Things to do in Cardiff with Kids
If you’re looking for things to do in Cardiff with kids, you might be surprised by just how much there is to see and do in the Welsh capital.
Having lived here for four years now I can confirm that Cardiff is a brilliant city for a family days out. It’s compact enough that you can explore a lot of the city centre on foot, but there are also parks, museums, castles, waterfront walks and plenty of family-friendly attractions to discover.
One of the things I love about Cardiff is that you can have completely different experiences in the same day. You could start by exploring a 2,000-year-old castle, wander through a huge city park, head down to Cardiff Bay for lunch and finish the day with some hands-on science or an adventure activity.
And if you’re looking for family things to do in Cardiff on a budget, there are plenty of free options too.
Cardiff Castle
One of the first places I’d recommend when looking for things to do in Cardiff with kids is Cardiff Castle.
Right in the heart of the city, Cardiff Castle is hard to miss and is a great place to start exploring Cardiff. There has been a castle on this site for around 2,000 years, so there is an enormous amount of history packed into one place.
For children, though, it doesn’t feel like a history lesson. There are towers to climb, castle walls to explore and plenty of spaces that allow them to use their imagination.
You can explore the castle grounds and discover its Roman and medieval history, while older children might enjoy learning more about the castle’s role during the Second World War and exploring the wartime shelters.
The castle is also surrounded by some of Cardiff’s other attractions, making it easy to combine with a walk through Bute Park and a wander around the city centre. Which leads us nicely onto my next recommendation..
Explore Bute Park
Just behind Cardiff Castle you’ll find one of my favourite places to escape the busyness of the city centre: Bute Park.
This huge green space runs alongside the River Taff and is a wonderful place to let children run around, climb trees and explore.
There are walking and nature trails, open areas for games and plenty of beautiful scenery. It’s also completely free, which makes it one of the best free things to do in Cardiff with kids.
I think parks are particularly useful when you’re exploring a city with children because you don’t have to schedule everything. You can spend an hour exploring, stop for a coffee, let the kids burn off some energy and then continue into the city.
And because Bute Park is right beside Cardiff Castle, it’s very easy to combine the two. Don’t forget there are three fantastic cafes within the park too. I would recommend Servini’s at The Summerhouse for ice-cream (they do vegan ones too) and The Secret Garden cafe for cake or Lunch. If you are entering the park via the walk at West Lodge then grab yourself a coffee from Brodies On The Wall too.
Discover Cardiff Bay
A trip to Cardiff wouldn’t be complete without heading down to Cardiff Bay.
Cardiff Bay feels quite different from the city centre, with the waterfront, restaurants, shops and plenty of open space to explore. You can wander around the water, stop at Mermaid Quay for something to eat or head towards the Cardiff Bay Barrage. For a cheap eat the Weatherspoons there has the one of the best views of the bays from their balcony. I can also recommend the Cosy Club for a glass of wine and al fresco dinning in the summer.
The Barrage is a particularly good option for families as there’s plenty of space to walk, cycle and explore. You’ll also find a playground for smaller children and the famous sculpture of the Enormous Crocodile, inspired by Roald Dahl, who was born in Cardiff. For a longer walk you can actually walk all the way round here to Penarth (and get the train back if needed!).
If you’re visiting Cardiff with older children, there are also plenty of more adventurous activities around the Bay, including water sports and white-water activities. I’d highly recommend trying out the indoor wave centre there for indoor body boarding. I was terrible at it but it was very fun!
Get hands-on at Techniquest
If you’re searching for things to do in Cardiff with kids when it’s raining, put Techniquest on your list.
Also located in Cardiff Bay but needs its own section, Techniquest is a hands-on science discovery centre where children can experiment, investigate and learn through interactive exhibits.
It’s the sort of place where kids can press buttons, turn wheels, experiment with different ideas and generally get stuck into things rather than simply looking at displays. There are more than 100 hands-on science exhibits, as well as science shows and other activities, making it a particularly good option for curious minds!
It’s also a useful Cardiff attraction to have in reserve when the Welsh weather inevitably decides that your carefully planned outdoor day isn’t going to happen!
See the dinosaurs at National Museum Cardiff
Another great option if you’re looking for free things to do in Cardiff is National Museum Cardiff. The museum has an impressive natural history collection, including dinosaurs, as well as art and other exhibitions.
It’s right in the city centre, so it’s easy to add to a day exploring Cardiff Castle, Bute Park and the shopping arcades. Top tip would be to get your coffee across the road first at Brodies (yes another Brodies, their coffee really is that good).
