With the summer holidays finally here, it's time to start planning some fun days out with the kids. But with so much time to fill over the six-week break, it can be hard to think of things to keep them entertained.
Luckily, here in Merseyside there's no shortage of great things to do and see during the summer months. Whether you are looking to soak up the sunshine at the beach, cool off at the swimming pool or head out on a day trip, we have found some of the best things to do during the half-term break.
READ MORE: 37 ideas for family day trips you can get to by train
What's more, many of the activities are free, so you don't have to break the bank to make summer 2022 the best one yet.
Below, we’ve taken a look at a huge range of activities to keep your summer fun, full and entertaining. From full family days out to free local activities, check out our guide to summer in Merseyside:
Free things to do with kids
There’s never a shortage of great things to do in Liverpool, but the prices of different activities and days out can quickly stack up, so there’s no doubt many families will be looking for some free fun during the summer.
The city boasts some stunning parks, enviable beaches, as well as cultural offerings in the form of dazzling art galleries, museums and more. Luckily for us, many of these activities come free of charge.
Among some of the free things to do with kids this summer are:
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Sefton Park
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Metropolitan Cathedral
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Royal Liver Building
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International Slavery Museum
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Calderstones Park
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Lark Lane
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Sefton Park Palm House
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Otterspool Park
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St John’s Gardens
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Wavertree Botanic Gardens
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Clarkes Gardens, Woolton
You can check out our full list of 57 free things to do with kids here .
Family days out in Liverpool and beyond
Over the years, many families will no doubt have exhausted a lot of the usual places to visit during the summer and will now be hoping for ideas further afield.
There are a great number of fun and exciting places to visit within a two hour drive from Liverpool which are well worth a visit. Among them are the ever-popular Ice Cream Farm in Cheshire, Crocky Trail in Chester, the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Conwy and many more.
Check out our full list of 22 days out in Liverpool and beyond here .
Things to do when it's raining in Liverpool and beyond
It’s no easy feat entertaining the kids when the weather outside is not brilliant with rain lashing down or high winds - but that shouldn't put you off from heading out and enjoying a day out with the family .
There are so many things to do with kids and places to take them in Liverpool and beyond on a rainy day. From visiting our incredible museums and art galleries to heading to an indoor trampoline park, there’s always something to keep the little ones entertained.
Take a look at our guide for things to do on a rainy day with kids here .
Best water parks, outdoor swimming pools and lidos
Is there anything better than a dip in the pool when the weather is warm? We think not. Luckily for us, there are plenty of options nearby for when the heat is a bit too much to handle.
Families can spend the day at water parks, outdoor swimming pools and lidos in Liverpool and surrounding areas, with attractions to keep the kids happy and on-site cafés to keep everyone going all day.
Check out our guide to the best water parks, outdoor pools and lidos nearby here .
Best beaches in Liverpool
A trip to the beach is the perfect summer day out - from building sandcastles to taking a dip in the sea, there's no better way to enjoy the sunshine.
With temperatures expected to reach as high as 35 degrees towards the end of the week, it's an ideal time to plan a day at the beach. Luckily there's no shortage of great beaches to visit in Merseyside, so you don't have to travel too far to experience a fun family day out. From Crosby beach to Thurstaston, we've compiled a round-up of the best beaches in Merseyside to visit this summer. To read our guide, click here.
Best family-friendly pubs with play areas
Heading out for pub grub with the family is always nice, but when you’ve got kids who can’t sit still for a second it’s better if you can find a place where the kids can play until their food arrives.
Thankfully, a number of Merseyside pubs have exciting play areas and things to do to keep the kids entertained while they wait. Take a look at our full list of pubs with play areas in Liverpool and beyond here .
Best parks in Liverpool
Liverpool’s greenspaces are fantastic all year round and have plenty of things to discover. The city’s parks have hosted fun runs, firework displays, music festivals, sell out events, boat races and much more.
Many of us will have grown up playing in these parks but how many of them do we actually know? We’ve listed 22 of Liverpool’s best parks that you can explore for yourself. To check it out, click here.
Pick your own strawberry patches and fruit farms
While there's nothing easier than heading down to your local supermarket or greengrocer's to pick up a punnet of strawberries, for many nothing can beat picking your own.
Not only is this the best way to exercise your own quality control by ensuring you get the freshest berries, it also works out cheaper than buying from the shops, who have their own overheads to add to the cost. You’ll also be amazed at how much better they taste picked straight from the field. It’s fresher, more nutritious, with less packaging and zero food miles.
To find out the best places in and around Liverpool to pick your own fruit and veg, check out our guide here
Petting farms and zoos
There are few things better than getting out and about and spending time with the little ones. With the summer holidays just around the corner, a visit to the farm makes for a fun family day out and provides a chance for your little ones to learn more about animals.
From petting farms to adventure parks, there are some great places in Liverpool and beyond to take the kids to for a special treat - especially if they love animals and want to get up close to them.
Many farms have outdoor play areas and places to go for food too, so you can make a day of it. We’ve put together a guide of some of the best local farms to visit, which you can find here.
Soft play and indoor play centres
Whether you love them or hate them, soft play centres are a go-to for parents and there are plenty to choose from across Liverpool and Wirral.
They’re also perfect for when the weather isn't up to scratch or you just need to get out of the house - let the kids run wild and hope they burn up all that energy before bedtime.
There’s usually places to eat too, making it an ideal choice for a fun family day out. We’ve put together a handy round up of some of the best indoor and outdoor play areas in Liverpool, Wirral and beyond, which you can read in full here.
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