Best Things to Do in Bracknell with Kids (2026 Guide)

Looking for the best things to do in Bracknell with kids? This Berkshire town blends woodland science centres and adventure parks with quiet green spaces, splash pools and cosy play cafés, making it a brilliant base for family days out.

Whether you're a local family or visiting for the day, there's no shortage of activities to keep little ones entertained.

At My Ohana House, we love being part of a community that offers so many opportunities for children to explore, learn and play. From forest trails to creative activities, there are countless ways to support your child's development beyond the nursery setting.

To help you make the most of the area, here's our guide to the best things to do in Bracknell with kids…

12 Best Things to Do in Bracknell with Kids

1. The Look Out Discovery Centre

The Look Out Discovery Centre is one of the most-loved attractions for families in Bracknell. This hands-on science centre has over 90 interactive exhibits, from hydrogen rockets to giant bubble stations, plus a toddler zone with an indoor stream, mini supermarket and soft play area.

Set within 1,000 hectares of Crown Estate woodland, it's also the perfect starting point for forest trails, cycling routes and an outdoor adventure playground.

If your child enjoys exploring nature, you might also enjoy trying some of these outdoor activity ideas for kids at home or in your local park.

Address: Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 7QW

Price: ££

2. Coral Reef Waterworld

Coral Reef Waterworld is a firm favourite for a splashy family day out. Designed like a shipwreck on a tropical island, it has an erupting volcano, a giant pirate ship, five waterslides and a dedicated toddler splash area with a mini slide and drench buckets.

There's also a Lazy River and, for the grown-ups, a spa. Booking online in advance is essential, as tickets aren't sold on arrival.

Address: Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 7JQ

Price: ££

3. Go Ape Bracknell, Swinley Forest

For families with older or more adventurous children, Go Ape's treetop courses in Swinley Forest are hard to beat. The Treetop Adventure is designed for younger climbers from just 1m tall, while Treetop Adventure Plus and the full Treetop Challenge give bigger kids and grown-ups a proper high-ropes and zip-wire workout among the trees.

Building confidence outdoors like this ties in beautifully with the kind of physical, take-a-risk play that supports early childhood development.

Address: The Look Out, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, Berkshire. RG12 7QW

Price: £££

4. South Hill Park Arts Centre

Set in the grounds of an 18th-century mansion house, South Hill Park is a creative hub for the whole family. It has two theatres, a boutique cinema and a busy programme of family shows, pantomimes and workshops throughout the year, alongside weekly "Bringing in Baby" screenings for parents and children under one.

The surrounding parkland, with its lakes, woodland and gardens, is free to explore and makes a lovely spot for a wander or a picnic.

Creative experiences like a trip to the theatre help children build imagination and storytelling skills - something we also support through activities like literacy activities for early years and learning through play.

Address: Ringmead, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 7PA

Price: FREE grounds / ££ for shows

5. Lily Hill Park

Lily Hill Park is a beautiful green space just half a mile from Bracknell town centre, and a real favourite with local families. There's a network of well-surfaced, buggy-friendly paths through woodland and formal gardens, a storytelling throne, carved sculptures, an orienteering course and a brass-rubbing nature trail to follow.

Spending time outdoors is incredibly beneficial for young children. In fact, research shows that outdoor play supports physical development, creativity and confidence.

You can read more about the importance of outdoor play for children on our blog.

Address: Lily Hill Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 2RX

Price: FREE

6. Longhill Park

Just across the road from Lily Hill Park, Longhill Park is a great spot for slightly older children. It's home to the borough's largest BMX and skate park, alongside a junior and toddler play area, making it easy to keep everyone entertained at once.

Address: Long Hill Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 9UE

Price: FREE

7. Fernygrove Farm Shop

Tucked away in the countryside near Warfield, Fernygrove Farm is a lovely, low-key day out in Bracknell. The farm shop and café sit alongside a grassy play area with a sandpit, a wooden play trail and a play tractor, plus chickens and pigs to spot on the way in.

It's a wonderful way to introduce children to farm life and where their food comes from, and no booking is needed.

Address: Hawthorn Hill, Warfield, Bracknell, Berkshire RG42 6HN

Price: FREE to visit

8. Play World Soft Play, Bracknell Leisure Centre

Following a major refurbishment, Bracknell Leisure Centre's Play World is one of the best indoor play spaces in the borough. It has a dedicated baby and toddler zone, a large multi-level play frame for 2 to 12-year-olds, an interactive junior games area and a café where parents can grab a coffee while the kids burn off energy.

Address: Bagshot Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 9SE

Price: £

9. The Lexicon

The Lexicon is Bracknell's town-centre shopping and leisure destination, and it's easy to spend a few hours here with children. Younger visitors love a ride on the Lexicon Express train, while the wide pedestrianised streets, cafés and restaurants make it a relaxed place to break up a day out.

• Address: The Lexicon, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1AP
• Price: FREE to browse / £ for the Lexicon Express

10. Cineworld Bracknell

Located inside The Lexicon, Cineworld Bracknell has 12 screens, including a 4DX auditorium, and offers plenty for families. Look out for weekly Movies for Juniors screenings with discounted tickets, and Cinebabies showings where the lights are dimmed and the volume lowered so parents can enjoy a film with a baby in arms.

Address: 2 Eagle Lane, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1BG

Price: ££

11. Bracknell Library

Bracknell Library runs a free weekly Storytime and Songs session for children aged 0 to 5, with no need to book, alongside regular author visits and the ever-popular Summer Reading Challenge for school-age children.

Interactive sessions like this support children's curiosity and confidence - values that also sit at the heart of early years education and holistic child development.

