It can be a challenge to keep children entertained during the long school holidays. The weather isn't always great, going away can be expensive because everyone else is off, and while paid-for attractions are great, nobody can afford to pay to take their kids out every day.
If you want a truly no-spend day out, the DevonLive team have put together a list of great things to do with children that are completely free. Don't forget to take a picnic with you.
This list includes activities which will appeal to a wide range of ages and interests. Whether your family love animals, are fascinated by history or enjoy exercise, there are suggestions here for you.
Read more: Free adventure playgrounds in Devon where children can use up lots of energy
1 Bird watching at Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham: The RSPB has given its hide at Bowling Green Marsh a trendy facelift and it's a great place to learn about some migratory and domestic wildfowl in a tranquil setting. There's plenty of information on the walls about the local wildlife and there's usually a friendly birder or two around for expert advice. Enjoy a walk around the Goat Walk and views of the Exe estuary. Perhaps pause for a sandwich at the nearby picnic site.
2 The Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter: A firm family favourite that's become such an institution that it's perhaps easy to forget how wonderful this gem of a museum is. A number of interesting exhibitions are running this year at this Exeter City Council attraction and it's completely free to get in.
3 Cycling at Roadford Lake, Broadwoodwidger: The South West Lakes Trust has completed upgrades and extensions to some of its paths including the creation of a cycle trail from Roadford Lake Activity Centre which links to the dam, enabling visitors to cycle between the Lakeside café and activity centre and vice versa.
4 Meet the shire horses on the Grand Western Canal, Tiverton: The Tiverton Canal Company is open for the new season from April and while a trip on the barge does cost money, it's free to visit and you may even get to meet the shire horses. There is also an information centre open during the day to discover the history of the canal.
5 Meet a flock of lambs on Exmoor, Arlington Court: Meet a new flock of spring lambs and enjoy a talk by one of the local tenant farmers; find out about rearing sheep and how they help the Arlington estate thrive.
6 Take a trek in the woods at Haldon Forest Park, Kennford: Explore 3,500 acres of woodland just 15 minutes from Exeter. It is the perfect location for a fun walk or an adventure on your bikes. All you have to pay is the price of a car parking ticket.
7 Marvel in The House of Marbles, Bovey Tracey: A great family day out come rain or shine. House of Marbles is a working glass and games factory set in a historic pottery. Attractions include museums, shop, restaurant and a large children's play area. Entry is free.
8 Take a stroll on the beaches of North Devon: North Devon is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world – not that we’re biased! Have a wonder at Woolacombe, build a sandcastle at Croyde or soak up the sun at Saunton.
9 Take on the Tarka Trail, Braunton: Covering 180 miles and making up part of the South West Coast Path, the Tarka Trail foot and cycle path follows the journey of North Devon’s most famous fictional otter, Tarka. Thirty-one miles of the trail, between Braunton and Meeth, are free of vehicles, providing a safe path for children and pets. Along the way are smartphone-activated audio posts, which provide information on local wildlife.
10 Go Geocaching, Woolacombe: Much like a treasure hunt, geocaching uses GPS navigation to lead you to a hidden object, where you can sign a visitors’ book and add your name to the secret group of successful hunters. Geocaching points can be found in Lynton and Woolacombe, but we’re not going to tell you any more than that!
11 Feed the ducks at Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe: Just a short walk from the picturesque town of Ilfracombe, Bicclescombe Park has it all. There’s a play park with all the usual swings and slides you’d expect, a pond with plenty of ducks just waiting to be fed, and idyllic paths through the weeping willows and cypresses.
12 Visit Cockington Park, Torquay: This wonderful picturesque village, lakes and large parkland is just outside Torquay. Families with small children will particularly enjoy feeding the ducks in the lakes which are at their best at Easter because of the flowering rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas. There's a play park, great pub, cafes, ice cream parlour and restored mill. Entry is free (but parking is not). For the older teenagers, there are mountain bike tracks around Scadson Woods.
13 Have a wonder of Watersmeet: Set in a beautiful gorge of the East Lyn Valley, Watersmeet is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and boasts up to 40 miles of walks along rivers and through oak woodlands. A National Trust tearoom stands at the bottom of the gorge, for refreshments before or after your country adventure.
14 Explore Tarr Steps, Exmoor National Park: Famed for its ‘clapper’ bridge, Tarr Steps is a great place to start exploring the national park. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife as you explore the wooded valley of the River Barle or the heathland of Winsford Hill – you may even spot some wild ponies. For a short circular walk, follow the orange way marks from the bridge.
