Things to do with kids in Hampshire in half term and weekends
If you’re feeling the pinch this month and think that you need to stay in to save the pennies, then think again!
Don’t let a limited budget stop you from going out and about throughout Hampshire. There’s loads of free days out in Hampshire you can enjoy as a family, and we have the ultimate list here.
If you are looking for half term events then make sure you visit our Facebook group called Things to do in Hampshire with kids here.
Things To Do With Kids
We all know how costly it can be to keep the family busy, so here at Hampshire Mums, we’ve put together a list of free fun activities in and around Hampshire to keep you and your family busy regardless of the great British weather.
Whether you’re looking for a day out in Hampshire or somewhere you can make a splash, there are loads of fun and free things to do right on your doorstep.
Here are 33 free days out with the kids in Hampshire that will keep everyone amused whatever the age. Splash parks, playgrounds, museums and activities that are all free! (Parking charges may apply.)
If you are looking for more things to do in Hampshire over half term then take a look at:
21 Free Museums in Hampshire For Families – Museums are a great place to visit for the whole family! How many of these free museums have you visited?
51 Free Days Out in Hampshire For Families – If you are looking for more free day out ideas in Hampshire then this is the post for you! We’ve included everything from museums to country parks throughout our amazing county.
Things to do in Hampshire Guide
Wondering what to do today? Then our guide for ALL things Hampshire is for you!
If you are looking for things to do in Hampshire with kids then this guide is for you. We have over 200+ ideas that you can use to keep your whole family amused while exploring everything Hampshire has to offer!
This is an up to date spreadsheet, in activity order, that you can use when you have no clue what to do. We’ve included everything from country parks, to splash pools, lakes, castles, days out, playgrounds and walks.
Have a look at our Things to do in Hampshire Guide here.
(By joining giving us your email address you are consenting to us emailing you about our other travel, home and days out ideas. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of every email.)
Hampshire Country Parks
Explore Hampshire’s countryside by visiting one of it’s country parks. Take the bikes and scooters and see what you can find. Some even offer free parking and have a playground and picnic benches for you to enjoy!
If you are looking for other outside places to visit in Hampshire then have a look at:
The Full List of Country Parks in Hampshire
The Ultimate List of Walks in Hampshire That Are Child Friendly
Lakeside Country Park (Eastleigh)
Based off of a busy main road, this amazing country park is packed full of things to do. Make sure you ride on the little train while enjoying the whole fishing lake. Take a picnic to enjoy the park while seeing how much wildlife you can spot through the woodland. There’s loads of parking on-site with a cafe, shop and toilets.
Read more about Lakeside Country Park here.
You can find Lakeside Country Park at Wide Lane, Eastleigh SO50 5PD.
Itchen Valley Country Park (Southampton)
A start drive from the center of town, Itchen Valley Country Park has everything you need for a great day out. Bring a picnic and park in one of the five car parks (parking charges apply.)
Walk-in one direction and enjoy the huge field that also hosts a playground and woods that are waiting to be explored.
The other way hosts a smaller park with a cafe and toilets.
Read more about Itchen Valley Country Park here.
You can find Itchen Valley Country Park at Allington Lane, Southampton SO30 3HQ.
Lepe Country Park (Hythe)
This country park has a huge car park right by the seafront. It is a stony beach at the start but if you keep walking then it starts to become sand. If you catch the tide right then you can walk out a long way into the sea. They have a great cafe as well as toilets on site.
Read more about Lepe Country Park here.
You can find Lepe Country Park at Exbury, Southampton SO45 1AD.
Queen Elizabeth Country Park (Horndean)
This country park lies within the South Downs National Park. It offers loads of family fun into loads of walks, cycle paths and playgrounds. Car parking charges do apply but it’s a great day out for the whole family.
You can find Queen Elizabeth Country Park at Gravel Hill, Horndean PO8 0QE.
River Hamble Country Park (Southampton)
Bring the fishing nets and enjoy the huge river that spans the country park. This is a great place to play, have a picnic and explore the surrounding forest. There’s a great playground, cafe and toilets on-site too.
River Hamble Country Park also has Manor Farm on its grounds.
Read more about River Hamble Country Park here.
You can find River Hamble Country Park at Pyland’s Lane, Southampton SO31 1BH.
Royal Victoria Country Park (Southampton)
Right on Netley seafront, this country park has everything you need for a fun day trip out for the whole family. Enjoy the seaside views from the stony beach or play on one of the three massive green fields. It has a huge adventure playground, a steam train and a great little cafe with toilets on site.
