Top 10 Best Summer Holiday Activities for Kids in Preston

Six weeks is a long time. If you are a parent staring down the school summer holidays in Preston, you already know the challenge: keeping kids entertained without spending a fortune or running out of ideas by week two. The good news is that Preston and the surrounding area punch well above their weight when it comes to family-friendly things to do.

Here are the top 10 summer holiday activities for kids in Preston, starting with one of the area's most popular choices for children's parties and family fun days.

1. Wacky World Hire: Bouncy Castles, Inflatables, and Mascot Entertainers

If you are planning a garden party, a street celebration, or just want to give the kids an afternoon they will talk about for weeks, Wacky World Hire is the go-to option in Preston and across Lancashire.

What you can hire:

• Bouncy castles for all ages, including compact options suited to smaller gardens

• Interactive inflatable games including the Meltdown, Hungry Hippos, Velcro Fly Wall, Gladiator Duel, and the Wobbly Unclimbable Ladder

• Inflatable climbing walls for older children and adults

• Soft play equipment for toddlers and younger children

• Mascot entertainers dressed as beloved characters such as Spiderman, Peppa Pig, Elsa, Darth Vader, and many others

Mascot hire starts from around £75 for one hour, with a 20% discount when you book four or more characters. Bouncy castles typically run from £90 to £190 per day depending on size and theme. Delivery, setup, and collection are included within the service area.

Wacky World Hire delivers seven days a week, with free delivery from 7am to 12pm and collections from 4:30pm. Overnight hire is also available for an additional fee of £20. You can book online directly at their website or call 01772 920105.

This is a particularly smart option for the summer holidays because it brings the entertainment to you. No packing up the car, no queues, no travel. The kids get hours of active play and you get to enjoy it with them in the comfort of your own garden.

2. Brockholes Nature Reserve

Just off Junction 31 of the M6, Brockholes is one of the best free days out near Preston for families. Lancashire Wildlife Trust's flagship nature reserve sits in a mosaic of wetland, woodland, and grassland habitats, and it is designed to bring people closer to wildlife.

The adventure play area nestled in the grassland lets kids swing, climb, balance, and bounce on natural wood challenges, including swings, balance blocks, a see-saw, a play hut, a zip wire, and a scoop-and-dig area. Adventurous children over seven can take on the high ropes course with views across the reserve.

The Visitor Village is open seven days a week during summer (April to October) from 10am to 5pm. There is a café serving food, snacks, and ice cream, along with regular family events and workshops throughout the school holidays.

Brockholes also hosts a popular annual village fete over the August bank holiday weekend, with traditional fete games, an owl meet and greet, live music, bouncy castles, and soft play.

Car parking does have a charge, so factor that in when budgeting for your visit.

3. Ribble Steam Railway and Museum

The Ribble Steam Railway on Chain Caul Road, Preston, has been open to the public since September 2005. A visit gives families the chance to travel along a 1.5-mile dock and riverside line, access the museum and workshop, and cross the Preston Marina entrance via a swing bridge, running alongside the diverted River Ribble.

Trains leave on the hour from 11am, with the last departure at 4pm, and the round trip takes around 35 minutes.

It is run entirely by volunteers, which makes the atmosphere noticeably warm and genuine. Children can explore the engine shed, watch locomotives being worked on in the workshop, and use the small play area on site. There is also an onsite café. It is excellent value and a real hit with children who love anything mechanical or historical.

4. Turbary Woods Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary

Located in Whitestake, just south of Preston, Turbary Woods is one of Lancashire's best-loved wildlife attractions. The rescue and rehabilitation centre is home to over 90 birds of prey, including eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, and vultures, all housed in large open-fronted aviaries in a woodland setting. Visitors can see displays and enjoy hands-on experience with these birds.

There is also a garden centre and a café on site, which makes it a good full-morning activity. It is a particularly good option for children who are fascinated by animals and want something educational alongside the excitement.

5. Animate Preston: Hollywood Bowl and Arc Cinema

Preston city centre gained a major new leisure destination in early 2025. Animate offers a state-of-the-art cinema, ten-pin bowling, and a range of restaurants.

The Arc Cinema features eight screens with an immersive Hypersense experience, premium recliner seating, and 4K laser projection.

Hollywood Bowl Preston features 16 sleek bowling lanes with high-tech scoring systems and leaderboards, alongside arcade games including Mario Kart, air hockey, and racing games, plus an American-style bar and diner.

This is a solid rainy day option, and a good fallback if the weather turns mid-week. You can combine bowling, a film, and lunch all under one roof. Pre-booking online is recommended for the best prices.

6. The Flower Bowl Entertainment Centre

Located in Barton, a short drive from Preston, The Flower Bowl offers crazy golf, bowling, a boutique cinema, and more, all under one roof.

The Secret Garden Crazy Golf Course takes you through Japanese gardens, tree-lined paths, and flower-filled borders, mixing fun challenges with a peaceful greenhouse-style setting. The bowling alley features eight lanes with social seating, and the cinema screens new releases in cosy sofa-style surroundings.

