How to make the most of the Isle of Wight with kids

Antonia Windsor

Sitting in the Solent off the south coast of England, the Isle of Wight is an ancient land.

The sandy beaches are filled with prehistoric fossils, intact mosaics can be found at an excavated Roman villa and stately 12th-century Carisbrooke Castle once imprisoned King Charles I. Tudor houses still stand in mediaeval villages and Victorian seaside resorts remember famous visitors such as Queen Victoria and the poet Tennyson.

Separated from the mainland by a stretch of water that takes half an hour to cross, the varied landscape is teeming with native wildlife that has become rare in the rest of England, such as red squirrels, dormice, bats and water voles.

Impressive chalk cliffs rise from the sea along the west coast, while sandy bays line the eastern and southern shores and inland there are great swathes of verdant downs and country lanes.

If this sounds like the perfect backdrop to a family holiday, then it is. Here you can combine educational visits to landmark sites with adrenaline sports such as go-karting and tree climbing, and old-fashioned fairground fun. Whether you've got energetic toddlers or curious teenagers, here's our pick of the best activities to keep everyone entertained.

Getting there: browse affordable fares with Red Funnel Ferries^* and Wightlink^*, while Travelodge offers good value accommodation^*, including family rooms, from which you can explore the island.

Best for beach fun

When it comes to traditional seaside fun, Shanklin and neighbouring Sandown offer everything a family could want. Both beaches are sandy and gently sloped, ideal for paddling and building sandcastles.

Shanklin's esplanade boasts a pirate-themed crazy-golf course, and Sandown is backed by Sandham Gardens, with giant trampolines, a mini golf course and electric go-karts.

If you want to throw some learning into the mix, then the so-called "Dinosaur Isle" lets you delve into the prehistoric world, showcasing fossils from the island's rich history.

Best for adrenalin

Racing around a track in a real petrol-powered go-kart is a thrill most kids won't have tried before. At Wight Karting, you can enjoy the experience as a family, or you can sign the kids up for their junior track training.

This takes place each morning in the school holidays, and leave them there for a couple of hours (there's a giant Tesco next door if you want to use the time to do some shopping). This is one for the bigger kids, aged eight and above.

Best for arty kids

This is a great choice for a rainy day, or when you want your kids to have some quiet, focused time. Pop into Gabby Ryde's bijou studio at Island Craftworks in Ryde and learn how to thread shells into wind chimes and dream catchers.

New Yorker Gabby is chatty and fun and will share her enthusiasm for glue guns and shell drills in a two-hour workshop, after which you leave with your own creation to take home.

Best for nostalgia

For little train enthusiasts and history buffs alike, the Isle of Wight Steam Railway offers a unique blend of education and nostalgia. Board a beautifully restored steam train and chug through the countryside, stopping to explore the museum where children can learn about the island's transport heritage.

Take a ride on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway © Chris - Adobe Stock Image

There are also play areas, with miniature train rides for smaller kids, and if you are visiting in August, you can time your visit with the annual steam fair. Other special events throughout the year include a wizard week during the October half term and a Santa experience at Christmas.

Best for farm fun

A visit to Tapnell Farm Park is a full day and great for children from toddlers to about the age of 12. There's a petting zoo with regular talks, adventure play zones, wallabies and alpacas and zip lines and bouncing pillows.

It's a perfect mix of animal encounters and physical fun, and indoor play barns ensure a great day out, whatever the weather. For older children, there are other activities on site, including archery and axe throwing, football golf and the island's first aqua park, in which you navigate floating bouncy obstacles wearing a wetsuit and buoyancy aid.

Best for history

The medieval fortress of Carisbrooke Castle is a treat for young adventurers. Once a prison for Charles I, it offers interactive exhibits and fabulous views from the battlements.

Kids will love the daily donkey demonstrations, where they can watch the castle's resident donkeys operate the old well-wheel. It's a hands-on history lesson, complete with wide lawns for running about and exploring.

Best for dinosaur hunting

The Isle of Wight is often referred to as the "Dinosaur Isle", and Compton Bay is the ideal place to hunt for fossilised footprints in the sand.

At low tide, you can spot the marks left by giant prehistoric creatures on the beach's rocky outcrops. Take a guided walk led by one of a band of enthusiastic local volunteers, and you'll be in for an educational treasure hunt that will inspire young palaeontologists.

Best for fairground fun

The UK's oldest theme park, Blackgang Chine, is a fantastical mix of quirky attractions and old-fashioned amusement. From the magical world of fairies and dinosaurs to cowboy towns, it's a surreal place that sparks the imagination.

There are rides, a maze, and giant pirate ships to climb on, perfect for families looking for a good old-fashioned amusement park.

Best for quiet exploration

For families seeking tranquillity and nature, Newtown National Nature Reserve is a quiet backwater bursting with wildlife. On a walk through its peaceful salt marshes and meadows, you can spot rare birds and butterflies.

The network of paths is buggy-friendly, and older children can enjoy spotting wildlife with their binoculars. It's a refreshing break from the more action-packed attractions.

Best for a workout

You can't beat a good tree climb to make you feel on top of the world. But have you ever done it with a rope and a harness? Goodleaf Tree Climbing takes place in a large oak tree in Appley Park, Ryde, and is for anyone over the age of eight.

Ropes and hammocks are tied to the tree in advance, and after a safety briefin,g you are free to belay yourself up to the higher branches. It will use all your strength, making it a great way to tire the kids out.

Climate in the Isle of Wight

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	8	8	10	12	16	19	21	21	18	15	11	9
Hours of sunshine (daily)	2	3	4	6	7	7	7	7	5	4	3	2
Days with some rainfall	17	13	15	12	13	10	9	11	12	14	15	16
Sea temperature °C	8	7	7	9	11	14	17	18	17	15	13	10

The above guide shows the climate in the Isle of Wight. Find out more about conditions across the county in our complete guide to the climate in Hampshire.

Ready to explore the Isle of Wight? Find the perfect place to stay with Travelodge and search ferry fares with Wightlink and Red Funnel Ferries.

More about Ryde

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Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Antonia Windsor

Posted in: Family UK

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