Best Things to Do in South Devon with Kids: Family Attraction

South Devon is one of our favourite places to visit with the kids. We head down four or five times a year to visit family, and while we’re there, we love exploring all the fantastic family attractions and things to do in South Devon.

With three children of different ages, we’re always looking for the best days out in Devon for families, whether that’s exciting theme parks, animal encounters, adventure activities or something a little different. We’re also big fans of finding ways to save money, because family days out can quickly get expensive!

In this guide, we’re sharing our favourite South Devon family attractions, including theme parks, zoos, aquariums and adventure parks in and around Plymouth, Torbay, Dartmouth and Dartmoor. We’ve included places we’ve visited ourselves, along with our tips to help you plan your own family adventures.

And let’s face it, it rains in Devon, even in the middle of summer, the weather doesn’t always play ball. So, we’ve included an ‘In the rain’ section for each attraction, sharing whether it’s still worth visiting when the weather turns. Whether you’re looking for rainy day activities in Devon or planning ahead for the school holidays, we hope this guide helps you make the most of your trip.

Woodlands Family Theme Park

Location: Blackawton, near Dartmouth

Woodlands is absolutely fantastic, and we love this place! It’s particularly nostalgic for my husband, who used to visit as a child. You can easily spend an entire day here and still not manage to fit everything in!

Alongside outdoor rides, slides and water attractions, there are adventure playgrounds, animal encounters and extensive indoor play areas. Our kids’ absolute favourites are the drop slides, which I’ve even braved a few times myself!

In the rain: Woodlands is brilliant even when the weather isn’t on your side. There are several indoor soft play areas, including a huge main one that even has rides inside!

Money-saving tip: Pack a picnic to keep costs down. We’ve found that booking directly through the Woodlands website in advance often offers the best value, but it’s always worth comparing prices before buying tickets.

Official website: https://www.woodlandspark.com/

Plymouth Argyle Home Park

Location: Home Park, Plymouth

If you’re visiting Devon during football season, why not take the kids to watch Plymouth Argyle FC? We’re a family of Argyle supporters, so a trip to Home Park is always a highlight for us!

It’s not just about the football either. The pre-match Fan Zone is brilliant for families, with food stalls, live music and activities including penalty shoot-outs, football darts and speed challenges. There’s even the chance to meet Pilgrim Pete, the club’s mascot! The children’s activities are free, including face painting, making it worth arriving well before kick-off.

In the rain: Football matches generally go ahead in the rain, and much of the stadium seating is covered. The Fan Zone is outdoors, though, so bring waterproofs and warm layers.

Make a day of it: Right next to Home Park is Plymouth’s Central Park, a huge green space with a fantastic children’s adventure playground, climbing equipment, sand and water play areas, and plenty of open space to run around. There’s also a café, making it a brilliant place to spend an hour or two before heading to the Fan Zone and watching the football.

Official website: Plymouth Argyle – PAFC

Pennywell Farm

Location: Buckfastleigh

Pennywell Farm is a brilliant choice for animal lovers! It’s particularly famous for its adorable miniature pigs, and the opportunity to cuddle them is one of the highlights of a visit. There’s a new activity every 30 minutes throughout the day, from animal encounters and bottle feeding to the famous pig racing!

There are fantastic large outdoor playgrounds, including the new treetops adventure towers, with climbing structures and slides. There are also three rides: the Rainbow Railway, a tractor and trailer ride, and the Red Rocket (90cm+). All the rides and activities are included in your admission ticket.

In the rain: Pennywell has a rainy day guarantee. If it rains continuously for 30 minutes or more during your visit, you can return for free within 7 days. You must claim in the shop before you leave.

Family tip: Take a photo of the activity timetable when you arrive so you don’t miss your favourites. We particularly recommend the pig racing and piglet cuddles! Also take your own blanket or small hand towel for the pig cuddles, you can also buy them on site.

Discount code: Fancy saving a little on your visit to Pennywell Farm? Use code SAVINGANDSANDCASTLES when booking to get 5% off your tickets!

Official website: https://pennywellfarm.co.uk/

Crealy Theme Park & Resort

Location: Near Exeter

Crealy is a fun-packed family theme park with rides for children of different ages. Two exciting new attractions opened in 2026: Rotor (1.20m minimum height), a thrilling ride that spins and flips you upside down, and Pirates’ Plummet (minimum height 1.10m), an 80ft drop tower that lifts you high above the park before plunging back down!

Alongside the rides, there are outdoor adventure playgrounds, animals and indoor entertainment. For younger children, there are plenty of gentler attractions, including Sooty Land. Crealy also puts on some great shows and seasonal events, many of which are included in the admission price.

In the rain: Crealy has some brilliant indoor facilities, including a huge adventure play area, soft play and several indoor rides. There’s plenty to keep children entertained during a shower, although it’s worth remembering some outdoor rides may close in bad weather

Family tip: Check your children’s heights before visiting so you know which rides they can enjoy. It’s particularly useful when visiting with children of different ages, as height restrictions vary considerably.

Official website: Crealy Theme Park | Devon’s Best Family Theme Park & Resort

Dartmoor Zoo

Location: Sparkwell, near Plymouth

Dartmoor Zoo is home to an incredible variety of animals, including some magnificent big cats! You can see Amur tigers, lions, jaguars, leopards and lynx, alongside plenty of other animals, from zebras and monkeys to meerkats, otters, capybaras and tapirs. Set in 33 acres of beautiful Devon countryside, it’s a lovely place to explore at your own pace, with animal talks and opportunities to learn about wildlife conservation along the way. The zoo also has a fascinating story, having inspired the Hollywood film We Bought a Zoo.

