Looking to plan a big day out with the kids? Well, for all your adrenaline-seekers, there’s no better way to make the most of the school holidays than a theme park trip!
From heart-racing rollercoasters and interactive shows, to epic wildlife encounters and active play areas, there’s loads to see and do for all ages. By the end, you’ll feel like you’ve had a proper out-of-this-world adventure!
In this guide, we’ll cover some of the best theme park activities for kids (and adults) to enjoy, including a few tips and tricks to ensure everyone stays entertained and energised.
And if you’re looking for an unforgettable, fully-supervised experience that takes the planning off your hands, our specialist PGL theme park camps are available throughout the summer break!
Five of the best theme park activities for kids
Below are five fantastic theme park activities for both kids and teens to try across some of the UK’s most popular venues like Alton Towers, Drayton Manor, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures — all parks that our campers get to experience as well!
1. Ride rollercoasters
Rollercoasters are often a highlight of any theme park visit, and offer a range of benefits beyond pure excitement. The rapid movements, turns, and changes in G-force help improve children’s coordination, balance, and spatial awareness. Overcoming the fear of rollercoasters also boosts a child’s confidence, whereas the excitement and sense of accomplishment they feel can effectively alleviate stress and anxiety.
Recommended rollercoasters
Alton Towers: Families can head to CBeebies Land to immerse themselves in the undersea world of Octonauts. Aimed at children aged 3 and above, this gentle rollercoaster features colourful sea creatures, music from the television show, and gentle drops. Or, if you’re feeling brave, then why not take on the Wicker Man — a thrilling wooden coaster with fiery explosions, special effects, and speed to match that’s perfect for older riders.
Drayton Manor: Got a need for speed? The Accelerator is a fast-paced rollercoaster which launches riders forward and then sends them backwards through the track again, making it suitable for children transitioning to more dynamic rides. Thomas Land is the undisputed king of toddler attractions, including the Troublesome Trucks Runaway Coaster, where visitors tilt at speed around corners before pulling back into the station.
Thorpe Park: Known for its intense rides, (depending on height restrictions) kids can tackle Stealth, one of the UK’s fastest rollercoasters, with the breakneck power of two Formula 1 cars! Or the Swarm, a dramatic wind coaster that’ll make you feel like you’re flying — just make sure to watch out for the rotating helicopter blades!
Chessington: The Rattlesnake takes you on a wild ride with sharp turns, steep inclines and sudden drops through an old Mexican tin mine. It’s a classic thrill ride that’s suitable for older children and teenagers. There’s also Vampire, a family-friendly rollercoaster where riders dangle beneath the track as the coaster swoops through the treetops.
2. Experience themed entertainment
Theme parks not only offer thrilling rollercoaster rides, but also live shows, character meet-and-greets, and immersive storytelling to help bring their themed worlds to life! These performances act as ‘edutainment’, encouraging creative thinking, social interaction through shared experiences, and learning through laughter and fun. Plus, high-energy shows encourage kids to move or dance, keeping them active all day long.
Recommended entertainment:
Alton Towers: Fans of Hey Duggee, the Teletubbies, and Bluey will love the CBeebies Land stage shows. Full of colourful and beloved characters, younger kids will be captivated by the live performances, sing-a-longs and dancing. Experience the award-winning Alton After Dark event for 2026, adding a whole new level of excitement under the cover of night!
Drayton Manor: Meet characters like Thomas, Percy and their friends while exploring the themed area inspired by the Thomas & Friends series. Explore on The Island of Sodor on a fun train tour, or join Sir Topham Hatt and station sweepers Rusty & Dusty as they host interactive sing-along shows.
Thorpe Park: Check out Sunset Cinema, a 4D movie experience where visitors are transported into a world of sights, sounds, and surprises! Be sure to bring your waterproofs, as the experience can involve a splash of water. The park’s Fright Nights® is also back in 2026, with terrifying scare mazes, survival games, and blazing live music to keep the excitement going until late into the night.
Chessington World of Adventure: Enjoy live seasonal shows and entertainment, such as the new PAW Patrol-themed land, featuring dedicated meet-and-greets (coming Spring 2026). Screenings of ‘The Gruffalo’ and ‘Room on the Broom’ are also shown at selected times throughout the day for a chance to sit back and relax.
