Things to Do in Exmouth for Families

Looking for things to do in Exmouth with young children? Whether you’re looking for somewhere to take the kids on a sunny morning, an activity for a rainy afternoon or simply a new place to explore together, there are plenty of family-friendly things to do in and around Exmouth.

For families with pre-school age children, the best days out don’t necessarily need to involve expensive attractions or a packed itinerary. Exmouth has plenty of simple activities that can fill an hour or two, from playing on the beach and exploring local parks to getting up close to animals and enjoying some indoor play!

Here are some ideas for things to do in Exmouth with toddlers and preschoolers.

Go to Exmouth Beach

You don’t need to wait for the summer holidays to enjoy Exmouth Beach. A trip to the seaside can be just as much fun for little ones on a crisp autumn morning or a sunny spring afternoon.

Preschoolers can build sandcastles, dig in the sand, collect shells, and paddle when conditions are suitable or simply run around and enjoy some fresh air. You can keep it simple with a bucket and spade or turn it into a little nature hunt by seeing what you can find along the shoreline.

When everyone has had enough of the sand, you're right by the seafront, making it easy to grab a drink, snack or ice cream before heading home.

Explore the Beach With Charlie's Beach School

You don't have to wait for summer to make the most of Exmouth's coastline. Charlie's Beach School runs year-round activities for children aged 0–5 years through its Starfish Explorers sessions.

Beach sessions give little ones the chance to explore their surroundings through outdoor play, with the beach providing a constantly changing environment to investigate.

For young children, it can be as simple as playing with sand and shells, looking at what the tide has brought in and enjoying some time outside.

Visit World of Country Life

For a day out with children, World of Country Life at Sandy Bay is a particularly good option. There are so many animals to see, and a great mix of outdoor play areas and indoor attractions, giving families plenty to explore.

There are plenty of opportunities to interact with the animals, from bottle feeding lambs and walking goats to experiencing incredible bird of prey flying displays.

Because there are indoor and outdoor elements, it can also be a useful option when the weather isn't quite behaving itself. There is a dedicated soft play area for under-fives.

Go Dinosaur Spotting

Did you know you can go hunting for dinosaurs around Exmouth?! The Exmouth Dinosaur Trail features dinosaur models around the town, creating a fun self-guided activity for families. Rather than being tied to a particular start or finish time, you can explore at your own pace and turn it into a little dinosaur-spotting adventure.

For preschoolers, this is a great way to make a walk more interesting, particularly if they're not normally enthusiastic about going for one! Bring along paper and crayons, as there are 23 dinosaur brass rubbings to find on the trail!

Indoor and Soft Play in Exmouth

Of course, sometimes the Devon weather has other plans. When it's raining, windy or simply too cold for a trip to the beach, an indoor play centre can be exactly what you need.

Exmouth has indoor play options suitable for younger children, including dedicated areas designed for babies and preschool-age children.

Mrs Snuggles

For families with particularly young children, Mrs Snuggles is a lovely local option. This small play café has a sensory room, making it ideally suited for babies and younger toddlers.

It's a good choice when you're looking for something more relaxed than a large soft play centre. It's worth considering if you have a baby under one who isn't quite ready for the bigger climbing frames and play structures.

Mrs Snuggles doesn't have a website, so check the social media pages for current opening times, sessions and information before visiting.

Kids Cove

If you're looking for soft play in the centre of Exmouth, Kids Cove is a firm favourite with local families. The play centre caters for children up to 145cm tall, with areas designed for different ages. There are special sessions and areas specifically for babies under 12 months.

For preschoolers, it's an easy way to let them burn off some energy whatever the weather, while parents can enjoy a coffee and a little downtime.

Because it's right in the centre of town, it's also easy to combine a visit to Kids Cove with other errands, shopping or a coffee somewhere nearby.

Ocean

Right on Exmouth seafront, Ocean offers a mixture of entertainment under one roof, including soft play, bowling and an arcade, alongside food and drink.

For families with children of different ages, this can be particularly handy because there's something to suit a wider range of interests. Younger children can enjoy the soft play while older siblings have a go at bowling or the arcade.

Its seafront location also means you can combine a visit with a walk along the beach.

Explore Exmouth's Parks and Playgrounds

If you have little ones, you'll know that sometimes all they really need is somewhere to run around.

Exmouth has a number of parks and play areas where young children can burn off some energy.

Queen's Drive, Brixington, Carter Avenue and Phear Park are all worth knowing about if you're looking for somewhere local to take the kids.

Parks are particularly useful for fitting around everyday life. You can pop out for an hour after nursery in Exmouth, meet another parent for a play date or take a picnic when you've got more time.

Go Swimming at LED

Swimming is another great activity for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, particularly when you want something to do whatever the weather.

The LED Leisure centres offer swimming facilities and sessions for local families. Swimming can be a brilliant way for young children to become comfortable in the water while also providing plenty of exercise and fun.

Check the current timetable for family swimming sessions, as availability and session times can vary.

Visit A La Ronde

For something a little different, take a trip to A La Ronde, the National Trust's unusual 16-sided house near Exmouth.

The house itself is more likely to appeal to adults and older children, but there are often children’s trails and things to spot throughout the house for little ones. The garden provides somewhere to explore with younger children too. It's a good option when you want to get out and do something a little different from the beach or playground.

As with any historic property, check current opening arrangements before visiting.

So next time you're wondering "what can I do with my toddler in Exmouth today?", you don't necessarily need to plan a big day out. Exmouth has plenty of opportunities for little adventures, and sometimes the simplest ones are the most enjoyable.

Whether you're new to Exmouth or have lived here for years, hopefully this gives you a few new ideas for things to do in Exmouth with babies, toddlers and preschoolers.