10 Best Things to Do in 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.

What are the best things to do in the New Forest with kids?

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

One of the most popular things to do with the kids in the New Forest is a visit to 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. It’s clean, well run and family-focused – and we’ve always found the queues to be a lot shorter than many other theme parks. Tickets aren’t cheap but 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 – check out my Paultons Park & Peppa Pig World Guide for more info.

2. 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. 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. Bring a picnic to keep costs down and don’t forget to check their website for seasonal events to enhance your visit. Frugal Mum Tip: Save money with a family ticket, or use the kids’ Blue Peter Badges to get the children in for free!

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 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. We had a fantastic time on our last visit, check out my Moors Valley Country Park Guide for more info.

6. Have fun at the New Forest BattleZone

One of the most fun things to do in the New Forest with older kids, The BattleZone is a fantastic action‑packed outdoor laser combat experience in the heart of the New Forest. BattleZone at Bailey’s Hard delivers two hours of thrilling, high‑energy gameplay using safe, infra‑red, wireless laser tag equipment – this one is perfect for the kids! Look out for special themed events too – they offer a fabulous Zombie themed experience for Halloween! Frugal Mum Tip: Check the ‘Love to Visit’ website for discounted rates.

7. Step back in time at Beaulieu Motor Museum

One of Finn’s favourite places, 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. 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!) 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.

9. 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. There’s also a brilliant adventure playground and the gardens are particularly stunning when the flowers are in full bloom.

10. Go canoeing or kayaking in the New Forest

For something a little more adventurous, why not take to the water and try canoeing or kayaking with the New Forest Activities company? There are family-friendly sessions available on the Beaulieu River, giving you the chance to paddle through some beautiful and peaceful surroundings while keeping an eye out for local wildlife. It’s a fun way to explore a different side of the New Forest and a great activity for older kids and teens.

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). You can visit the New Forest from Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and the surrounding areas. It’s a stunning mix of ancient woodlands, open heathland and even a bit of coastline to explore. It’s home to a collection of free-roaming horses, deer and cattle with over 140 miles of trails perfect for walking and cycling.

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 near the New Forest with kids?

If you’re looking for the best places to stay with the kids for your adventure, check out my article on the best family-friendly holiday parks near the New Forest – with one even located inside the National Park! But, for now, here are a few of the closest holiday parks:

Hoburne Holidays: Hoburne Bashley: Actually inside the New Forest, its the best located holiday park for family holidays in the woods. Plus, it boasts indoor and outdoor swimming pools, play areas, soft play, mini golf, an arcade, nature activities, a spa, sports and a 9 hole golf course.

Away Resorts: Sandy Balls Holiday Village: Just a 2 minute drive from the New Forest National Park, it offers on-site amenities like indoor and outdoor swimming pools, soft play, bike hire, mini rovers, archery, arts & crafts, a playground, entertainment and even alpaca walks. Check out my Sandy Balls Review for all the details.

Shorefield Holidays: Oakdene Forest Park: Just a 10 minute drive from the New Forest, this holiday park offers a packed schedule of activities including adventure golf, zorbing and arts and crafts – plus there’s an indoor pool (with a flume), a heated outdoor pool and evening shows.

Hoburne Holidays: Hoburne Park: This one is just a 10 minute drive from the New Forest and few minutes’ walk from the beach. The park boasts both indoor and outdoor pools, a playground, sports facilities, mini golf, soft play, an arcade, craft activities, pool inflatables and all sorts! My Hoburne Park Review has more info.

Hoburne Holidays: Hoburne Naish: For the best of both worlds, this holiday park offers direct beach access for coastal family holidays just a 10 minute drive from the New Forest. Plus, it boasts indoor and outdoor swimming pools, play areas, indoor soft play, mini golf, an arcade, sports and family-friendly entertainment.

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. Happy holiday hunting on my New Forest Family Holiday Park Guide and, wherever you end up, I hope you have a fabulous time! 😍