15 People’s Park, Tiverton: People’s Park has become a firm favourite with families for a fun and free day out. The park offers pathways to wander, places to sit, and a vast expanse of grass for ball games and picnics. But it’s the park’s play equipment that has made it a destination park, with a cable rider, basket swing, agility trail, multi-play units, slide, springers, seesaw, cradle and flat swings offering lots of fun.
16 Movies, Lego and more at The Hayridge Centre, Cullompton: The Hayridge in Cullompton offers a variety of free activities to keep children of all ages entertained. There’s a Lego club, story play and bounce and rhyme sessions to enjoy and a monthly community cinema club. Check out the Devon Libraries website for its latest events.
17 Trago Mills, Newton Abbot: Love it or hate it, Trago Mills on the outskirts of Newton Abbot certainly has something for everybody. Comedians Josh Widdicombe and Dawn French love Trago! And this is one place where the parking is free if you're really strapped for cash. There's a play park and petting zoo which is free. You do have to pay for the ride-on train and the indoor model railway though.
18 Decoy Park, Newton Abbot: On the outskirts of Newton Abbot, this Green Flag award winning country park and local nature reserve has a large children's play area with a water play feature. There's a lake, water sports activities (which you have to pay for) and woodland walks which are just the right length for small children, bikes, dogs and prams. The old clay quarry has a wealth of wildlife in the ponds, streams, fen, wet woodland and heath woodland.
19 Teignmouth Seafront Park and Skate Park, Teignmouth: This is a great area for kids with a brilliant park, skate park for younger children and adventure golf (not free). If the kids still have energy to burn, walk up to Eastcliff Park, a large open space sitting on top of the cliffs above the sea and the railway line. It consists of three distinct parts, The Rowdens, a lawn area with large Rhododendrons, the Dell, a sub-tropical garden with three ponds, and Mules Park, open grassland.
20 Berry Head Napoleonic Fort and visitor centre, Brixham: There is an easy walk on good paths along the flat plateau of Berry Head National Nature Reserve. Most of this route is level and on surfaced paths suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs, and a mobility scooter suitable for this walk can be borrowed from the visitor centre. There are still the ruins of two large Napoleonic fortifications built to defend Torbay from the French, and there was once an iron age fort. Stay away from the cliff edges – it's dramatic but dangerous.
21 RSPB Nature trail Exminster and Powderham Marshes: Take a picnic and walk the 1km route from the car park to the Exminster Marshes Family Discovery Area. There you will find two fixed picnic tables and seating tucked away in a quiet enclave. The area has been specially prepared for children to enjoy with their parents. Lift up one of the metal sheets lying on the ground for the chance to see a snake. The longer circular walk around the marshes covers 2.5m while nearby Powderham also has a 1m public route.
22 Haytor, Dartmoor: Situated on the south eastern edge of Dartmoor, Haytor has spectacular views across the National Park and the South Devon coast and offers good opportunities for you to experience Dartmoor’s fascinating past and the stunning wildlife and heritage within a short walk of the National Park Visitor Centre. Walk a short distance to the old quarry and lake.
23 Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary: There are hundreds of donkeys at The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth and there is no charge to visit – while you can donate to their good work if you wish. As well as donkeys there is a cafe and a shop, an indoor education centre ideal for children, activities in school holidays and scenic farm trails as well as a maze.
24 Avon Dam, Dartmoor: Not far from South Brent, off the A38 there is free parking and usually ice cream to be had – as well as toilets on site. You can then walk along the river and through the woods past wildlife including local ponies, cattle and sheep. There's a short climb to the top of the dam with great views. Along the way there are plenty of places for safe and shallow wild paddling and lots of opportunities for a picnic.
25 Indulge your senses at Buckfast Abbey Herb Garden, Buckfast Abbey: In addition to immersing yourself into this relaxing experience – and picking up a bottle of their famous fortified wine in the process – follow the Agatha Christie Literary Trail through Torquay and Torbay.
26 Have a fun, sport-filled time at Heavitree Pleasure Grounds, Exeter: One of the city’s favourite open spaces, the venue offers a number of leisure activities including skateboarding, basketball, BMX, tennis and bowls.
27 Showcase your creativity at The Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Bovey Tracey: While visitors can marvel at the wonderful crafts on display in its two galleries, there will also be opportunities to show off your own talents in what is a stunning venue.
28 Explore the Exeter City Wall Trail, Exeter: Discover Exeter’s vast history and all of the key events that make the city what it is today. A fascinating self-guided tour, all you need to do is pick up a free leaflet from Exeter Visitor Information & Tickets and find the nine colourful information panels.
29 Discover an eclectic range of plants at RSPB Aylesbeare Nature Reserve, Aylesbeare: In spring, visitors could be treated to a diverse flora including heather (ling), heath dog violet and heath spotted orchid.
30 Go bird-watching at Exmouth Local Nature Reserve, Exmouth: Visit one of Devon’s biggest nature reserves. The site also provides an amazing natural spectacle as thousands of birds fly from the freezing Arctic to spend the winter months on the estuary.
31 Give yourself a history lesson at Topsham Museum, Topsham: Take a look into the port town’s history of shipbuilding, ship owning and the wildlife of the Exe Estuary.
32 Delve further into the city’s history at the Exeter Woollen Trail, Exeter: Did you know that the woollen cloth trade was a key part of Exeter’s history? Follow the eight information panels at strategic points and visit some of the most interesting and beautiful of Exeter's buildings.
33 Catch the unique Sea Tractor at Burgh Island, Bigbury: This landmark is impressive all year round. During low tide, visitors will be able to access the Island from Bigbury Beach. The hotel which is based there was a regular haunt for Agatha Christie, and she even wrote two of her books from there. When the tide is high you’ll be able to catch the unique Sea Tractor.
34 More bird-watching at Dawlish Warren Nature & Wildlife Reserve, Dawlish: With the reserve being a major site for wading and migratory birds, thousands of birds head to the site to feed. There are also 600 different types of flowering plants.
35 Go fishing at Burrator Reservoir, Dartmoor: With its tranquil water and surrounding mixed woodland contrasts, it’s a wonderful place for walking, cycling and even running. You can even go fishing for rainbow and brown trout from the banks while taking in the wonderful views.
36 Go exploring on Exmouth Beach, Exmouth: The two-mile stretch of golden sands is a great pull, there’s so much more to do at this location. Have a walk up to the UNESCO Jurassic Coast World Heritage site and even marvel at the brilliance of Orcombe Point.
37 Follow the Exeter Medieval Trail, Exeter: The Middle Ages was a period of significant growth in Exeter, religiously, commercially, and administratively. Follow this trail and find the brilliant landmarks that helped play a key role for the city during this period.
38 Go Swimming at Beer Beach, Beer: After your dip in the sea, go for a walk along the South West Coast Path that runs along the top to the beach. The beach is also located near what is officially one of the best villages in the UK.
39 Pick out some master pieces at the Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton: Marvel at some brilliant, historic masterpieces at this award-winning gallery based inside a Grade II-listed townhouse. It features a programme of exhibitions by homegrown artists as well as touring exhibitions.
40 Go crabbing at Appledore, near Barnstaple: Visit an area that’s famous for its crabbing – so much so that the area holds its World Crabbing Contest. Here, you can choose your bait and then see how many crabs you can hook.
41 Take a stroll up Templer Way, Newton Abbot: This 18-mile route, named after the Templer family, traces the historic line of granite being taken from the quarries at Haytor to the docks at Teignmouth. Where possible it follows the Haytor Granite Tramway and Stover Canal, the means by which the granite was moved.
42 Go rock pooling at Wembury: There is so much to marvel about this venue. Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it has enough sand for sunbathing, along with a huge number of shallow rock pools that are safe for children to explore.
43 Have a relaxing day out at Budleigh Salterton Beach, Budleigh Salterton: If the weather holds out, this long, pebble beach is a popular destination. Why don’t you go fishing or take the 2.5-mile walk from Littleham Cove to the west to Otterhead in the east.
44 Marvel in the gardens at Castle Hill, Exmoor: Based to the south of Exmoor, North Devon, visitors can enjoy the vast, 50 acres of beautiful garden scenery which surrounds the 18th-century Palladian Mansion House. In addition to explore the acres of garden and woodland, engage in your competitive side and climb on one of the oldest trees in the garden – the Tanglewood Tree.
45 Visit the historic Slapton Sands, Torcross: History Lesson – did you know that in 1943, the beach was taken over by the allied forces to use as a rehearsal area for the D-Day Landings? Here, you can see a stone monument which commemorates the ill-fated ‘Operation Tiger’ – where a combination of live ammunition and poor visibility resulted in the deaths of 749 American servicemen. You can also see a Sherman Tank at nearby Torcross.
46 Whet your appetite for literature on the Ted Hughes Poetry Trail, Bovey Tracey: Based at the Stover Country Park, the trail celebrates Hughes’ decorated career in poetry.
