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Snowdonia isn’t very far from us at all and when we don’t know what we are going to do for the weekend or week at a time, we often pop down there, so we decided to put together a list of Things to do in Snowdonia with Kids.
This list has been compiled with assistance from a number of other bloggers too who all have favourite things to do in Snowdonia with Kids too. Some of the blog posts may have been compiled when families were there to review but others weren’t. They’ve all simply been submitted here because they are great things to do in Snowdonia with Kids.
If you’re looking for places to stay in Snowdonia whist you’re visiting the Snowdonia attractions you can find some suggestions at the bottom of the post.
So what are the Snowdonia Attractions?
Surf Snowdonia – Things to do in Snowdonia with Kids
Right at the end of the summer 2016 I was invited to spend 2 nights and 3 days at Surf Snowdonia with my 3 girls (all under 6). We stayed in a new glamping pod at the side of the world’s first inland surf lagoon in North Wales – Random – yes I know! It was however a lot of fun!
I’d heard about the 300-metre surf lagoon which is the main reason people visit but what I hadn’t heard about was all the other stuff to try out too! If I had, I think we would have visited sooner. The ‘other stuff’ I refer to is a Crash & Splash lagoon (suitable for anyone who can swim) bodyboarding, a giant pillow to jump off, kids bungee trampoline and inflatable obstacle course, as well as kiddies’ indoor soft play.
We had a fabulous time and if you’d like to read the full review of Surf Snowdonia a fabulous Snowdonia Attraction why not pop along and read it now.
You can also read a fabulous review of Glamping at Surf Snowdonia over on Otis & Us
Llechwedd Slate Caverns – Things to do in Snowdonia with Kids
Tips for visiting Llechwedd Slate Caverns with children
You would struggle to do this tour with a pushchair, take a baby carrier if needs be.
When you first enter the cavern it is very dark and younger children may find this scary.
If at any time you feel the need to leave the cavern during the tour your guide will need to arrange for you to be escorted out. You cannot leave the tour on your own.
Wear warm clothes and sensible shoes whatever the time of year BUT you will have a great time, read our full review about Llechwedd Slate Caverns with children here.
Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog on a Steam Train
We visited the Ffestiniog Railway mainly because my friend who I was away with staying at Surf Snowdonia used to visit this area of North Wales every year with her family when she was growing up and she had very fond memories of taking the steam train down to Porthmadog for the day and spending the day on the beach. The day we visited wasn’t exactly beach weather, despite it being August, more a rain coats and wellies day, but it didn’t put us off for one second. We were in Snowdonia after all and all you need is the right clothes.So we put our waterproofs on and headed down to the railway. The kids were bemused I think more than anything at the sight of the train and the steam coming from the front. There was lots of Thomas the Tank Engine references and Chuggington discussions.
You can read our full review of Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog on a Steam Train here!
Over40 and Mum to One also loved the Snowdon Mountain Railway and Ffestiniog Railway too. Beautiful scenery whatever the weather. Their full review is here.
Greenwood Forest Park – Snowdonia for Kids
Daisy at Dais by These highly recommends Greenwood Forest Centre as one of her best things to do in Snowdonia with kids. Her kids absolutely love it.
Based in Snowdonia, GreenWood Forest Park is the UK’s only eco-adventure theme park. It is located in the small village of Y Felinheli, right on the northern coast of Gwynedd in North Wales.
Voted the Best Family Attraction in North Wales for 5 years, this is one very green attraction and has won many awards for its eco credentials.
I haven’t actually visited myself but we had a guest post sent in all about how amazing Greenwood Forest Park is which you can read here!
You can also read a great review of Greenwood Forest Park from Jennifer’s Little World here too.
Visit Aberdyfi! – Snowdonia Activities
Pink Pear Bear recommends you visit Aberdyfi! (Aberdovey) Four miles of seriously beautiful award winning beach, a jetty for crabbing (or jumping off if you feel brave!) and an ice cream shop selling the most delicious home made ice cream. You can also see dolphins in the bay on a nice day.
if you’re thinking about visiting Aberdovey you could always stay at the wonderful Trefeddian Hotel.
