To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Find out more here.
To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Find out more here.
To build your own Itinerary, click 
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Already saved an Itinerary?
The perfect family holiday involves exciting things to inspire and amuse children. No matter their ages, this is about making cherished memories they will remember for years to come. Fortunately there is no shortage of brilliant ideas and things to do when you visit Windsor – which is why we’re regularly voted the top staycation choice for families.
Read on for some great ideas for family days out, things to do and activities. There's plenty of inspiration for half term and end-of-term school holidays too. We’ve got it covered whatever the weather – rainy or sunny – with options for both indoors and outdoors.
Don’t forget to check our What's On pages for our seasonal programme of Windsor and Maidenhead town centre events and our Special Offers pages too and here's a link to family-friendly events taking place in the Windsor area.
Enter a real-life fairy tale at Windsor Castle, home to kings, queens, princes and princesses. It's the largest and oldest inhabited castle in the world and must-sees for families include Queen Mary's Dolls' House, complete with running water and flushing loos, and Changing the Guard ceremony. Let Scorch the Dragon guide you round the Castle on the complimentary family audio guide and discover a regular programme of activities including talks, themed trails, workshops, arts and crafts. Family activities are available every Saturday throughout the year and during school holidays. Visit the Castle's Undercroft Café where a children’s meal is available and includes a choice of sandwiches, a drink and fresh fruit.
St George's Hall, Windsor Castle Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2024
A unique riverside location makes Windsor Leisure Centre one of the finest facilities in the area. In addition to a 25-metre, 6-lane fitness pool, the dedicated leisure pool offers crashing waves, family slides, a dual rider slide, or for the more adventurous, wild rapids and water cannon interactive water features making it great fun for a family swim. When you’re finished, grab a bite to eat in the café. The state-of-the-art Braywick Leisure Centre opened in Maidenhead in 2020 and has a 10-lane swimming pool and splash pools.
Escape rooms are all the rage and perfect for older children. Work in small groups of friends or family, against the clock, to solve puzzles and riddles using all the clues in order to 'escape'.
At Escape in 60, located at Windsor Leisure Centre, every minute counts in this race against the clock to decipher, decode and disentangle the room’s mysteries to escape. Escape the Castle (suitable for ages 10+), The Curse of the Lost Chamber (suitable for ages 7+), and The Amber Room (suitable for ages 12+).
At Windsor Escape Experience, located on Goswell Hill, choose one of four immersive escape rooms in the heart of town: the Crown Jewels Heist, the Hidden Temple, Area 51 and Caved In. Suitable for groups of 2 – 8, minimum recommended age is 10 years old to play the escape rooms successfully, though younger children may join a larger group with adults present. There are also two outdoor adventure experiences: Magic Portal (suitable for all ages) and Operation Mindfall (suitable for 14+) which combine AR (augmented reality) and geolocation technology.
LEGOLAND Adventure Golf
Swing over to the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort to experience a mini golf course like no other! LEGOLAND Adventure Golf is a fun, indoor LEGO-themed mini golf centre featuring four different courses to play on.
Whether you are swinging into Space, driving into LEGO City, taking your best shot in a Medieval village or even putting with Pirates, each theme is a ‘hole’ other level of fun!
LEGOLAND Adventure Golf is a separate attraction to the theme park that must be booked with its own ticket. It's located outside the main entrance of the theme park, next to the car park. Two hours free parking is included for Adventure Golf guests.
While away a couple of hours at the cinema! Check out the films and show times at the Odeon Luxe Maidenhead, Norden Farm Centre for the Arts or The Old Court Cinema.
Enjoy ‘have a go’ workshops, arts and crafts, dance, and drama at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead. In summer Norden’s own real sand beach appears and in winter there's always a heart-warming theatre show. Craft Coop runs a wide range of crafty workshops where you can learn a new skill or create something seasonal. Or how about a creative camp at Windsor's Busy Buttons?
The Windsor and Royal Borough Museum is an accredited, family-friendly and accessible small local history museum in Windsor’s impressive 17th-century Guildhall. Come and discover the history of the town and the local area and listen to the stories of people who lived and worked here. During the school holidays there are drop-in family activities for children ages five and above. They also run a series of day-long events throughout the year which are suitable for families. Please email or call the museum on 01628 685686 for more details.
