When it comes to family fun, there is a great deal to do in Bristol. The city is filled with many parks and green spaces, which are great for kids. Not only are they fun to explore, but they also provide fresh air and sunshine for young children. This can be a great way to tire them out before nap time or give them exercise after a meal.
Free things to do in Bristol
There are many free things to do in Bristol, including a visit to one of the city’s many parks. The city has over 400 acres of green space, including the beautiful Brandon Hill Nature Reserve and a 600-year-old deer park. You can also visit Cabot Tower for panoramic views of the city. Queen Square is another lovely place to visit and is filled with trees and benches. You can also visit Ashton Court Estate on 850 acres of wood. This urban farm is run by volunteers and is a good place for children to play.
The Bristol Harbour Festival is another free event that children can enjoy. This festival features over 100 hot air balloons, special balloon night glows, and aerial displays. There are also a few stages for food and drink; you can even take a picnic and enjoy the sun.
Clifton Suspension Bridge
The Clifton Suspension Bridge is one of the most popular attractions in Bristol. It spanned the Avon Gorge and was designed by Victorian daredevil Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Since its opening, it has been a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
The bridge is suspended by three independent wrought iron chains on each side. Each chain is connected to the other via bolts. The chains are anchored in the rocks sixty feet (18 m) below the surface. In the early years, toll revenues were low, but the bridge’s revenues grew after 1920 when car ownership increased. In the late 1800s, the area became a fashionable part of Bristol. As a result, wealthy merchants began to move to Clifton. The Clifton Suspension Bridge Company’s plans for a stone arch bridge became public.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge also contains underground chambers. For families with young children, there are unique Vaults Visits. One of these chambers is the Leigh Woods Vaults, built by famous Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and only discovered twenty years ago. This is the giant stone vault in the world, eleven meters high, and has a hall of festonite-filled echo chambers.
M Shed
If you’re looking for something different in Bristol with the kids, head to the M Shed. Located in a dockside transit shed, the colorful exhibits tell the story of the city and its people. Kids will love the bright colors and interactive displays. The museum is recommended for families with young children and is free to visit.
M Shed is a new kind of museum that challenges the ideas of traditional museums. It works with local people to create displays that people want to see. The museum is designed to help people explore the past while sparking discussions about the city’s present and future.
Kids can also ride the old steam train. The museum’s outdoor area also includes a ship replica of John Cabot’s caravel. It looks like an old-world ship, but it replicates the boat he sailed to explore the North American continent. A cafe inside the M Shed opens out onto the public square.
Trampoline park
A trampoline park is a great way to spend an afternoon with your children, and there are several options available in Bristol. AirHop Bristol, an indoor trampoline park located in Patchway near Bristol, is a great option. With over 135 interconnected trampolines, dodgeball courts, and a Wipeout Zone, this park is ideal for all ages and abilities.
The Bristol location of Just Jump Trampoline Park offers the most significant jumping space in the area, with 25,000 square feet of jumping space. In addition, there are two dodgeball courts, a ninja course, basketball hoops, and a laser maze. If you want to make the most of your time, you can take the whole family, as multiple session times are available.
City farms
When you’re in Bristol, you can visit City Farms and enjoy an afternoon out with your kids. These farms are free, run on donations, and feature animals, families, paintings, and sculptures. The atmosphere is community-driven and feels like a BBC documentary or social experiment.
Windmill Hill City Farm is the perfect place to visit with kids in Bristol. This farm is a working farm, and there are farmyard animals and art pieces to look at. There are educational posters about the different animals on the farm, and special events and activities for children are also advertised. There’s something for everyone, from young children to grown-ups.
The Farm at St Werburgh is another excellent option. Set on an idyllic site outside Bristol, this farm comprises five areas: the farm, community gardens, allotments, and a cafe.
Museums
Museums in Bristol are an excellent way to educate children on the history and heritage of the area. The Museum of Bristol is open to the public on Tuesdays to Sundays, 10 am to 5 pm. This museum is also available on Mondays during the Bristol school holidays. It also hosts free and paid events that are fun for kids. You can take your kids to celebrate Chinese New Year, see dragon and lion dances, and enjoy arts and crafts this year.
The Bristol Museum is an excellent place for school field trips in Bristol. It has an outstanding collection of objects and magnificent art. There is also a natural history gallery with examples of aquatic habitats in southwest England. A visit to the Bristol Museum will leave you and your children amazed! This museum also has a gift shop with many unique items to buy.
The Bristol Museum of Geology and Archaeology is another excellent place to take your kids. This museum features extensive collections of art and archaeology and encourages kids to touch the exhibits. There is a unique activity room for children, and puppet shows are available for younger visitors. There is even a floor dedicated to dinosaurs, another excellent choice for families with children.
Libraries
Libraries are a great place to go with kids, and Bristol has several options for families to visit. You can enjoy story time with a librarian or want a free book. Anti-drug protesters disrupted a recent drag queen book reading at a Bristol library, and counter-protesters clashed with protesters. But despite these protests, the story time is intended to encourage creativity and provide a positive role model for children.
If you have young children, consider taking them to the Children’s Library in Bristol, which features a transportation theme. It also has a fun Food City Reading Room with shelves of food-themed books and comfortable seating. Despite the protesters’ efforts, the children at Hillfields and Stockwood libraries could still listen to stories and enjoy their time there.
Festivals
The Bristol Festival is an excellent choice if you want something to do with the kids. The festival features circus acts, ball pools, and story-telling tents. There’s also a car show and kids’ programming. Families can enjoy food trucks, games, and the local music scene.
This festival is the best choice if you want to bring the whole family. There’s enough entertainment for everyone, and the festival’s size is small enough to allow for a relaxed atmosphere. At night, the music gets a bit more exciting, with live bands playing a variety of styles and genres.
The Bristol Beacon is also hosting the Hoo-Ha! Festival, which takes place from August 17th – 19th. The line-up is still being confirmed, but it includes the likes of TJ Band, Kid Carpet, and the Flamingo Chicks. There’s also a kid’s zone, with workshops and a chance to try out breakdancing and paint wars.
