Fun Things to Do with Your Grandson or Granddaughter in Wirral & Liverpool

Being a grandparent is one of life’s greatest joys. Whether you see your grandson or granddaughter every weekend or you’re planning a special treat during the school holidays, spending quality one-on-one time together creates memories that last a lifetime. And if you live in or around the Wirral and Liverpool, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to brilliant things to do together.

The trick is finding activities that suit your grandchild’s age, keep them entertained, and don’t leave you completely worn out by lunchtime. We’ve put together this guide packed with ideas for every season, every weather forecast, and every age group — from tiny babies to energetic primary schoolers. So whether you’re a nan, grandad, nana, or grandpa, read on for inspiration.

Indoor Fun: Perfect for Rainy Days and Unpredictable Weather

Let’s be honest — the British weather doesn’t always cooperate with our plans. Having a few reliable indoor options up your sleeve means you’ll never be stuck for something to do, whatever the forecast.

Soft Play Adventures

If there’s one activity that’s practically guaranteed to delight grandchildren of every age, it’s soft play. Modern indoor play centres have come a long way, and the best ones offer dedicated zones for different age groups, meaning your little grandson or granddaughter can explore safely while you enjoy a proper cup of tea from a comfortable seat.

At Bubbles World of Play in New Brighton, there’s a wonderful mix of themed play zones that spark children’s imaginations. Little ones can pretend to be shopkeepers, firefighters, or chefs in the role play area, while older grandchildren tackle climbing frames, slides, and adventure trails. For babies and toddlers, there’s a dedicated baby and toddler area that’s completely separated from the bigger children, so you can relax knowing they’re safe and secure.

Why grandparents love it:

• Everything is under one roof — no trudging between venues
• Comfortable seating with clear views of the play areas
• A proper cafe serving hot meals, snacks, and endless cups of tea
• Free parking, so no faffing about with pay-and-display machines
• Fully accessible for pushchairs, wheelchairs, and mobility aids

Top tip: If your grandson or granddaughter hasn’t visited before, arrive a little early so they can take it all in without feeling overwhelmed. And don’t forget socks — they’re essential for the play areas.

Museums and Galleries

Liverpool is home to some of the finest free museums in the country, and they’re brilliant for grandparent-grandchild days out.

World Museum Liverpool is a firm favourite with children of all ages. The aquarium, the bug house, and the dinosaur gallery are endlessly fascinating, and there’s usually a hands-on activity or trail to follow. Younger grandchildren love the Little Explorers Gallery, which is designed specifically for under-fives.

Museum of Liverpool on the waterfront is another winner. Interactive displays about the city’s history, a People’s Republic gallery, and regular family events make it a great choice for primary school-age grandchildren who are starting to get curious about the world.

Merseyside Maritime Museum and the International Slavery Museum (both at the Albert Dock) are ideal for older grandchildren, particularly if they’re studying history at school. There’s something powerful about sharing these stories across generations.

Why it works: Most of Liverpool’s major museums are completely free, making them perfect for a spontaneous outing. They’re also indoors, warm, and have cafes — three things every grandparent appreciates.

Libraries and Story Time

Never underestimate the magic of a trip to the library. Many local libraries across Wirral and Liverpool run free story time sessions and rhyme time for babies and toddlers. Sitting together with your granddaughter or grandson on your lap, listening to a story, is one of the simplest yet most special things you can do.

Check your local branch for session times — Birkenhead Central Library, West Kirby Library, and Liverpool Central Library all run regular children’s activities.

Outdoor Adventures: Making the Most of Good Weather

When the sun comes out (or at least the rain stops), the Wirral and Liverpool have some genuinely lovely outdoor spaces that are perfect for grandparent-grandchild adventures.

Beach Days on the Wirral Coast

There’s nothing quite like walking along the sand with a small hand in yours. The Wirral coastline offers some beautiful beaches that are well-suited to multi-generational outings.

New Brighton Beach has a wide, flat promenade that’s perfect for pushchairs and grandparents who prefer level ground. Build sandcastles, hunt for shells, or simply sit on a bench and watch the world go by while your grandson or granddaughter runs circles around you.

West Kirby Marine Lake is wonderful for a gentle stroll, and older grandchildren love the adventure of walking out across the causeway to Hilbre Island (do check tide times first!).

Thurstaston Beach is quieter and has brilliant rockpools — perfect for an afternoon of discovery with a curious grandchild and a bucket.

What to bring: Wellies, a change of clothes, baby wipes, and a flask of something warm for you. Trust us on the change of clothes.

Parks and Playgrounds

Sometimes the simplest outings are the best. A trip to the park with a grandson or granddaughter offers fresh air, gentle exercise, and plenty of opportunities for imaginative play.

Birkenhead Park is one of the Wirral’s finest green spaces, with a lovely playground, a lake with ducks to feed (bring some peas or sweetcorn rather than bread), and wide, flat paths for pushchairs and scooters.

Sefton Park in Liverpool is another gem. The Palm House is free to visit, the playground is excellent, and there’s a cafe for when everyone needs a sit-down. The Peter Pan statue is a great photo opportunity for little ones.

