The 10 best things to do in Hampshire and the New Forest with kids

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The New Forest and Hampshire are bursting with family-friendly attractions – it’s the perfect destination for a fun and memorable day out with kids, and if you’re heading there for a family holiday there’s just so much to do. Whether your little ones love adventure, nature, animals or history, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful part of the country. From exploring wild woodlands and meeting animals on farms, to thrill-seeking at theme parks and learning about the past, there’s plenty to keep children entertained. So, if you’re after an action-packed family holiday itinerary, here are 10 of the best things to do in the New Forest and Hampshire with kids:

1. Thrill-seek at Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World

One of the reasons that we head to the New Forest every few years is to visit one of our favourite places – Paultons Park. It has a fabulous theme park area with rollercoasters for older kids, as well as the infamous Peppa Pig World area for toddlers and younger children. Paultons Park is one of the UK’s top family attractions – it’s clean, well run and family-focused – and we’ve also always found the queues to be a lot shorter than many other theme parks. Tickets aren’t cheap but you can save by booking in advance online – plus parking is free and you can bring a picnic to avoid any extra costs. It’s an ideal treat day and with nature on your doorstep you can balance the cost with other free days out during your trip – for more info check out my article: A family review and guide for Paultons Park & Peppa Pig World.

2. Blast into Space at Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium

Perfect for curious minds, Winchester Science Centre is a brilliant hands-on day out for kids of all ages. The interactive exhibits are fun and educational – think water experiments, sound tunnels and a giant guitar you can walk through! The planetarium shows are a big hit and bring space to life in a way books and screens can’t. It’s indoors so this one is ideal for a rainy day, and there’s enough to keep children busy for hours. Booking tickets online usually works out cheaper and look out for events too as they run extra activities for the kids over the school holidays.

3. Wander the New Forest National Park

If you’re after a free and nature-filled day out, the New Forest National Park is a lovely place for a walk or a bike ride with the kids. With ancient woodlands, open heathland and ponies roaming wild it’s like stepping into another world. There are loads of flat, family-friendly walking and cycling routes, and little ones will love spotting deer, donkeys and birds along the way. Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary has a fantastic (and free) viewing platform, and places like Blackwater and Wilverley are perfect for picnics and a woodland stomp.

4. Feed the animals at Longdown Activity Farm

For little animal lovers, Longdown Activity Farm offers a fun and interactive experience. Located near Ashurst, this working farm gives kids the chance to bottle-feed lambs, hold fluffy chicks and pet friendly goats and donkeys. There’s also crazy golf, an adventure playground, ride on go karts, trampolines and all sorts of children’s activities to entertain the kids. The farm has a warm and welcoming atmosphere – it’s a lovely place to introduce little ones to farm life while giving them a hands-on experience with the animals. (Plus under threes can visit for free!)

5. Let off steam at Moors Valley Country Park

Located on the Dorset/Hampshire border, Moors Valley Country Park is a fantastic place to spend a day with the kids – there’s so much to do! The park boasts adventure play areas suitable for all ages, a tree-top walkway and it’s home to Go Ape with a ‘Net Adventure’ for the little ones and high ropes course for the more adventurous. Families can enjoy cycling and walking trails that meander through the forest, with bike hire available on-site. The Moors Valley Railway offers delightful steam train rides through the park and, with picnic spots and a café, it’s easy to spend an entire day there immersed in nature. We had a fantastic time on our last visit, check out this article for more info: The Ultimate Guide to visiting Moors Valley Country Park with kids.

6. Spend a day at New Forest Wildlife Park

New Forest Wildlife Park is home to over 260 animals across 40 species including otters, wolves, lynx and deer – the park provides a unique opportunity to observe these creatures in naturalistic settings. Kids will love the ‘Go Wild’ and ‘Mini Go Wild’ adventure playgrounds, featuring climbing frames, sandpits and swings to burn off some energy. For a more immersive experience you can also book the Keeper Experience, where you can get up close with animals like otters and wallabies under the guidance of knowledgeable staff. Bring a picnic to keep costs down, and don’t forget to check their website for seasonal events and activities to enhance your visit. Save money with a family ticket, or use the kids’ Blue Peter Badges to get the children in for free!

