If you’re planning a family holiday or day trip to the Norfolk coast, Great Yarmouth is a fantastic choice. With sandy beaches, funfair rides, animal adventures, and plenty of child-friendly attractions, there’s no shortage of ways to keep little ones entertained.
Here’s our guide to the best things to do in Great Yarmouth with kids — perfect for creating seaside memories that will last a lifetime.
🏖️ Build Sandcastles on the Golden Mile
The Golden Mile is Great Yarmouth’s iconic seafront, and it’s the perfect place to start. Kids will love racing down to the sandy beach, paddling in the shallows, and tucking into ice cream or fish and chips. Along the promenade, you’ll find arcades, rides, mini-golf, and go-karts. It’s traditional seaside fun at its very best.
🚂 Hop on the Road Train or Open-Top Bus
A fun way to see the sights without little legs getting too tired is to take a ride on the Great Yarmouth road train or the open-top bus that runs along the seafront. Both options are a big hit with children and make it easy to hop on and off between attractions.
🎡 Thrills at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach
One of the town’s biggest family attractions, Pleasure Beach is home to over 25 rides — from gentle carousels for younger children to thrill rides for older kids and teens. Don’t miss the famous 1932 wooden Roller Coaster or the gardens with rides designed just for little ones. You could easily spend a whole day here.
🐧 Explore Underwater Worlds at SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth
For a fun (and weather-proof) adventure, head to the SEA LIFE Centre. Kids can wander through the Ocean Tunnel, watch sharks and turtles swim overhead, and meet penguins, seahorses, rays and crocodiles. There are feeding talks and interactive rock pools too, so children can get hands-on with the experience.
🎠 Classic Rides at Joyland
If you’re travelling with younger children, Joyland is a must. Entry is free and you simply buy tokens for the rides — from the charming Tyrolean Tubs to the much-loved Snails. It’s a nostalgic spot where parents can relive childhood seaside memories while kids make their own. While it’s outdoors, it’s small enough to enjoy even on a breezy day.
🏰 Tiny Worlds at Merrivale Model Village
Step into a miniature version of England at Merrivale Model Village. Spread across an acre of landscaped gardens, kids can follow model trains, spot tiny castles and cottages, and watch the fairground come to life in miniature.
Your entry ticket includes access to a small mini golf course inside the village, and there’s even better news — once you’ve bought your ticket, you can return every day for free for a whole week. Perfect if you’re staying nearby and want to pop back more than once.
🌽 Run Wild at Hirsty’s Family Fun Park
In nearby Hemsby, Hirsty’s Family Fun Park is heaven for kids who love to let off steam. Think tractor rides, giant bouncy pillows, pedal go-karts, and seasonal maize mazes. It’s open during the main school holidays and is especially good for under 10s.
🏊 Marina Leisure Centre
For another great rainy-day option, head to the Marina Leisure Centre on the seafront. It’s home to a family-friendly swimming pool complete with water slides, plus a climbing wall and indoor bouncy castle fun. A brilliant way to keep active and burn off some energy when the weather isn’t playing ball.
🎯 Crazy Golf and Arcades
No seaside trip is complete without a game of crazy golf. Great Yarmouth has two themed adventure golf courses — Pirates Cove and Castaway Island — both with 18 holes. Once you’ve finished, celebrate the winner with an ice cream and then duck into the arcades, which are all indoors and perfect for rainy-day fun.
🌲 A Magical Day at BeWILDerwood Norfolk
Around a 40-minute drive from Great Yarmouth, BeWILDerwood is worth the trip for a truly unique family day out. This forest adventure park is filled with treehouses, giant slides, zip wires, mazes and storytelling. With an emphasis on outdoor play and imagination, it’s perfect for children up to around 12. Expect mud, laughter and a day of real adventure!
🌞 Tips for Visiting with Kids
- Best time to visit: Summer holidays are lively, but spring and autumn are quieter and often cheaper.
- Rainy days: SEA LIFE, Marina Leisure Centre, and the arcades are great indoor or all-weather options.
- Nearby day trips: Extend your adventure with visits to Wroxham Barns or Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park — both under an hour’s drive.
👨👩👧👦 Family Fun Awaits
From rollercoasters and sandy toes to model villages and treetop adventures, Great Yarmouth is packed with kid-friendly fun. Whether you’re planning a weekend break or a longer seaside holiday, it’s the perfect place for family memories on the Norfolk coast.
