The big hitters
- Blackpool Pleasure Beach — everything from the wooden Big Dipper to gentle Nickelodeon Land. Book online, arrive at opening, do the far end of the park first.
- Blackpool Zoo — half a day minimum, plenty of indoor houses if it rains.
- Sandcastle Waterpark — indoor, warm, and the single best answer to a wet forecast.
- Madame Tussauds and Sea Life — both on the Prom, both an hour or so each.
Free things that actually work
- The beach at low tide is enormous. Buckets, kites and a football go a long way.
- Donkey rides on the central sands in summer.
- The Comedy Carpet — kids like finding the rude words.
- Tram spotting at North Pier; heritage cars run on busy weekends.
A day that works with small children
- 9.30 — beach or Pleasure Beach at opening.
- 12.30 — lunch back at the hotel or on the Prom, quiet hour.
- 2.30 — one indoor attraction, nothing more.
- 5.00 — early tea, then the Illuminations by tram if they are on.
Rain plan
Sandcastle, the Tower Dungeon and Circus, the zoo houses, Coral Island arcades, and the Winter Gardens if there is a family show on.
Practical
- Buy a family tram day ticket rather than singles.
- Pushchairs are fine on the Prom and trams; less fine on the piers in a gale.
- Most hotels here are family-run and will sort early breakfasts and cots if you ask when booking.
Plan the stay
Turn this into a trip
Pick your dates once and see live room prices across our hotels, plus everything happening while you're here.