Visit Beddgelert
Cardiff Mummy loved visiting Beddgelert as a child. It’s a grave stone dedicated to a dog – the name translates as Gelert’s Grave. The legend, which dates back to the 13th century, says that Prince Llywelyn came home one day to find blood in his dog’s mouth and his baby missing. Thinking Gelert had murdered the child, he drew his sword and killed the dog. As Gelert lay dying, Llywelyn hears the baby crying and finds him unharmed under the crib, along with a dead wolf, which Gelert had killed to protect the baby.
The story may be a little ghoulish for younger kids but older ones will love the story too and think of it as one of the best things to do in Snowdonia with kids too.
Beddgelert is a lot more than a grave though, it’s a beautiful vibrant village too. The story of Gelert may not be ideal for little ones but paddling in the river and the award winning ice cream definitely is.
‘The Ugly House’ in Capel Curig
If you’re in the area Let Them Be Small can really recommend a visit to The Ugly House in Capel Curig where there is a gorgeous tea and cake shop plus a mini bee museum as well as stunning woodland walk. They were there for around 2.5 hours and it was a really lovely little visit. Afterwards they went into Betws-y-Coed for a stroll which the children enjoyed too. You can read their review here.
Visit Snowdon
Whilst this might not seem like the obvious choice. Walking up Snowdon can actually be done with really young children in carriers, with older children like in the post below, or I actually saw a 3 year old on her way back down last time we hiked up (without the kids). Now I’m not saying all 3 year olds could do it, I’m sure mine wouldn’t have at that age, but it all depends on you and your child and the route you take. Take a look at the routes here and if you’re with children identify the more relaxed ones!
If all else fails you can always take the Snowdon Mountain Railway!
Here is a great blog I found about it – Taking a Child up Snowdon and
Zipworld – The THING to do in Snowdonia with Kids
There are so many activities at Zipworld in Snowdonia. It has to be the epitome of things to do in Snowdonia with Kids. You can read a great review of a lot of the activities on The Family Adventure Project’s blog post here.
There is the Forest, the Quarry and the Caverns all with different things within.
You can Bounce Below in the Caverns, you can play on the Treetop nets or the Treehoppers or even the Fforest Coaster!
You can read our review on the Forest activities in Snowdonia here!
Bear Grylls Survival Academy
Test your family mettle in the outdoors at Bear Grylls Survival Academy. The Bear Grylls Survival Academy aims to pass on the skills you may need if you are stranded in the wilderness. The Family Adventure Project attended a half day taster course in Snowdonia together and found that whilst ‘self rescue’ is the thing, more than little bonding goes on too. Although it does come with a health warning; ‘It may hurt a little…’ Well. that’s what you should expect from a family survival course, isn’t it?
You can read their full review here on why you should give Bear Grylls Survival Academy a go!
Why not pin this post on 10 Things to do in Snowdonia with Kids
Places to stay in Snowdonia when you’re visiting all the attractions Snowdonia has to offer
Search Breakfree Holidays for the perfect caravan holidays wales has to offer or
Booking.Com for places to stay in Snowdonia.
Stay at Cambrian House in Criccieth
Beautiful holiday cottages that sleep 12, aren’t in the South of England and are stunningly renovated yet child friendly are few and far between, believe me I know, I’ve looked. Add to those requirements, a cottage that is dog friendly and you’ve really not got that many options. Cambrian House however is a stunning large holiday cottage in Criccieth, North Wales that sleeps 12, accepts two well behaved dogs and has been recently renovated and decorated in a beautiful contemporary style. A great deal of thought and attention has gone into every aspect of the design and the fixtures and fittings are just stunning. Full review of Cambrian House.
Stay at LLanystumdwy Camping and Caravanning Club Site
The site is located on the Lleyn Peninsula in North Wales, a five minute drive from Criccieth. It is a short walk along quiet country lanes to the village of Llanystumdwy, which has one pub and a museum dedicated to Lloyd George who lived in the village until the age of 16. Full review of LLanystumdwy Camping and Caravanning Club Site.
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Thanks for including our steam train adventures – it’s a lovely part of the world