Our favourite part is the Discovery and Learning Hub. Our kids spend absolutely ages in here! The staff are incredibly knowledgeable, happy to answer endless questions and brilliant at sharing interesting animal facts.

Our kids love it so much that this summer they attended the zoo’s three-day Rangers Camp, spending three full days learning about wildlife, conservation and animal enrichment through hands-on activities. They absolutely loved it!

In the rain: Dartmoor Zoo is predominantly outdoors, so it’s not the best choice for a very wet day. However, the indoor Discovery and Learning Hub is a brilliant place to escape a shower. We’d recommend bringing waterproofs and wellies so you can still enjoy exploring the animals between showers. There’s also lots of tree cover.

Money-saving tip: This is one of the reasons we love Dartmoor Zoo! When purchasing general admission, you can add a FREE annual pass, allowing you to return as many times as you like for 12 months. Just make sure you select the free upgrade when booking.

Official website: https://www.dartmoorzoo.org.uk/

National Marine Aquarium

Location: Plymouth

The National Marine Aquarium is one of the best rainy-day attractions in Plymouth and a fantastic place for children who love underwater creatures! There are sharks, rays, turtles and lots of fish species to discover, with exhibits exploring different marine environments, from the waters around Plymouth Sound to the Great Barrier Reef. My kids love the Atlantic Ocean tank, home to sharks, rays and Friday the Green Sea Turtle.

Last year, our daughter also did the Behind the Scenes Tour, which we thought was excellent value for money and a fantastic experience. The tour gives you a fascinating insight into what happens behind the scenes, including how the animals are cared for, how their food is prepared and how the enormous tanks are maintained. We’d definitely recommend it for children who are particularly interested in marine life and it’s a great Xmas present.

In the rain: Perfect! The aquarium is entirely indoors, making it one of our top choices when the Devon weather isn’t playing ball.

Money-saving tip: Your admission ticket includes a complimentary annual return pass, allowing you to visit again throughout the following 12 months. Just remember to book your return visits in advance.

Official website: https://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/

Plymouth Snowsports Centre

For something completely different from a beach day you can head to Plymouth Snowsports Centre! This summer, we tried the toboggan run, sno-tubing and Viper Drop slide, and the kids had a brilliant time. The 650-metre toboggan track is particularly fun, with twists and turns as you make your way down the hillside.

I actually learnt to ski at a John Nike Ski Centre when I was younger, and I’d love my children to do the same! They offer fantastic school holiday camps where children can learn to ski or snowboard, alongside enjoying the tobogganing, tubing and Viper Drop activities.

In the rain: Most activities still run in the rain, so don’t let a little drizzle put you off! It’s entirely outdoors, so dress appropriately.

Family tip: They often advertise special offers on Instagram, so it’s worth giving them a follow and checking for deals before booking. They also offer activity packages, which can work out cheaper than booking everything separately.

Official website: https://www.jnlplymouth.co.uk/

Dartmouth Steam Railway

Location: Paignton to Kingswear

The Dartmouth Steam Railway is a wonderful family experience, taking you on a beautiful journey from Paignton to Kingswear aboard a traditional steam train. The route follows the stunning Devon coastline before travelling through countryside alongside the River Dart. From Kingswear, you can also catch a ferry across to Dartmouth, making it a lovely day out.

Last Christmas, we went on their magical Christmas Train of Lights, where the train is covered in thousands of twinkling lights and travels through an illuminated woodland. It was a really special festive experience and something a little different!

In the rain: A great wet-weather option, as you’ll be sitting inside the covered train carriages.

Family tip: Look out for their seasonal experiences, particularly the Christmas Train of Lights, which is incredibly popular.

Official website: https://www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk/

Paignton Zoo

Paignton Zoo is one of Devon’s biggest wildlife attractions, with an impressive collection of animals spread across beautiful, leafy grounds. You’ll find everything from giraffes, lions and tigers to gorillas, orangutans, red pandas and meerkats. There’s also a tropical house, reptiles and plenty of smaller, unusual creatures to discover.

What makes Paignton Zoo a great family day out is the variety. As well as the animals, there are adventure playgrounds and plenty of space to explore.

In the rain: There are some indoor animal exhibits and the Jungle Fun indoor play area, but much of the zoo is outdoors, so waterproofs are recommended.

Money-saving tip: Take a picnic, as there are designated picnic areas throughout the zoo, and check online ticket prices before visiting.

Official website: https://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/

Watermouth Castle

Location: Near Ilfracombe, North Devon

Watermouth Castle is a wonderfully quirky day out that combines a Victorian castle with rides, gardens, displays and traditional family entertainment. The toboggan run is a particular highlight, but there are also plenty of surprises dotted around the grounds. It feels quite different from a modern theme park, which is part of its charm.

Although it is in North Devon rather than South Devon, it is worth considering if you are travelling around the county or staying for a longer holiday.

In the rain: In the rain: Watermouth Castle is surprisingly good for a rainy day, with 10 indoor and underground attractions to explore! These include the Fairy Museum, Illusion Museum, Dungeon Labyrinths and the fantastic underground Water Show Extravaganza. There’s plenty to keep children entertained while staying dry.

Top tip: There are some incredible really old arcade machines which take 10p coins, there are change machines but take a couple of £1s to change these. They are well worth doing and a lot of fun.

Official website: https://www.watermouthcastle.com/