30 GREAT family days out in Staffordshire

There is so much to see and do in Staffordshire for families, you will be spoilt for choice. Staffordshire is a county in the centre of England, and borders the counties of Cheshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, the West Midlands, Worcestershire and Shropshire. There are plenty of family days out in Staffordshire including theme parks, ceramic cafés for pottery painting, meeting farm animals and Staffordshire walks.

Here are some great family days out in Staffordshire (including free things to do in Staffordshire with kids) and ideas for things to do in Staffordshire with toddlers.

If you are visiting Stoke-on-Trent than check out our guide on things to do in Stoke-on-Trent with kids

This post is regularly updated for things to do in the Staffordshire with kids, family days out in Staffordshire and Staffordshire family attraction for families.

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Please do check the attraction websites for up to date information including up to date prices and opening times if you plan on visiting.

1. Trentham Gardens

READ OUR REVIEW – Trentham Gardens with kids

The Trentham Estate is one of our favourite family days out in Staffordshire. There is so much to do here and you can easily spend a day exploring the grounds. Not only is there the Trentham Garden Centre, but the Shopping Village is a great place to spend a few hours. You will find 80 timber lodges with independent and nationally renowned high street leading names and plenty of cafés and restaurants too. Wander around the lake and search for the fairies or head straight to the amazing adventure playground.

Check the website for opening times, events and prices. You can purchase tickets online in advance or you can purchase on the day. You can also purchase an annual ticket for an annual membership for access to the estate all year round.

2. Trentham Monkey Forest

READ OUR GUIDE – Tips for Visiting Trentham Monkey Forest

The Monkey Forest is part of the Trentham Estate, and here you will find over 140 barbary macaques living freely in the 60 acre woodland. The Monkey Forest is a completely unique day out, as you can walk around the grounds and see the monkeys living freely as they would in the wild. The walk is around 3/4 of a mile so perfect for little legs and also the path is pushchair friendly too. You may find our Monkey Forest review post helpful.

Visit the website for more information including opening times, and prices. You can also book birthday parties and incredible monkey experiences including breakfast with the monkeys!

3. National Forest Adventure Farm

READ OUR REVIEW- National Forest Adventure Farm

The National Forest Adventure Farm is in Burton-upon-Trent and is one of our favourite family days out in Staffordshire. There is SO much to do here, and plenty to do if the weather is poor too as there is a mix of indoor and outdoor adventure activities and farm animals. Visit the outdoor paddocks and meet the farm animals, take a tractor ride, bounce on the outdoor bouncing pillows, try the secret garden adventure golf, JCB dig zone, and assault course, plus much much more!

There are also plenty of seasonal events throughout the year including the Christmas North Pole Adventure, and the Summer Maize maze.

Visit the website for more information, ticket prices and seasonal events.

4. Cannock Chase Forest

Throw on the wellies and head to the woods for a great family day out in the fresh air. Why not finish the walk with a hot chocolate or bite to eat in one of Staffordshire’s great dog-friendly restaurants?

Cannock Chase Forest is a perfect destination for any outdoor family, and there is plenty to do here. Take the bikes and try out on the cycling routes, Search for the Gurffalo sculptures or take the Zoo trail around Cannock Chase Forest, or take a gentle stroll around the Ladyhill Trail.

For more information including parking information visit the website

5. Go Ape

Read out full Go Ape Cannock review here

Go Ape is also situated at Cannock Chase Forest (just one of the many Go Ape destinations). You can choose from a range of outdoor adventures including the TreeTop Challenge, Tree Top adventure, and Tree Top adventure plus. There is also Segways available too.

Pre booking is essential. Visit the website for more details and to book

6. Visit Keele Woods

Another of our favourite destinations.. we love to throw on a coat, hat and wellies and head to Keele woods with the kids and the dog. The Sneyd Arms and KPA are two great dog friendly places to eat after a woodland walk too. Visiting Keele woods is a free day out in Staffordshire with kids and there are plenty of ideas to keep kids entertained on a walk including building a den, scavenger hunt, collecting items for arts and crafts, and map reading.

