The 10 best things to do in Dorset with kids

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Dorset, nestled along England’s picturesque south coast, is a treasure trove of family-friendly activities and I’ve hunted out 10 of the best things to do with the kids. Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventures, educational experiences, beach days, picturesque views, country parks or animal adventures, Dorset has something to offer every family. (Honestly you won’t have time to get bored!) Dorset is a such beautiful county, sandwiched between Hampshire to the east and Devon to the west, with Somerset just above.

Dorset has got that perfect mix of rolling countryside, cute villages and stunning coastline – so whether you fancy beach days or country strolls it’s all within easy reach. Dorset is a brilliant base for visiting both the Jurassic Coast and the New Forest National Park which is just over the county border in Hampshire. Here are 10 fabulous days out that you’ll definitely want on your Dorset family holiday itinerary – I reckon these are some of the best things to do with the kids:

1. Enjoy a visit to Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre

Situated near Wareham, Monkey World is a 65-acre sanctuary dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating primates from around the world. Home to over 250 monkeys and apes, the centre offers families a unique opportunity to learn about these fascinating creatures and the challenges they face. The informative talks and feeding sessions provide educational insights, while the extensive play area ensures that younger visitors can burn off some energy. Children can enter free with a Blue Peter Badge – making it a really affordable day out too.

2. Admire Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door

Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door are two of Dorset’s most iconic (and totally breathtaking) spots. They’re completely free to visit so they’re perfect for a budget-friendly family day out – though the parking is pretty pricey so you’ll need to factor that it. You can park up at Lulworth and enjoy a scenic walk along the coastal path to Durdle Door – it’s a bit steep in places, so pack sturdy shoes, but the views are absolutely worth it. (If you want to take a closer look you can even grab a boat tour from Weymouth, with a chance for some dolphin spotting too, those these sorts of tours can be quite pricey.) The walk is spectacular, the kids can enjoying playing on the beach and there’s plenty of space for a picnic with a view – it’s absolutely stunning!

3. Get stuck in Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park

Designed specifically for children aged eight and under, Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park near Poole provides a delightful farm experience. Kids can engage in hands-on activities such as feeding lambs, stroking guinea pigs and taking tractor rides. The park also features indoor and outdoor play areas, ensuring fun regardless of the weather. With ride on go-karts, bouncy castles and a summer maze the farm park has loads for the little ones to do – it offers a fantastic day out in Dorset for families with younger kids. (They even have pig racing!)

4. Take a trip on Swanage Railway to Corfe Castle

Step back in time with a journey on the Swanage Railway, a heritage steam train that chugs through the stunning Purbeck countryside. The line connects the charming seaside town of Swanage with the historic village of Corfe, where you can explore the dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle which are managed by the National Trust. Combining the train ride with a castle visit makes for a magical day out with the kids, and (for lots of wet and muddy fun!) Dorset Adventure Park is by the castle too – more on that below! Or, for a more budget-friendly option, you can get a ‘Short Hop’ train ticket for just a few pounds per person for short ride on the steam train.

5. Have fun at Dorset Adventure Park

Nestled near Corfe Castle, Dorset Adventure Park offers an exhilarating outdoor experience. The park features a water-based obstacle course set on two lakes where families can slip, slide and splash their way through inflatable challenges. We didn’t have time for a visit on our last trip to Dorset so the kids were a bit miffed – it looks like the perfect thing to do on a warm day, especially with older children. If you’re up for getting really mucky, there’s also a mud trail with a fun-filled assault course that guarantees laughter and muddy clothes. Suitable for children aged six and above, it’s an ideal spot for active families seeking adventure.

6. 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 immersed in nature here. We had a fantastic time on our last visit, check out my article: The Ultimate Guide to visiting Moors Valley Country Park with kids for more info.

7. Step back in time at The Tank Museum

For budding historians, The Tank Museum in Bovington is a must-visit – and it’s a good option for something to do in Dorset on a rainy day too. Housing the world’s finest collection of tanks, the museum showcases vehicles from World War I to the present day. For those with younger children, you might be surprised to hear that The Tank Museum caters for the little ones too with a soft play area and interactive play spaces. You’ll also want to check the dates for their experience days as they run events with live tank battles and life-like explosions during some school holidays – that’ll definitely go down a treat with kids of most ages!

8. Have a beach day and go at fossil hunting

One of the best ways to spend a budget-friendly day is at the beach, and luckily Dorset is home to some of the most beautiful in the country. Weymouth Beach is a family favourite with its golden sands, shallow waters and traditional seaside charm – perfect for paddling and building sandcastles. The stretch of coastline in Dorset (and into Devon) is famously known as the Jurassic Coast because this World Heritage Site is packed with millions of years of geological history, and it’s one of the best places in the UK to go fossil hunting.

