A practical UK heatwave guide for parents looking for splash parks, lidos, shaded forests, cinemas and indoor activities with kids

When the UK gets too hot, family plans can change quickly.

The playground suddenly feels too exposed.

The park slide is warm to the touch.

The kids are restless.

Everyone wants an ice lolly.

Hot weather does not have to cancel family fun. It just means choosing the right kind of day out.

Instead of long walks in full sun or busy outdoor attractions with little shade, think splash parks, lidos, outdoor pools, shaded forests, country parks, cinemas, museums, aquariums, bowling, soft play, indoor mini golf and family-friendly places where everyone can cool down.

This guide is designed to help parents quickly find safe, realistic and fun things to do with kids during hot weather, summer holidays and heatwaves.

What can you do with kids when it’s too hot?

1. Search for “splash parks near me”

Splash parks are one of the easiest things to do with kids when it’s too hot.

They give children a way to cool down, move around and enjoy water play without needing a full beach trip or expensive day out.

Real UK splash park and water play ideas include:

Granary Square Fountains, King’s Cross, London — A free city-centre fountain space where children can cool down near cafés, restaurants and Coal Drops Yard.

Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, Hyde Park, London — A free water feature in Hyde Park where families can paddle carefully in a peaceful green setting.

Swanley Park Splash Pool, Kent — A low-cost seasonal splash pool inside Swanley Park, with play areas, picnic space and family activities nearby.

Walsall Arboretum Splash Pad, West Midlands — A free seasonal splash pad in one of Walsall’s best-known parks, with green space and family facilities nearby.

Victoria Park Splash Pad, Cardiff — A free colourful splash pad in a popular Cardiff park, with gardens and play areas nearby.

Twycross Zoo Wet ’n’ Wild Play Park, Leicestershire — A splash play area inside Twycross Zoo, usually included with zoo admission.

LEGOLAND Windsor Splash Safari and Drench Towers — A lively seasonal water play area inside LEGOLAND Windsor, usually included with park admission.

Gulliver’s splash zones in Warrington, Rotherham, Milton Keynes and Matlock Bath — Seasonal splash areas inside Gulliver’s theme parks, usually included with theme park admission.

Before you go, check:

• opening dates and times
• whether booking is needed
• whether the splash area is open that day
• if there are toilets nearby
• if there is shade
• whether children need water shoes
• if you need towels and spare clothes
• whether food and drinks are allowed
• if there are age or height restrictions
• whether the surface is suitable for toddlers
• whether there is parking or public transport nearby

Splash parks can get busy on hot weekends, so weekday mornings or later afternoons may be easier for younger children.

Parent tip: pack spare clothes in a separate waterproof bag so the rest of your day-out bag stays dry.

2. Try a UK waterpark for a bigger splash day

If you want something bigger than a splash pad, a waterpark can turn a hot day into a full family adventure.

Some waterparks are indoors, which makes them useful for very hot days, rainy summer days or mixed weather. Others are outdoor waterparks that work well when you want a proper summer holiday feeling without travelling too far.

UK waterpark ideas include:

Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool — A large indoor waterpark on Blackpool’s seafront with slides, wave pools and family splash areas.

Splashdown Quaywest, Paignton, Devon — An outdoor waterpark near the Devon coast, best suited to families wanting a bigger summer splash day.

Waterworld, Stoke-on-Trent — A major indoor tropical waterpark with slides, pools and splash areas.

Time Capsule Waterpark, Coatbridge — A Scottish indoor waterpark with flumes, wave pool features and family swimming areas.

Blue Lagoon Water Park, Pembrokeshire — An indoor waterpark with wave pools, slides and family splash areas.

Coral Reef Waterworld, Bracknell — A large indoor waterworld with slides, pools and splash zones.

Alton Towers Waterpark, Staffordshire — A themed indoor and outdoor waterpark with slides and splash areas.

