The best family days out in Nottingham!

There are heaps of options for family days out in Nottingham city centre, whatever the weather!

If you're on the hunt for a fun, budget-friendly activity with the kids, look no further! The Christmas Market at Nottingham Castle is packed with festive excitement, while the free Robin Hood Adventure Trail offers a blend of history and adventure. For something more low-key, Broadway Cinema’s 'Pay What You Feel' films are perfect for an affordable family outing, or you can simply enjoy some downtime by the scenic Canalside.

We’ve also pulled together action-packed activities like exploring the City of Caves, ice-skating and an afternoon of retro arcade gaming!

So whether it’s rain or shine, you’ll find plenty here to keep your little ones entertained this winter!

Robin Hood's Adventure Trail

Great for: Getting some steps in while you explore the city centre

★ Free family day out ★ Dog-friendly

The good news is, our Robin Hood's Adventure Trail is completely free! You’ll be hunting out locations around the city centre to help Robin Hood find his merry friends. But beware - there might be some of Robin’s arch-enemies lurking nearby! Sounds exciting, doesn’t it?

There are plenty of city centre locations where you can pick up your free trail map, including Broadway Cinema, Nottingham Castle and the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall. And once you’ve found all of our local legend’s friends and foes, you’ll earn a special Robin Hood badge as a memento for completing the trail!

Robin Hood's Adventure Trail is a great way to get the kids out and about to burn off a bit of energy - while the adults get to enjoy the beautiful architecture, history and atmosphere of Nottingham city centre!

Find out more about how to do the trail here.

Pitcher & Piano

Join Pitcher & Piano every Sunday (from 1 December) leading up to Christmas for Kids Club - a fun-filled family event designed just for you and your little ones! Each week brings a new theme, packed with two hours of engaging entertainment, interactive games, arts & crafts, and lively sing-a-longs.

Bring the whole family and make unforgettable memories together from 12pm to 2pm every Sunday!

Recommended age, 3-9 years.

Tickets available from Pitcher & Piano

Malt Cross

Get into the festive spirit this December at Malt Cross!

Sunday 1 & Sunday 8 December, 11am-12pm: Start your holiday season with a magical morning of festive tunes at Malt Cross's Family Beers & Carols event. Gather the family to enjoy classic carols and festive tunes together.

Sunday 15 December, 11am-12.30pm: Join Malt Cross for a creative day at the Children's Craft Fair, where kids can make and decorate holiday baubles. This event is free; just register on the Malt Cross website to reserve your spot.

And don’t forget to stay for lunch - make it a day of family fun and celebration!

Nottingham Contemporary

Great for: Sensory experiences for younger children

★ Free family day out ★ Wet weather friendly

We’re lucky to have one of the largest contemporary art galleries in the UK here in Nottingham, and even more lucky that Nottingham Contemporary regularly hosts loads of family-friendly activities over the holidays!

There’s currently a series of free sensory play sessions for young children - ‘We are Wonderlings’ - running through until December.

Outside of the workshops, the gallery has free entry and has Family Explorer Resources and Sensory Bags available to use during your visit. The Toast Cafe also has a sensory-friendly menu for younger children.

So whether you’re diving in to escape the weather, or looking for a way to add some culture and creativity to your day out in the city, Nottingham Contemporary is a great place to visit!

Disco Bowl*

Great for: Plenty of indoor fun to keep the kids occupied

★ Snowy weather-friendly

Looking for something fun to do this Christmas holiday? Disco Bowl has you covered with exciting activities and unbeatable deals perfect for families and friends alike! For £65, a family of four can enjoy a game of bowling, a round of crazy golf, two delicious 12" pizzas to share, and four refreshing soft drinks - everything you need for a great time together without breaking the bank.

With its festive atmosphere, Disco Bowl is the ideal spot to celebrate the season, whether you’re aiming for a strike or just enjoying good food and laughs. Gather the fam, lace up your bowling shoes, and get ready for a holiday experience full of fun and fantastic value!

*Previously known as Nottingham Bowl

John Lewis & Partners

Great for: A festive family experience

★ Cold weather friendly

Santa is taking a well-deserved break from his busy schedule—and he’s inviting you to join him! Bring your family to Santa’s Tea Party at John Lewis & Partners, where little ones and grown-ups alike can enjoy an enchanting Christmas story told by Santa himself.

Along with festive tales, guests will be treated to delicious snacks, warming cocoa, and even a special gift from Santa. It’s the perfect opportunity to create magical memories, sip on seasonal treats, and get into the holiday spirit together.

Don’t miss out on this cosy, one-of-a-kind Christmas experience!

Click here to book.

Cineworld

Great for: Affordable family trip to the movies

★ Wet weather friendly ★ Cheap family day out

Get ready for some family fun at Cineworld, where adults pay kids' prices with the Family Ticket! It’s perfect for one adult and one child (aged 14 or under) to enjoy a movie together for a discounted price.

