Plan a family day out you can trust
Prices, parking, food and the best time to go, with every detail dated so you know how fresh it is.
Or jump straight to:
Going away?
Staying somewhere new? See what's nearby and which days will be quietest during your trip.
Help me choose
Answer a few quick questions and we'll pick the best places for your family. To browse everything yourself, use .
How it works
1. Pick a place and see an estimated cost for your group. 2. Each section shows when it was last checked on the official site, or says it has not been. 3. After a visit, families report what they paid and how busy it was, which fills gaps over time.
Always confirm on the official website before you travel. How this is funded
Know a parent who'd like this?
Share the planner with friends and family. The more parents use it, the better the busy predictions and prices get.
Search all places
More filters
Missing a place?
Tell us about a family attraction we have not listed.
What's on
Fireworks, Santa, light trails, ice rinks and other dated events. Past events drop off automatically. Dates and prices change every year, so always check the event's own page before you book.
Know about an event we've missed?
Village bonfires, fairs and Santa visits are often only on posters or Facebook. Tell us and we'll check it before adding it.
Going away or somewhere new?
Pick where you're staying and when. We'll show what's nearby, how busy each place is likely to be on each day of your trip, and the quietest days to go.
| When | Scotland | England and Wales | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Schools break in late June and return in mid August. | Schools break around 20 to 23 July and return in early September. | Schools break at the end of June and return around the start of September. |
| Autumn | A break around mid October, often a week or two. | One week at the end of October. | About a week around Halloween. |
| Spring | Easter break, plus a mid-term day or two in February. | One week in mid or late February, then Easter. | A short mid-term break in February, then Easter. |
Early July sweet spot
Scottish children are off while English and Welsh schools are still in session. For attractions in England and Wales, weekdays in the first half of July are usually calmer. Local Scottish attractions are at their busiest.
Late August sweet spot
Scottish schools are back by mid August while England and Wales are still on holiday. Scottish attractions get quieter and English and Welsh visitors benefit. English and Welsh attractions are at their peak, so go Tuesday to Thursday and arrive at opening.
Rainy-day trap
Indoor places such as aquariums and museums fill up fast on wet half-term days. Pick them on dry weekdays, or arrive at opening.