1 | Dinosaur Adventure, Norfolk
First off, you have to admire a dinosaur attraction with the confidence to say, ‘It’s time you came-n-saurus’. Cheesy paleontological puns aside, this is a great funpark for under 12s with wild forest adventures, puzzling mazes, rope bridges, zip-lines, mini-quad bikes and jeeps, racetracks and even mini-golf – all in the company of T-rex and friends.
Slightly off the dinosaur theme, kids can meet farm animals in the walled garden, go on Deer Safari, catch a sheepdog demonstration or burn off any excess energy with chutes, slides and rides. There’s also a resident palaeontologist on hand for events and activities during the school holidays.
Where: Lenwade, Norfolk; about 25 minutes from Norwich off the A47
When: 7-days from 9.30am to 4pm in winter and 6pm during summer
Cost: Over 90cm: from £9.95; under 90cm: free
From 17-23 February 2020, Dinosaur Adventure is hosting Fantasy February, featuring exciting family activities and team quests. Plus, 50% off admission for children in fancy dress.
Find out more about Dinosaur Adventure
2 | Dinosaur Isle, Isle of Wight
This dinosaur museum doesn’t need rides, slides and robotics – it has the real thing courtesy of 15 dinosaur species resident on the Isle of Wight over 126 million years ago. The museum building’s designed in the shape of a pterodactyl and contains thousands of fossils, dinosaur relics from all over the island, life-size reconstructions, animatronics and a real-live palaeontology research lab.
Not thrilling enough? The Dinosaur Isle team also organises guided walking tours on the island year-round. They’re a great learning experience for kids and it’s fascinating to find out about the locals who made such important discoveries here, they now have dinosaurs named after them.
Where: Sandown, Isle of Wight PO36 8QA
When: 7-days from 10am to 6pm
Cost: child 3-15 years £10; adult £6; family tickets from £17.50
Find out more about Dinosaur Isle
3 | Gulliver’s Lost World of the Living Dinosaurs, Milton Keynes
Model dinosaurs are a little bit exciting, for about two minutes. But if you want the full Mesozoic experience, Gulliver’s is the park with over 30 shrieking, tail-threshing, air-clawing, teeth-gnashing animatronic monsters. They also have a roaming good-as-real-life T-Rex, a Jurassic Park style observation tower and a dinosaur strewn prehistoric river ride – just in case a dull moment needs filling.
Meet and greets with reptilian dino-descendants happen in the Reptile & Bug Centre. And if kids don’t want to walk, they can ride a dinosaur round the park instead – as long as they’re taller than 90cm.
Where: Newlands, Milton Keynes MK15 0DT. Exit at junction 14 off the M1
When: 7-days from 10:30am to 5pm (times vary)
Cost: Adults and children £24; free entry for kids under 90cm
Find out more about Gulliver’s Lost World
4 | The Dinosaur Park, Tenby
Don’t be put off by the dull name, Tenby’s Dinosaur Park is far from unimaginative. Kids can expect chilling encounters with bloodthirsty T-Rex, lumbering stegosaurus and zippy deinonychus on the interactive Dinosaur Trail – the wild chutes, slides, rides and racetracks in the outdoor playground seem tame by comparison. An indoor zone’s perfect for rainy days and there’s a whole raft of activities and events most weekends and during school holidays.
The park’s also on the pretty beyond imagining Pembrokeshire Coast in West Wales, so you can always do some downtime on the beach after your dinosaur day out excitement.
Where: Gumfreston, Tenby SA70 8RB. On the B1438, 20 minutes from Tenby on the West Wales’ coast
When: From 8 April 2019 – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm daily
Cost: Adult £12.75; child from £11.50; toddlers £4.95; children under 2 free
Find out more about The Dinosaur Park
5 | Lost Kingdom: Paultons Park
You’ll be transported back in time 150 million years to when dinosaurs ruled the earth. Surrounded by prehistoric creatures every which way you turn, Lost Kingdom is an immersive and realistic time warp. There are two thrilling rollercoasters, The Flight of the Pterosaur and Velociraptor and plenty of family rides such as The Dinosaur Tour Co and a Little Explorers play park area for the youngest kids.
Where: Paultons Park Home of Peppa Pig World, Ower, Romsey, The New Forest, Hampshire, SO51 6AL
When: Open 10am-5pm every day
Cost: Advance ticket prices – Adult or children over one metre £32.75; Children under one metre: free; Family of 4 £127
Find out more about Lost Kingdom
6 | Lost World Adventure Golf
This dinosaur obsessed attraction can be found in Tynemouth Park, situated adjacent to the stunning Longsands Beach. The crazy golf course consists of either nine or 18 holes (depending on how patient you are) of dinosaur-themed over and under, in and around golfing fun.
Stay for the entire day and you can have a swing in Jungle Wipeout, walk the plank in the Pirate Quest Maze and relax on their traditional boating lake, all within minutes of each other and providing a full day of entertainment for the kids.
Where: Tynemouth Park, Grand Parade, Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear, NE30 4JH
When: Weekdays, bank holidays and school holidays open from 9am to 6pm.
Cost: 18 holes: Adult £4.50; child 16 and under £3
Find out more about Lost World Adventure Golf
7 | Fossil hunting on the Jurassic Coast
Dorset’s Jurassic Coast is covered in fun family day-out activities, one of these being fossil hunting. If you’re keen to discover a piece of Earth’s ancient history at this remarkable World Heritage Site then you must know where to look.
Fossils are generally found on beaches after being eroded from the cliffs but stay safe on the coast and only collect loose fossils that have fallen (rather than digging into the side of the cliff). Only search during low tide and stay away from any rockfalls or landslides. This coastal area is also a beautiful place to spend the day walking and exploring hidden beaches, seaside towns and awe-inspiring views.
Where: Dorset
Cost: Free
Find out more about the Jurassic Coast
8 | Blackgang Chine
Imagine walking alongside life-sized robotic dinosaurs as they swing their tales and shake their heads. If this makes your ears prick up, then Blackgang Chine will be a great day out.
Be warned though: the roaring T-Rex and spitting dinos are not for the faint of heart.
Where: Blackgang Chine, Nr Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 2HN
When: 10am to 5pm every day. Park opens for the 2020 season on 21st March 2020
Cost: Peak tickets: £25; 4 person saver ticket £96; under 4 years free
Find out more about Blackgang Chine
9 | Torquay’s Dinosaur World
This indoor museum is home to dozens of dinosaur fossils where your dinosaur-mad child can run wild and explore this Jurassic world. They can dig through the sand and excavate fossils, sit on once-dangerous dinosaurs, and express their creativity in the craft room.
Follow along with the quiz sheet and fill it in at every stop so the whole family can learn something new.
Where: 3 Victoria Parade, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2BB
When: 11am to 3:30pm every day
Cost: Adults and children £6.95; Under 2s free
Find out more about Torquay’s Dinosaur World