Looking for weekend activities with kids in Wirral & Liverpool? Discover the best indoor and outdoor things to do every weekend, from soft play to parks and museums.
Itâs Friday evening, the kids are already asking âWhat are we doing this weekend?â, and youâre scrolling through your phone looking for inspiration. Sound familiar? If you live anywhere in the Wirral or Liverpool area, youâre actually spoilt for choice when it comes to keeping little ones entertained on a Saturday or Sunday.
Whether youâre after something free and outdoorsy, a full-on indoor adventure, or a quiet creative morning, this guide covers the best things to do with kids this weekend in Wirral and Liverpool. Weâve organised everything by type so you can quickly find what suits your family, your budget, and â letâs be honest â the weather.
Free Outdoor Activities for Families
When the sun makes an appearance (or even when itâs just dry enough to brave it), Merseyside has some genuinely lovely outdoor spaces that wonât cost you a penny.
Parks and Playgrounds
Wirral and Liverpool are home to some fantastic parks that are perfect for burning off weekend energy.
Birkenhead Park is one of the finest Victorian parks in the country and a brilliant spot for a family morning out. The playgrounds are well-maintained, thereâs a boating lake, and plenty of wide-open space for running, scooting, and kite-flying. Pack a flask and some snacks and youâve got a free morning sorted.
Sefton Park in south Liverpool is another gem. The Palm House is free to visit and genuinely impressive, and the parkâs adventure playground keeps children entertained for ages. The cafe is handy if you need a coffee stop â and most parents definitely will.
Central Park in Wallasey and Vale Park in New Brighton are both worth a visit if youâre on the Wirral side. Vale Park has lovely views across the Mersey and a cracking playground for younger children.
Crosby Beach and the Iron Men
A trip to see Antony Gormleyâs Another Place at Crosby Beach is one of those outings that works for all ages. Toddlers love splashing in the shallows and discovering the iron figures, whilst older children enjoy counting how many statues they can spot. Itâs completely free, and you can warm up afterwards with fish and chips from one of the nearby cafes.
New Brighton Promenade
New Brighton has had a wonderful makeover in recent years. A weekend stroll along the promenade, a run-around at the playground near Fort Perch Rock, and a stop for ice cream make for a lovely low-key family morning. If the tide is out, the rock pools are brilliant for little explorers.
Nature Walks and Wildlife
For families who enjoy a gentler pace, Eastham Country Park on the Wirral offers woodland walks, views over the Mersey, and a visitor centre. Thurstaston Common is another favourite â the sandstone outcrop at the top gives children a sense of real adventure, and the views across the Dee Estuary are stunning.
Paid Indoor Activities That Are Worth Every Penny
Some weekends, you just need to go somewhere warm, dry, and guaranteed to tire the children out. Here are the best indoor options across the region.
Bubbles World of Play, Wirral
If youâre looking for the ultimate weekend activity that keeps children happy for hours, Bubbles World of Play should be at the top of your list. As the UKâs largest indoor soft play centre, itâs the kind of place where you walk in and childrenâs eyes go wide.
What makes it the perfect weekend destination:
- Over 30 themed play zones spread across 70,000 square feet â itâs genuinely enormous
- Dedicated toddler area for little ones under 3, so you donât need to worry about bigger children zooming past
- Epic climbing frames, slides, and zip lines that keep older children active and challenged
- Interactive games and activities that go far beyond standard soft play
- Comfortable cafe where parents can sit, relax, and actually enjoy a hot coffee while itâs still hot
Opening times: Check the latest weekend hours on our opening times page. Weekends are naturally popular, so arriving earlier in the day means more space and shorter waits for the most popular features.
Do I need to book? Booking your admission tickets online is recommended for weekends, particularly during school holidays and half terms. It guarantees your slot and means no disappointment at the door.
Top tip for weekend visits: Saturday mornings tend to be the busiest period. If you can manage a Sunday morning visit, youâll often find things a little quieter. That said, the centre is so vast that it rarely feels overcrowded even on the busiest days.
Current offers: Have a look at our latest deals and offers before you visit â there are often family bundles and special promotions that make a weekend trip even better value.
Parents across Merseyside rely on Bubbles as their go-to weekend plan. Rain or shine, it delivers every single time.
Museums and Galleries
Liverpoolâs museums are world-class, and most of them are completely free.
The Museum of Liverpool on the waterfront is brilliant for families. The Little Liverpool gallery is designed for under-7s, with interactive exhibits that keep small hands busy. Older children love the football history and music exhibits. Free entry and a solid cafe make it an easy weekend win.
World Museum on William Brown Street is another fantastic free option. The aquarium, the planetarium (small charge), and the bug house are perennial favourites with children. You could easily spend an entire morning here without getting bored.
