A beautiful part of England where many holidaymakers come for a UK staycation, Devon is full to the brim with gorgeous sandy beaches, quintessential coastal towns, and villages and of course, there’s Dartmoor National Park, where deep river valleys and open moorlands call eagerly to all nature enthusiasts.
If you’re considering visiting Devon for your next family holiday and want to bring the smaller members of the family, you’ll want some inspiration on what you can get up to and the sorts of activities that are ideal for the whole family. This post will talk you through some of our favourite family-friendly activities and kids’ attractions in Devon. Keep reading to find out all about days out with kids in Devon.
#1 Paignton Zoo Environmental Park
Located in between the coastal towns of Torquay and Brixham, Paignton Zoo Environmental Park offers a fantastic day out with the kids in Devon. Not only can you visit the myriad of animals that reside there (equalling more than 2,000!) including giraffes, big cats, monkeys and reptiles, but there’s also a nature trail, indoor and outdoor play areas, face painting and a park train which provides a different view into some of the animals’ habitats. What’s more, Paignton Zoo is just a 35-minute drive from Cofton Holidays.
#2 Babbacombe Model Village
A miniature world where even the smallest members of the family will feel like giants, Babbacombe Model Village is a lovely thing to do with kids in Devon. Wander around the attraction’s 4.5-acre gardens and explore over 420 miniature buildings, filling in the spotter sheet as you go. Look out for celebrity models, and your kids are sure to love playing a little ‘Where’s Wally’ amongst the scenes. The attraction has recently added ‘peek inside’ houses, a wildflower garden, a new city scene and a model depicting the beautiful Royal Crescent in Bath.
#3 Exeter Quay
If your children love to feed the ducks (which let’s face it, most little ones do), Exeter Quay is a lovely place to go with the kids in Devon, but also offers something for the adults too. The quayside itself is home to quaint craft and gift shops, and you can even hire a canoe to head out onto the river.
There are swans, ducks and other little coastal birds who love to be fed, and once they’ve had their fill, you can get yours too at the ample pubs, coffee shops and restaurants on offer in the area. Plus, being less than a 30-minute drive from Cofton, it makes for a super-easy day trip from our holiday park.
#4 The Milky Way Adventure Park
If it’s North Devon that’s caught your eye, just west of Bideford and on the edge of an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you can find the Milky Way Adventure Park, a kids’ attraction in Devon that is sure to please all ages.
Rollercoasters and slides, dodgems and elaborate soft play areas are just the beginning of a visit here. There are birds of prey shows, mini golf and even a maze to explore, so definitely worth considering if you’re planning a trip to North Devon for the kids.
#5 The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth
Inspired by a doctor’s decision to buy a donkey in need named Naughty Face, the Donkey Sanctuary was born in 1969, and has helped countless donkeys and mules ever since. If your children love animals, this is a great place to take them to help educate the need to look after our animals properly.
When you visit, you get to meet the donkeys and get to know their unique characters, learning about their individual stories. There’s a café on-site for lunch, or perhaps coffee and cake. You don’t have to pay to visit, although you may want to leave a donation, that’s entirely up to you. If kids’ activities in Devon with an educational side are what you’re after, the Donkey Sanctuary is ideal.
We hope we’ve inspired some ideas for days out with the kids in Devon, and if you’re considering paying a visit either this year or next, we’d love to be your base from which to explore.
As a holiday park, we’ve got tonnes on offer in the way of things to do with the kids in Devon, but we’re already ideally placed to explore some of the attractions we’ve highlighted in this post. View our holiday offers, or explore our year-round breaks.
