Palmer Park community pool
Thames River Cruise

You are here: Ideas & Inspiration > Top 10 Highlights > Top 10 Family Friendly Things To Do

Searching for something...

Accommodation
Things to Do
Food & Drink
Shopping

Accommodation Search

Things to Do Search

Food & Drink Search

Shopping Search

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!

Number of results: 566

, currently showing 361 to 380.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Hobbs

Address

The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AQ

Telephone
0118 958 2451

Reading

Women's clothing store selling self-designed, stylish and luxurious fashion with new selections every season.
Escape Reading

Address

Queens Walk, READING, Berkshire, RG1 7QF

Telephone
07429 147597

hello@escapereading.co.uk

READING

Locked in a room with no way out, you must search for hidden compartments, secret passageways, and clues to plot your escape – all within 60 minutes! For groups of 2-6, Escape Reading offers three different rooms designed for groups of 2-6. It is…
Mal Brasserie

Address

Malmaison Hotel, 18-20 Station Road, READING, Berkshire, RG1 1JX

Telephone
0118 334 1331

reading@malmaison.com

READING

This former train-house turned hotel has an abundance of style and decadence. Chez Mal Brasserie is the hotel's fantastic restaurant. Located less than a minutes walk from Reading station this hotel is the perfect place to meet friends for food.
Subway - Broad Street Mall

Address

Broad Street Mall, Reading, RG1 7QG

Reading
Pizza Express

Address

Unit R11 Riverside Level, The Oracle, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

Telephone
0118 957 4411

Reading

A fantastic light and airy restaurant situated right on the river with a generous alfresco area for those wishing to enjoy the hustle and bustle of...
Reading Biscuit Factory

Address

1 Queens Walk (corner of Oxford Rd), Broad Street Mall, Broad Street Mall, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
0191 2611103

info@readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk

Broad Street Mall, Reading

We are a three-screen cinema, bar, coffee shop, live performance space and community hub situated at the heart of Reading’s town centre. Our aim is to offer a fantastic and welcoming venue and create a setting where everyone can relax, work, meet…
Sweeney and Todd

Address

10 Castle Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7RD

Telephone
0118 958 6466

Reading

Restaurant with acclaimed pies and deli selling pasties, sausage rolls and free range scotch eggs.
Flamingo's Vintage

Address

21 Queen Victoria Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1SY

Reading

Flamingos Vintage UK is a Vintage clothing retailer, currently supplying hand-picked, one-off pieces in the UK’s south-west. At Flamingo’s, we operate a Kilo Sale identified by a traffic light color system, as well as priced-per-piece Exclusive items
Stanlake Park Wine Estate

Address

Stanlake Park, Twyford, READING, Berkshire, RG10 0BN

Telephone
0118 934 0176

tours@stanlakepark.com

READING

Stanlake Park in Twyford, Berkshire is one of the oldest vineyards and wine producers in England. Our Italian winemaker’s modern and international approach is reflected in award-winning wines that are enjoyable, very drinkable and the perfect…
Hilton Skin & Body Clinic

Address

7 Church Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 7AA

Telephone
01189 464 333

info@hiltonskinclinics.co.uk

Reading

Skin experts and advanced medical aesthetics in Caversham, Berkshire. As experts in skin and medical aesthetics, we are dedicated to providing non-invasive luxury aesthetic skin and body treatments to help our clients achieve healthy and radiant…
Lovisa

Address

The Oracle Centre, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

READING

Lovisa was created out of the need for on trend fashion jewellery at ready to wear prices. Our trend spotting departments worldwide take inspiration from couture runways and current street style to deliver new, on trend, must-have styles to our…
Reading Buses Travel Centre

Address

Broad Street Mall, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7QE

Telephone
0118 959 4000

customerservices@reading-buses.co.uk

Reading

Walk in centre for all things regarding Reading's Bus network and it's services.
The Bap Reading

Address

Market Place, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2DE

Reading

The Bap is an independent Korean restaurant founded by people passionate about Korean Food. Leading our business with a passion for food and the belief that good food heals the body and mind; we have curated a menu that introduces you to the most…
Hilton Reading

Address

Drake Way, READING, Berkshire, RG2 0GQ

Telephone
0118 916 9000

reservations.reading@hilton.com

READING

Hilton Reading is located off the M4 and A33 and offers on-site car parking. The hotel is conveniently close to Arlington Business Park, Green Park Business Park, Thames Valley Business Park and Winnersh Triangle Business Park, as well as offering…
Be At One

Address

1 Gun Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2JR

Telephone
0118 956 0666

reading@beatone.co.uk

Reading

Be At One on Gun Street has been undergoing a refurbishment. Due to reopen on the 3rd of November with a brand new look and exciting new features like a karaoke booth with a DJ available to hire. Just in time for Christmas too!
Mapledurham House

Address

Mapledurham Village, READING, Berkshire, RG4 7TR

READING

A 12th Century family house and farming estate tucked in beside the Thames in the heart of a unique English village away from the distractions of town, business or busy hotels, Mapledurham is an oasis of peace. The estate is a haven of tradition…
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…
Ernest Jones

Address

The Oracle Centre, READING, Berkshire, RG1 2AG

READING

Diamond and watch specialist, Ernest Jones, has a stunning range of jewellery and accessories in contemporary and classic designs – the perfect gift for yourself, or someone close to you.
At the store you’ll find some of the world’s finest, most…
Blagrave Rooms

Address

7 Blagrave Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1PJ

Telephone
07966 263 843

bookings@blagraverooms.co.uk

Reading
ITSU

Address

31 Queen Victoria Street, Reading, RG1 1SY

Telephone
0118 4020979

Reading

ITSU's eat beautiful menu celebrates the amazing flavours of the Far East; high in nutrients yet refreshingly low in calories and saturated fat. Protein packed low carb salads...

My Planner

Top 10 Family Friendly Things To Do in Reading

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss