I love a good city break and the UK has so many great city break destinations to offer that I could start a whole series on them. Now there’s an idea! Today, however, I want to talk a bit more about Liverpool or in particular, Liverpool for families. Let’s face it, your checklist for the perfect city break looks slightly different when you’re traveling with little people. Therefore, I want to share with you some top tips for visiting Liverpool with children and a list of family-friendly things to do when exploring the Scouse capital.

Liverpool for families – Visiting Liverpool and things to do with children

Liverpool for families – Museum of Liverpool

Located in a futuristic building on Liverpool’s waterfront, the Museum of Liverpool is a great starting point, if you want to find out more about the city’s history and culture. Little ones can explore the importance of the river Mersey, learn about Victorian Liverpool or visit the “Little Liverpool” gallery, a hands-on fantasy world with fun activities aimed at children aged 6 and under. Sessions last about 30 minutes.

Visiting Liverpool with your grandchildren? Borrow a ‘When I was little’ backpack at reception and enjoy a number of activities that are aimed to be completed by grandparents and grandchildren. Each backpack contains activities to help you explore the museum together and share your memories, plus an album for you to keep. Admission to the museum is free

Liverpool for families – Underwater Street’s Imagine That

If you’re visiting Liverpool with children and you’re after a fun bad weather alternative, Underwater Street’s Imagine That is the place to be. The discovery centre offers art and craft activities, exciting science workshops and an Imagination village that allows children to explore a construction zone with tools and machinery, lots of shops, an American diner and theatre as well as a pet rescue and car wash. Admission for a child accompanied by an adult is £11.95. Additional adults cost £2.95 while children under one go free.

Liverpool for families – Albert Dock

Liverpool’s Albert Dock is one of the most popular attractions for families in Liverpool and the best thing, it’s free. Home to the Merseyside Maritime Museum, family-friendly restaurants, cafes and the Big Wheel and as well as a number of art galleries, there’s always something going on on Liverpool’s World Heritage Site waterfront. A true family magnet is Mattel Play!, Liverpool – a brand new indoor activity attraction featuring popular children’s TV characters like Thomas & FriendsTM, Bob the BuilderTM and Fireman SamTM.

Liverpool for families – The Beatles Story

No visit to Liverpool is complete without visiting The Beatles Story, a museum looking at the success of the four Liverpudlians who went on to become the biggest band in the world. Experience Beatlemania, the buzz of the world-famous Cavern Club and get involved with fun children’s workshops in the Discovery Zone. Adults pay £14.95, kids £9.00 and infants up to 4 years go free.

Liverpool for families – Liverpool One

Liverpool One is more than just a shopping centre. If you’re visiting Liverpool with children and you’re after a place to eat, shop and have fun all at the same time, the open-air shopping complex is the right address for you. Family-friendly restaurants, crazy golf or a shopping spree at the LEGO store will keep your little sidekicks entertained all day while you’ll be able to enjoy state-of-the-art baby changing facilities, feeding rooms and a pram hire service. Did I mention the free child safe bracelets that you can be pick up at the service centre that will reunite you with your kids should you lose sight of them?

It doesn’t get anymore family-friendly that? It does, just check out the extensive program put on for kids over on liverpool-one.com.

Liverpool for families – World Museum

If your kids are into dinosaurs, creepy crawlies, sciences and want to know everything about the beginning of life and the world they live in, the Word Museum is one of the top attractions in Liverpool for families. The museum, that first opened in 1853, offers plenty to do and see for visitors of all ages and gets even the smallest explorers involved.

Hands-on events on mankind, space or cultures around the world make the museum as much a firm favourite with schools and families as the displays and activities designed and developed specifically for younger visitors. The museum has changing facilities on most levels, can be accessed with a pram/buggy and offers a picnic room, if you prefer bringing your own food. Entry is free.

Liverpool for families – Croxteth Hall

A beautiful day out for families who are looking to spend some time outside Liverpool’s city centre is Croxteth Hall off Muirhead Avenue East. It’s at the heart of the former 500-acre country estate and ancestral home of the Molyneux family and one of the “finest working country estates in the North West.”

Get close to cows, pigs, horses, sheep, lambs, piglets, chicks and calves and explore the Victorian Walled Garden before learning about Edwardian Liverpool in the historic hall of Croxteth Hall. Children love the estate’s adventure playground, the miniature railway or the orienteering trail that’s a fun challenge for all the family. Family Saver Tickets for Hall and Garden cost £13 for two adults and up to three children.

What are your top tips for things to do in Liverpool for families? Leave your family favourites in the comments below! 

This is a promotional post with images taken by Robin Clewley for Museum of Liverpool, Underwater World’s Imagine That, Albert Dock, The Beatles Story, Liverpool One, World Museum, Croxteth Hall