For budding David Attenboroughs, the Eton College Natural History Museum is a family-friendly museum that opened in 1875 to house the Thackeray Collection of British Birds and other collections. It’s been located in its present site since 1895. It now houses over 15,000 specimens, donated from the 19th century onwards.
Eton is also home to The Museum of Eton Life and The Museum of Antiquities. All three museums are open free of charge on Sunday afternoons (2:30pm to 5:00pm) and The Museum of Eton Life is open additionally on Saturday afternoons. Visit the website to check latest opening arrangements.
Or how about flying a spitfire simulator at Maidenhead Heritage Centre? It’s part of a superb permanent exhibition called ‘Grandma Flew Spitfires!’ which tells the forgotten but incredibly important story of the Air Transport Auxiliary’s role in World War II. The museum also has displays and exhibitions about other aspects of local history including Roman Maidenhead and the great Victorian engineer Brunel.
Spitfire Simulator at Maidenhead Heritage Centre
Windsor Great Park’s 4,800 acres of countryside includes deer park, woodlands and huge ancient oaks and provides a natural playground for children. It is ideal for running around, hide and seek, ball games and kite flying. Pre-school aged children can have fun on low level play equipment on the Obelisk Lawn, a few minutes from The Savill Garden. Adventure Play is a unique, hand-crafted adventure playground at Windsor Great Park. Hidden within the woodland next to The Savill Garden, you’ll discover a fascinating world of walkways, slides, sculptures and treehouses.
You can access Windsor Great Park if you’re in Windsor town centre simply by walking down Park Street through the gates into the Long Walk – a beautiful, wide, tree-lined avenue that runs miles from Windsor Castle to the Copper Horse statue. It’s perfect for picnics, ball games and relaxing with friends and family.
There are various car parks (fees apply to many so please check in advance) and entry points/gates to Windsor Great Park. The Savill Garden and Adventure Play are the only areas you have to pay to enter.
Adventure Play
There are refreshment points at The Savill Garden Visitor Centre and the Virginia Water Pavilion plus mobile cafes at various stops on popular visitor routes. The Savill Garden Visitor Centre also has a restaurant (The Savill Garden Kitchen) and gift shop and a nearby play area for young children. During the Summer children can enjoy plenty of entertainment such as outdoor theatres and puppet shows.
Find out more about enjoying Windsor Great Park on foot and by bike, and about their annual events programme.
Don’t get bored, get active! Learn sailing, windsurfing or paddle boarding with confidence. Bray Lake Watersports run educational, challenging, and rewarding courses designed for 8 – 14 year olds. As one of the UK’s biggest centres they provide taster courses, training sessions and supervised hire for children who want to learn the basics or take their skills to the next level with the reassurance of expert instructors.
From feeding the swans at the water’s edge to climbing aboard a boat or paddling a kayak, there’s plenty of ways to enjoy one of the most beautiful stretches of the River Thames that falls within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.
Walk or cycle along the Thames Path, stop for a picnic, visit the attractions en route – the choice is yours! Hire a boat for 30 minutes or a few days – the kids (and the adults!) will love it. Check out the public trips and services from our wide range of boat operators.
Enjoy the River Thames from the water on a 40-minute boat trip with French Brothers. Travel upstream to Boveney Lock and return, with views of Windsor Castle, Eton College, Windsor Racecourse and Brocas Meadows. It's a popular choice for families looking for a short riverside experience and the boats are weatherproof too. Longer 2-hour trips are also available.
Windsor Duck Tours outside Windsor Castle
Have a quacking time on Windsor Duck Tour's amphibious 'duck' vehicle. Start on land in the heart of Windsor taking in many historic sights before 'splashdown' into the River Thames for a duck's eye views of Windsor Castle and Eton. Tours last one hour and include a guide sharing fun facts about the area.
Children will enjoy Runnymede Pleasure Grounds with its well-equipped playground. During the summer there is also a paddling pool, children’s rides and other amusements.
Slow down the pace and take a horse-drawn carriage ride from either Windsor Town Centre or The Savill Garden Visitor Centre. Windsor Carriages and Ascot Carriages will take you and the family on a relaxing tour to remember. Windsor Carriages have covered carriages and can operate in all weathers except where safety warnings are issued.