7. Step back in time at Beaulieu Motor Museum & Abbey

A visit to Beaulieu is a great choice for families who love cars and history. The National Motor Museum is home to over 280 vehicles, including vintage cars, racing cars and famous film vehicles like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. There’s also an adventure play area for younger children, as well as the historic Beaulieu Abbey where kids can learn about medieval life. Families can take a ride on the vintage monorail, which offers a bird’s-eye view of the grounds. Beaulieu is a fantastic mix of fun, education and history, making it a great all-round attraction – with events running regularly.

8. Relax at Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway

A visit to Exbury Gardens is a lovely way to spend a relaxed day in nature. The beautiful gardens stretch over 200 acres with winding paths, ponds and open spaces for children to run around and explore. One of the highlights for the little ones is the Exbury Steam Railway, a miniature train that takes visitors on a scenic ride through the estate. The train journey is a magical experience – winding past woodlands, tunnels and bridges with plenty to see along the way. There’s also a brilliant adventure playground and the gardens are particularly stunning in spring and summer when the flowers are in full bloom.

9. Learn a lot at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Older children and history buffs will love a trip to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard – it’s one of the most interesting things to do with the kids in the Hampshire / New Forest area. It’s home to HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the fascinating Mary Rose Museum, plus you can also hop on a boat tour of the harbour and get stuck into the interactive exhibits. Tickets aren’t the cheapest but the full attraction pass covers all 9 attractions and the water bus – it’s valid for a year too so you can make multiple visits – and children can get in free with their Blue Peter Badges. (There are often special events for kids during the holidays as well.) We really enjoyed our visit check out this article for everything you need to know: Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with kids – the ultimate family guide!

10. Get soaked at New Forest Water Park

If you’re visiting Hampshire over the summer months, a trip to New Forest Water Park is probably one of the most fun things to do with the kids! The highlight is the inflatable Aqua Park – a floating obstacle course featuring trampolines, monkey bars, slides and even a giant iceberg – providing endless fun for kids aged 6 and up. (If you’re trying to occupy older kids and teens, this sort of thing always goes down a treat doesn’t it!) For those seeking a more relaxed experience, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding is available too, offering a more peaceful way to explore the lake.

Where is the New Forest National Park?

The New Forest National Park, in southern England, is mainly in Hampshire (with a little tiptoe into Wiltshire). This park also borders Dorset, and the Isle of Wight isn’t far from it’s Southern edge either, so it can be a great location for a family holiday as you can actually visit the New Forest from Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and the surrounding areas. And, though there are lots of things to do with the kids, you might also want to time your visit with The New Forest and Hampshire County Show. It’s a vibrant three-day agricultural event held annually at the end of July in New Park, near Brockenhurst, Hampshire. Celebrating rural life, the show features livestock competitions, equestrian events, local food and drink stalls, craft vendors, exhibits and performances. The New Forest Dogstival Festival looks super cute too!

Where are the best places to stay in Hampshire and the New Forest with kids?

There are some fabulous holiday parks in Hampshire and the surrounding areas, with easy access to the New Forest National Park as well as lots of other family-friendly days out. These are my top 10 places to stay with the kids within a 45 minute drive of the New Forest National Park – with options in Hampshire and Dorset – all of which offer a fabulous base for a family holiday:

You can click through the links above, or head to my article: New Forest with Kids: The 10 best family-friendly holiday parks to find out more. To get from Bournemouth, Southampton or Portsmouth to the New Forest takes around 30 minutes – depending on which parts you’re coming to and from. The New Forest National Park is well located for easy access from wherever you choose to stay – and you could even combine it with a trip to the Isle of Wight as you can hop on a ferry from Lymington (5 minutes away), Southampton or Portsmouth. Find out more on the Red Funnel ferry website, and make sure you check out my Isle of Wight articles for days out and places to stay on the island.

For our 2025 visit to the New Forest, we stayed at Sandy Balls Holiday Village – our ‘luxury caravan’ accommodation was less than £60 per night and we enjoyed the entertainment and facilities on site. If you’re after a New Forest hot tub holiday – Sandy Balls has hot tub accommodation options too, for a little bit of luxury. For all the details, check out my Away Resorts Sandy Balls Holiday Village Review. And, wherever you end up, I hope you have a fabulous time! 😍