A family staycation in the UK is a great way to break out of the mundane nine-to-five routine, and spend some quality time together while exploring the very best of what the UK has to offer, no matter the weather or time of year.

However, when thinking about going away on one of the many toddler breaks UK destinations offer, keeping a toddler entertained can be both fun and challenging.

Nevertheless, with some creativity and planning, you can ensure they are happily occupied. Here are just a few ideas to consider incorporating for your next trip away.

Plan for outdoor adventures

• Parks and nature walks: The UK has beautiful parks and natural reserves. Toddlers love exploring new places, so find local parks with playgrounds, or nature trails that are safe for little ones to walk.
• Beach fun: If you’re near the coast, bring buckets, spades, and beach toys. Let them splash in shallow water (if safe) or build sandcastles.
• Animal farms and zoos: Many toddlers enjoy interacting with animals. For a full day of entertainment, find a local farm park, petting zoo, or even a larger zoo.

Pack an activity bag

• Portable toys: Bring small, travel-friendly toys like building blocks, toy cars, or figurines that can keep your toddler entertained during downtime.
• Arts and crafts: Pack some colouring books, stickers, and crayons to pull out when they need a quieter activity, such as in a café, service stations, or during rainy days indoors.

Embrace mess-free play

• Water magic books: These are reusable, allowing toddlers to “paint” with water without mess.
• Stickers and reusable sticker books: Toddlers love playing with stickers, and reusable sets are great because they don’t leave sticky residue everywhere.
• Magnetic travel games: Many toddler-friendly magnetic playsets with themes like dress-ups, animals, or vehicles are perfect for travel.

Break the day into chunks

• Plan shorter activities and switch them up frequently to match their attention span. Keep a mix of active, exploratory, and quiet times to help balance energy levels.

Rainy day activities

• Indoor soft play centres: Look for local soft play or indoor trampoline parks suitable for toddlers. Many holiday centres have things going on for kids within the site, so it is always worth looking into when booking your staycations.
• Aquariums and museums: Many UK cities and tourist towns have child-friendly museums or aquariums that are interactive and will keep a toddler fascinated.
• Storytime: Bring a few of their favourite books or use an audiobook for a calming activity when you need a break.

Toddler-friendly tech

• Preload toddler apps/shows: Have a tablet with educational games or shows they enjoy ready for use during travel or unexpected long waits. Apps like CBeebies Playtime or YouTube Kids can greatly help in moderation.

Snacks, snacks, and more snacks

• Keep a good stock of their favourite snacks handy. A hungry toddler is often an unhappy one. Packing easy-to-carry, healthy snacks will help keep them content, especially during transitions between activities and car journeys to and from places.

Maintain routines when possible

• Try to stick to familiar meal and nap times, as toddlers thrive on routine. A tired or hungry toddler is harder to entertain, so keeping to their schedule helps them stay happy and engaged.