Children playing in the autumn leaves at Bodnant Garden, Conwy, Wales, in October | © National Trust Images/Megan Taylor

Family days out in Wales

With fun-filled activities and exciting events, there are plenty of great family days out to be had in Wales. Explore vast Welsh castles, tick off some ’50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities, or let off steam in natural play areas.

Two children pretending to be stuck in the stocks in the courtyard at Chirk Castle; one with their feet through the foot holes and another child watching.

Place

Chirk Castle and Garden

Take on the self-led medieval monster themed challenges around Chirk Castle. Head to Adam's Tower to dress up in armour or head to the outdoor play area at Home Farm perfect for keeping little ones entertained.

Place

Erddig Hall and Garden

Take part in wheelbarrow racing, corn tossing or digging for gourds. Go wild in Wolf's Den, Erddig's natural play area where you can balance on beams, build dens and climb until your heart's content.

Children on climbing frames in Rook Wood playground, Penrhyn Castle

Place

Penrhyn Castle and Garden

Join the scarecrows for some harvest fun as the pumpkins arrive in time to celebrate Halloween. With two playgrounds and wide open spaces to choose from, Penrhyn Castle offers the perfect family day out.

Children having an adventure in the tree house at the natural playground in the Dairy Wood at Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey

Place

Plas Newydd House and Garden

Have fun in the natural play area, make a pie in the mud kitchen and climb up to the treehouse. Look out for red squirrels collecting acorns as you go.

Place

Bodnant Garden

Bodnant Garden is marking its 150th birthday this autumn. To celebrate, from 19 October – 3 November there will be outdoor party games, activities and a trail of special birthday boxes to find and open along the way.

Volunteer crouched down speaking with children

Place

Plas yn Rhiw

Pick up a nature pack complete with binoculars and spotter sheet to explore this picture-perfect cottage garden with glorious sea views.

A mother and child looking at a statue in the Long Gallery at Powis Castle and Garden, Powys, Wales.

Place

Powis Castle and Garden

Follow the Halloween-inspired step-free pumpkin trail and count how many scared pumpkins you can find hiding in the garden. Find the two friendly dragons that have landed in the informal woodland behind the main garden. Hop on to the saddles on their backs and let your imagination take you on a magical adventure. These magical Wyverns are here for everyone to play upon and enjoy.

Visitors looking at the pigs in the farmyard on the estate at Llanerchaeron in Ceredigion, Wales

Place

Llanerchaeron

Visit the traditional farmyard at Llanerchaeron to meet the animals and to discover the autumnal harvest. You can also get into the Halloween spirit and head on the scarecrow spotter trail. On a rainy day, you can find the Stables play-room open for family fun.

Visitors walking through a passage of the UK's only known Roman Gold Mine.

Place

Dolaucothi

Pull on your walking boots and explore the UK’s only known Roman Gold Mine (booking essential) or follow the estate’s trails to explore the woodland teeming with wildlife. Limited opening, please check the webpage to plan your visit.

An adult and child playing with shadow puppets at Tredegar House, Newport, South Wales

Place

Tredegar House

Pick up an Explorer Pack from the visitor centre and use the binoculars, magnifying glass and compass to enhance your autumn adventures. Inside, dress up in period costume and make believe using the interactive puppet station in the house.

Child and parent playing in the Log Stack play area at Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan during the winter

Place

Dyffryn Gardens

Do you dare to take part in the Halloween-inspired Autumn half-term nature trail at Dyffryn Gardens? Afterwards, enjoy the two Log Stack play areas at Dyffryn as you balance along enormous trees, jump from log to log along the stepping stones and have a picnic on hand carved picnic stumps.

Children enjoying a natural play area at Fell Foot, Cumbria

Place

Dinefwr

Dress up and create your own stories in our Woodland Theatre in the Dining Room and make some spooky shadows in the Laundry maze. Afterwards, the Oak Yard play area is a fantastic space for creative play.

A young boy is smiling and swinging on a tree rope swing at Colby Woodland Garden, Pembrokeshire as two other children watch him.

Place

Colby Woodland Garden

This special hidden wooded garden in a valley, is a fantastic place to get closer to autumn’s wonders. Why not go on a walk with all the family and tick off ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’? Go foraging for wild food, play conkers, watch a bird, or build a den in the undergrowth.