3. Go on a zoo & safari adventure
Kids love animals! Luckily, many venues combine rides with real wildlife encounters, offering families a diverse range of theme park activities for all. It’s a sensory-rich experience designed to inspire empathy and nurture an early awareness of conservation. Kids can learn new, specific concepts like “endangered” or “habitat” while hearing, seeing, and sometimes touching different environments in a relaxed, accessible setting.
Recommended zoos and safari activities:
Chessington World of Adventure: Take a ride on the safari attraction ZUFARI: Ride into Africa!. This is an off-road adventure through a large African-style reserve where guests may see giraffes, white rhinos, ostriches, or even lions along the way. Moreover, there’s a SEA LIFE Centre on-site too, where you can walk through the ocean tunnel and see sharks and rays swimming overhead.
Drayton Manor: Visit their 15-acre zoo, which is home to over 50 species, including red pandas, primates, meerkats and tigers. The best thing? It’s located right in the heart of the park, making it easy to get to. Your kids will love the daily keeper talks and feeding demonstrations, giving fascinating stories and insights into the lives of animals (both big and small).
4. Have fun in the playground
Sometimes, it’s the simplest attractions that are the most enjoyable! After all, who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned slide or swing? Playgrounds and interactive zones are great for kids to run, climb, jump and explore, all while burning off that excess energy. Furthermore, it gives children the chance to play at their own pace and socialise with others, while parents can take a well-deserved rest.
Recommended playgrounds and interactive zones:
Alton Towers: Find something special in ‘Sensory Garden’ as you wind your way through the woodland and garden to find Mr Tumble’s spotty bags. This attraction also has signage made to help children with language development. Be sure to also check out Hey Duggee’s Big Adventure Badge — a giant outdoor play zone where kids can meet the Squirrels and explore Duggee’s clubhouse.
Drayton Manor: Kids can have lots of fun, safe soft play at Emily’s Adventure Play, with ball pits, slides, and climbing apparatus. They can also explore Spencer’s Outdoor Activity Park, an exciting playground with climbing nets and towers, or get hands-on in the Dino Trail’s interactive zones.
Chessington World of Adventure: Here, kids have over 3 play areas, including the AMAZU Treetop Adventure located within the zoo, where your little adventurers can swing and climb up close to the monkey enclosures. Or, head to the Land of Dragons, full of high-flying rides, rope canopies, and boat tours for the little ones.
Theme park tips for the school holidays
The school holidays are one of the most exciting yet busiest times of the year for parents and kids. However, with a little planning, you can potentially turn a hectic day into a smooth, fun-filled adventure. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind:
- Pack the essentials: Take water, snacks, suncream, a power bank for charging, and a light raincoat, especially in unpredictable weather. Comfortable shoes like trainers or boots are a must for everyone as you’ll be walking a lot too!
- Arrive early: Getting to the park as it opens gives you a valuable head start on the most popular rides before queues start to build. Alternatively, you could stay later into the afternoon or evening, which often means shorter wait times as crowds begin to thin.
- Use queue-saving options: The majority of theme parks offer fast-track passes or virtual queue systems. These can be particularly useful during peak school holiday periods, allowing you to make more time and memories with your children.
- Schedule downtime: A well-paced day is a successful one. By balancing adrenaline-pumping rides with calmer activities like shows, playtime, or animal experiences, this keeps energy levels steady and prevents kids from becoming overwhelmed.
Experience the thrill of a PGL theme park camp!
If your child is ready for some adrenaline-fuelled fun, discover our 7-night specialist adventure camp, Adrenaline Quest!
Kids will enjoy our wide range of PGL multi-activities, including high ropes courses, archery, and trapeze. In addition to all the fun at camp, kids can experience two full-day trips to some of the UK’s best and most popular theme parks:
Boreatton Park: Alton Towers and Drayton Manor
Marchants Hill: Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventure
Take a look at our range of outdoor specialist adventure camps, including Aqua Explorer, Pony Camp, Cooking and much more! Get in touch with our friendly and experienced team today for more information.
