Discover the best family activities in Windsor, from a fun day out at Legoland to seeing the Changing of the Guard, these are friendly attractions everyone will love!
One of the reasons we moved to Windsor is because it is absolutely fantastic for families of all ages. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got a toddler learning to walk or a teenager dragging their heels, there is something for everyone here.
Obviously Windsor has a fair few big-ticket attractions. Legoland and Windsor Castle are two of the most visited attractions in the UK, so obviously they make the list. But what about visiting Pirate Park? Or watching a kid’s show at Theatre Royal? They might not be as big or as famous as Legoland, but I bet your kids will love them just as much.
That’s what you get with us – proper local tips. We only want to tell you about the good things, no fluff. You want family activities in Windsor? We want to give you the very best. So let’s dive in and see how you can entertain the little ones.
Legoland
This might just be the ultimate family day out in Windsor. With over 55 rides and attractions, Legoland is a dream come true for kids (and secretly, most adults too). Whether it’s building their own cars in Lego City, riding the Dragon rollercoaster through a medieval castle, or exploring Miniland with its incredible Lego versions of famous landmarks, there’s something to keep everyone entertained.
To get the most out of your visit to Legoland, we’d recommend going for the whole day. There is so much to do there, so you may as well maximise your day by doing everything. Just be prepared for tired legs and big smiles at the end of the day. You can get your Legoland Windsor tickets HERE.
Legoland Adventure Golf
If you’ve still got energy after Legoland itself, head over to their Adventure Golf – or just visit on its own for a fun hour or two. Each of the four themed courses is packed with Lego models, moving parts, and plenty of challenges for the kids. This isn’t your usual crazy golf – it’s so much better than that.
It’s great for a family competition, and because it’s indoors, it’s a perfect rainy-day option too. Each round of golf costs £8 if you book ahead, and takes around 30 minutes per game with 4 players.
Windsor Leisure Centre
For a splash-filled morning or afternoon, Windsor Leisure Centre is hard to beat. The swimming pool has three slides, a wave machine, a lazy river and even a waterfall that will keep the kids happy for hours.
For the smaller ones, there’s a shallow pool with water features, and for the grown-ups, a proper lane pool if you fancy a few lengths. There’s also a soft play area on site, making it a great all-weather family spot.
Windsor Leisure Centre can get very busy on weekends and during summer. I’ve always booked tickets ahead to avoid disappoint. The leisure pool are timed sessions for an hour.
The Pirate Park Playground
The Pirate Park is my favourite playground in Windsor. Centred around a huge half-sunken pirate ship in the sand, it’s perfect for all ages. Kids can climb, walk the plank, whizz down the big slide, or get messy in the mud kitchen with its working water pump.
There’s also a separate playground for older kids with monkey bars, swings, and more. Next door, Woody’s Café serves drinks, snacks, and ice cream, plus there’s a soft play area for under 5s. With plenty of parking and all the facilities you need, it’s easy to spend a couple of fun-filled hours here.
If you’re looking for a playground closer to town, I’d recommend Bachelor’s Acre which has a little splash area. You can find out more in our guide to the best playgrounds in Windsor.
Kayak or paddleboard on the river
If your kids are confident on the water, hiring a kayak or paddleboard is a brilliant way to see Windsor from a different angle. You can glide past the castle, spot swans and geese up close, and even paddle under the arches of Windsor Bridge.
Located HERE towards Windsor Leisure Centre, you can hire a canoe, kayak or paddleboard from Canoe and Kayak Adventures. You can either hire one and get on the water for an hour, or you can hire one for longer and explore more o the river.
I’ve got my own paddleboard and I get on the water as often as I can. I think it’s such an amazing way of seeing Windsor, and I find it really relaxing too.
Do an escape room
For older kids and teens, Windsor’s escape rooms are a mega hit. You’ll need to work together to solve clues, crack codes, and escape before the timer runs out. It’s a real brain-teaser and perfect if you fancy something indoors that still gets the adrenaline pumping. Plus, it’s one of those rare activities where the kids might actually listen to you for once!
There are two escape rooms in Windsor. Escape in 60 is located in Windsor Leisure Centre. We’ve done two of these rooms now and they are absolutely brilliant. They straddle that fine line of being challenging but actually doable!
The second escape room is Escape Windsor, which is in town. We haven’t tried this one yet, so we can’t say if it’s any good or not!
