Things To Do In Northamptonshire For Families
Last updated: January 2026
If you’ve hit that “it’s Thursday and we’ve planned nothing” feeling… same. This is my one-stop guide to things to do in Northamptonshire with kids — packed with family days out in Northamptonshire that actually work in real life. You’ll find free things to do, indoor rainy-day backups, and easy outdoor wins like country parks and woods, plus a link to what’s on this week when you just need a ready-made plan.
Use the quick links below to jump to what you need.
Quick links
- What’s on this week
- Free things to do
- Outdoor adventures: woods + country parks
- Indoor ideas for rainy days
- Soft play + play cafés
- Museums + learning days
- Swimming + pools
- Family pubs with play areas
- Campsites + mini staycations
- Spotlight: local favourites
- Seasonal things happening in Northamptonshire
- Find local businesses + classes
What’s on this week in Northamptonshire
If you just want something to do this weekend, start here — I update it weekly with events happening across the county (including lots of budget-friendly ideas).
See this week’s events:
What you’ll usually find inside:
- weekend family events
- toddler-friendly options
- seasonal pop-ups (and the free/low-cost ones)
Want this in your inbox each week?
Free things to do with kids in Northamptonshire
You don’t have to spend a fortune for a good day out. These are the kinds of outings that save your wallet and still feel like you’ve “done something”.
Easy free(ish) go-tos:
- country parks and big open spaces
- woods for dens, muddy walks, scooters and bikes
- playground hopping (pack snacks, call it a plan)
- museums (many are free or very low-cost)
- library visits, trails, and seasonal activities
See full list:
Outdoor adventures: woods + country parks
When you want the kids to burn energy (and you want the easiest win possible), aim for a country park or a good woodland walk. Even a 60–90 minute wander can reset everyone.
Woods and forests in Northamptonshire
Perfect for: den building, puddle splashing, nature scavenger hunts, “let’s just get out of the house”.
See full list:
Make it 10x easier: my free Nature Scavenger Hunt turns a walk into a game (and stops the “I’m boooored” five minutes in)
Parent tips that help:
- pack spare socks (always)
- check if it’s buggy-friendly if you’ve got little ones
- pick a route with a café or toilets if you can (future-you will thank you)
Country parks in Northamptonshire
Great for: playground + walk combos, picnics, bikes, feeding ducks (where allowed), and gentle paths.
See full list:
Indoor ideas for rainy days
Rainy day reality: you need somewhere the kids can move their bodies, not “sit nicely”.
Indoor activity centres
Climbing, trampolines, role play, multi-activity centres — the places that turn a soggy day into a decent one.
See full list:
Quick tip: if you can, book an early slot. It’s usually calmer and you’re home before everyone gets overtired.
Want a back-up plan for the days you can’t face going out? Grab my free Rainy Day Ideas list and keep it saved for later: https://northantsfamilies.co.uk/rainy-day-ideas/
Soft play + play cafés
The holy grail when you’ve got toddlers: contained chaos + coffee.
Soft play & cafés in Northants:
If you’re doing soft play regularly, it’s worth having a couple of “reliable” spots — one near home, one near grandparents/friends — so you’re not reinventing the wheel every weekend.
Museums + learning days that still feel fun
Museums can be a surprisingly good “we need to get out” plan — especially if the weather is grim and you want something that doesn’t cost loads.
Parent-friendly way to do museums:
- choose one section to explore (don’t try to do it all)
- bring snacks
- aim for 60–90 minutes and leave while it’s still going well
Swimming pools, splash time + lessons
Whether you’re looking for lessons or just trying to find a pool for a family swim, it helps to have a list in one place.
Family pubs with play areas
Sometimes the best plan is: food + kids can play.
My sanity-saving tip: go slightly earlier than “normal dinner time”. It’s usually quieter and everyone’s happier.
Campsites + mini staycations
If you want a low-pressure “holiday” without travelling far, Northamptonshire has some lovely family-friendly camping options (especially in spring/summer).
Spotlight: local favourites
These are the kinds of things that feel properly family-friendly — worth bookmarking for when you need a ready-made plan.
ParkPlay at Delapré Abbey
A brilliant, simple win if you want something structured that doesn’t feel like a big mission.
Sywell Country Park
A country park that has multiple play areas for all ages, a long scenic walk, an onsite café and toilets and is dog friendly.
Riverside Hub
The UKs largest indoor play centre is hands down the easiest way to keep the kids entertained for a couple of hours.
Seasonal Things to do In Northants
Find local businesses, classes + services
If you’re looking for something specific (a class, party help, a photographer, a charity to support), your quickest route is the directory.
Browse by category:
- Attractions
- Classes & Activities
- Health & Wellness
- Parenting
- Parties
- Photographers
- Shopping
- Local Charities
Important note (because the directory is new): some categories are still growing. If you click through and it looks short, that’s normal — it’s building fast.
Know a local business that should be here?
If you run a family-friendly business in Northamptonshire (or you know one), adding a listing helps local parents find you.
Add or update a listing:
Handy “decision helpers” (because parents don’t have time)
If you’re stuck choosing, here are quick ways to pick:
- Need free + easy: start with free things to do
- Need to escape the rain: indoor activity centres or soft play cafés
- Need fresh air + minimum planning: country parks
- Need a guaranteed “we did something” day: museums + a café stop
- Need weekend plans right now: what’s on this week
FAQs: Things to do in Northamptonshire for families
Want a ready-made plan each week? My weekly “What’s on” post is updated all the time:
If you are often looking for things to do with kids in Northants then sign up for the free weekly newsletter:
