Our favourite things to do in Brighton with kids

Brighton and Hove has always been popular a popular destination for adults, but there are plenty of things to do in Brighton with kids too. Close to the beach and with plenty of camping and caravan parks nearby, a trip to this Sussex city is guaranteed to be a wonderful holiday.

We’ve handpicked some of our favourite attractions and activities for you and your family to make the most of your visit.

Brighton Pier

Nearly everyone has heard of the famous Brighton Pier! With great attractions such as fairground rides, amusement arcades and restaurants, this is a place the kids will really enjoy. Teenagers and young children will enjoy thrill rides like the Booster, which hangs directly above the sea while spinning upside down, to the more traditional carousel and cup and saucer rides for the little ones. Rides are paid for with tokens that you purchase on the pier on the day you visit.

Don’t forget to indulge in a bag of warm doughnuts or candyfloss from the sweet treats kiosks! The pier itself is free to enter and is open daily except Christmas, but opening times for the individual attractions may vary.

The beach

After visiting the pier, take the family for some time on the beach! Although it's pebbles rather than sand, parents will enjoy relaxing in the sun while the kids play in the sea. Take a walk along the sea front promenade and you'll find a variety of restaurants, bars, art galleries, shops and arcades, as well as traditional facilities such as toilets and beach chair rentals.

i360

Previously it was the Brighton Wheel that ruled the roost, but the i360 tower is king now. Officially the slimest tall tower in the world, the entire family can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Brighton with a fun, sky-high ride! Adult tickets are around £15 and children are £5, but remember to book online and you'll get a discount! The tower is open from 10:30am to 6pm most days.

Toy and Model Museum

Under the Brighton railway station, you’ll find the Toy and Model Museum. Children will stop in awe at the shelves stacked full of classic toy cars, boats, planes and teddies with names like Meccano, Hornby and Steiff while adults reminisce about their own childhood toy memories! Look out for small events held throughout the year such as Frank Hornby Week-a week of fun talks and children’s activities dedicated to the famous model train creator! Open everyday except Sunday with car parking and toilets nearby and a small admission fee of around £4.50 for adults and £3.50 for children.

Sea Life Centre

The Sea Life Centre is a must-see family day out. Open everyday from 10am to 7pm, the centre is home to a huge selection of sea creatures from sharks to stingrays and clown fish to seahorses. There is an interactive rock pool where kids can touch and pick up crabs and starfish! Throughout the year, there are various special events such as ‘Shark Weeks’ which has talks, feeding demonstrations and lots of other activities the kids will love. A ticket for 4 people currently costs around £56, however if you buy online you can get a decent discount of about 36%. Sea Life Centre is located on Marine Parade on the seafront adjacent to the pier with car parking nearby on Madeira Drive. Toilets are available and there is great shop where kids can get souvenirs.

Booth Museum of Natural History

A wonderful hidden gem is the Booth Museum of Natural History. Founded in 1874, Edward Booth had a deep fascination with all kinds of creatures, and his museum is a place where you’ll see birds, fossils and around 650 different kinds of butterfly all kept wonderfully preserved. With ‘hands-on’ displays the children can get involved in, the museum is an interesting and educational experience for all the family. You can reach the museum from Brighton City Centre in around 20 minutes by foot and there are toilets and refreshments available close by. The museum is open every day except Thursdays and admission is completely free!

Volks Electric Railway

Built in 1883, the Volks Electric Railway is the world’s oldest operating electric railway. It runs right along Brighton’s sea front giving passengers some great views of Brighton’s coastline. Trains operate every 15 minutes. Single or return tickets can be purchased for £2.50 to £3.50 for adults and £1.50 to £2 for children. Grab an ice cream before boarding the train to relax those tired feet and take in the sea air.

Brighton is a classic seaside resort that makes a superb family holiday destination. With great places to camp or pitch up your tourer and plenty of other attractions in the surrounding area, you will never run out of fun things to do with your kids.

Blackberry Wood treehouse is a popular option for anyone looking for a truly special glamping break.