With the school summer holidays just around the corner, we have put together five summer day trips in the UK that will keep your children entertained. 

Sometimes, it can be a challenge to find a varied set of activities to do with the kids that will keep them out of trouble, whilst ensuring they keep active and are enjoying time outside too, rather than being cooped up indoors all day. But with our list of day trips that includes free and paid-for activities across a host of different locations, you can pick and choose the ones to suit you. 

Theme parks

The UK is host to a wide selection of theme parks that are dotted around the country, offering awesome rides and fantastic activities and facilities that appeal to both adults and kids. So what better way to treat the family, all in one location, than with a trip to your local theme park? 

For some of the world’s fastest and most thrilling rides, why not head to Alton Towers in the Midlands for the day. Set in over 800 acres of grounds, they have a theme park and a water park, so you can decide which one you prefer, or even do both. With the option of buying individual or family tickets and with additional discounts for advanced online bookings, you can keep the costs down too. 

Maybe you’d prefer something a little less stomach churning, but equally as charming, in which case a trip to LEGOLAND in Windsor could be the perfect place for you. Geared towards younger children, generally those under 12, there are family friendly rides and no end of LEGO figures to marvel at. 

Hit the beach

Britain is blessed with some fantastic and beautiful beaches, all of which make the perfect place to head on a warm sunny day. Generally, there is a beach within just a few hours drive from most places in the UK. The great thing about a beach day trip is that it doesn’t have to cost the earth either. 

Head to somewhere like Clacton-On-Sea in Essex and there’s something for everyone, whether you want just to sit on the beach and build sandcastles for free, take a boat trip up the River Thames or go to the SeaQuarium. Plus, if you head there on 25th or 26th August 2016, you can even enjoy the impressive Clacton Airshow. 

Take to the railways

If you or your little ones are train fans, why not head to the National Railway Museum with sites in both York and Shildon? The great news is that entry is free to both sites, so it should make for a very low-cost day out. And with plenty to see and do, you can explore the history of the railways and see amazing inventions such as a Japanese bullet train or the railway carriage of Queen Victoria, which was the world’s quickest steam train. They also have a model railway, family train rides, and an outdoor play area. 

A wildlife extravaganza

Another great way to combine education with fun and exploration is to take a day trip to London Zoo, located in Regent’s Park. The zoo is home to a vast collection of animals from elephants, monkey, penguins and lions through to spiders, snakes, and lizards. They offer family tickets, with kids under three getting free entry. There is a lot to see, including Penguin Beach, Land of Lions and Tiger Territory, so you’re sure to find great value for money and a fabulous day out for adults and children alike. 

Get walking

An excellent way to get your kids active is to take them on a walking day trip. Whether you want to enjoy formal gardens in a country park, or wind your way along woody paths, or scale the coastline, Britain is full of wonderful walks suitable for all abilities. 

A stunning place for a family summer day trip has got to be Bodnant Garden in Conwy, Wales. Entry is pretty reasonable with adult tickets costing less than £12 and children’s tickets costing less than £6, but what you get for your money is some beautiful family trails with plenty of activities and puzzles to do along the way, as well as a rare flowers, wild gardens and river valleys. 

Other great day trips for a good long walk is the Culzean Country Park in Ayrshire, which has a Young Naturalist Club with bags of games, activities, and trails geared around nature to keep everyone interested and entertained during the walk. 

With so many great places to go with the family this summer, you’ll be spoiled for choice, but one thing is for sure, you will have plenty of fun along the way, whatever the weather.