We love a woodland party and you may like this post on our woodland party ideas to give you ideas for a kids party in the woods!

7. Shugborough Estate

Shugborough Estate is a National Trust property in Staffordshire, and offers beautiful gardens, A Georgian mansion of treasures and a natural play area for kids. It is home to the Southdown sheep and Longhorn cattle that graze the parkland. Dog friendly and family friendly Shugborough Estate offers a great day out for families.

Keep your eyes peeled for the family friendly events, including Christmas family friendly events and the illuminated trail for Christmas 2023.

For more information and ticket prices visit the website. Click here for National Trust Membership.

8. Apedale Valley Light Railway

Apedale Is a brilliant outdoor walk with kids, and also a great place to visit with a dog too. If you head to the Apedale visitor centre you will find the Apedale Valley Light Railway!

From April to October there are trains on every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday, and tickets are purchased from the station shop. The train typically takes around 15 minutes. Look out for the Seasonal Santa specials too in December. A family ticket costs around £9 (maximum 2 adults and four children) Children under 3 travel free. Dogs are also welcome but must be on a lead.

For more information head over to the website.

9. Dorothy Clive Garden

The Dorothy Clive Garden is a charitable garden trust, and is located in the countryside on the North Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire borders. There are many areas of interest within the 12 acre garden including a winter garden, an edible woodland, a woodland quarry with waterfall, and a rose walk. There is also a tearoom within the grounds of the garden if you fancy a cuppa and a cake!

For admission prices and opening times visit the website

10. Biddulph Grange Garden

Biddulph Grange Garden is a National Trust Garden in Biddulph, Staffordshire. Family friendly and dog friendly, a visit takes you on a journey from Italy to the pyramids of Egypt, a Victorian vision of China and a re-creation of a Himalayan glen.

For children there is also a woodland adventure play area and you can enjoy cake and a cuppa in the tearoom. There are a number of things to do over Christmas including the return of the Festive Nights with the garden lit with Christmas lights. There is also a Christmas wreath making workshop too (booking essential).

For more information head over to the website for opening times and prices

11. World of Wedgwood

READ OUR REVIEW – World of Wedgwood with kids

If you are looking for a great family day out head over the the World of Wedgwood, Barlaston, Stoke on Trent. There is plenty to do with kids including the decorating studios, a session on the potters wheel, play with clay, and a family friendly factory tour.

Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal events and markets, and activities over the school holidays including creative sessions to keep the kids entertained.

There is also plenty to eat and drink including a visit to the Wedgwood tearoom and Courtyard Café. Why not try an afternoon tea?

For more information, opening times and to book visit the website

12. Emma Bridgewater

We love nothing more than a visit to the Emma Bridgewater factory in Stoke-on-Trent. The decorating studio is a must – you can choose the piece of pottery that you wish to paint (prices start from £7, and you pay for the studio decorating fee that is currently £2.95. Sessions need to be pre booked on the website before visiting and you can also add afternoon tea experience in the Stoke café too.

To book head over to the website

13. Middleport Pottery

READ OUR REVIEW – Middleport Pottery with kids

Middleport Pottery is based in Burslem in Stoke-on-Trent and is a great visit with kids. On site you will find the Middleport Pottery Café serving  homemade lunches, cream teas, cakes, and not to mention the local oatcakes!

Over the school holidays do check out the activities and events at Middleport. This includes wreath making workshops, Santa experience, various trails, and children’s workshops including creative workshops and play with clay.

To book and for more information on the Middleport events head over to the website

14. Royal Stafford Ceramic Café

READ OUR GUIDE – Pottery painting in Staffordshire

This is one of our favourite places to paint a pot in Stoke on Trent. We love Royal Stafford ceramic café as it is really reasonably priced for a family – starting from just £5.50 including the studios fee. Once you have created a masterpiece, the work of art will be glazed and fired and ready for collection (free) or posting (delivery charge) to you within a week.

Royal Stafford café also hold special events, birthday parties, hen parties or baby showers. 

For more information, to book and for special events and head to the website.  

