The 5 best things to do in Great Yarmouth with kids

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I’ve been hunting for the 5 best things to do in Great Yarmouth with kids – it’s a fabulous location for a family holiday! There are some fabulous holiday parks in the Great Yarmouth area too – it’s a popular base for family getaways so make sure you check out my article on the best places to stay in Norfolk as well. And, to help you to plan a fun trip, here are my top 5 picks for the best things to do in Great Yarmouth with the kids.

1. Enjoy the rides at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach

Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach is a traditional seaside amusement park that has been entertaining families for over 100 years! (Throwback photo of my two when they were tiny! 😍) It’s home to rollercoasters, dodgems and plenty of rides for all ages – from toddlers to thrill-seekers. The iconic wooden rollercoaster is a must-ride and still operated by hand – it was my children’s first rollercoaster experience! I’ve got fond memories of this one – both from my own childhood holidays and from visits with my children too. Frugal Mum Tip: If you plan to stay all day at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, buy wristbands for unlimited ride access – it’ll be far cheaper than paying per ride.

2. Spend an evening at The Hippodrome Circus

If you’re looking for things to do with the kids in the evening, or want something to do in the warm during your Norfolk break, the historic Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth is one of the few purpose-built permanent circuses left. The shows combine incredible acrobatics, comedy and even a water stage that transforms mid-performance – what a brilliant evening out for the whole family and something truly different! We’ve not yet been but definitely will on our next visit to Great Yarmouth – let me know in the comments what you think! Frugal Mum Tip: Look out for weekday and matinee shows for reduced ticket prices.

3. Go under the sea at SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth

If you’re looking for things to do with the kids in Norfolk that’ll work out-of-season, or for rainy day entertainment, then head to SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth. Wander through underwater tunnels surrounded by sharks, turtles and rays, and check out the penguin enclosure and rock pools. There are hands-on zones, regular talks and feeding sessions to keep the kids engaged. Frugal Mum Tip: Book online in advance – tickets are cheaper than on the gate prices. You can also get discounted multi-attraction tickets to ride the giant wheel next door, and for the VR experience too.

4. Have seaside fun at Great Yarmouth Beach

If you’re looking for free things to do with the kids, for good old-fashioned seaside fun, Great Yarmouth Beach is hard to beat if you’re visiting Norfolk over the summer months. The huge sandy beach is perfect for sandcastle building and paddling – just bring your bucket and spades, and some beach games, to enjoy plenty of fun without spending a penny. (Though, if your kids are anything like mine, you’ll probably want to bring a little bit of cash for an ice-cream!) Frugal Mum Tip: Pack up a picnic to keep things cheap and cheerful.

5. Check out the Great Yarmouth Piers

Be sure to stroll along the two piers in Great Yarmouth for even more attractions and live entertainment – if you’re looking for things to do with the kids on a colder day there’s plenty of fun to be had. The weather was a bit chilly on our last visit, so we took the kids bowling at the Wellington Pier 10 Pin Bowling Alley. There are plenty of arcade games too – so get the kids to bring their pocket money for the 2p machines and see who can win the most tickets. Frugal Mum Tip: For bowling at Wellington Pier, the cheapest option is likely to be the 1 hour bowl for up to 6 people.

Where are the best places to stay in Great Yarmouth with kids?

One of the most popular holiday parks in Norfolk, and the only one situated directly on Great Yarmouth beach, Haven Seashore is ideal for family holidays – there are loads of things for the kids to do. It has an indoor waterpark with flumes, slides and a splash-zone for little ones. There’s soft play too, ‘The Jump’ for the big kids, Junior segways, a NERF training camp, crazy golf, crafts, evening entertainment and all sorts! For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Seashore Holiday Park on the Haven website.

Parkdean Resorts Vauxhall Holiday Park is another brilliant Great Yarmouth site packed with activities and entertainment options for kids all ages – there are loads of things to do at this one! Families can enjoy the indoor Tropical Waterworld pool (with a waterslide and splash play areas), an outdoor pool, adventure playgrounds, laser tag, soft play, mini golf, bowling, VR, kids’ clubs and all sorts. It’s one of the most popular Parkdean Resorts parks and I can see why! For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Vauxhall Holiday Park on the Parkdean Resorts website.

There are lots of fabulous holiday parks near Great Yarmouth, some just a short drive away, with plenty of things for the kids to do and you might even find some hot tub holiday accommodation! So, for even more places to stay, make sure you check out my article: The 10 best holiday parks in Norfolk for families.

What else is there to do in Norfolk?

If you’re up for exploring a little further afield, outside of the Great Yarmouth area, both Norfolk and Suffolk offer plenty of fabulous things to do with the kids. Make sure you read my full article for all the details: The 10 best things to do in Norfolk with kids but here’s a quick glimpse of some of the other days out you might want to include in your family holiday itinerary. You could see the seals at Blakeney Point, get grubby at BeWILDerwood, spend the day at Banham Zoo, enjoy the rides at Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park or explore the Norfolk Broads by boat – amazing!

As you can see, there are loads of fabulous things to do with the kids in and around the Great Yarmouth area – no wonder Norfolk is such a popular place for family holidays! I’ve got so many fond memories there from my own childhood and I hope this has given you plenty of ideas for fun days out with the kids for your own trip. Have a great time! 😍