Family-friendly things to do in Bristol this summer
It’s been a little while since we’ve put together one of our handy Raised in Bristol seasonal guides! But now we're a couple of weeks into the summer holidays we thought we’d pull together some fun stuff for you to enjoy in Bristol with the family this summer.
St Pauls Carnival Inspired Unicorn by artist Ella-Mia Grant outside St Pauls Learning Centre
Unicornfest
Join the mythical arts trail of decorated colourful unicorns with Unicornfest 2023 in celebration of Bristol’s 650th anniversary and in aid of. Bristol has had gorillas and Gromits – this year is the year of the unicorn! Taking place from July to early September and each designed and decorated by artists from across the West Country, the magical trail features sixty unicorn sculptures that can be found all around well-known locations in Bristol and the southwest, from the Clifton Suspension Bridge to Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier. You can check out the trail map or download the app to find out about each unicorn and find where they are
At the end of the summer, the unicorns will be rounded up and displayed at the Unicornfest Farewell Festival from 22-24 September. Then, in October they’ll be auctioned off to raise funds for the national charity Leukaemia Care. Find out more about the farewell fest, unicorn-themed workshops and the auction here.
When: 1st July–3 Sept
Where: Locations across Bristol (see the trail map or download the app)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail at Wild Place Project
Photo from Bristol Zoo Project
Based on Eric Carle’s best-selling book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail recreates the well-loved story of the journey of the caterpillar from egg to butterfly, through an interactive collection of large-scale 3D installations. With giant cocoon swings and augmented reality for a truly immersive experience. Wind your way through the giant apple and pear archways and climb through the plum tunnels! Take your picture with the beautiful butterfly at the end and finish the trail in Tower Meadow where you’ll find a caterpillar slide and a range of fun games and activities. If you book tickets online in advance you can save 10% (please note tickets must be booked online the day before your visit or earlier to get 10% off gate price) and under 2s go for free. Tickets for adults start at £16.32 and £12.68 for children aged 2-14.
When: Runs from Saturday 22nd July to Sunday 3rd September
Where: The Wild Place Project (Bristol Zoo) – just off junction 17 of the M5
Photo from Felix Road Adventure Playground
Summer at Felix Road Adventure Playground
The two-acre open-access playground offers lots of adventurous play opportunities and activities for children, young people and families. Things you can expect: zip wire, building, giant swings, climbing, building dens, various sports, art and crafts, drama, podcasting, cycling, outdoor cooking, childhood daydreaming! During the summer it's open access Mon–Wed for children of all ages (children under 8 must be accompanied). Bristol Tree Craft is hosting a series of workshops throughout July and August making wind chimes to decorate the playground. These are on 19, 26 July, 2, 9 16, 23, and 30 August, from 3.30–5.30 pm. Follow the playground on Facebook here for updates and more info
When: Mon–Wed from 12–5.30 pm
Where: Felix Road Adventure Playground
Scrapstore Bristol Summer Holiday Fun
The wonderful Children’s Scrapstore in St Werburghs has a packed calendar of various creative workshops for the little ones to get stuck into this summer. Although we hope to see some more summer sun soon… this is the ideal place for a rainy day activity. At their ‘Scrapstars Messy Play: Under 5s’ sessions, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the children are invited to go and explore the world through different sensory activities with us! All activities will be taste-safe and have no small parts. The sessions are designed with under 5's in mind but older siblings are welcome. Parents must accompany and tickets start at £10 for an adult and child and then an additional £8 for each extra child. Head to the events page of their website for all the other stuff they’ve got lined up – we advise booking in advance before places fill up!
When: Tuesdays and Wednesdays (see website for session times)
Where: Children’s Scrapstore
Find out more and book tickets here
Beyond Submergence at Propyard
Beyond Submergence is an immersive exhibition of sound and light created by Squidsoup from the team behind world-renowned musician Four Tet’s live performances. The installations combine light, sound, and technology to create a fully immersive environment taking visitors on a journey that engages the senses. The exhibition takes around 45 minutes to explore in full and offers a unique experience that can be enjoyed by the whole family. There’s also a series of extra events like a wellness programme, supper clubs and music nights – check out their website to find out more. The ticket prices are affordable, with children under four going free and a family ticket for two adults and two children starting at £35 (off-peak). You do still need to book tickets for under fours. It’s advisable to book your tickets in advance. If your child experiences sensitivity to light or sounds, the venue advises bringing suitable eyewear and ear defenders as there are flashing lights and loud sounds.
When: Open til September Sun–Thurs: 9am–5pm | Fri: 9am–8pm | Sat: 9am–3pm
Where: Propyard
Coral Celebration at Bristol Aquarium
Discover the wonders of coral reefs at Bristol Aquarium this summer. Explore the underwater world of vibrant colours and learn about marine life through a series of immersive experiences. Get creative and add your own contribution to the coral fish mural, where each fish brings the reef to life. Learn about the vital role the reefs play in the conservation of the sea and planet in the coral informational talk. Alongside this with general admission to the aquarium, you have access to all of the other permanent exhibits too. So while you are there explore the sunken shipwreck, The Bay of Rays, The Edge of the Amazon and more! Under 3s go free and an online family ticket is £62.20 for 2 Standard (aged 13 to 64 years) and 2 Juniors (aged 3 to 12 years) they’ve also got an online ‘Groovy Grandparent’s’ ticket (two Concessions + two Junior) £57.20.
When: Coral Celebration runs til 3rd Sept and the aquarium is open 10am–6pm
Where: Bristol Aquarium