Before booking, check:

• age suitability
• height restrictions
• swimming ability rules
• family changing facilities
• locker costs
• whether towels are included
• session times
• food options
• parking
• whether younger children have a separate splash area

Waterparks can be brilliant for older children who want slides, wave pools and bigger water play. For toddlers or nervous swimmers, look for smaller splash zones, shallow pools and quieter family sessions.

Parent tip: waterparks can be tiring, so avoid planning another big activity afterwards. A simple meal, ice cream or quiet evening is often enough.

3. Find lidos and outdoor pools near you

Lidos and outdoor pools are brilliant when children need to cool down and parents want something that feels like a proper summer day out.

They can be especially useful if you do not live near the coast but still want that outdoor swimming feeling.

UK lido and outdoor pool ideas include:

Tooting Bec Lido, London — One of London’s best-known outdoor pools, offering a classic open-air swim in a spacious setting.

Parliament Hill Lido, London — An open-air pool on Hampstead Heath, perfect for combining swimming with green space.

Serpentine Lido, Hyde Park, London — A central London open-water swimming spot with parkland all around.

Jesus Green Lido, Cambridge — A historic outdoor pool beside Jesus Green, ideal for a refreshing swim close to the city centre.

Ilkley Pool and Lido, West Yorkshire — A Yorkshire lido with outdoor swimming and family facilities.

Arundel Lido, West Sussex — A friendly outdoor pool close to Arundel Castle.

Before booking, check:

• swim session times
• whether booking is required
• child-to-adult swim ratios
• age rules
• whether the pool is heated
• shaded areas
• changing facilities
• café or picnic rules
• parking and public transport
• whether armbands or floats are allowed

For younger children, shorter sessions are often better. Swimming and hot weather can be tiring, so plan breaks, snacks and quiet time afterwards.

Parent tip: if you are visiting with toddlers or mixed-age siblings, look for places with shallow areas, family sessions and easy changing facilities.

4. Choose shaded forests and woodland trails

Not every hot day needs water play. Sometimes shade is the best plan. Forests, woodland trails, arboretums, country parks and shaded nature reserves can feel cooler than open playgrounds, beaches or city centres.

Beautiful UK forest and woodland ideas include:

Delamere Forest, Cheshire — A popular woodland destination with walking and cycling trails.

Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire — A scenic forest with walking, cycling and play trails.

Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Kent — A beautiful forest and pinetum with family trails, play areas and shaded picnic spots.

Grizedale Forest, Lake District — A scenic forest with woodland trails, sculptures and adventure routes.

Haldon Forest Park, Devon — A shaded forest park with walking and cycling trails near Exeter.

New Forest National Park, Hampshire — A beautiful national park with woodland walks, ponies and picnic areas.

Epping Forest, London and Essex — A huge ancient woodland on London’s edge.

Good heat-friendly forest day ideas include:

• a short woodland walk
• a picnic under the trees
• a nature scavenger hunt
• bug spotting
• leaf collecting
• den building
• scooter or bike trails
• story time in the shade
• a café stop afterwards
• a simple “find five things” nature game

Keep the route short and simple. On very hot days, a one-hour shaded walk with snacks can work better than trying to do a full family hike.

Pack water, sun cream, hats, light layers, snacks and a picnic blanket. If the route has very little shade, save it for a cooler day.

Parent tip: choose circular routes with toilets, cafés or visitor centres nearby so you can leave early if children get too warm.

5. Escape into the cinema

A cinema trip is one of the easiest indoor things to do with kids when it’s too hot outside. It is cool, simple, weather-proof and gives everyone a break from the heat.

Cinema works especially well for:

• the hottest part of the day
• younger children who need a rest
• low-energy days
• family time without too much planning
• a break between outdoor activities

Check the latest Kids Pass cinema offers before you book, as savings and participating locations can vary.

Parent tip: choose a morning or early afternoon screening, then plan a simple meal or cool drink afterwards instead of trying to fit too much into one day.

6. Visit museums, aquariums and indoor attractions

Museums, aquariums and indoor attractions are perfect when parents need cool places to go with kids. They keep children entertained without too much walking in direct sun, and many work well for mixed ages.