Royden Park in Thurstaston is ideal if your grandchild loves nature. Woodland trails, open heathland, and regular wildlife sightings make it feel like a proper adventure.

Farm Visits

Children and animals are a wonderful combination, and there are some lovely farms in the area where grandchildren can get up close with friendly creatures.

Tam O’Shanter Urban Farm in Bidston is free to visit and home to goats, pigs, chickens, and more. It’s a manageable size for a morning outing, and younger grandchildren are absolutely captivated by the animals.

For something a bit bigger, Knowsley Safari offers a drive-through experience that works brilliantly for grandparents — you get the excitement of seeing exotic animals without having to walk miles around a zoo.

Activities by Age: Finding the Right Fit

For Baby Grandchildren (Under 1)

At this age, it’s really about sensory experiences and togetherness. Your baby grandson or granddaughter is happy simply being with you.

• Sensory play sessions — many local centres run baby sensory classes that are perfect for grandparents to attend
• The baby and toddler area at Bubbles — purpose-built for tiny explorers with soft surfaces, gentle slopes, and age-appropriate toys
• A walk in the pram — Wirral Way is a lovely, flat, traffic-free path that’s ideal for a gentle stroll with a baby
• Baby cinema screenings — some cinemas offer parent-and-baby showings with softer sound and dim lighting; grandparents are very welcome too

For Toddler Grandchildren (Ages 1-3)

Toddlers are curious about absolutely everything, which makes outings exciting (and occasionally exhausting).

• Soft play with a dedicated toddler zone — at Bubbles, the toddler area lets little ones climb, slide, and explore at their own pace, safely away from the bigger children
• Feeding the ducks at Birkenhead Park or Sefton Park
• Story time at the library — brilliant for developing language skills and a love of books
• Puddle jumping — honestly, sometimes a pair of wellies and a few puddles is all a toddler needs for a perfect day with grandma or grandad
• The role play area — toddlers adore pretending to be grown-ups, and themed role play zones fire up their imaginations

For Primary School-Age Grandchildren (Ages 4-11)

Older grandchildren are ready for proper adventures, and they’ll remember these days out for years to come.

• Adventure play at Bubbles — the main play areas are packed with climbing frames, slides, obstacle courses, and challenges that older children absolutely love
• Museum trails — pick up a free activity sheet at any Liverpool museum and turn the visit into a treasure hunt
• Baking together at home — it doesn’t have to be an outing. Some of the best memories are made in the kitchen, covered in flour and icing sugar
• Cycling the Wirral Way — if your grandchild can ride a bike, this traffic-free route is perfect for a cycling adventure together
• The beach in any season — kite flying in autumn, fossil hunting in winter, rockpooling in spring, sandcastles in summer

Making Memories: Photo Ideas and Keepsakes

One of the loveliest things about grandparent-grandchild days out is capturing those moments to look back on. Here are some ideas:

• Take a selfie together at each place you visit and create a scrapbook or photo album over time
• Start a tradition — perhaps a monthly outing to the same cafe, or a seasonal visit to a favourite spot
• Let your grandchild take the photos — give them a disposable camera or your phone and see the world through their eyes. The results are often hilarious and always charming
• Collect souvenirs — a shell from the beach, a leaf from the park, a postcard from the museum. Pop them in a memory box together
• At Bubbles, there are plenty of colourful and fun photo spots throughout the themed play zones — perfect for snapping a photo of your grandson or granddaughter mid-adventure

Planning Your Day: Practical Tips for Grandparents

A little bit of planning goes a long way when you’re out with grandchildren. Here are some tried-and-tested tips:

Timing Is Everything

• Mornings are usually best for younger grandchildren — they’re well-rested and at their most cheerful
• Avoid the after-school rush if visiting soft play or indoor attractions — weekday mornings during term time are the quietest
• Build in rest stops — a cafe break or a quiet sit-down halfway through the day keeps everyone happy

What to Pack

• Snacks and a water bottle (grandchildren are always hungry)
• A change of clothes (especially for beach trips or soft play)
• Socks for indoor play areas
• Wet wipes — the grandparent’s secret weapon
• Any medication or comfort items your grandchild might need
• A fully charged phone for those all-important photos

Getting There

If you’re heading to New Brighton, there’s free parking at Bubbles World of Play, which takes the stress out of driving. The Merseyrail network also connects Liverpool and Wirral beautifully — many children love the adventure of a train journey, especially the trip through the tunnel under the Mersey.

It’s Not About How Much You Spend

The most important thing to remember is that your grandson or granddaughter doesn’t care whether you’ve spent fifty pounds on a fancy day out or nothing at all. What they care about is having your full attention, sharing an experience together, and feeling special.

A walk along the beach collecting pebbles. A morning at soft play followed by beans on toast in the cafe. An afternoon at the library choosing books together. These are the moments that become treasured memories — for both of you.

Whether you’re looking for a rainy-day rescue plan, a school holiday adventure, or just a lovely way to spend a Tuesday morning with your favourite little person, the Wirral and Liverpool have everything you need. And if you’re looking for somewhere warm, welcoming, and designed with families in mind, Bubbles World of Play is always a brilliant place to start.

Book your tickets today and create your next special memory together.