Looking for affordable family days out? Discover cheap things to do with kids in Wirral & Liverpool, from free parks to great-value indoor play.
Let’s be honest — raising kids is expensive. Between school uniforms, after-school clubs, and the never-ending requests for snacks, it can feel like your wallet is permanently under siege. So when the weekend rolls around or the school holidays loom, the last thing you need is a day out that costs a small fortune.
The good news? Wirral and Liverpool are brilliant for affordable family fun. From completely free museums and gorgeous parks to great-value indoor play centres where the kids can burn off energy for hours, there are plenty of ways to keep little ones entertained without emptying your bank account.
Here’s our honest guide to cheap days out with kids across Wirral and Liverpool — with a mix of free, budget-friendly, and excellent-value options.
Free Days Out in Wirral & Liverpool
Parks and Green Spaces
You can’t beat a good park, and Merseyside has some absolute beauties that won’t cost you a penny.
Birkenhead Park is a real gem on the Wirral. It’s one of the oldest publicly funded parks in the world, and it’s packed with open spaces for running about, a lovely lake, and a fantastic playground. Pack a picnic and you’ve got yourself a full day out for the price of a loaf of bread and some sandwich fillings.
Sefton Park in Liverpool is another family favourite, with 235 acres of grassland, woodland, and a stunning Palm House you can wander through. The play areas are great for toddlers and older children alike, and there’s usually an ice cream van nearby if you fancy a treat.
Royden Park on the Wirral is perfect if your lot love a good explore. There are woodland trails, a walled garden, and plenty of space for den-building and nature hunts. Bring wellies and let them get properly muddy — it’s free, after all.
Top Tip: Download a free nature bingo card from the internet before you go. It turns a simple walk into an adventure and keeps kids engaged for much longer than you’d expect.
World-Class Museums (For Free!)
Liverpool’s museums are genuinely world-class, and most of them are completely free to visit. That’s an absolute gift for families watching the pennies.
The Museum of Liverpool on the waterfront is brilliant for kids. The Little Liverpool gallery is designed specifically for under-7s, with hands-on exhibits that keep them busy for ages. Older children love the football history section and the interactive displays about the city’s heritage.
World Museum Liverpool is another winner. The aquarium, planetarium (small charge for shows), and natural history galleries are endlessly fascinating for curious minds. You could easily spend half a day here without spending anything beyond the bus fare.
The Tate Liverpool might sound like it’s just for grown-ups, but they run regular free family workshops and activities that are genuinely brilliant for getting kids interested in art.
The Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight on the Wirral is free to enter and the surrounding village is gorgeous for a wander. Children are welcome, and the gallery often has family-friendly trails and activity sheets available at the desk.
Beaches and Coastal Walks
Living near the coast is one of the best things about this part of the world, and a trip to the beach costs absolutely nothing.
New Brighton is always popular with families. The promenade is great for scooting and cycling, there’s a sandy beach, and Fort Perch Rock is fascinating to explore from the outside. In warmer months, the splash park near the front is free and always a hit with little ones.
West Kirby and Hoylake both offer beautiful stretches of sand, rock pools to explore, and gorgeous views across to Wales. Low tide at West Kirby reveals the marine lake, which is ideal for paddling and sandcastle building.
Crosby Beach is home to Antony Gormley’s Another Place iron men sculptures, which kids find endlessly fascinating. Combine it with a walk along the sand and you’ve got a free morning out with a dose of culture thrown in.
Budget-Friendly Days Out (Under £10 per Person)
Tam O’Shanter Urban Farm, Birkenhead
This little community farm is a lovely, affordable outing for younger children. There are goats, pigs, chickens, and rabbits to meet, plus a play area and picnic spots. Entry is very reasonably priced and it’s a genuinely enjoyable morning out, especially for animal-mad toddlers.
Williamson Tunnels, Liverpool
For something a bit different, the Williamson Tunnels heritage centre offers guided tours of the mysterious underground tunnels beneath Liverpool’s Edge Hill. It’s affordable, fascinating, and older children absolutely love the slightly spooky atmosphere. Not ideal for very young ones, but great for primary school age and up.
Spaceport, Wirral
Located in Seacombe, Spaceport is an interactive space-themed attraction that’s well-priced for families. Kids can learn about planets, stars, and space travel through hands-on exhibits. Keep an eye out for family ticket deals which bring the per-person cost down nicely.
Ferry Across the Mersey
Sometimes the journey is the adventure. The Mersey Ferry is an iconic Liverpool experience and children find it genuinely thrilling. The river explorer cruise is reasonably priced, and under-5s often travel free. It’s one of those experiences that feels special without costing a fortune.
Great-Value Indoor Days Out
Bubbles World of Play — Hours of Fun at a Brilliant Price
When it comes to value for money, Bubbles World of Play is hard to beat. As the UK’s largest indoor soft play centre, it offers an absolutely enormous amount of entertainment under one roof.
