Things To Do in Brighton with Kids: An Essential Guide for Families

From grand architecture to well-curated museums and green parks, Brighton has it all, delivered with a revitalising whoosh of fresh sea air. Since George IV, famed for his extravagant lifestyle, made the seaside town fashionable in the late 18th century, Brighton’s lived up to its reputation as a destination for fun and frolics. But it’s so much more than just a party town – the city offers a unique blend of historic charm and contemporary culture, with plenty for families to see and do. An added bonus? It's a very walkable town, so you'll be able to get to many of the key attractions on foot. 

Stroll along Brighton’s picturesque waterfront, and amid the calls of the gulls and crashing of the waves, you might just hear a faint, adrenaline-induced squeal or two. That’s coming from Brighton Palace Pier, a 500-metre-long Victorian-era structure that anchors the city’s coastline. You could easily spend the whole day here, as it’s home to two arcades, diverse food stalls and restaurants, and a range of classic fairground attractions. Little ones will love the carousel and indoor soft play area, while your teens can let loose on the roller coasters and numerous other loopy, swirly contraptions. Time for a bite to eat? There’s a popular fish and chip restaurant, as well as spots selling burgers, pasties and a variety of sweet treats, and you can enjoy your food with gorgeous sea views. Just remember to watch out for the gulls, as they love chips too!

• Brighton Palace Pier, Madeira Drive, Brighton BN2 1TW
• Open daily 10am-10pm (closed on Christmas Day)
• Entry £1 during June weekends, July and August. Fairground rides and other attractions cost extra.
• Transport: Bus 77

Opened in 1883, Volk’s Electric Railway is a blast from the past and a truly entertaining thing to do in Brighton for kids and adults alike. This well-preserved Victorian heritage locomotive runs along the seafront, giving you lovely views of the coastline from its open-air carriages. A bonus? The warm, fuzzy feeling you get from the smiles and waves of excited little children spotting the train as you chug along. If you’re starting your ride from the city centre, board at Aquarium Station, a few minutes’ walk east from the pier, and soak up the vibes until you reach Black Rock station. Here, you can hop off and explore Brighton Marina, home to restaurants, mini-golf and shops, or simply sit tight and take the train back the way you came. 

• Volk’s Electric Railway, 285 Madeira Drive, Brighton BN2 1EN
• Open seasonally, from approximately April to September
• Tickets start from £5 (adults) and £3.20 (child) and can be bought at Aquarium or Black Rock stations. No booking required. Trains run every 15 minutes. 
• Transport: Bus 77

This circular glass viewing pod glides skywards nearly 140 metres, giving your family uninterrupted views for miles around. Facing south, take in vistas of the English Channel, which, whether in turquoise calm or grey tempestuousness, is undeniably awe-inspiring. As you make your way clockwise around the 360° space, you’ll see the buzzy Hove seafront and the rolling hills of the South Downs beyond. Finally, gaze upon aerial views of Brighton’s Regency architecture, and see if you can spot the onion-domed opulence of the Royal Pavilion. The 25 minutes of the ride go by fast, so make them count. When you’re back on the ground, it’s worth checking out the free exhibition, which traces the history of the structure with fascinating pictures of how it was built. 

• Brighton i360, Lower Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2LN
• Opening hours vary throughout the year, but are from approximately 10:30am to evening.
• Tickets start from £20.35 (adults) and £10.35 (child). Online bookings sometimes come with discounts.
• Transport: Bus 77

Visiting museums can sometimes be a challenge for families with little ones, but the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery makes it fun with their interactive exhibits. Better yet, it’s not too big, taking between one to two hours to roam around – making this an ideal thing to do in Brighton with kids when the weather’s not behaving. Discover fine art dating all the way back to the 17th century, learn about the ancient Egyptians through their everyday items and burial traditions, and see how fashionistas through the ages have expressed themselves through their clothes. A firm favourite with kids is the Performance gallery, with its colourful costumes, detailed masks and delightful theatre sets where puppet shows are sometimes still staged. 

• Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, Royal Pavilion Gardens, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1EE
• Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 10am-5pm
• Tickets cost £9.50 (adult) or £4.50 (child 5-18)
• Transport: Buses 14 or 47, or a five-minute walk from the seafront

It’s hard to believe it now, but this flamboyant structure was once a modest lodging house that just happened to be rented by George, then Prince of Wales, in the mid 1780s. Over the years, he transformed it into a pleasure palace, commissioning architect John Nash (who also remodelled Buckingham Palace) to create the Mughal-inspired masterpiece that still stands today. After admiring the extravagant domes and elegant minarets, step inside to explore the opulent banqueting room, gilded saloon and lavish bedrooms. Kids with a fondness for history will be fascinated by the Indian Hospital Gallery, which documents the pavilion’s past as a military hospital during the First World War. (Just imagine recuperating under those chandeliers!) Afterwards, let the children run free in the garden amid seasonal blooms and flowering trees.

• Royal Pavilion, 4/5 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1EE
• Open daily, 9:30am-5:45pm (April to September), 10am-5:15pm (October to March)
• Tickets £19 (adult), £11.50 (child 5-18)
• Transport: Buses 14 or 47, or a five-minute walk from the seafront

This aquarium, which claims to be the world’s oldest, certainly has a whimsical historic charm about it in terms of its architecture. The exhibits, however, are perfectly modern, and seem to have been curated with kids in mind, with tanks of colourful tropical fish, stealthy seahorses and velvety jellyfish. A highlight is the ocean tunnel, where you can gaze at turtles, sharks and rays gliding overhead and around you. Time it right and you might even catch a turtle or shark feeding! There’s also an interactive rock pool, where adventurous kids can touch the starfish and anemones under the friendly supervision of the staff, who are also great at introducing the marine life in an engaging, child-friendly way. This is a great option if you’re looking for indoor things to do in Brighton with kids – plan to spend about two hours here. 

• SEA LIFE Brighton, Marine Parade, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 1TB
• Open weekdays 10am-4pm, weekends 10am-5pm. 
• Tickets £19.50 (adult), £16 (child 2-14). Book in advance online for discounts.
• Transport: Bus 77

Sometimes, all your kids really need is to burn off some energy outside, and Preston Park is the perfect place for that. Northwest of the city centre, this expansive green space is home to a decent-sized playground that’s suitable for toddlers to tweens, with a pair of nearby cafés for you to grab a coffee and a delicious slice of cake to nibble on while supervising play. Elsewhere, discover a zen-like rockery and a pretty rose garden, or football pitches, basketball courts and a velodrome if you're after sporty things to do in Brighton with your kids. Tucked away in a corner of the park is Preston Manor, a Georgian-era house that’s now a well-preserved museum with a walled garden.

• Preston Park, Preston Road, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 6SD
• Open 24 hours daily
• Free to enter, but sporting facilities will need to be booked and paid for
• Transport: Buses 5, 17, 271, 272 

From the energetic seafront to peaceful parks, you'll definitely find plenty of things to do in Brighton with your kids when you visit. If you're also planning a trip to the capital, why not check out these top family-friendly activities in London?