9 fun and educational things to do in Cornwall with kids

If you are looking for things to do in Cornwall with kids then stop right now, because we have the perfect list for you. We have found an awesome list of attractions that that kids will not only love, but will also educate them at the same time without them even knowing about it: win-win! So read on…

Museum of Witchcraft

Best museum ever. The Museum of Witchcraft located in Boscatle is home to the world’s largest collection of artefacts related to witchcraft. You can learn all about the myths, religions and folklore surrounding witchcraft by browsing the many wonderful and interesting exhibits spread over 2 floor levels. The atmosphere feels a little spooky which adds to the experience and should really get the kids’ imaginations going. Friendly staff on hand to answer any curiosities you may have. Entry for adults is £5 and children £4.

Tintagel Castle

Tintagel Castle in north Cornwall is one of the most important sites in the country in the legends of King Arthur, and this is another fantastic place to get young minds racing. According to the myths this was King Arthur’s birthplace. Perched high up on the cliffs overlooking the sea, you can listen to a storyteller who will capture imaginations with amazing tales while you view the spectacular scenery around you. You can also visit Merlin’s cave nearby. A family ticket is around £15.

Eden Project

The Eden Project near St Austell offers a whole host of family activities deliberately aimed at being fun and educational for kids. The site has huge biomes that are great for exploring, each containing a different habitat for plants from around the world. There are learning trails around the site and a number of cool ideas to get your children interested in ecology and sustainability, such as ’20 things to make with a cardboard box’. Tickets to the attraction are £23.50 for adults and £10.50 for children aged 5-16, but you can get a significant discount online if you book 7 days in advance.

Paradise Park

If your kid’s love animals, they will love Paradise Park in Hayle, which is a wonderful wildlife sanctuary passionate about the conservation of rare birds and many other animals. You can learn all about the colourful, exotic birds they have here, watch birds of prey displays and explore the wonderful gardens. Most exciting of all there is an enclosure with lots of colourful birds flying around freely and they will land on you, especially if you buy some nectar to feeds them. This is a JungleBarn indoor play centre and lots of little animals like pygmy goats, sheep and donkeys to meet. This is a really good fun day out. Tickets are around £13 for adults and £10 for children with some good offers available online.

National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum in Falmouth is a lot more interesting than it sounds, trust us. There are absolutely brilliant exhibitions here for kids all about adventures and life on the open sea. You can see a ton of displays spread across 5 floors including a Search and Rescue helicopter which you can climb into and hear personal accounts of the crew members. Don’t miss a change to climb the lookout tower! There’s an excellent café on site and tickets are £31 for a family.

Poldark Mine

Poldark Mine is located in the tin mining World Heritage Site of Wendron Valley and dates back to the 1700’s. It is the only completely underground tin mine open to the public in the UK. The attraction teaches visitors about Cornwall’s rich mining heritage and the history of the Cornish Tin Miners through a variety of exciting underground mine tours, interesting talks and exhibits on display in the museum. There is a great picnic area, café and souvenir shop. Tickets are available on entry for around £25 for a family of 4 but you can get a 10% discount if you book online.

Royal Cornwall Museum

The fascinating Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro is a fantastic learning opportunity for the whole family. You can see an extensive range of old books, photographs and archaeological finds all related to Cornwall as well as work by local artists and designers, but there are wonderful things to see from around the world too. There are a number of workshops suitable for young children and families that you can attend all year round to help you make the most of your learning experience. Children go free but there is a £5 annual pass for adults that lets you visit again and again throughout the year!

St Michael’s Mount

St Michael’s Mount is a beautiful tidal island with a castle that sits 300m off the coast of Cornwall at Mount’s Bay. Access to the island is on foot via a man-made causeway made from granite or, when the tide is in, via a short boat trip. On the mount families can learn about the history and legends of the splendid castle as well as natural sciences via fun trails and activities in the beautiful gardens which are home to some exotic flora and fauna. A family ticket to the castle is around £24 which gives access to the gardens too.

Newquay Zoo

Newquay Zoo is a great place to see all kinds of exotic animals up close and personal. Kids can learn about the world’s creepiest crawlies, the behaviours of nocturnal wildlife, exotic animals and animals native to Britain. There are a number of talks and animal feedings which you can watch, as well as a host of family events throughout the year including International Pirate Day and Festival Week. Tickets cost £33 for a family of 4.

Plenty of family fun on offer in Cornwall

As you can see, there is so much on offer for families in Cornwall, and this list strikes the perfect balance between fun and education for kids. All of these attractions are also brilliant for parents. What are you waiting for?