Want to keep the kids busy during the half term, Easter or Summer holidays? The New Forest is a treasure trove of family adventures with plenty of activities to make the most of your break while keeping little ones entertained.
Our selection of luxurious properties, including family accommodation in the New Forest, provides the perfect base for your visit, giving you the space to relax while being close to all the action.
Whether you and the kids want to get active, try your hands at some crafts or just enjoy the great outdoors there are plenty of ways to enjoy the New Forest in half-terms and longer school holidays.
Bike rides are a classic school holiday activity, and you won’t find anywhere better to do this than the New Forest. There are various cycle hire companies in the New Forest, such as Cyclexperience, that cater to family cycling adventures, allowing you to get access to all the gear you need to have an unbeatable afternoon biking through scenic local landscapes.
If your holidays are looking on the rainier side, check out our recommendations for the best indoor activities in the New Forest.
New Forest Activities in Beaulieu is your one-stop shop for outdoor family fun. Here you can take to the river for a spot of canoeing or get competitive with archery and laser tag.
The centre offers family-oriented sessions throughout the year, perfect for blowing off a bit of steam.
The Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Centre hosts a diverse selection of activities if you’re after an exciting day of action. The site’s Go Adventure 90-minute sessions offer the ideal way to experience a new activity together – with high ropes, climbing, bushcraft, archery, zip wire and more!
There are a range of sessions throughout the various school holidays, including February half term, Easter and Summer.
Take to Insight Activities for a range of target activities, including their popular medieval trio session which includes archery, rifle crossbows and axe throwing.
An experience here can make for a pretty unique day out as you and the kids can channel your inner mediaeval knight! You can book sessions year-round.
Those who love to make a splash will be thrilled with a visit to the New Forest Water Park, which offers wakeboarding, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and an inflatable aqua obstacle course.
It’s loads of fun for the adults too, so why not take to the water as a family for an endlessly fun day out? Open from April to October, it is perfect for Easter, May half term and Summer holidays.
This fantastic museum and gallery in Lymington hosts a range of crafting activities throughout the year, including during school holidays. The perfect way to encourage kids’ creativity and imagination, they’re sure to have loads of fun at the various sessions – plus, you can visit the museum itself after you’ve finished with the activity workshop!
Kids will be able to try their hand at things like printing, creating collages and various crafts inspired by the gallery’s exhibits.
The cookery school at Chewton Glen offers junior and family-friendly cooking classes, with a few dates during the February half-term holiday and Easter break.
These brilliant sessions for budding chefs will teach your child how to make a range of tasty dishes, showing them the best techniques and allowing them to get hands-on. Not to mention, they’ll have something delicious to bring home at the end of the day!
For more culinary delights, head to a mouthwatering chocolate workshop at Chocolate by Miss Witt. Here, you can create some delicious treats together and learn a bit more about the cacao harvesting process. You can book special half-term and Easter workshops.
For some holiday activities that encourage a love of and interest in history, look no further than Beaulieu, which is home to the National Motor Museum and the Victorian Palace House.
Both attractions host a range of intriguing family-friendly activities during the school holidays. Here, you’ll be encouraged to step back in time, with chances to dress up in historical garb and chat with characters to learn more about the past.
The Malt Cinema is Lymington’s premier venue for film & theatre. The set up is very sweet, situated in the theatre-esque room at the Community Centre. It’s perfect for a last minute plan and a very authentic viewing experience. Don’t forget to bring some sweets and chocolate along… we recommend going into Truffles on Lymington High Street and filling a pick-and-mix bag!
If you’re visiting the New Forest with kids during the school break, it just wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Paultons Park, one of the best family theme parks in the UK.
With rollercoasters, rides, indoor play areas, water splash parks, shows, discovery trails and animals, there are so many attractions and activities to fill your day with, including plenty for all age groups.
For even more inspiration, read our blog on doing a day trip to Paultons Park.
Our selection of holiday cottages in the New Forest includes a range of family- friendly stays, with plenty of room for kids to play while you kick back and relax.
Thinking of booking a trip for the upcoming school holidays? See our February half term getaways for the ultimate memorable family break.
