Whilst many toddlers would happily throw pebbles into the sea for hours on end, it probably isn’t a bad idea to have a more detailed itinerary planned for your trip to Brighton. Especially as dotted along the coastline, there’s no end of exciting things for you and your children to do.
With attractions such as the i360, the Pavilion and crazy golf perhaps more suited for slightly older children, we wanted to put together our favourite activities for toddlers. The good news is that Brighton is on the ball here too with many affordable ways to keep your children busy, whether it’s bouncy castles on the pier, the oldest electric railway in the world or teaching them why sharks aren’t quite as horrible as they originally seem.
As it’s unlikely you’ll get it all done in one trip, you’ll just have to come again soon! (There are worse things to have to do though!)
Brighton Palace Pier
Candyfloss, helter skelters, 2p machines, the Pier has surely got to be the first destination on your list if you’re visiting Brighton with toddlers. At the beach end of the pier, you can find a naughty selection of food including hot dogs, donuts and ice-cream, with a whole amusement park full of rides at the sea end of the pier. In between are as many arcade machines as you could dream up, with the Palm Court restaurant serving you filling meals to keep the energy high.
The amusement park is priced on a ride-by-ride basis and while it isn’t cheap, you can save money by purchasing a wristband for the day so young ones can enjoy unlimited rides. With so much choice on offer, this should hopefully keep the tears and tantrums at bay. There are height limitations for most rides, but toddler-friendly ones include the cup ’n’ saucer, trampolines, carousel, mega slide, bouncy castle and helter skelter. For children over 0.9m, there is a four storey, multi-purpose indoor soft play area with a massive slide. The Pier hosts children’s parties that can include the soft play, rides and a meal deal.
Take your toddlers to the pier between November and March and they can also witness the beautiful murmurations of the starlings at dusk whilst enjoying a hot chocolate from the Starlings Roost café. This will add some perhaps well needed nature into their day of sugar and adrenaline.
Address: Madeira Dr, Brighton BN2 1TW
Website: http://www.brightonpier.co.uk/
SEA LIFE Brighton
Just a few minutes’ walk from the Pier, sits another perfect destination for parents and their toddlers. Sea Life Brighton is the world’s oldest aquarium and homes thousands of aquatic animals, including sharks, turtles and jellyfish. This is a large maze of a building with areas including rainforest adventure, jelly invasion and glass bottom boat. One of the highlights is walking through the ocean tunnel and gazing up at the sharks and turtles swimming over your head.
Check before your arrival about whether the programme of creature talks and feeds are running, as feeding time is a great experience for toddlers who can watch the turtles be fed by their handlers whilst learning more about the fascinating animals. There is also a great interactive pirate treasure hunt that children can partake in with their parents, which is centred around helping Captain Careless find his lost booty of treasures. Sharklife also teaches children the real truths about the most feared creature of the sea, with a fun activity trail and challenges throughout the aquarium. There are visual games and activities to take part in and even a reward for completing the trail.
Once all the fun and aquatic adventures have been had, there is a coffee shop to refuel and a gift shop so that your young ones can remember the trip for years to come. And congratulations if they ask for a shark toy, as they obviously now recognise the beauty of the often-demonised creature.
Address: Marine Parade, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 1TB
Website: https://www.visitsealife.com/brighton/
Volk’s Electric Railway
Brighton doesn’t just have the oldest aquarium in the world, but the oldest electric railway too! With toddlers often having a keen interest in toys on wheels and their own train sets, this is the perfect opportunity for them to take a ride on a train that looks more like the old-fashioned ones tripping you up at home.
Invented by Brighton based engineer Magnus Volk and opened in 1883, the Volk’s Electric Railway runs from April 1st to the end of September but is closed throughout the winter. The train carriages run along the seafront today between Aquarium Station (near Brighton Palace Pier) and Black Rock Station (near the Marina).
This is a fun way for toddlers to see the Brighton coastline and even better for parents, with under three-year-olds travelling for free. At Halfway Station, you can visit a workshop where you can see maintenance carried out on the historic train carriages and find out more about how the railway runs.
Other advantages about this activity is that both Aquarium Station and Black Rock Station are surrounded by their own amusements, with the aquarium and pier near the former, and the marina and a host of restaurants at the other end of the journey. There are also crazy golf, play areas, cafes and the good old sea to enjoy with your youngsters too. This is an area of Brighton where you will never get bored and as it is close to town, it won’t be too long a journey home for your tired, but hopefully happy, young ones.
Address: Aquarium Station – 285 Madeira Dr, Brighton BN2 1EN
Black Rock Station – Madeira Dr, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 1FY
Website: https://volksrailway.org.uk/
The Upside Down House
What’s better than a house? Of course, the answer is simple, a house that is upside down. Why it is upside down we don’t really need to know, but it is a fun and interesting place to take toddlers who will be bemused by the untraditional layout. There are lots of fun photo opportunities for you and the family – which you can proudly share with others who couldn’t make the journey.
Upside Down houses are found throughout Europe and even in Australia, with Brighton marking the first coastal location in the UK. The eye-catching turquoise beach house contains a bespoke gaming area, a jukebox and a bicycle on the ceiling. Forget Mary Poppins, this is a real-life world full of magic for kids.
Located between the i360 and Brighton Beach Club, there is plenty of kids to do in the surrounding area including paddling in the swimming pool area nearby. Again, the Upside Down House is ideal for parents with children aged 3 and under going in free and also group discounts available at the Ticket Office.
The house is also themed throughout the year with a Haunted Upside Down House on Halloween or Santa’s Grotto during Christmas. Partnering with Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital and working with several charities, it is also good to know that some of your money will be powering causes such as nature conservation and helping younger generations thrive.
Address: 42-43, Kings Road Arches, Brighton BN1 2LN
Website: https://upsidedownhouse.co.uk/
The Level, Play Area
Away from the ocean and closer to the North lanes and Brighton Station, lies a little hideaway play area for parents and their little ones. The jewel in the crown is the water area with fountains which toddlers can run around and play in for hours on end. This is a completely free space to enjoy and is surrounded by the pleasant grassland of The Level – but also separated off so families can enjoy their privacy.
The Level is a unique open space in the heart of Brighton which serves as a crossroads for the diverse communities that use and surround it. In 2013, it was completely restored with a great children’s play park, two park cafes, an amazing skate park and beautiful flower beds. Facilities also include table tennis, community rooms, a sensory garden and restored picnic lawns to enjoy.
When the little uns need a rest from splashing about, why not hit the Tomato Café, a family run Italian restaurant which makes authentic Italian food. There is a decent sized kid’s menu to choose from, that includes penne Bolognese, fish fingers and chips, meatballs and chips – with all dishes coming with a free scoop of ice-cream. Another dining option is the Loving Hut – a fast food vegan chain with branches around the world. The Brighton branch is a beacon for a healthier, compassionate and peaceful way of living, putting sustainability and global warming at the forefront of its philosophy. Why not pick up one of its delicious eco-burgers to eat in or take away and eat in one of the designated picnic spots.
Address: Union Rd, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 4ZN
Website: https://thelevelbrighton.org.uk/
