Enjoying a day out doesn’t have to be financially daunting
04:00, 03 May 2025Updated 08:42, 03 May 2025
Otterspool Adventure Park(Image: Tarun McGinnigle)
Rising costs can be difficult for families to work around. When the good weather rolls in and the kids want to go out, the last thing you need is added strain on your wallet.
In a bid to help, we’ve gathered a range of free or cheap activities perfect for a family day out. There is a huge selection of parks, beaches and activities all over the region so you won’t be short of options.
Once you’ve read through these, we’ve also gathered the restaurants and cafes offering £1 meals or similar. Check out our list of affordable day out options below.
World Museum
World Museum (Image: Liverpool Echo)
The World Museum in Liverpool is an ideal day out for the family with plenty to see, do and get your hands on including different events.
The museum has extensive collections covering world cultures, sciences, animals and bugs. With everything from dinosaur exhibits and aquariums to sections about Ancient Egypt, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Address: World Museum, William Brown Street, Liverpool. L3 8EN
Booking information: Here
Otterspool Adventure
The outdoor adventure play area is free for kids to use with no tickets required. If you purchase an adventure pass you will get discounted entry to the four chargeable attractions, including the bouncing pillow, mini-quad bikes race course, Volvo diggers and the maze.
Address: 37 Otterspool Dr, Liverpool. L17 5AL
Booking information: Here
Williamson Park
Williamson Park has a mini zoo, which is home to the park’s resident meerkats and marmosets, and a butterfly house, which used to be a tropical palm house. Formerly an Edwardian palm house, the butterfly house is now a rainforest home to butterflies, Koi carp, tortoises, and more.
Address: Quernmore Rd, Lancaster. LA1 1UX
Booking information: Here
Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool cathedral has various installations throughout the year(Image: Liverpool Cathedral)
There is plenty of incredible artwork for visitors to enjoy, ranging from bright and colourful inspirations to artist displays, all with a regular turnover.
Address: St James’ Mount, Liverpool. L1 7AZ
Booking information: Here
ODEON Kids Club at Liverpool ONE
The Odeon kids club runs every Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are priced at just £2.75 for both kids and adults with films changing every six – eight weeks.
Address: 14 Paradise St, Liverpool. L1 8JF
Booking information: Here
Museum of Liverpool
The Museum of Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane)
Visitors can explore how the port and its people have shaped the city. Highlights include a land transport collection, which boasts more than 200 vehicles. The Museum of Liverpool is free to enter.
The Little Liverpool exhibit is also free, although a ticket is required, which can be collected from the front desk on the day of visiting.
Address: Pier Head, Liverpool. L3 1DG
Booking information: Here.
New Brighton Beach
New Brighton is a fantastic and classic option for a family day out. A range of attractions are available alongside the mile-long stunning sandy beach with gorgeous views as far as the eye can see.
Address: New Brighton Beach, Wallasey. CH45 3PZ
Booking information: N/A
Sefton Park
A squirrel gathers some nuts ready for the winter Sefton Park. Photo by James Maloney(Image: Liverpool Echo)
If you fancy a leisurely stroll around the park, Sefton Park has an impressive 235 acres for visitors to explore. The Grade I historic park is a Green Flag and Green Heritage awarded site with plenty of beautiful features to enjoy. Kids can let off steam on the park’s large playground, which features swings, slides, climbing frames, roundabout and a multi play area.
Address: Sefton Park, Liverpool. L17
Booking information: N/A
Crosby Beach
Boasting views across the sea to Wirral and the North Wales hills, Crosby Beach is the ideal place to go to enjoy stunning scenery. The beach is located at the start of the 22 mile Sefton Coastal Path, and thanks to its close proximity to the Port of Liverpool, it is an ideal place to look out for container and cruise ships.
Crosby Beach is also the permanent home to 100 cast-iron figures that stretch the coastline and almost a mile out to sea, by internationally acclaimed artist, Antony Gormley.
The sun can be seen to almost melt into the ocean at the opening to the Irish Sea. Dogs are welcome.
Address: Cambridge Road, Mariners Road or Hall Road West, Crosby, Merseyside.
Booking information: N/A
Formby Beach
Formby Beach is an ideal choice for families thanks to its large car park, picnic areas and marked walking paths. The beach is home to sand dunes which act as an ideal spot to enjoy views across the Irish Sea.
On a clear day, you may even be able to see as far as the mountains of Cumbria. A good place to start exploring Sefton’s Natural Coast is Lifeboat, where you can find a wide sandy beach, high dunes, furrowed grassland and a belt of pinewoods.
Address: Lifeboat Road, Formby, Merseyside. L37 1LJ
Booking information: N/A
Rice Lane City Farm
Rice Lane City Farm, Walton(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Occupying the site of an old cemetery, the popular Walton spot has been in action for 40 years. With an impressive 24 acres acres of fields and woodland, eagle-eyed visitors may catch a glimpse of a family of Great Spotted Woodpeckers nesting on site.
Rice Lane City Farm also offers a range of activities during the school holidays, with free food and activities for children all through the week. It’s free to visit, but donations to help with operating costs are greatly appreciated.
Address: Rawcliffe Rd, Liverpool. L9 1AW
Booking information: Here
Asda Cafes
Kids eat for 60p all day, every day at Asda cafes with no adult spend required for the entire month of May (including half term).
The £1 kids eat free offer will commence again in June and has been extended until the end of 2025. Asda also provides FREE Ella’s baby food pouches for children under 18 months old with any purchase.
Bills
Up to two kids can eat free Monday – Friday if one adult orders any main dish (breakfast, lunch or dinner) from May 26 – 30. Excludes Saturdays and Sundays.
Bella Italia
Bella Italia restaurant on Ranelagh Street, Liverpool(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Kids eat free all day every Thursday and for £1 Sunday to Wednesday until 6pm with any adult main from the Al La Carte menu.
Farmhouse Inns
Between May 23 – 30, up to two kids can get a free main and ice cream when you buy any adult main.
Sizzling Pubs
Between Monday – Friday, 3pm – 7pm, kids eat for £1 with the purchase of every adult main meal in Sizzling Pubs.
Hungry Horse
Kids eat for £1 when accompanied by a paying adult on Mondays only at Hungry Horse.
Morrisons
Kids eat free in Morrisons cafes with every adult main meal over £5. This offer includes half terms.