Tate Liverpool at the Albert Dock regularly runs free family workshops at weekends. Itâs a wonderful way to introduce children to art without it feeling stuffy or intimidating.
Swimming
A weekend swim is a classic for good reason. Europa Pools in Birkenhead has a fun pool with flumes and features that children love. Many leisure centres across Wirral and Liverpool run family swim sessions at weekends â check your nearest centre for times and prices.
Active Weekend Adventures
For children who need to move, jump, and climb, these options will leave them properly tired by teatime.
Cycling the Wirral Way
The Wirral Way is a traffic-free path that runs from West Kirby to Hooton, following a disused railway line. Itâs flat, well-surfaced, and perfect for family cycling. You can do as much or as little as you like, stopping off at Thurstaston Visitor Centre for refreshments. Bikes can be hired from various spots along the route if you donât have your own.
Hilbre Island, West Kirby
If the tide times work with your weekend plans, walking out to Hilbre Island from West Kirby is a genuine adventure. Children love the thrill of walking across the sand to reach a real island, and you might spot seals and plenty of birdlife. Do check tide times carefully before you set off â this is essential for safety.
Rock Climbing and Bouldering
For older children who crave a physical challenge, indoor climbing walls offer a brilliant weekend activity. Several centres across Liverpool and the Wirral welcome children, with sessions suitable for beginners right through to experienced young climbers.
Creative and Educational Activities
Not every weekend needs to be about running and climbing. Sometimes a slower-paced, creative outing is exactly what the family needs.
Williamsonâs Tunnels, Liverpool
Older children (roughly 8 and up) will find the Williamsonâs Tunnels in Edge Hill fascinating. Weekend tours take you underground to explore the mysterious network of tunnels built in the early 1800s. Itâs quirky, educational, and genuinely unlike anything else in the area.
Spaceport, Wirral
Located at Seacombe ferry terminal, Spaceport is a hands-on space exploration centre that sparks curiosity in children of all ages. The interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, and space-themed activities make for a fun and educational weekend morning.
Library Events and Story Times
Donât overlook your local library. Libraries across Wirral and Liverpool run free weekend story times, craft sessions, and reading events for children. Itâs a calm, enriching activity that costs absolutely nothing and helps foster a love of reading.
Baking and Cookery Classes
Several venues across Merseyside run childrenâs baking workshops at weekends. These are brilliant for budding young chefs and usually include everything the children need, plus they come home with something tasty. Check local listings for whatâs running near you.
Planning Your Weekend: A Quick Guide
To help you decide what to do, hereâs a quick breakdown based on what kind of weekend youâre having.
If Itâs Raining
Head straight to Bubbles World of Play for guaranteed fun regardless of the weather. Alternatively, the Museum of Liverpool or World Museum are free, warm, and full of things to explore.
If Itâs Sunny
Make the most of it with a trip to Birkenhead Park, Crosby Beach, or the Wirral Way. Pack a picnic and soak up every ray.
If Youâre on a Budget
Many of the best weekend activities are completely free. Parks, beaches, museums, and libraries all offer brilliant days out without spending a penny. Save the paid activities for special weekends or when you need a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
If the Kids Have Friends Coming
A group trip to Bubbles World of Play is always a hit. With so much space and so many different zones, children can explore together for hours. Check our offers page for group deals.
If Grandparents Are Visiting
Somewhere that caters for all ages is ideal. Bubbles has comfortable seating and a cafe for grandparents, whilst the little ones play. Or try a gentle walk at Eastham Country Park followed by lunch â itâs a pace that works for everyone.
Weekend Routines That Work
Many families find that having a loose weekend routine takes the stress out of the âWhat shall we do?â conversation. Here are a few approaches that local parents swear by:
The Saturday Adventure, Sunday Rest pattern: Go big on Saturday with an outing like Bubbles or a museum visit, then keep Sunday relaxed with a park trip or quiet time at home.
The Alternating Weekends approach: One weekend is a âfree weekendâ (parks, beaches, libraries), the next is a âtreat weekendâ (soft play, swimming, a special activity). This keeps things varied and manageable on the budget.
The Morning-Only outing: Especially with younger children, heading out for a morning activity and being home for lunch and nap time often works far better than trying to fill an entire day.
Never Be Stuck for Weekend Ideas Again
The Wirral and Liverpool area genuinely is one of the best places in the country to raise a family. Between the free parks and beaches, the world-class museums, and fantastic indoor attractions like Bubbles World of Play, thereâs always something to do â whatever the weather, whatever the budget.
Our best advice? Keep this guide bookmarked for those Friday evenings when you need a plan. And if in doubt, you can always book tickets to Bubbles and know that the children will have an incredible time.
Have a brilliant weekend, whatever you get up to.