10 Best Family Things to Do in Blackpool

As Blackpool’s indoor water park, Sandcastle Waterpark is the perfect place to cool off, whatever the weather. With steep slides and rubber ring rides, the Sandcastle will make a splash with kids of any age. 

Raft along indoor water roller coasters and lose your bearings as you torpedo through blacked-out tubes before being dumped into the Sandcastle’s frothy waters. With a spaghetti tangle of winding slides, warm wave pools, and gentle lazy rivers, there’s something for every kid – and adult – to love here.

Strap yourself in and hold on tight, as you’re rocketed up and down the vertical tower of the Ice Blast ride at 80 mph or are spooked by ghouls popping out beside the ghost train in Blackpool’s theme park. Just don’t try out the terrifying ‘Big One’ ride too soon after lunch… It rises above Blackpool like a shark’s fin, and you can hear the screams for miles around. 

Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s Big One was the world’s tallest and fastest roller coaster when it first opened, and it’s drawn thrill seekers ever since. Keep your cool, as the train briefly halts at the crest, and you’ll enjoy a stunning view of the rippling sea below. Moments later, you’ll be scorching down the twisting descent, leaving your stomach far behind you.

SEA LIFE Blackpool gives you the opportunity to either conquer a fear or tick off a lifelong ambition as you zip up your wet suit and dip your toes into the shark-infested waters. Hold your breath as streamlined sharks slalom through the water towards you, assessing you with their beady eyes.

If you’d rather stay firmly on the safe side of the glass, you can enjoy the chaotic frenzy as rays thrash wildly during feeding time, before taking a closer look at the sea horses and jellyfish as they pulse hypnotically through the water.

The iconic landmark of the city, Blackpool Tower dominates the skyline from its location in the centre of town. It's 158 metres tall and resembles the Eiffel Tower. There are loads of tourist attractions inside the tower, appealing to different types of guests – it's one of the most popular and best things to do in Blackpool. You can head up to the viewing deck at the top for some great photos, take the kids to the jungle gym or head to the dungeons for a fun escape game. There’s also a ballroom inside that hosts regular live shows – everything from comedy to dancing and even afternoon tea.

Coral Island is one of the most popular family attractions in Blackpool, but there's one aspect of it that goes unnoticed far too often. Inside this fun park, you'll find a robust arcade with new releases and retro favourites alike. 

If that's not enough, you'll also find virtual reality games that can transport you and the little ones into another world/ Take on the newest innovation in gaming, with crystal-clear graphics and an immersive environment that puts you right in the middle of the action.

Blackpool Tower Dungeon is an unforgettable experience that will take you through several dark periods of history letting you see these frightening tales reenacted up close. As the name suggests, you'll find this attraction right by Blackpool Tower. Within the dungeon, you'll find yourself walking through 11 different sections that each have something special to offer. Each is eerie in its own right, with themes like a dark chapel, a torturer, a plague doctor and Pendle witches. You'll even find a drop ride and a saloon as your last 2 stops.

A donkey ride on Blackpool Beach is a rite of passage for many youngsters on a family holiday since the 19th century. The donkey will be led by a harness on a slow walk. The route up and down the beach has stayed largely the same, but these days, some of the donkeys have credit card payment machines attaches to their saddles. Rides only cost a couple of pounds and last around 15 minutes. To ensure the donkeys are well cared for, vets inspect the animals every week. There’s also a weight restriction so no one over 8 stone (50kg) is allowed to ride.

Take a walk on the wild side and come face to face with some of the world’s most fearsome animals. Whether you’re looking for gentle giraffes, terrifying tigers, or awesome apes, Blackpool lays the entire animal kingdom at your feet. Watch as gorillas affectionately groom each other, tiger cubs wrestle boisterously, and squawking parrots zoom through the air in magnificent flashes of colour. 

This zoo is home to some of Africa’s most majestic species – but kids will love getting the chance to pet bearded goats and touch the woolly white coats of the petting zoo’s sheep, just as much.

Blackpool Illuminations is an awe-inspiring light show that's held every year during the Lightpool Festival around the promenade from September to November. During the festival, lights are set up all across town from the Blackpool Tower to local buses and trams. The lights are arranged in intricate designs sporting vibrant colours that can turn every night into a shining extravaganza. 

The Switch-On event starts it all off, so you could see them turn on the lights for the first time and listen to the live musical performances that accompany the event. Given that the lights are set up in public places throughout town, access is entirely free.