Adventure Play in Windsor Great Park
One of the newest and most exciting additions to Windsor Great Park is Adventure Play. Tucked away in Autumn Wood near the Savill Garden, this place is an absolute dream for kids. I took my little one here recently and, honestly, I think I enjoyed it just as much as he did (okay, maybe more).
There are rope bridges, slides, treehouses, tunnels – it’s like a mini-forest adventure. It’s split into two areas depending on age, and there’s loads of space to run wild. If you’ve got kids, this is hands down one of the best places in the park.
Tickets cost £16 for children and £12 for adults on weekends, so it’s not the cheapest kid’s activity, but that is for a full two hours of fun.
Visit Windsor Castle
You can’t come to Windsor and not at least consider stepping inside the castle. Older kids will love the grand rooms, the armour displays, and St George’s Chapel (where Harry and Meghan got married). For younger ones, the sheer size of the place and the chance to spot a royal flag flying is usually enough to impress. Also, there are the King’s Guard everyone – kids always love their uniforms in their bearskin hats.
Even though the castle might seem a little boring for some, they actually have a few events for kids such as History Weekends. These are fun filled events where they bring the past to life with costumes and actors. There’s also the Pug Yard Learning Centre which is aimed specifically for kids. This is a great spot for a picnic and to pick up an activity book.
If you’re thinking of visiting the castle, then make sure you read our guide for first-time visitors. This guide is packed full of useful information, so check it out.
Changing of the Guard
The first time I saw the Changing of the Guard, I was in awe. Seeing the guards in all their military splendour, marching through the centre of our little town, accompanied by brass instruments and bass drums – it gave me goosebumps!
You don’t need to be a royalist to appreciate it either. There’s just something special about the pomp and ceremony of it all. It’s an experience I’d recommend you make time for if you happen to visit Windsor on a guard change day.
Those days are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. When people are planning their visit to Windsor, I always recommend those days so they can see the Changing of the Guard. Oh, and the best bit – it’s completely free! The perfect family activity in Windsor. You can check out the other top free things to do in Windsor here.
Have an ice cream
Sometimes the simplest things are the best. Windsor has some brilliant ice cream spots. Right at the top of the list is the lemon ice cream from Artefood – this is a little Italian deli and they do gelato the right way.
Ice Queen next to the castle is always a good shout, and Fortescue’s of Windsor is on one of the prettiest streets in town. You can eat outside here and enjoy views of the castle.
Alternatively, grab a cone, find a bench by the river, and watch the boats go by. Cheap, cheerful, and guaranteed to keep the kids happy (at least until it melts all over them).
Go on a boat tour
There are two main boat tours in Windsor. There’s the French Brothers tour, which is a 40-minute trip. The boats cruise along the Thames before doubling back. They’re relaxed, scenic, and you’ll get a running commentary of the sights. Kids love spotting the swans, ducks, and rowers along the way.
The other tour which kids 100% prefer is the Windsor Duck Tour. This bright yellow amphibious vehicle starts on land, trundling through Windsor’s historic streets, before splashing straight into the Thames for a river cruise. The switch from road to water is always a highlight, and the guides make it fun with plenty of jokes and fascinating facts.
Feed the swans & ducks
This is such a classic Windsor pastime. Head to the riverbank by the bridge and feed the swans and ducks. You can buy feed for £1 per bag near the ice cream kiosk and next to the French Brothers boat office.
The swans and ducks will come right up to you, and it’s one of those activities that never seems to get old. Please be careful when feeding the swans though, especially with toddlers about. The swans are massive, and even though they are quite used to lots of humans surrounding them, they are still wild birds and can bite.
Ride the ferris wheel
In the summer months, Windsor has its very own ferris wheel just inside Alexandra Gardens. It’s not huge, but the views over the castle, the Thames, and Eton are brilliant – and for kids, just being up that high is exciting enough.
Watch a show at the Theatre Royal
The Theatre Royal puts on a brilliant programme for families, from festive pantomimes to touring kids’ shows. It’s a lovely, intimate theatre where the actors really connect with the audience. If you’re visiting over Christmas, the panto is an absolute must.
The Lightening Thief is on at the moment, then it’s Grease, so they have a variety of shows that would be perfect for the kids.
Go on a mystery guides tour
I saw a group of people outside the Two Brewer’s the other day, all trying to decipher the plaque on the wall. As I was in research mode (i.e – very nosy), I asked them what they were doing. It turns out they were on a Mystery Guide tour – a self-guided scavenger hunt around town where you have to answer different clues and decode secret messages. I thought that would be perfect for families, especially those looking for an alternative thing to do in Windsor!