15. Amerton Pottery Painting Studio

Amerton paint a pot studio is a traditional pottery workshop and a paint a pot studio and is based over at Amerton Farm.

You will find a large range of pottery pieces available, including Christmas Baubles, Tiles in Frames, Coasters, Mugs, Plaques, Plates, Clocks, Vases and Jugs and many more.

You can also book Amerton pottery painting studio for children’s parties or group bookings.

16. Regent Theatre Stoke on Trent

There are so many amazing shows throughout the year for families. Our kids loved the theatre production of Annie, and David Walliams too!

Keep your eye out for the seasonal pantomime at the Regent Theatre in Hanley – a great day out for all the family full of laughter and ALOT of giggles.

You can read a past pantomime review here if you are still wondering if to book tickets for the pantomime for this year!

For a full list of family friendly shows and for tickets visit the website

17. Drayton Manor Resort

Drayton Manor Resort is a great day out for all ages and is a theme park in Staffordshire, England with over 50 theme park rides and attractions. There is plenty to do here – one day is never enough. You will find Europe’s only Thomas Land, a 15-acre zoo and 4-star onsite hotel.

Keep you eyes peeled for seasonal events including Halloween, fireworks and Christmas Wonderland.

To plan your visit and to book tickets

18. Alton Towers Resort

Alton Towers Resort is set in over 500 acres of countryside in Staffordshire and is an amazing family day out for all ages.

Please note – The theme park closes for the Winter season around the start of November and then reopens in the Spring, although it opens on selected dates during November and December for their magical Christmas event.

Here you will find rides galore, from the terrifying rides to the slightly more sedate rides at CBeebies land. The Waterpark is also a HUGE hit with the kids too, and you can book tickets for this separately. There is also a range of short break options from hotel options to star gazing pods or luxury treehouses.

Look out for the Alton Towers Resort events over Halloween and Christmas holidays.

To book tickets.

19. Snowdome

If you love snow, or you love adventure, then visiting the snowdome is definitely one to add to your list.

The SnowDome is a snow, ice and leisure experience, so basically home to a load of snow fun! There is something for everyone including ski and snowboard lessons, and the snow fun park. Oh and don’t forget my favourite thing to do – ice skating! There is also an indoor climbing wall too.

Look out the Winter Wonderland over Christmas, with a Christmas village and snow trail, and a Santa show!

To book your sessions visit the website.

20. Clip ‘n’ Climb, Stoke

We are huge fans of Clip ‘n’ Climb in Stoke and visit regularly. It is a great rainy day activity in Staffordshire too. Clip ‘n’ climb offers awesome climbing sessions for children of all ages including toddlers! You can book a toddler session online (for ages 2-4) and there is also a small soft play area for young children who are not participating in the climbing sessions.

Look out for events over the school holidays, and you can also book birthday parties here too.

A family ticket for four is around £44.00 (at time of writing).

Visit the website to book your session online.

21. Adventure Mini Golf

Adventure mini golf is the latest addition to the Waterwold Leisure Resort. It is an exciting new attraction offering two 18-hole, tiki-themed mini golf courses for the whole family to enjoy.

You can take a trip through the Temple Ruins Trail and discover the hidden wildlife and then putt your way to glory on the Jungle Falls Challenge, where you will play beneath our amazing indoor waterfall!

There are package deals available to allow you to combine a visit to the water park and adventure mini golf too.

To book and for up to date prices head over to the website

22. Peak Wildlife Park

Peak Wildlife Park is located in Staffordshire on the edge of the National Park and offers an incredible chance to come face to face to exotic and endangered animals. Here you will find penguins, lemur, meerkats, otters, red squirrels and alpacas, and they have also very recently welcomed three polar bears into the Peak Wildlife Park family. We love a day here, and love that you can walk through areas of the park without fences or barriers so you can get really close to the animals.

At an additional cost you can book animal experiences including penguin, meerkat, and lemur experiences and much more more!

You can purchase day tickets or become an annual member, visit the website for more information

23. Brampton Museum and Park

Brampton Park features in our cheap things to do in Staffordshire post and has been one of our favourte places to visit for years, particularly when the kids were young.