Find out more about Royal Victoria Country Park here.
You can find Royal Victoria Country Park at Netley Abbey, Southampton SO31 5GA.
Staunton Country Park (Havant)
Staunton Country Park has loads to offer the family of different ages. They have a working farm, beautiful gardens and glasshouses that are a real sight to see. Parking is close but there is a short walk to the entrance.
You can find Staunton Country Park at Middle Park Way, Havant PO9 5HB.
Titchfield Haven (Fareham)
This is a huge country park that is a home for birds and other wildlife. See what you can spot on the many trails throughout the high grass. Check out their website for ideas on walks as is a great one near the canal and other over-looking the sea.
You can find Titchfield Haven at Cliff Road, Fareham PO14 3JT.
Southampton Common (Southampton)
This lovely common just outside of the main city is a green getaway. Parking can be found throughout the outer rim of the country park. It’s perfect for bikes, prams and those with limited mobility as the paths are all paved. The country park has a cafe and toilets near the playground plus a huge amount of space for the whole family to explore.
Read more about Southampton Common here.
You can find Southampton Common at The Avenue, Southampton SO15 7NN.
Over 20+ Free Hampshire Printables
If you are looking for ideas on what to do to entertain the whole family then why not join our free Resource Vault. We have over 20+ printables that you can download as many times as you like.
This includes themed ideas like treasure maps to going out ideas.
Join our free Resource Vault here
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Free Museums in Hampshire
Looking for somewhere dry to take the kids that’s also free? Try one of these Hampshire museums that are family friendly and fun.
Andover Museum (Andover)
Andover Museum is a great place for the kids to learn about the prehistoric times all the way through to present day. Interactive, Andover Museum offers temporary exhibitions and has a coffee shop on site.
You can find Andover Museum at 6 Church Close, Andover SP10 1DP.
Army Medical Services Museum Keogh Barracks (Aldershot)
Open most of the year, the museum hosts the carriage used by Florence Nightingale during her time in the Crimea and details the story of the military and medicine. Think military ambulances, an Ambulance Train Ward Coach and a WWI Horse Drawn Ambulance. This museum is free but some of the others do charge an admission cost.
You can find Army Medical Services Museum Keogh Barracks at Keogh Barracks, Ash Vale, Aldershot GU12 5RQ.
Allen Gallery (Alton)
This free museum is great for the whole family. You do have to book in advance but it’s well worth it to see all the amazing Wedgwood and hidden secrets of this amazing museum. This museum is best for older kids.
You can find Allen Gallery at 10-12, Church Street, Alton GU34 2BW.
Curtis Museum (Alton)
Open all year, Tuesday to Saturday 10.00am to 5pm, the Curtis Museum houses a collection by Dr William Curtis and his associates in the local Mechanics Institute. The museum covers 100 million years of history and displays include prehistoric tools, Roman pottery reconstruction, Saxon burials, the Battle of Alton 1643 and the notorious tale of Sweet Fanny Adams.
You can find Curtis Museum at High Street, Alton GU34 1BA.
Eastleigh Museum (Eastleigh)
A local museum made for families, Eastleigh Museum takes you back into the past and lets you meet Mr and Mrs Brown, a local locomotive engine driver and his wife. The displays and exhibitions change regularly with workshops and events always going on. Open all year round, Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday 10am to 430pm.
You can find Eastleigh Museum at 25 High Street, Eastleigh SO50 5LF.
Fort Nelson (Fareham)
Open all year round, let your kids run free in this amazing 19 acres of grass ramparts, underground tunnels and views. Home to the over 350 guns that tell our history through the ages. Live firing takes place every day and professional actors recreate history and are happy to answer any questions you may have! Free guided tours are also available.
Read more about Fort Nelson here.
You can find Fort Nelson at Portsdown Hill Rd, Portchester, Fareham PO17 6AN.
Castles in Hampshire
Hampshire has so many amazing castles that are just waiting for you to explore. These are all free to enter. Read about all the castles in Hampshire here.
Odiham Castle (Hook)
Known as King John’s Castle, Odiham Castle is well known for being the host of the signing of the Magna Carta. It may be in ruins now but these grounds are steeped in local history.
This is a free castle that is stepped in local history. Parking can be found a mile and half away at Colt Hill car park.
You can find Odiham Castle at North Warnborough, Hook, RG29 1HQ.
Wolvesey Castle (Winchester)
Wolvesey Castle may be in ruins now, but it’s still an amazing setting and steeped in history. It housed Philip of Spain and Mary Tudor’s wedding feast and is the ideal place for family picnics.
