Things to do with kids in England's Lake District

Here is a list of just some of the outdoor activities for kids in England's Lake District. Some of these activities are completely free, though you may need to get your kids some basic equipment.

• Paddling in lake and rivers - kids love it!
• Scrambling and climbing. Kids can do this up rocks, paths and hills.
• Kids can learn the serious skill of rock climbing - there are climbing walls and instructors.
• For more adventurous, older kids, ghyll scrambling ( climbing up streams) is great fun.
• Messing about in boats - row boats, canoes, and  kayaks can all be hired. Sail boats can be taken out with an experienced adult. Lessons are available.
• Go fishing! Take a net and see what the kids can find.
• Swing from the trees in one of the parks. There are lots of excellent free kids playgrounds, or for older kids there is the wonderful "Go Ape".
• Try mountain biking. Bring the kids' bikes with you, or hire a bike. There are loads of cycle routes, or you can go to one of the Forestry Commission trails for a fantastic experience.
• Interact with wildlife. All through the summer there are local shows, many of which give kids the chance to handle wild birds. The owl display at Muncaster Castle is fabulous.
• Go hiking - that's what everyone does in the Lake District, and you are never too young to start.

 The photos used on this page are mine or those of Cumbria Tourism. Not to be used without permission.

Readers in the UK can order this book now from Amazon.co.uk by clicking here. Lake District with Kids (Footprint Travel Guides) (Footprint with Kids)

Whinlatter Forest  and Grizedale Forest
The UK Forestry Commission has turned two of the Lake District Forests, Grizedale in the south, and Whinlatter in the North, into wonderful outdoor parks where kids and adults can do all sorts of great activities

Go Ape- Live Life adventurously- get in touch with your inner Tarzan
Go Ape operates in forests around the UK, including Grizedale and Whinlatter in the Lake District. Swing from trees, go on treetop walks, zip through the air on a wire. Kids ( and adults) love this! Age and height restrictions apply on some activites.

The Lake District Watersports Centre
Located on Lake Windermere, the Lake District Watersports Centre offers instruction and hire of equipment across the whole range of water based activities

Munacaster Castle- a historic house with something special- an owl centre
The world owl centre at Muncaster Castle fascinate kids. "Meet the owls" takes place at 2.30 pm every day during the main season ( March to the beginning of November)

Just click this link to buy Swallows and Amazons , the classic Arthur Ransome's children's book set on Coniston in the Lake District.A friend of min'es family owns the farm where this booked was based!

Visit the Cumberland Pencil Museum in Keswick
People laugh at the idea of a pencil museum! Situated on the banks of the River Derwent, the famous Derwent pencils and colored pencils were invented here and have been made since 1832, The pencil museum fascinates kids. See the world's largest colored pencil, and enjoy the many activities.

Visit the Lakes Aquarium at Lakeside on Lake Windermere
This imaginative exhibition shows you creatures from lakes all around the world.The underwater tunnel allows kids to get close to these creatures, and there are shows and special events at this family friendly attraction.

Visit Castlerigg Stone Circle- a mystical ancient site in the heart of the Lake District
My kids loved to visit Castlerigg Stone Circle. This amazing ancient site is in the heart of the lakes, but it is overlooked by many visitors. Kids love to count the ancient stones- the number always seems to change. Who build it, why did they build it- fascinating!

Visit Dove Cottage, Grasmere, home to William Wordsworth
Kids may have learnt "Daffodils", one of the world's most famous poems. See the room in the tiny cottage where Wordsworth lived, then visit the excellent adjacent museum. Superb guides make this a really interesting ( and educational) activity for kids.

The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, Bowness on Windermere
Younger kids who love Peter Rabbit will love this attraction, where you can "meet Peter Rabbit in Mr McGregor's garden.

Find our more about Beatrix Potter, her life, her home, her art
This is a gateway page that will take visitors to all the places that are connected to the amazing woman,Beatrix Potter, who lived and worked in the Lake District and who gave so much back to the area.Kids love her drawings, not only the animals, but also the huge range of drawings of mushrooms that Beatrix Potter recorded!

Things to do in England's Lake District- from Cumbria Tourism
The Lake District is in the county of Cumbria, and here Cumbria Tourism has collected together links to all the activities and attractions in the Lake District. I've picked out a few for you above, now take a look here for more ideas.

Kids love this trips on the wonderful little steams train through amazing countryside to the coast.
This was my kids' favorite day out. We would drive from our home at Grasmere over the steep mountain passes to Boot in Eskdale, then get the steam train ( an open air carriage- we only went on dry days) to the coast. There were picnics, ice creams, walks, sea, great views and just a great day out. This train is known locally in Cumbrian dialect as "La'al Ratty"