Palmer Park community pool
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Top 10 Family Friendly Things To Do in Reading

Reading is a great place to visit with the family, with plenty of child-friendly activities and attractions to suit everyone, and every budget. From farmyard visits and woodland strolls, to activities for the more adventurous cohorts, here’s some of our favourite family-friendly things to do in Reading to get you started. For families on a budget, take a look at our top 10 free attractions, most of which are suitable for all ages.

Watch a live show at Reading Hexagon
Reading’s theatre and arts venue, Reading Hexagon, sits on Queen's Walk in the centre of town. With a jam-packed events timetable running year-round, The Hexagon hosts some great family shows, from theatre productions and child-friendly plays to ballet productions and the Pantomime at Christmas. And with its handy town-centre location, it can be paired perfectly with a family trip to your favourite restaurant, too!

Embrace your wild side at Lagoona Park
Open from May-September, the Aqua Park at Lagoona Park is open to the whole family. But it's not just the watter obstacle course, you can try paddleboards, water bikes, and pedalos too.

Two new pools
Two new swimming pools have opened in Reading in the last 18 months. A brand new Rivermead Swimming Pool opened in summer 2024 with a 25m 8-lane main pool and a teaching and diving pool with 5 metre dive tower; 3 metre springboard and two 1 metre spring dives. In 2023, Palmer Park swimming pool opened with six lanes wide with family sessions, as well as a soft play area and cafe. You'll find it in Palmer Park in East Reading. You can also enjoy the paddling pool in Christchurch Meadows.

Channel your inner detective at Reading’s Escape Rooms
Reading is home to four top-rated Escape Room venues offering PG rated games and welcome younger players (if they’re accompanied with an adult, of course). Recommended ages are 8+ (Escape Hunt) and 12+ (Escape Reading), so if puzzle-solving sounds like your idea of family fun, there’s a challenge just waiting to be accepted!

Climb the walls (literally)
Reading has two indoor climbing centres for young and old who like hanging around at heights or bouldering. Or you can bounce at Red Kangaroo.

Go on an adventure at Wellington Country Park
Wellington Country Park offers an open air, fun-filled venue for children to explore. From a miniature railway and animal farm, to indoor soft play and even a giant bouncing pillow, you won’t be short of ways to keep little ones entertained. There’s also short walking trails and a playpark, and, if you’re looking for staycations in Reading, why not bring your tent and camp under the stars?

Step into local history at Reading Museum or MERL
Reading is packed with history and culture, so why not explore its past with a family trip to Reading Museum? Hosting exhibitions, permanent galleries, and the only full-size replica of the Bayeux Tapestry, it makes for a great family trip. If you have time, you can always pick up a map and wander to the Abbey Ruins afterwards – both are free to visit. The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL) has a family friendly collection celebrating the countryide, food and farming. There are family trails and a lovely garden to let off steam.

Visit the animals at Beale Wildlife Park
If you’re looking for wildlife, look no further than Beale Wildlife Park, located just 6 miles west of Reading town centre in Lower Basildon. Home to over 160 species of animals from monkeys to zebras, Berkshire’s only wildlife park is set in 350 acres of countryside, right next to the River Thames. Along with the zoo, there’s also a train, play area, farmyard, gift shop, gardens – and a café serving ‘proper’ coffee.

Also west of Reading is Bozedown Farm where you can walk alpacas. The might come from Peru, but they are quite at home in Reading.

See Reading from the water on a Thames River Cruise
For a different view of Reading, why not take to the water with a Thames River Cruise? Starting from Caversham, just north of the town centre, the river trips on offer range from 45-minute taster sessions through to longer 3-hour cruises and explore nearby riverside villages of Goring, Shiplake and Pangbourne. Keep your eyes peeled during half terms and school holidays for special offers for children too.

Take a trip to Basildon Park
A National Trust property situated a few miles to the west of Reading town centre in Berkshire’s countryside, Basildon Park is a great option for a family-friendly day out in Reading. Featuring a Mansion House and 400 acres of gardens and parkland to explore, it’ll keep even the most restless little ones entertained. There’s also a gift shop and tea rooms when it’s time for a rest!