Open October to March, Wolvesey Castle really is a great place to explore. Please check their website before you visit as the opening times do vary.
You can find Wolvesey Castle at College Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9NB.
The Great Hall (Winchester)
Also known as Winchester Castle, The Great Hall is right in the middle of Winchester and is home to the legend of King Arthur. The table has been dated as being made in the 13th or early 14th century.
The hall is free to visit and makes a great day out with the Cathedral.
You can find The Great Hall at Castle Avenue, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8U.
Netley Abbey (Southampton)
Netley Abbey may be ruins, but it’s a great half-day out with the kids. Just along from Weston Shore, Netley Abbey walls still have all their 13th-century charm to share. Take the kids for a runaround and fully explore the grounds as you’ve never done before.
Parking is free of charge but is limited.
You can find Netley Abbey at 1 Abbey Hill, Netley, Southampton, Hampshire, SO31 5FB.
Portchester Castle (Portchester)
One of our personal favourites, Portchester Castle is an old fortification built by Richard II. It’s like a palace inside and gives you a real feeling of what it was like to live there.
Visiting the outside of the castle and inside the grounds are free. They have the best cafe on-site and encourage you to picnic with the family. Make sure you walk around the outside of the castle walls as the views of the Solent are eye-stopping.
Read more about how amazing Portchester Castle is here.
You can find Portchester Castle at Castle Street, Portchester, Hampshire, PO16 9QW.
Old Portsmouth (Portsmouth)
This old fort with cobbled streets is steeped in history. You can walk along the old walls starting from the pier in Southsea right down to Gunwharf Quays.
You can find the old fort at Broad Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2JE.
Playgrounds in Hampshire
A great and free way for everyone to burn off some energy. See our full list of 79 Playgrounds Near Me in Hampshire that are all free and picnic friendly for more playgrounds near you.
The War Memorial Park (Basingstoke)
Harbour View Playground (Fareham)
Southsea Common Play Area (Portsmouth)
Romsey War Memorial Park (Romsey)
Weston Parade Play Park (Southampton)
Free Splash Parks in Hampshire
Cool off in one of these free splash parks. If you have a few pounds spare, then our full list of splash parks, water parks and paddling pools throughout Hampshire will give you some ideas.
Hedge End Paddling Pool (Hedge End)
Testwood Paddling Pool (Totton)
Fleming Park Paddling Pool (Eastleigh)
Southampton Common Park (Southampton)
Southsea Splash Pool (Portsmouth)
Eastrop Park (Basingstoke)
Beaches in Hampshire
From traditional sand to fun on the stones, we really do have some cracking beaches in Hampshire.
Calshot Beach (Southampton)
Close to Lepe Country Park, this shingle beach is a great place to visit for the whole family. On a clear day you can see the Isle of Wight and the Spinnaker Tower. Keep walking along the beach and you’ll come to Calshot Castle which was built by Henry VIII.
You can find Calshot Beach at Calshot Close, Calshot, Southampton SO45 1BP.
Lepe Beach (Southampton)
A stony beach with patches of sand, Lepe has lots to offer! It was a tarmac path along the seafront and plenty of rock pools when the tide goes out. There’s a huge car park right by the beach and a playground a short walk up the hill.
You can find Lepe Country Park at Country Park Lepe, Exbury, Southampton SO45 1AD.
Beachlands (Hayling Island)
This pebble beach is eight kilometers long on the western end of the seafront. With everything Hayling Island has to offer, Beachlands also includes a fairground and amusement arcades close by.
During the summer months dogs are restricted so please see the council website for updates.
Beachlands can be found at Hayling Island, PO11 0AG.
Weston Shore (Southampton)
Plenty of parking either end, this is a shingle beach with a playground on the beach and a tarmac path that is perfect for scooters and bikes.
There is a small cafe onsite and on a sunny day an ice cream van parks at the other end.
If you keep walking towards Netley, you will come across Victoria Country Park.
You can find Weston Shore at Southampton SO19 9TA.
Laura x
If you enjoyed this post and would like some more ideas on things to do in Hampshire then head over to the Things To Do section here on Things To Do In Hampshire With Kids where you’ll find over 50 day out ideas in Hampshire that the whole family will enjoy. You could also pop over and follow our Facebook page here or our Hampshire days out Pinterest boards for lots more ideas on what you can do as a family in Hampshire; Days Out For The Kids in Hampshire and Cheap and Free Days Out in Hampshire.
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