The kids will love digging for ancient treasures on the beaches at Charmouth or Lyme Regis, and you can pop into the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre which has helpful guides – entry is free although donations are welcome. We found it super interesting, and you can grab a free fossil (or purchase a larger one from the shop below) if you don’t find anything on the beach. The staff will help you to identify what you find, and you’ll be blown away by the size of some of the creatures and finds preserved in the centre. This was our favourite Dorset day – Finn and Lola loved fossil hunting and we even found a piece of ammonite.

9. Take a walk at Durlston Country Park

Nature walks are another free and fun way to explore Dorset. The South West Coast Path offers plenty of family-friendly routes, such as the cliff-top walk to Old Harry Rocks which comes with breathtaking views. Durlston Country Park is another gem, perched on the cliffs near Swanage, it offers breathtaking coastal walks and a chance to immerse yourself in nature. The park is home to the historic Durlston Castle and the Great Globe, a massive stone sphere engraved with a world map. Families can enjoy spotting wildlife, including dolphins and seabirds, making it a perfect spot for a chilled day out with the kids.

10. Have an underwater adventure at Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park

Dive into the underwater world at the SEA LIFE Centre in Weymouth – it’s a great option for entertaining the kids on a rainy day in Dorset with lots of the attraction indoors. Having said that, it also offers some outdoor areas like a playground as well as enclosures for the seals, otters and penguins – it’s home to the world’s smallest breed of penguin. Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park is actually the only place in Europe that you’ll find a colony of Fairy Penguins. This aquarium offers interactive exhibits where children can get up close with marine creatures and the rockpool experience allows for hands-on learning, making for a special day out with the kids. Just make sure you pre-book online for the best ticket prices.

And hop over to Hampshire…

As I mentioned above, Dorset isn’t far from the New Forest National Park at all – in fact it’s just a 15 minute drive from Bournemouth so it’s well worth a visit if you’re in the area. The New Forest National Park is a stunning mix of ancient woodlands, open heathland and even a bit of coastline to explore. It’s home to a charming collection of free-roaming ponies, deer and cattle with over 140 miles of trails perfect for walking, cycling and letting the kids burn off some energy. Whether you’re after budget-friendly outdoor fun or a peaceful picnic among the trees, the New Forest is a real gem worth exploring. Bournemouth is also just a 30 minute drive from Paultons Park (with Peppa Pig World) too if you fancy a theme park day.

Where are the best places to stay in Dorset with kids?

If you’re still planning your Dorset getaway, you’ll be pleased to know that there are some fabulous places to stay with the kids in this beautiful country. Here’s a sneaky peak at my top 5 picks, but check out my article: Dorset with Kids: The 10 best family-friendly holiday parks for all of the details and even more places to stay!

Haven Holidays: Littlesea: The park boasts both indoor and outdoor swimming pools as well as loads of activities including: 4×4 ride ons, crazy golf, bungee trampolines, a NERF training camp, an inflatable arena, a climbing wall and more! No chance of getting bored at this one!

Haven Holidays: Rockley Park: The park offers its own private beach, ideal for water sports like paddle-boarding and kayaking. There’s an indoor swimming pool (with a waterslide), an outdoor pool, crazy golf, climbing, crafts, junior segways, a NERF training camp and nature activities – the kids will be spoilt for choice!

Parkdean Resorts: Warmwell Holiday Park: One of the best options for year-round family getaways – this holiday park offers so much for the kids to do whatever the weather. It boasts a 110m dry ski slope, an indoor heated pool with a waterslide, a roller rink, high ropes, adventure golf, a clip and climb, a VR area, hoverboards, a sports dome, crafts and all sorts!

Haven: Weymouth Bay Holiday Park: The park has an indoor swimming pool and an outdoor pool with a lazy river. There’s absolutely loads of activities on offer for the kids including: high ropes, an inflatable arena (one for little ones and another for teens), bungee trampolines, pedal-karts, aqua jets, archery, bike hire, the jump, crazy golf and a climbing wall!

Parkdean Resorts: Sandford Holiday Park: The kids can enjoy the indoor and outdoor swimming pools, complete with a waterslide and splash play areas. There’s also high ropes, a VR area, crazy golf, bungee trampolines, archery, soft play, sports courts, pedal karts and the Bear Grylls Survival Academy – so there’s plenty to keep kids of all ages busy.

I hope that this article has been helpful – there are so many fabulous things to do in Dorset with kids but this will hopefully be useful in giving you some ideas for your family holiday itinerary. If you’re visiting over the summer months, you’ll also want to check out the firework displays in Weymouth which take place on Mondays over the summer holidays. Just head to the Weymouth seafront – the firework displays begin at 9.30pm – and they’re completely free! (Perfect for a budget-conscious holiday itinerary!) Have a great trip! 😍