The Flower Bowl also has a full-sized curling rink, which is genuinely unusual and a lot of fun for older children and teenagers. It is a good choice when you want something a bit different from standard summer holiday activities.

7. Avenham and Miller Parks

Avenham and Miller Parks are adjoining parks in the Avenham valley close to Preston city centre. Set on the banks of the River Ribble, they feature landscaped gardens, plenty of open space, play areas, and cafés.

These parks are free to visit and a genuinely lovely place to spend a sunny afternoon. The parks regularly host outdoor events during the summer holidays, including the popular Avenham Park Pumpkin Festival later in the year. Bring a picnic, use the play areas, and let the kids run off some energy without spending a penny.

8. Bowland Wild Boar Park

A short drive from Preston into the Ribble Valley, Bowland Wild Boar Park in Chipping is a real favourite with young children. The park is home to wild boars, deer, and other animals that children can feed and interact with at close range. There are also play areas, a woodland walk, and a café.

It works well as a half-day or full-day trip and is particularly good for younger children who are at the stage where feeding animals is the most exciting thing imaginable. Check their website for opening times and any seasonal events before visiting.

9. Beacon Fell Country Park

Beacon Fell is a 185-acre country park managed by Lancashire County Council, about 12 miles from Preston city centre. It offers walking trails through woodland and moorland, picnic areas, a visitor centre, and one of the best views across Lancashire from the fell summit.

There is no admission charge for the park itself, though there is a car parking fee. It is an ideal spot for a long family walk, a den-building afternoon, or simply getting away from screens for a few hours. Children who enjoy the outdoors will love the sense of space and the slightly wild feel of the fell.

Practical details: Beacon Fell Country Park, Beacon Fell Road, Goosnargh, Preston, PR3 2NL. Managed by Lancashire County Council.

10. Laserforce Preston and Escape Reality

For older children and teenagers, Preston has two good options for indoor adventure.

Laserforce Preston on Aqueduct Street is one of the city's long-standing activity venues, offering laser tag sessions that work well for groups and birthday parties. Sessions are fast-paced and the competitive element tends to go down well with children aged seven and above.

Escape Reality on the same street offers escape room experiences, which suit older children and teenagers who enjoy problem-solving and working as a team. It is a good option for a wet afternoon when the usual outdoor activities are not possible.

Quick Planning Tips for the Summer Holidays

Here are a few things worth thinking about before you book:

• Book popular activities early. Wacky World Hire equipment, in particular, gets snapped up quickly during summer weekends and school holidays. Same-day bookings are sometimes possible, but availability is not guaranteed.

• Mix active and calm activities. A week of back-to-back high-energy days tends to exhaust everyone. Mix things like inflatables and bowling with quieter visits to parks or nature reserves.

• Check for holiday deals. Many venues, including Hollywood Bowl and the Arc Cinema at Animate, offer reduced pricing for families during school holidays. Check websites and social media before booking.

• Have a rainy day backup. British summer weather is what it is. Know your indoor options in advance, so you are not scrambling when it starts to rain at 9am.

• Get outdoors early. On good days, parks, nature reserves, and outdoor activities are best enjoyed in the morning before it gets busy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best free summer holiday activities for kids in Preston? 

Avenham and Miller Parks, Beacon Fell Country Park, and the Preston Guild Wheel cycle route are all free to access. Brockholes Nature Reserve has free entry to the grounds, though car parking and some activities carry a charge. A picnic in one of Preston's parks costs nothing and keeps younger children happy for hours.

How do I book inflatables and bouncy castles for a summer garden party in Preston? 

Wacky World Hire lets you book online directly at hire.wackyworld.co.uk, or you can call 01772 920105. A small deposit is required to secure your booking. Delivery and setup are included within the service area, and you can arrange same-day bookings when availability allows, though booking ahead is strongly recommended in summer.

What summer holiday activities are best for toddlers and young children in Preston? 

Brockholes Nature Reserve has an adventure play area and regular Nature Tots sessions designed for young children. Turbary Woods is great for animal-loving toddlers. Soft play equipment hired through Wacky World Hire is another option if you want to keep the entertainment at home. Bowland Wild Boar Park also works well for children who enjoy feeding and watching animals.

Are there rainy day activities for kids in Preston? 

Yes. Animate Preston has bowling at Hollywood Bowl and an eight-screen cinema at Arc Cinema. The Flower Bowl in Barton offers bowling, crazy golf, and boutique cinema under one roof. Laserforce and Escape Reality in the city centre are good choices for older children. Most inflatable hire equipment from Wacky World Hire can also be set up indoors if you have a suitable space.

When should I book summer holiday activities in Preston to avoid disappointment? 

For popular venues like Animate and the Flower Bowl, booking a week in advance is usually enough. For inflatable and mascot hire through Wacky World Hire, aim for at least two to four weeks ahead for summer weekends, as the schedule fills up quickly between June and August. Brockholes events during the school holidays, like the August village fete, can also sell out, so check their website early.