The dinosaur galleries are likely to be a particular hit with younger kids, while older ones can spend longer exploring the museum and discovering more about the natural world. And because entry is free, you don’t need to worry about rushing everyone through the exhibits. We also love their impressive collection of art pieces in the art gallery.
Visit St Fagans National Museum of History
A little further out of the city centre, but absolutely worth the journey, is St Fagans National Museum of History.
This is one of those places that feels much bigger than you expect. And one that is etched in every memory of anyone who grew up in Wales and came here on their school trips!
Rather than being a traditional museum where everything is behind glass, St Fagans is an open-air museum where historic buildings from around Wales have been moved and reconstructed. The grounds are also just beautiful to walk around and well worth a visit in of themselves.
You can wander through houses, farms, workshops and other buildings and get a real sense of what life was like in Wales in the past. There are more than 40 historic buildings to explore, along with demonstrations and activities throughout the year. The cafe is brilliant and reasonably priced and for rainier days there is also an indoor museum of Wales too.
Best of all, entry to St Fagans is free, making it another fantastic option if you’re looking for affordable family days out in Cardiff.
Spend some time in Roath Park
I’m bias as I live here but If you’re looking for somewhere a little quieter, Roath Park is another lovely family-friendly place to visit.
The park centres around a large lake and has plenty of green space to explore. There’s also the famous lighthouse memorial to Captain Scott, who began his Antarctic expedition from Cardiff. In warmer weather you can hire a pedalo and head out onto the lake, while the park itself is a lovely place for a walk or a picnic.
It’s also a great reminder that you don’t necessarily need to spend lots of money to have a good family day out in Cardiff.
Try something more adventurous
Cardiff isn’t just about castles and museums. If you’ve got older children or teenagers who need something a little more exciting, there are plenty of family activities in Cardiff to choose from.
Cardiff International White Water offers activities including family rafting, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, climbing and high ropes.
If your children love being in the water, Cardiff International Pool is another great option for a family day out. Located in Cardiff Bay, it has a large leisure pool with slides and water features, making it a fun choice for children of different ages — and a particularly good option again when the Welsh weather isn’t cooperating!
For something indoors, there are climbing centres, trampoline parks, bowling and indoor adventure activities dotted around the city. Our favourites are Fun HQ, Jump and Roxy Lanes.
This is one of the reasons Cardiff works so well for families with children of different ages. You can combine something educational with something active, so everyone gets a bit of what they enjoy.
Cardiff is a great city to explore without a car
One of the things that makes Cardiff particularly good for a family city break is how easy it is to get around. As a car-free family this is another reason why we love living in this amazing city.
The city centre is compact, with many of the main attractions within walking distance of one another. Cardiff Bay is also easily accessible by public transport, and there are regular buses and trains connecting different parts of the city.
That means you can easily build a day around several different attractions without spending half your time sitting in a car looking for somewhere to park. For families travelling by train, Cardiff is also very accessible, making it a great option for a car-free family day out.
Where to eat with kids in Cardiff
I’ll be honest my kids are now well out of the highchair era so I can’t say I can vouch for how good these places are for babies and toddlers but here is a list of our regular haunts.
Scaredy Cats Cafe Bar – – A quirky, family-friendly board game café in the heart of Cardiff, perfect for a coffee, cake or light bite while you explore the city centre.
Bran – Another lovely independent board game café serving delicious food, with a relaxed atmosphere that makes it a great stop when exploring Cardiff with the family.
Cardiff Market – Right in the centre of the city, Cardiff Market is a brilliant place to browse independent stalls, pick up local treats and grab something to eat while soaking up the atmosphere.
So, is Cardiff good for a family day out?
Absolutely.
Whether you’re looking for things to do in Cardiff with kids, planning a family weekend in Wales or simply looking for somewhere to take the children for the day, Cardiff has a huge amount to offer.
You can explore a castle in the morning, run around Bute Park, discover dinosaurs at the National Museum, head down to Cardiff Bay and finish with dinner overlooking the water. And that’s without even getting started on everything else in and around the city.
For me, that’s what makes Cardiff such a great family destination. It’s big enough to feel like you’re having a proper city adventure, but small enough that exploring it with children doesn’t feel overwhelming.
So next time you’re wondering what to do in Cardiff with kids, don’t overlook the Welsh capital. There really is something here for every age — and for every kind of weather!
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