Why It’s Such Good Value:
Think about it this way — your kids get access to over 30 themed play zones across 70,000 square feet. That’s zip lines, climbing frames, slides, interactive games, a dedicated toddler area, and so much more. Most children happily play for three to four hours, which works out at incredibly good value per hour of entertainment.
Compare that to cinema tickets (90 minutes, plus expensive snacks), a trip to a theme park (queuing half the time), or even a soft play that’s a quarter of the size. The sheer amount of things to do at Bubbles means kids stay entertained for far longer, giving you genuine bang for your buck.
What’s Included:
- Access to all play zones — no hidden extras or “premium” areas
- Comfortable seating areas where parents can relax
- A café serving hot and cold food at reasonable prices
- Dedicated areas for babies, toddlers, and older children
- Clean, well-maintained facilities throughout
Money-Saving Tips for Visiting Bubbles:
- Book online — grab your tickets in advance to guarantee entry and avoid disappointment, especially during school holidays
- Check for deals — have a look at our current offers and deals page for any running promotions or discounts
- Visit off-peak — weekday mornings and early afternoons during term time tend to be quieter, meaning more space for your children to play and a more relaxed experience for you
- Make the most of it — there’s no time limit on sessions, so arrive early and let the kids play until they’re properly tired out. The longer they play, the better the value!
Check our admission prices page for current rates and family ticket options.
What Parents Say:
“We’ve tried loads of different activities with the kids, and Bubbles is always the one they ask to go back to. For the price, you just can’t beat it — they play for hours and come home absolutely shattered. Best money I spend all month!” — Rachel, Heswall
Liverpool Central Library
This one flies under the radar, but Liverpool Central Library is a fantastic free resource for families. Beyond borrowing books (obviously), they run regular free story times, craft sessions, and holiday activities for children. The building itself is stunning and worth a visit. It’s completely free and air-conditioned in summer — what’s not to love?
Money-Saving Tips for Family Days Out
Getting the most from your family budget isn’t just about choosing cheap activities — it’s about being savvy with how you plan your days out.
Pack Your Own Food
This is the single biggest money-saver for any family day out. A packed lunch, some snacks, and a flask of tea can save you £20-30 compared to buying food out. Even on days where you’re visiting an indoor attraction, having snacks in the car means you’re less tempted by expensive café stops.
Travel Smart
- Bus and train deals — Merseytravel offer family day tickets that can work out far cheaper than driving and paying for parking
- Cycle there — Wirral has some brilliant cycle paths, and if the activity is within cycling distance, you’ve just added a free adventure to your day
- Share lifts — organise days out with another family and share the driving costs
Plan Ahead
- Check for voucher codes before booking anything online — a quick search can often save you a few pounds
- Follow attractions on social media — many places announce flash sales, discounts, and free events on their Facebook and Instagram pages
- Look for family tickets — most attractions offer discounts when you book as a family rather than buying individual tickets
- Off-peak is your friend — almost everything is cheaper and less crowded outside of weekends and school holidays
Mix Free and Paid Activities
The best approach to affordable family days out is combining free and paid activities. Start the morning at a free park or beach, then head to an indoor attraction in the afternoon. Or visit a free museum in the morning and treat the kids to a play session at Bubbles as the afternoon highlight. This way, you get a full day out without doubling up on costs.
A Sample Budget Day Out
Here’s how a brilliant family day might look without spending a fortune:
Morning: Head to Birkenhead Park for a nature walk and playground session (free). Pack a picnic and eat it by the lake.
Afternoon: Drive over to Bubbles World of Play for an afternoon of indoor play. The kids will be thrilled after the morning outdoors, and you can sit down with a coffee while they burn off their remaining energy.
Evening: Home with exhausted, happy children who’ve had a genuinely brilliant day — and you’ve only paid for one activity.
Making Memories, Not Spending a Fortune
Here’s the thing that’s worth remembering: children don’t remember how much you spent. They remember the time you spent together. A day building sandcastles at West Kirby, an afternoon exploring tunnels at the museum, or a few hours tearing around at Bubbles — these are the memories that stick.
Wirral and Liverpool are genuinely brilliant places to raise a family, partly because there’s so much to do that doesn’t cost the earth. Whether you’re completely skint until payday or just trying to be sensible with the family budget, there’s always something fun and affordable to do with your kids around here.
So next time you’re staring down the barrel of a long weekend with energetic children and a tight budget, don’t panic. Pick something from this list, pack some snacks, and get out there. Your kids will thank you — and your wallet will too.
Ready for a great-value family day out? Book your Bubbles World of Play tickets online and give the kids a day they’ll be talking about for weeks. Check our latest offers and deals to make it even more affordable.