See the sights of Windsor and Eton from the top of an open top bus, starting from just outside Windsor Castle. Golden Tours offers visitors a handy 'hop-on, hop-off' service. See the sights from the top deck, hop off at the various stops along the way. Journey through the town centre, over the river to Eton and out into the Great Park accompanied by a fun commentary, it’s an easy way to discover more about historic Windsor.
The Guard March is one of the highlights of a visit to Windsor and children will adore watching and marching alongside the soldiers and their band (weather permitting) as they travel between Victoria Barracks and Windsor Castle. Best place to view this ceremony is along the High Street or on the Corn Exchange (the covered part of Windsor Guildhall). Check the Guard March schedule to see when they are marching.
Nestled high above the River Thames with far-reaching views, the National Trust's gardens at Cliveden capture the grandeur of a bygone age. Colourful planting schemes give way to miles of woodland and riverside walks whilst the giant maze and storybook themed play area are a favourite with families. Check out the programme of events. National Trust Members and under 5s go free.
Children amongst the daffodils at National Trust Cliveden, image Chris Lacey
Or how about National Trust Runnymede, a picturesque landscape by the River Thames, where the Magna Carta was sealed in 1215. It's the perfect place to relax outdoors. You'll discover historic memorials and art installations.
LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort is the ultimate hands-on entertainment for children aged 2-12 with 12 themed lands to discover, 55 interactive rides, live shows, building workshops, driving schools and attractions set in 150 acres of beautiful parkland. DUPLO® Valley is for the tiny tots, or discover epic adventures, powerful guardians, and mysterious creatures in LEGO® MYTHICA. A shuttle bus is available from Windsor town centre. Why not extend your visit and stay overnight in the wonderful Legoland Windsor Resort Hotel, LEGOLAND® Woodland Village or Legoland Windsor Castle Hotel. Children will love the interactive lego features and fully themed bedrooms. Theme Park packages are available for a truly memorable experience.
Merlin's other theme parks are suitable for older children and are easy to get to from Windsor. Chessington World of Adventures offers all the screams, thrills and spills and adventurer could wish for and Thorpe Park is one of Europe’s most exciting theme parks!
Both Ascot Racecourse and Royal Windsor Racecourse welcome children and families. Children 17 and under go free to the races when accompanied by an adult (some exclusions apply). Both racecourses have family days during their racing calendar as well as hosting non-racing events such as their annual fireworks displays – check their websites for all the family entertainment on offer.
Racegoers at Ascot Racecourse
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has lots of parks, gardens and open spaces. Favourites include Ockwells Park, Ray Mill Island and Kidwells Park in Maidenhead and Bachelor’s Acre (with its water fountains) and Alexandra Gardens in Windsor. Jubilee Fountain can be found in The Goswells Park. Opened to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, the design was inspired by the crown jewels.
The Queen's Walkway (in place since September 2015 to mark the occasion of Queen Elizabeth II becoming Britain's longest reigning monarch) was opened by The Queen on her 90th birthday, 21 April 2016. The information panel she unveiled is located at the foot of Castle Hill.
The Queen's Walkway is a symbolic 6.373km long for the 63 years, 7 months and 3 days (one day more than Queen Victoria's reign) and links 63 of Windsor's best attractions, features and views.
Eton Walkway is a 2-mile circular walk highlighting 18 points of interest in historic Eton, across the Thames from Windsor, starting from Windsor Bridge.
In Maidenhead, Braywick Nature Centre offers a variety of scheduled events and workshops as well as daily activities that are both fun and educational. Learn about the environment surrounding the Thames and all parts of the ecosystem.
There's too much to fit into one day so why not extend your stay and visit Windsor for a fantastic short break? After a busy day exploring the local attractions and checking out what's on, what could be better than kicking back and enjoying some downtime at a local hotel or B&B.
We have a wide range of family-friendly hotels – including budget, themed, modern, traditional and five star – as well as cosy, comfortable bed and breakfasts, camping and caravan sites and home-from-home self-catering accommodation.
So check out some great accommodation ideas and accommodation special offers.
If the place you’re staying is part of our Royal Borough Concierge Service, you will be able to purchase tickets for many things to do and events direct from them.
Tickets for many local attractions and events can also be purchased via our online shop.
Have a fantastic family fun break in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.
Lego Pirate room at Legoland Windsor Resort
Ratings & Reviews
Powered By
In partnership with
© Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead 2024. All Rights Reserved