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Superdrug - Broad Street Mall

Address

Broad Street Mall, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
0118 958 7859

Reading

Superdrug is quite simply the best in everyday accessible beauty and health. They are committed to bring innovation and the latest styles and trends to their stores at fantastic prices. The Superdrug Own Brand collection is not only great value and…
Angel Bar

Address

18 Prospect Street, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8JG

Reading

We’re a table-serviced cocktail bar serving a delicious range of drinks pizza & charcuterie boards. We are based in the heart of Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, we can help you plan private or corporate socials and help you with the smaller details…
Swarovski

Address

The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AH

Telephone
0118 958 8555

Reading

Upscale chain known for its crystal jewellery, watches, Christmas ornaments and home accents.
Phantom Brewing Company

Address

Unit 2-3 Meadow Road, READING, Berkshire, RG1 8LB

READING

Phantom Brewing Co is a craft beer brewery based in Reading, Berkshire. With the main goal of producing the freshest beer, made with the highest quality ingredients, we have worked hard to provide a welcoming community hub in our taproom in Reading…
JoJo Maman Bebe

Address

29 Chain Street, Reading, RG1 2HX

Telephone
0118 958 1892

Reading

Upmarket retail chain selling stylish, French-influenced clothes for mothers, babies and children.
Co-space

Address

Broad Street Mall, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
020 80661761

hello@co-space.co.uk

READING

Our Reading meeting rooms are easily accessible and can hold up to 36 people. All our meeting rooms are available for hire by members and non-members alike and provide a confidential space which are equipped with plug and play TV and video…
Sonning Golf Club

Address

Duffield Road, Sonning, READING, Berkshire, RG4 6GJ

Telephone
0118 969 3332

READING

Sonning’s original layout was designed by JH Taylor with later input from Harry Colt. The course measures 6,329 yards and has a par of 70 and a SSS of 71. It generally plays longer than its yardage due to the elevation of several greens and fairways…
Hollister Co

Address

The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AQ

Telephone
0118 939 4389

Reading

Trendy chain retailer with Southern-Californian inspired apparel and accessories aimed at young adults.
Three Guineas

Address

Station Approach, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1LY

Telephone
0118 957 2743

Reading

Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel himself, The Three Guineas was built to serve… and whether you fancy cask ales, commuter coffees or cracking cuisine, we certainly live up to that. Right by Reading Station, we’ve served thousands of travellers…
Terry's Reading Walkabouts

Address

READING, Berkshire, RG1 1DP

Telephone
07505 351517

terry.dixon89@virginmedia.com

READING

The original Guided walks going over 8 years around my home town in fun way. 18 themes, inc.Town Centre, Architecture, Crime/Punishment, Photographic Heritage, Ghosts. All donated go to local charities, raising over £24,000 & taken out 4500 people!
Voco Reading

Address

Select Car Leasing Stadium, READING, Berkshire, RG2 0FL

Telephone
0118 925 3500

vocoReadingReservations@ihg.com

READING

Family friendly hotel with leisure facilities including a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, gym and treatments with a choice of restaurants. Ideally situated just a half mile from the M4 motorway.
Three

Address

21 Broad Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2BH

Telephone
0118 957 5514

Reading

Retail chain providing mobile phones, tablets & broadband services.
Stitch in Time

Address

24 Cross Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1SN

Telephone
0118 958 1462

Reading

Tailor offering alterations and other services.
Bowl Central

Address

65 Caversham Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 8AD

Telephone
01182 292233

Reading

Central Bowl offers boutique bowling lanes alongside darts, pool and a lively bar, as well as a modern, cashless arcade.
Hop Leaf

Address

163-165 Southampton Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2QZ

Telephone
0118 931 4700

Reading

Hop Back Brewery is the home of the multi-award winning Summer Lightning. While not quite as good as tasting the real thing, here you'll get...
Caversham Artisan & Farmers' Market

Address

Waitrose Car Park, Church Street, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8AY

Reading

Caversham Artisan & Farmers Market has been and always will be here to serve the community. We believe in providing our shoppers with quality products as well as outstanding service. Since day one, a genuine love and passion for our own market…
Cosy Club

Address

The Oracle, Lower Ground Level, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AQ

reading@cosyclub.co.uk

Reading

Cosy Club Reading serves up delicious all-day dining in stylish, retro-inspired surroundings. From indulgent brunches and elegant mains like King Prawn and Cod Linguine to standout cocktails and treats like their signature Monkey Bread, the menu…
Back Of Beyond

Address

104-108 Kings Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3BY

Telephone
0118 959 5906

Reading

This Wetherspoon pub stands on the site of a ginger-beer factory, later used as a Salvation Army barracks, and takes its name from its location on the edge of town...
Vegivores

Address

41 Church Street, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8BA

Reading

Founded in Reading in 2017 as a street food and catering business, after successfully building a following at local markets and events we went on to launch our first restaurant in Caversham in October 2019 which is still Reading's only fully plant…
Rise Bakehouse

Address

4 Chatham Place, Reading, RG1 7JF

hello@rise-bakehouse.co.uk

Reading

We are a small team of passionate bakers dedicated to bringing better bread to the people of Reading. Our focus is on naturally fermented sourdough and pastries, made by hand, from scratch, using local and seasonal produce wherever possible. Our…

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Top 10 Family Friendly Things To Do in Reading

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