Address: The Avenue, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1BH

Price: FREE

12. Swinley Forest Bike Trails

Swinley Forest stretches across 2,600 acres between Bracknell and Crowthorne, with a 15-minute network of graded cycling trails suitable for beginners through to more confident riders.

Bring your own bikes and balance bikes, or hire them on-site at the Swinley Bike Hub.

Many families combine a morning on the trails with a visit to The Look Out Discovery Centre, which sits right alongside the forest.

Address: Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 7QW

Price: FREE trails / £ bike hire

Free Things to Do in Bracknell

Families don't need to spend a lot to enjoy the area. Some of the best free activities in Bracknell include:

• Exploring Lily Hill Park
• Playing at Longhill Park's playground and skate park
• Visiting Fernygrove Farm's play area and animals
• Wandering the grounds at South Hill Park Arts Centre
• Joining Storytime and Songs at Bracknell Library
• Cycling the trails at Swinley Forest

Outdoor adventures like these are incredibly beneficial for young children. They support physical development, creativity and social skills, which are all key aspects of early childhood development.

Rainy Day Activities in Bracknell

Berkshire weather isn't always predictable, but there are still plenty of indoor activities for families.

Some great rainy day ideas include:

• Exploring the hands-on exhibits at The Look Out Discovery Centre
• Splashing about at Coral Reef Waterworld
• Playing at Play World soft play, Bracknell Leisure Centre
• Watching a film at Cineworld Bracknell
• Visiting a local play café such as Robyn's Nest Cafe
• Catching a family show or a "Bringing in Baby" screening at South Hill Park

If you’re looking for inspiration for indoor play at home, you might enjoy our guides to nursery activity ideas, literacy activities for toddlers, or learning through play activities.

Map of Things to do in Bracknell

Other Local Family Guides

Looking for more family days out nearby? You might also like:

• Maidenhead: 13 Family Friendly Things to Do in Maidenhead
• Islington: 14 of The Best Things to do with Kids in Islington
• Gerrards Cross: 8 Family Days Out near Gerrards Cross
• Sutton: 12 Things to Do in Sutton with Kids
• Staines: 7 Things to Do in Staines with Children

Family Guide to Visiting Bracknell

Planning a family day out in Bracknell? Whether you're meeting friends for brunch, heading to the park with your toddler or exploring the town's science centre and waterpark, this guide will help you enjoy a relaxed, child-friendly visit with babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers.

Getting Here

Bracknell is well connected by road and rail. Bracknell railway station has direct services from London Waterloo and Reading, and Bracknell Bus Station sits directly opposite, with routes serving the surrounding towns and villages.

By car, Bracknell is close to both the M3 (Junction 3) and the M4 (Junction 10), making it an easy trip from Reading, Wokingham, Windsor and Maidenhead.

Parking

The Lexicon in the town centre has two large multi-storey car parks plus a shopping-centre car park, offering thousands of spaces between them:

• The Avenue car park – Millennium Way, Bracknell RG12 1AP
• Braccan Walk car park – The Ring, Bracknell RG12 1HD
• Princess Square car park – Princess Square, Bracknell RG12 1LS

Please note: Bracknell's High Street multi-storey car park closed permanently in October 2023 due to structural issues and is being demolished for redevelopment, so it's no longer an option - the three car parks above, plus surface car parks such as Albert Road (RG42 2AG) and Weather Way, are the ones to use instead.

Out-of-town attractions such as The Look Out Discovery Centre, Coral Reef Waterworld and Go Ape share a large car park on Nine Mile Ride (postcode RG12 7QW), with charges applying; booked visitors to Coral Reef can register their vehicle at reception for free parking during their visit.

Where to Eat

Bracknell has plenty of family-friendly places to eat, from the many cafés and restaurants at The Lexicon to smaller independent spots tucked away in the surrounding countryside.

Some popular local options include:

• La Dolce Vita Caffé - A family-friendly café at Moss End Garden Village with a small play area, toys and homemade cakes.
• Fernygrove Farm Café - A relaxed farm café with indoor and outdoor seating, an outdoor play area, and views over the fields. No booking required.
• The Lexicon's cafés and restaurants - A wide choice of family-friendly chains and independents, many within easy reach of the Lexicon Express train and cinema.
• Coral Reef Waterworld's on-site café – Handy for refuelling after a morning on the waterslides, without needing to leave the building.

Baby and Toddler Facilities

Bracknell's main attractions and shopping areas are generally pushchair-friendly, with wide, level pavements around The Lexicon and well-maintained paths at parks such as Lily Hill Park.

Family attractions including The Look Out Discovery Centre, Coral Reef Waterworld and The Lexicon typically offer baby-changing facilities, and many cafés and restaurants provide high chairs and space for buggies.

Events and Activities

Bracknell hosts a variety of family events throughout the year.

South Hill Park's programme includes a popular Christmas Panto, family theatre and occasional "Bringing in Baby" cinema screenings, while The Lexicon regularly runs seasonal events and promotions for families in the town centre.

Bracknell Library also runs a free Summer Reading Challenge each year for children aged 4 to 11, alongside regular storytime and author-visit events.

With its mix of parks, a science centre, a waterpark and family-friendly cafés, Bracknell is a welcoming town for families to explore.

Bracknell is a wonderful place to explore with children, with plenty of parks, playgrounds, family-friendly cafés and creative activities to enjoy together.

If you're a local family starting to think about your child's early years journey, we'd love to welcome you to My Ohana House - our trusted nursery in Bracknell.

Book a tour today and come and see how your child could thrive with us.

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