UK indoor day out ideas include:

Natural History Museum, London — A world-famous museum packed with dinosaurs, wildlife displays and family-friendly galleries.

National Railway Museum, York — A large indoor museum filled with trains, engines and family displays.

Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, Halifax — A hands-on children’s museum designed for play, discovery and interactive learning.

Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum — A family science museum with interactive exhibits, a planetarium and hands-on learning spaces.

World Museum, Liverpool — A city museum with natural history, space, culture and aquarium displays.

Science and Industry Museum, Manchester — A Manchester museum exploring science, technology and industry.

National Museum Cardiff — A family-friendly museum with art, natural history and dinosaur displays.

Riverside Museum, Glasgow — A transport museum with cars, trams, trains and recreated streets.

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh — A large museum with science, history, animals and interactive galleries.

We The Curious, Bristol — A hands-on science centre with interactive exhibits designed to spark curiosity.

SEA LIFE centres across the UK — Indoor aquarium experiences with sharks, rays, turtles and family-friendly marine displays.

Parent tip: choose one main indoor attraction and one calm stop afterwards. Trying to do too much in hot weather can make the day feel stressful.

7. Try bowling, soft play or indoor mini golf

When it is too hot for a full outdoor day out, indoor activities can be a lifesaver. They give kids somewhere to move, play and burn off energy without spending hours in direct sun.

Good indoor activity ideas include:

Hollywood Bowl — A family bowling chain with lanes, arcade games and food.

Treetop Golf — A themed indoor mini golf experience with jungle-style courses.

Jungle Rumble — An indoor adventure golf venue with fun themed courses.

Gravity — An indoor activity centre brand with trampoline parks, games and adventure activities.

Jump Inc — An indoor trampoline and activity park for children who need to burn off energy.

Local soft play centres — Useful for younger children who need indoor movement during the hottest part of the day.

Leisure centres — Local options for swimming, sports courts and family activities.

Indoor climbing centres — Active indoor spaces where children can try climbing in a cooler setting.

Arcades — Simple indoor stops for games, entertainment and a break from the heat.

These activities are especially useful for younger children, mixed-age siblings or days when everyone needs something easy and local.

Check the Kids Pass app before booking to see whether current local offers are available. Offers and participating locations can vary.

Parent tip: indoor activities are often busiest during school holidays, so book ahead where possible and choose quieter times if you can.

Hot-weather safety tips for parents

Hot weather can affect children quickly, especially when they are running around, playing in water or spending time outdoors.

On hot days, try to:

• avoid the strongest sun where possible
• offer children water regularly
• use sun cream and reapply as needed
• plan active play for mornings or later afternoons
• avoid long walks in full sun
• take regular breaks
• choose indoor activities during the hottest hours
• check Heat-Health Alerts and weather warnings before travelling

Children may not always realise they are getting too hot, so keep checking in with them.

Ask simple questions:

1. Do you feel too hot?
2. Do you need a drink?
3. Do you want a break?
4. Are you feeling tired?
5. Do you feel dizzy or sick?

If a child seems unwell in hot weather, move them somewhere cool, offer water and help them rest. Seek medical advice if symptoms do not improve or if you are worried.

How Kids Pass can help families find cool things to do

When it is too hot outside, parents need ideas that are easy, flexible and family-friendly.

Kids Pass can help families discover things to do with kids across the UK, including indoor activities, cinema trips, attractions, dining, bowling, mini golf, soft play, theme parks and family days out.

That means when you are searching for things to do near me when it’s too hot, Kids Pass can help you find inspiration quickly — and make family time cost less where offers are available.

So whether you are planning a cinema escape, looking for an indoor attraction, finding somewhere cool to eat or searching for local things to do with kids, Kids Pass can help make hot-weather family planning easier.

Not a Kids Pass member yet? Start your £1 Kids Pass trial today and discover days out, cinema savings, dining offers, everyday tools and things to do with kids across the UK.