Swansea's best days out for family fun
Looking for things to do with the kids? Swansea has loads of family days out to entertain all the family, from wildlife to castles and museums to zoos.
1. Swansea Waterfront Museum
Swansea
With more than 300 years of Welsh industrial history contained within its glass displays, Swansea’s National Waterfront Museum is a a breathtaking mix of old and new. With interactive workstations and changing exhibitions all housed in an original listed warehouse linked to an ultra-modern slate and glass building, it’s always full of surprises and well worth a visit for a fun family day out at Swansea Marina.
2. Folly Farm Adventure Park & Zoo
Pembrokeshire
Go West for a fun-filled day out the whole family will love. With four big attractions in one place, zoo, barn, fairground and play areas, there’s something for everyone at Folly Farm, one of the best days out in West Wales. The main attraction at Folly Farm is the zoo which is world class with over 90 different species in purpose-built, award-winning enclosures. Lions, penguins and rhinos are just a few of the animals you’ll see and they have the only giraffes in Wales. If you want to get hands-on head for the Jolly Barn where you can get up close to lots of furry and feathery farm animals, a firm favourite with families. Experience all the fun of the fair with a lovingly restored vintage fairground including Dodgems, Golden Gallopers and the Cakewalk. There’s also eight different adventure play experiences for kids of all ages including indoor and outdoor play, Follystone race track, the Big Dig with several CAT mini-diggers, Pirate Adventure and Carousel Woods.
3. Oystermouth Castle
Swansea, Mumbles
Quite literally the castle capital of the world, Wales has comfortably enough castles to fill the entire summer holidays. The finest fortress on the Gower peninsula, this 12th century citadel offers up stunning views over Swansea Bay, as well as 14th century graffiti and a 30ft-high glass bridge.
4. The Egypt Centre
Swansea
You might not immediately associate Swansea with Ancient Egypt but head to the Egypt Centre at Swansea University to see an amazing collection of 5,000 ancient Egyptian atefacts. Gods with hippo-heads, model eyes wrought from obsidian, and rows of miniature sarcophagi – it’s a fount of educational inspiration and a fascinating attraction for the whole family to visit during the summer months.
5. Plantasia
Swansea
A superb all weather attraction in the heart of Swansea, Plantasia is a tropical paradise in a unique glass pyramid which is just bursting with plants and animals.
You’ll see piranhas, lizards, lots of creepy crawlies, snakes, as well as prickly cacti, giant bamboo and lots more. The little ones will also learn about the everyday life of tribal people in the rainforest hut. Inside you will find a traditional hammock, musical instruments, cooking spices and utensils. They also have lots of events throughout the year where you can get up close and personal to some fascinating animals.
6. National Showcaves
Swansea
A short trip outside Swansea will keep all the little explorers out there entertained, a day at the National Showcaves Centre for Wales, will be an adventure to remember! There’s lots to see with 3 unique caves to discover that will amaze, educate and delight visitors of all ages. Dan-yr-Ogof Cave is the most famous with some awesome formations including the heavenly ‘Angel’. Cathedral Cave has 40-foot high waterfalls that cascade around you in the Dome of St Paul’s. Bone Cave is so called because 42 human Bronze Age skeletons were discovered there, revealing over 3000 years of history when cavemen competed with hyenas and wolves to survive!
You can also get up close and personal with over 220 life-sized dinosaurs at the award-winning Dinosaur Park. Dare you face the terrifying T Rex that could swallow 230kg of meat in one bite, or how about meeting the Brachiosaurus weighing more than 15 elephants?
7. Llanelli Wetland Centre
Llanelli
All kids (and grown-ups) love animals and would relish a Welsh wildlife adventure at Llanelli Wetland Centre, a half hour drive from Swansea city centre. You can hand feed the rarest goose in the world, see the colourful flamingos, go bug hunting or pond dipping, enjoy bird watching from the hides and explore the reserve to see butterflies, dragonflies and more! There’s something for all the family to enjoy, 363 days a year including family activities and events every weekend and during the school holidays. Your close up encounter with wildlife could include; grabbing a net and finding out what lies beneath the waters, finding creepy crawlies at the mini beast hunts and using telescopes and binoculars to discover more with wildlife guides at family bird watching sessions.
There’s also a flamingo themed outdoor play area, Flamingo Bay, located close to the Centre making the most of fabulous views of the ducks and geese on the top pond. Don’t forget to head out to the wild wetland nature reserve and take on the challenge of the Swan’s Nest Maze to discover four giant eggs and have endless fun crawling through the winding tunnels of Water Vole City. There’s also an indoor soft play area for little ones to enjoy while grown-ups chill out and relax.