There is a great adventure play area with loads of classic sturdy equipment for kids 2 to 12 to play on, and a good sized sandpit to get creative in and a water play area too!

You will also find sensory and rose gardens to explore, plus an aviary and a pond. There is a museum in the park plus a little miniature railway which runs on Sundays May to September but only in fine weather and if the weather is poor you can pop to Cheeky Monkeys indoor play area (additional cost).

24. Amerton Farm

Click here for our Amerton Farm review

Amerton farm is a family farm in Staffordshire, and offers a great family day out.

You will find an indoor play barn – which is a great rainy day activity.

Outdoor you will find an outdoor play area, bouncy pillows, ride on cars, and a sand pit. For animal lovers there is a chance to pet-friendly rabbits and Guinea Pigs, and get up close with goats, pigs, cattle and other farmyard favourites.

For more information and opening times and events, head over to the website

25. National Memorial Arboretum

The National Memorial Arboretum is set in 150-acres of woodland and gardens, located in the National Forest in Staffordshire.

The National Memorial Arboretum is the UK’s year-round centre of Remembrance and home to iconic Armed Forces Memorial. You will find almost 400 thought-provoking memorials, nestled amongst woodland and is open daily throughout the year with exhibition spaces, guided walks, and a sensory children’s play garden.

Free to enter. Car parking starts at £4. Booking in advance is advised. Visit website to book

26. Tittersworth Water

Tittersworth is a great day out for all the family. There is a great outdoor play area to keep kids entertained and you can slo grab lunch, or cake at The Waterview Restaurant.

There are two great walks including a pram friendly route. The kids always love saying hello the the ducks. The walks offer beautiful views across Tittesworth Reservoir and is a great day out in the fresh air with the kids! Don’t forget to pack the waterproofs and wellies!

Parking is chargeable at the visitor centre.

27. The Wolseley Centre

READ OUR THOUGHTS – The Wolseley Centre with kids

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s HQ, The Wolseley Centre, is an absolutely lovely hidden gem and another free place to visit in Staffordshire with kids.

The Wolseley Centre is an award winning  visitor centre set in 26 acres of beautiful grounds in Staffordshire. There is a gift shop selling nature inspired gifts and toys, and a cafe for holt and cold snacks and drinks. Kids can feed the ducks, take a picnic or enjoy the play trail, which includes our favourite welly splash bridge, musical sculptures, and plenty of trees to climb on for young adventurers.

Churnet Valley Railway

The Churnet Valley Railway is located near the market town of Leek and offers a lovely steam train ride through Staffordshire’s hidden valley, and into the Staffordshire Moorlands.

There are plenty of options including dining trains such as the Sunday lunch train and the Breakfast train. Over the festive period you will find the Polar Express train ride, a magical Staffordshire Christmas event taking you on a magical journey to the North Pole.

To book and for more information, prices and timetables, visit the Churnet Valley Website.

29. Tamworth Castle

Tamworth Castle is a great idea for a family day out in Staffordshire. Step back in time at Tamworth Castle. You can experience life at the caste by trying out tasks and domestic chores, dress up in period costumes, try on the armour and feel the weight of the swords.

If you are visiting with children under 14, there is an outdoor play park, skatepark, tennis court, green bowling and 9-hole crazy golf. You can also hire cycles and enjoy the outdoor fitness equipment.

For more information, events and to book visit the website

30. Stafford Park

Another free day out in Staffordshire, Victoria Park is a Green Flag award winning park that is located on the banks of the River Sow in the heart of Stafford Town Centre (ST16 2QF).

Stafford park offers a great play area in Staffordshire, with a splash/wet play area, Sand Pit and Sand Diggers, riverside walks and a sensory raised garden.

We hope you’ve enjoyed these suggestions for great family days out in Staffordshire, and hopefully it’s given you some ideas for things to do in Staffordshire with kids over the school holidays!

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AD | This post contains affiliate links, should you click to purchase, it is at no additional cost to your, although I receive a small commission.