Also worth checking out Movies For Juniors! These discounted weekly screenings feature family-friendly films for just £2.50 per ticket - whether you're a kid or a grown-up. The only rule? Adults must bring a child along!

City of Caves

Great for: An engaging slice of history

★ Wet weather friendly (wear sensible shoes and warm clothing)

Here in Nottingham, we have the UK’s largest collection of caves - with over 800 hidden beneath our city streets! At the City of Caves - part of the National Justice Museum - you can explore the biggest publicly accessible section of this incredible cave network. These original sandstone caves date back to the Dark Ages - keep an eye out for a WW2 air raid shelter and a medieval tannery as you explore! Enjoy the breathtaking experience as you see where people lived and worked under our city.

Find out more and book here.

Canalside

Great for: de-stressing and enjoying the quieter side of Nottingham city centre

★ Free family day out ★ Dog-friendly

This rejuvenated area of the city centre hosts the iconic British Waterways building (since converted into apartments) and shows a different side to Nottingham’s heritage.

See what wildlife you can spot - feed the ducks! - and watch the boats go by.

Fancy an unusual stop on your day out? The Canalside pub is famous for having a canal that extends inside the building, complete with a footbridge and resident narrow boats! This award-winning venue is family-friendly and boasts a large terrace, perfect for a relaxing refreshment break as you explore our amazing city centre!

Broadway Cinema

Great for: Affordable family movie afternoons

★ Wet weather friendly ★ Cheap family day out

Broadway Cinema is a nationally-recognised independent cinema - yet another amazing cultural venue that we’re lucky to enjoy in our city!

Their Family Film Club runs every Saturday afternoon - showing a popular family favourite from contemporary to classic!

It runs on a 'Pay What You Feel' model to prevent the price from being a barrier to families, with prices ranging from £2 to £10 a ticket. Each week is a different film, with previous screenings including Toy Story 2 and Mary Poppins!

Book your tickets for the Family Film Club here.

National Ice Centre

Great for: A magical Christmas experience!

★ Wet weather friendly ★ Family trip

The National Ice Centre is a great spot for all ages - and they've got a whole heap of festive lineup of activities to keep the whole family entertained this holiday season. From Santa's Grotto to ice skating on the magical indoor rink, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Visit the National Ice Centre’s website to view all the activities and timetables.

Nottingham Playhouse

Great for: A holiday pantomime adventure

★ Wet weather friendly

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure as Jack and the Beanstalk comes to life at Nottingham Playhouse! Running from Friday 29 November 2024 to Saturday 18 January 2025, this family-friendly pantomime promises laughter, magic, and plenty of surprises.

Book your tickets now for a holiday experience filled with wonder!

The Cornerhouse

Great for: Action-packed activities under one roof

★ Wet weather friendly

The Cornerhouse is a hive of activity and has a bounty of entertainment all under one roof - from a cinema, to restaurants, and even an adventure golf course!

The Funstation is a vibrant family-fun centre, full to the brim with activities for everyone to enjoy. It offers carnival games along with a miniature bowling alley to keep everyone entertained. Enjoy old favourites like Pacman, Space Invaders, and video games - and you can even pull out your best moves on the dance machine!

Also based in The Cornerhouse is Lost City Adventure Golf. Described as ‘epic fun for the whole family’, it’s a great activity that immerses you into a tropical storm with two courses full of obstacles to complete. There’s even a Tiki Bar to quench your thirst along the way – adventuring in the Lost City is thirsty work!

Beauty Temple

Great for: Relaxing and recuperating from the Christmas mayhem!

★ Wet weather friendly

Need a bit of time out? Nottingham’s royal-themed salon, Beauty Temple, offers a ‘Mummy & Me’ package, where you can indulge in one adult treatment and two children’s mini treatments. Once you’re pampered out, round up your session with a hot chocolate and a cake, and leave with a gift for your little one.

Find out more and book via the Beauty Temple website.

Penny Lane

Great for: Sharing your retro gaming memories with the kids!

★ Wet weather friendly

Popular games bar, Penny Lane, is located in the historic Lace Market area of the city centre. It’s packed full of retro arcade games, including air hockey, 2p machines, table football and a ‘Donkey Derby’ among many others. Food and drink is available, so it’s a great spot for an extended lunch - or to hang out for an afternoon!

Penny Lane is open from midday all week throughout the school holidays, and under 18’s are welcome until 6pm every day when accompanied by a parent.

Roxy Lanes

Great for: A party atmosphere with loads of games

★ Wet weather friendly

Roxy Lanes brings a playground under one roof with a wide range of fun games – ten-pin bowling, shuffleboard, American pool, a batting cage, golf, a karaoke room and a photo booth for you to capture your memories!

While it’s advertised as ‘the home of booze and ball games’, children are allowed to join in with the games and enjoy the American-style food on offer - from hotdogs to chicken wings and American-style pizzas. Under 18’s are welcome in the venue until 5pm when accompanied by an adult.

Plan your next family day out!

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