019.  Single fare £4.50 adult and £3 child 15 minute crossing.  Return fare if £5.50 adult and £4 child.  A great way to experience a different method of transport and have a little wander around Harwich.  

Watch the boats at the port
My kids loved watching the huge tankers loading and smaller boats coming in and out.  Have a paddle on the shore and you can even try your hand at fishing.  For refreshments you can visit Landguard View Point Café.

The Beach

Finally the beach! Enjoy a paddle, swim, ice cream and fish & chips.  Felixstowe is quintessentially British and unlike it's neighbour Norfolk didn't feel crowded which was just perfect.

Felixstowe has some amazing bars, cafes and restaurants and unusually not many chains which made a welcome change.  We visited Delphine's Diner (Americana on the sea front), Fish Dish Restaurant (Fish & Chips on plates with wine), Ruby's (Traditional Café) The Alex (Café Bar), The Boardwalk Café Bar (Exactly what it says!) There are loads of other fab places to eat and drink so have a wander and see where you end up.

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Lanzarote things to do with kids

Lanzarote is a beautiful canary island with warm temperatures all year round and 300 days of sunshine!  A 4 hour flight makes this a perfect place to take kids and there is loads to do in Lanzarote.  Prior to travelling to Lanzarote I hadn't known much about it other than it was known as the windy island but we had a brilliant time and I would happily recommend to families.  Here is my top things to do with kids in Lanzarote.

Timanfaya National Park
We took a trip to this National Park as part of an organised coach trip.  We experiences a camel ride and the volcanes.  On top of the Montanas del Fuego (Fire Mountain) volcano is a visitor centre and the famous El Diablo restaurant that actually uses the heat from the volcano to cook.  A guide also demonstrates the geothermal heat by poring water down a shallow pit.

Los James del Aqua
We stumbled across this as part of a coach trip and LOVED it.  You enter a dark cave and witness a natural lake full of tiny albino crabs.  It is just beautiful.  Once you emerge into the daylight you'll see a beautiful swimming pool although sadly no swimming is allowed (although a few people dipped their feet).  Another room has information about volcanoes and their is a café.  At night you can have an a la carte meal and experience music and traditional folk dancing.

Museo de la Pirateria
This pirate museum was a big hit with the kids.  Look for a small castle(fortress of Santa Barbara) perched on a large hill overlooking Teguise.  Open daily 10am to 4pm.  3 euro's per person children under 12 are free.
If you visit on a Sunday you'll also experience the markets in Teguise.

Aquapark Costa Teguise
Open 10am to 6pm Closed until 7th April 2019.  22.50 euro per adult and 16 euro per child (4 to 12)
Great waterpark (not massive but we stayed for 3 to 4 hours)  Do check the height restrictions as very strict and young children only allowed in certain areas.

Rancho Texas  
Animal park with bird, dolphin and sea lion shows.  There is a swimming pool to cool off .  A bus service is included in ticket price.  Open 9.30 to 5.30pm 30 euros adult, 22 euro child and under 3's free.  There is also an evening Country and Western show if you fancy something different.

Aqualava Playa Blanca
2nd waterpark on the island.  The pools are heated with geothermal energy and therefore open all year round.  21 euro per adult and 14.50 per child.  Opens 10am daily.

Cueva de Los Verdes
This is a lava tube created by volcanic activity and one of the longest in the world.  Also known as The Green Caves.  Best enjoyed as part of a coach tour.  No café so most visitors only stay an hour or 2.  

Pedalo & Glass bottomed boat on the many beaches

Catmaran trip
This was our favourite outing.  An all inclusive trip aboard a catamaran.  You also had the opportunity to swim and kayak.  Perfect way to see the island.

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Barcelona things to do with kids

Barcelona is a fab city break with kids.  A short flight, easy transfers from the airport and lots to do.  Here is a list of my top things to do with kids in Barcelona.

Cable cars

Transbordador Aeri del Port or Teleferico de Montjuïc

The city is flanked by 2 mountains.  Montjuic takes you to the castle and the other overlooks the sea. Approximately 10 minute journey per cable ride.  16.5 Euro for round trip. Children under 6 travel for free. My kids loved this unusual transport method and if time allowed we would have experienced the other one too.

Montjuic Castle

This is an old military fortress and offers amazing views over the city and when we visited a cooling breeze and the space was a welcome respite for the kids.  Open 10am to 6pm.  Standard admission 5 euro's.  Free sundays after 3pm and 1st Sunday of each month.

Olympic Stadium (Stadio Plimpico)

After visiting the castle we walked past this impressive stadium and wandered in as it's free entry.  The Olympics were in Barcelona the summer of 1992 and was nice to read a little of the history.  Worth a visit if in the area.

Cuitadella Park

Escape the hustle and bustle and visit the park.  City zoo, row boats, fountains, plaza, play areas and life size mammoth to entertain the kids.  The play equipment was on the small side perfect for toddlers/young children but not so great for my 8 and 11 year old.

Magic Fountains Montjuic

Located at the base of Montjuic during the summer the show is nightly Wednesday to Sunday 9.30 to 10.30 each show lasts 15 minutes and is amazing! It gets very very busy! You can see from most places but if you want a prime spot arrive early.

Barcelona Bus Turistic - Tourist bus

37 stops available and 2 hour approx. route.  A great way to see the city with kids as saves tired legs and was perfect for my son.  We didn't have time to fit in Nou Camp but he was thrilled just seeing it from the bus.  Day ticket 30 euro adult and 16 euro child under 4's free.  Prices do vary and sometimes offers.

Park Guell 7.50 euro adult 5.25 euro children free 0-6 year olds
Designed by Gaudi this park is full of enchanted paths, mushroom houses, mosaic arches and structures.  Lovely view over the city.  We personally found this a lot smaller than we expected and not really worth the time/journey.  If you love architecture it would be a must but a pass for us.

La Rambla Placa Catalunya to the port
Stroll along and look at the stalls, street artists, musicans and mime artists.

City Beaches
Olympic village more family friendly.  Barcelonetta is the old fishermans quarter.

Tibadabo Amusement Park
Enjoy an unforgettable day in the Tibidabo amusement park
and enjoy the best views of Barcelona in the Sky Walk. 28.50 euro per adult 10.30 euro per child located Tibidabo Square, 3-4 08035 Barcelona.

L'Aquarium De Barcelona
Opening times vary depending on season 10am to 9pm (latest) 20 euro per adult, 15 euro child 3 & 4 year olds 7 euro.  Located in Port Vell this Aquarium is one of the largest in Europe.  Visitors usually spend 2 to 3 hours here and a good way to get young children out of the heat.  

A hotel with a pool
Swimming! My kids loved our hotel with it's rooftop pool.  After spending the day sight seeing they LOVED jumping in the pool to cool off and relax and we could enjoy a drink and the rooftop view. 

Our top 3 were the Magic Fountains Montjuic, Cable car and Montjuic Castle. Check out my Travel Tab for more family travel ideas & destinations.

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