23 Free Days Out and Things to Do With Kids in Hampshire
I'm still adding to this list, so keep checking back, please get in touch if you've got any hidden gems to recommend, or if you have a picture to replace any that I'm missing (ie the places that have words). As a thank you, I'll send a 20% money off voucher to spend in the shop for anything that gets used.
I've tried to make sure that all the details on here are up to date, but please do double check on the websites I've linked to before you travel in case anything has changed. Although I'd love to be able to travel to every place on here, time and practicalities dictate that I've sourced a lot of information from 3rd parties so some information might be incorrect (Please let me know if you spot anything that is so that I can amend it).
Especially important: double check parking costs to avoid any nasty surprises on a day out that was supposed to be cheap, and obviously, be careful if you're visiting places with kids, especially where the terrain is dangerous (ruins, cliffs, beaches, slippy paths etc).
Happy adventuring!
The New Forest
National Park
The New Forest is huuuuuuge, and filled with opportunities to spend time in nature, and spot ponies. The website is a great resource to help you learn where to go. In particular, check out this page to learn about the 3 'Wild Play' areas are
A restored Victorian fort with ramparts (currently closed), tunnels, great views, kids activities, and a collection of big guns. Admission is free, but pre-booking is recommended.
Built in 1554, you can enjoy panoramic views from the top of the keep, learn all about the castle's history, walk along the ramparts, and pretend to fire the cannons.
Open weekends, and bank holiday mondays, the museum is dedicated to Farnborough's aviation history. Check out the website to see the huge display of planes. There's flight simulators, including a kids chance to fly a WW2 spitfire. (There are restrictions on this, check on the day if the simulators are available).
While spotting the herd of fallow deer isn't guaranteed, the keeper feeds them from the same spot between 12 - 3 each day betweem April and September, so you've got a good chance of seeing them. There's a purpose built viewing platform, and lots of ancient woodland nearby to explore and enjoy.
Exhibitions include the history of Portsmouth Football Club, Sherlock Holmes, Endangered Crafts, and Marine Litter. Family friendly activities include a garden with play equipment, and interactive trails.
A country park with an adventure playground, a mile long beach, cliffs, D-Day remains, wildflower meadows. Check out the website to see the programme of family events including pond dipping.
Built as the main residence of powerful bishops in the middle ages. There are information boards to give you more history about these extensive ruins.
22 acres of land around a picturesque lake. There's a kids playground, a trail around the lake, woods, boardwalks, and boats available to hire.
Part of the South Downs, with plenty of walking trails to explore the 2,000 acres of woodland and download, There are 2 play grounds, an assault course, a story trail.
141 acres of varied habitats including heathland, woods, reedbed and marsh. There's an app available to download from the website with trails and points of interest.
Set in 440 acres of water, meadows, and woodland, there's one indoor, and two outdoor play areas, as well as a forest trail, and a play trail. There are also family trails, and free activity sheets.
2 museums in one building, teaching local history. Kids activities including dressing up, activity sheets, a diorama,
200 acres of open space, beach, woods, and a chapel that opened in 1863 to treat military personnel. There's also a play area, a fairy garden, geocaching, duck pond.. Catch a ride on the train for a small fee.
Learn about local Basingstoke history with hands on activities including an activity trail. There's a 2.8 metre long mammoth tusk, a 1950s kitchen,
A museum hosting a large collection of ceramics, porcelains, and tiles. The first floor has a children's area, there are also activity bags, dressing up clothes, and drop-in activitities. While you're there, you should also check out the Curtis Museum.
Learn local history from before the ice age until the present day in this museum housed in a former Georgian workhouse. There's a family area with hands on activities and dressing up costumes as well as quizzes and spotter trails.
Local history from the stone age settlement until modern day. Packed with fun for kids including handling artefacts, following the trail quiz, dressing up, and playing with hands-on history playsets.
150 acres of nature reserve, with stunning views across rolling hills. A circular footpath takes you round the steep slopes and woodland. Discover the old Iron Age hill fort, and Bronze Age barrows.
Located in Portsmouth, walk through the A-Z of natural history, meet a huge dinosaur, see the Occupational Beehive, and visit the Butterfly House.
Seasonally open, they help protect rare snakes and lizards. Animals you can see include the sand lizard, smooth snake, and adder. Entry is free, but they welcome a suggested donation of £3 per visit.
Not free, but affordable with adults £3, and children £1. It's open to the public at weekends, with lots of farm animals to meet, and activities.
A secret woodland garden in the New Forest with fairy doors, a play area, and a tea room. There's even a fairy post box where you can post letters to the fairies. Entry is via donation.
You know what the kids would love to be filling in as you're exploring new places? An epic activity pack! And it should be filled with easy activity ideas, and stickers, and personalised!
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