Stuck for ideas this weekend? Browse our pick of family days out in Norwich, from world-class museums and wildlife parks to hidden gems right on your doorstep. We include prices, age suitability and what to expect so you can plan ahead.
Open daily 10am to 5pm with last entry at 4.30pm, and closed on 25 and 26 December and 1 January. Tickets include the transformed keep and the rest of the galleries. The Boudica and the Romans gallery is closed for redevelopment until 2027. Children under 14 must be with an adult, and the battlements can close at short notice in bad weather.
Official info →Day tickets cover every ride, indoor play zone and show, with parking included. It opens Monday and Friday to Sunday, 10am to 4.30pm, and on Thursdays 11am to 3pm, which is a quieter Toddler Thursday. It is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Pricing is by height rather than age, and booking online at least a day ahead gives the best price.
Official info →Norfolk's largest zoo is open 10am to 4pm daily from October to March. Indoor options include the Subtropical House, Discovery Centre and Giraffe House, and a Rainy Day Guarantee gives a free return visit within four weeks if it rains continuously for an hour. Free parking. On weekdays from 2 November to 18 December 2026, Wild Tots is £15 for one adult and one child aged 0 to 4, with a hot drink.
Official info →Regular trains run daily from April to the end of October, so check the timetable before you travel in winter. In December 2026 the railway has published Festive Express Santa trains from Aylsham, which need pre-booking, and a Mince Pie Special from 27 December. Aylsham has a large free car park and a cafe.
Official info →A museum of rural Norfolk life set in a former workhouse, with a working farm, heavy horses and an adventure playground. It is closed to the public for winter and reopens on Saturday 6 March 2027, although it still opens for its Victorian Family Christmas event day. Book online at least a day ahead to save 10%.
Official info →Days Out vary by age, timetable and provider style. Parents usually get the best results by checking practical details first: location, session length, costs, age range, booking terms and how the provider handles safety and communication.
Shortlist options that fit your normal school run, weekend routine or holiday dates before comparing extras.
Ask about trial sessions, what is included, staff checks, cancellation terms and what your child needs to bring.
Keep one backup option nearby in case a class is full, a camp sells out or weather changes your plans.
Many offer free entry, family trails, hands-on exhibits, lockers, cafes and school holiday activities.
Zoos, farms, aquariums, nature reserves, beaches and forest trails are strong all-weather or seasonal options.
Castles, theme parks, climbing centres, swimming pools and adventure playgrounds work well when children need to burn energy.
A good day out is not always the biggest attraction. Parents usually get a better result by matching the outing to travel time, weather, food needs and how much energy everyone has left at the end of the week.
Choose a local museum, library event, short trail, garden centre, cinema, cafe-plus-playground or a familiar park with one new thing added.
Look for outdoor space, climbing, swimming, bikes, beaches, country parks or attractions with several activity zones and places to pause.
Prioritise venues with buggy access, baby-change facilities, safe toddler areas and enough challenge for older siblings.
Before travelling, check step-free access, quiet spaces, Changing Places toilets, sensory guides, wheelchair hire, buggy storage and whether carers enter free. If your child finds busy places difficult, search for relaxed sessions, early openings or quieter weekday slots.
Libraries, museums, soft play, swimming, indoor climbing and covered markets can rescue a wet weekend.
Water play, beaches, lidos, farms, forest trails and evening picnics make the most of longer days.
Light trails, pantomimes, city museums, short walks and hot-chocolate stops can be easier than full outdoor days.
A paid attraction can be good value when it fills most of the day, suits the whole age range and avoids extra costs once inside. If the visit is mainly for one short activity, compare a free museum, park trail or local activity session before booking.
Useful next read: planning family days out. For lower-cost options, see free things to do with kids or browse activity-led ideas in children's activities.
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