47 Head to the Tumbling Weir, Ottery St Mary: While taking a stroll beside the River Otter, you’ll notice its tumbling weir – a feature constructed in 1970. Afterwards, head into the famous town which boasts a good selection of independent shops.
48 Explore the historic seaside town of Bampton: Based on the edge of Exmoor, it has almost 100 listed buildings and other objects within the parish. The area is steeped in history, too, from the Romans to its early Saxon origins, the Norman castle and its well-documented wool and pony trade.
49 Search for the Start Point Lighthouse, Dartmouth: Once found, you can officially say that you’re at the most southerly point in Devon. As well as seeing wildlife such as seabirds and seals, you’ll also be able to see the remains of Hallsands Village, an area wrecked by storms back in 1917.
50 Spot the wild ponies on Dartmoor: The area is incredibly picturesque. Add some beautiful ponies as well. Heaven. While you’re on a walk there, why don’t you see how many you can spot?
51 Head to the largest freshwater lake in South West England, Slapton Ley: In addition to holding this quite momentous accolade, the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) was declared a National Nature Reserve (NNR) back in 1993. Visit the 1.5-mile-long Nature Reserve and spot the wildlife where there will be an abundance of birds and vegetation.
52 Help spot wildlife, Exmoor: From otters and March hares to returning migratory birds like the chiffchaff and swift, spring on Exmoor gives way to some extraordinary wildlife. You can see wildlife almost anywhere on Exmoor, but for starters try Watersmeet, Brendon Common, Porlock Marsh, Tarr Steps or Wimbleball Lake. For more tips and places to go, pick up a Wildlife Pocket Guide, available free from National Park Centres.
53 Play Poohsticks, Dulverton: On Exmoor you're never far from running water. So you don't have to stray far to find a quaint footbridge in a scenic spot – the ideal setting for this classic game. Try the medieval stone Gallox bridge that crosses the river Avill in Dunster, follow the river Barle through Dulverton, or for more ideas pick up a Rivers and Streams Pocket Guide, available free from National Park Centres.
54 Try stargazing, Exmoor: Exmoor's night skies are some of the darkest in the world, thanks to its official status as a protected Dark Skies Reserve. So why not wrap up warm and take the kids on a starry adventure? Good spots are Holdstone Hill, County Gate, Brendon Two Gates, Webbers Post, Anstey Gate, Haddon Hill and Wimbleball Lake. For more tips see pick up a Dark Skies Pocket Guide, available free from National Park Centres.
55 Hug England’s tallest tree, Dunster: Exmoor's 9,375 hectares of woodland provide ample opportunity to connect with nature. Head to Nuttcombe bottom, near Dunster, to track down a record-breaking Douglas Fir that has gone down in history as England’s tallest tree and look up in wonder at these impressive giants. Or for more ideas pick up a Woodland Pocket Guide, available free from National Park Centres.
56 Summit Exmoor's highest point, Dunkery Beacon: With amazing views overlooking Devon and Somerset and across to Wales, and accessible routes, Dunkery Beacon is a great location for young and old to experience the exhilaration of reaching a peak. Park at Dunkery Gate car park to follow the footpath 0.6 miles to the top, marked by a large cairn and plaque. A lovely picnic spot if weather allows.
57 Explore ancient sites, North Hill: Head out onto the open moorland for a chance to spot one of Exmoor's many prehistoric standing stones. These often go unnoticed, but are actually indications of ancient rituals or practices dating back thousands of years.
58 Go rockpooling, Lynmouth: Our coast, with its rocky beaches and spectacular tides, has some brilliant spots for rockpooling. Pick up a Seashore Pocket Guide, available free from National Park Centres, for an identification chart showing all the creatures you might see. The beaches at Lynmouth and Bossington are ideal spots, or you can join an expert from Combe Martin Museum for a Seashore Safari.
59 Go crabbing, Porlock: This favourite pastime has probably delighted children for centuries and Exmoor has no shortage of beautiful coastline on which to give it a try. Porlock Weir, with its 15th-century harbour and stone jetty, along with pub and cafe gallery, has all you need to enjoy this simple pleasure. Or join a National Park leader for a gentle guided walk to discover the sights and heritage of Porlock Bay. Booking essential through Porlock Visitor Centre.
60 See a wild pony, Winsford Hill: Exmoor's ponies are free-roaming and can usually be found on any areas of high moorland, although Winsford Hill, Porlock Hill and Molland Moor are particularly good places to look. For a more hands on experience, the Exmoor Pony Centre has activity days with pony rides (minimum age four and a 12-stone weight limit), pony grooming, crafts, games and refreshments. Small charges for individual activities.
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