Things to do with the kids in 2023 in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

Looking for things to do with the kids in 2023 in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight?

Try something new with the kids, enjoy a fun activity and top events in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight! We have something for everyone. You’ll find a huge variety of fun things to do with the kids in 2023 all across Hampshire’s Top Attractions. With days out at museums, country parks, historical days out, thrilling fun and more!

Uncover History

Discover the untold story of the finding, excavation, and recovery of Henry VIII’s favourite ship in a new immersive 4D cinema experience, Dive the Mary Rose 4D, at the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.  

Enjoy living history all year round at Milestones Museum of Living History! Milestones pay once, visit all-year tickets allow admission for 12 months from purchase, seeing you through the school holidays and events across the year. From Bun & Ted’s Eggscellent Adventure this Easter to decorated Victorian streets at Christmas there’s so much to see in 2023! Making Milestones admission excellent value for money.

There’s fun galore for kids of all ages at the Army Flying Museum! Interactive exhibits, indoor and outdoor play areas, children’s activities in school holidays, dressing up, fun trails, and more. You can even sit in some of the helicopters. Pay once and visit free for a year.

Make this the year that you visit your quirky local museum, full of mysterious objects and authentic artefacts. The Brickworks is open in 2023 from April 2nd until October 29th – follow the journey of a brick as it makes its way from clay to kiln. 

Looking for somewhere for the kids to burn off some steam? Entry to the Buckler’s Hard village is free! (a parking charge applies). Grab a take-away coffee and relax as the kids run off their excess energy. Plus, hop aboard a River Cruise – a peaceful boat trip along the Beaulieu River.

An immersive experience for all the family, discover early medieval Wessex and the sights, sounds, and smells of Anglo-Saxon Winchester in a new and exciting exploration of the city and its history with 878 AD. This two-part Anglo-Saxon adventure combines live performance, interactive activities, AR games, historic artefacts, and more!

Explore Outdoor with the kids 

Learn about Roman life in the woods at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens. Explore artifacts, dig for finds, and live like a Roman. Children can become Garden Explorers with the outdoor holiday club through a range of fun activities. Make natural crafts or identify different wildlife living in the Gardens. Booking is essential.

Plan a wonderful and affordable outdoor activity this year. Choose bikes for the whole family and explore new places. Cyclexperience provides a family-friendly route with local tips including the best pub stops in the New Forest!  

Children love taking their parents on a Text Quest. They are often better at spotting the clues than adults, and they feel proud to help. And, bonus, they get a lot of exercise walking without even noticing. Result – tired, happy kids! Text Quest, Let your phone take you on an adventure!

Ever wanted to get close to an owl? Why not try a Meet the Burrowers VIP Encounter (main image) on your visit to the Hawk Conservancy Trust? Enter the burrow and meet their cheeky Burrowing Owls as they fly between you. They might even use you as a perch!

There is plenty to do at Gilbert White’s House & Gardens! Sit in the hide and watch the birds, or dress up as a Georgian, or enjoy garden or museum trails. There’s always lots to see and do! 

Events for the kids in 2023

Explore the wildlife ponds at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens for Pond Dipping on selected dates during the school holidays in August bring the family along to enjoy “Family Music in the Gardens – Picnic Concert” A brilliant family evening out with children’s entertainment, circus skills, and great music to sign and dance to. 

Beaulieu is the place to enjoy great days out and see all manner of impressive cars throughout 2023, as the busy season of Simply rallies gets underway, all the way from April – November! BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair also returns to Beaulieu in April with the spectacular Hillier Secret Garden on Friday 28th – Sunday 30th April.

Lots of fun things are in the works for kids in 2023 at New Theatre Royal Portsmouth. Favourite stories come to the stage! Julia Donaldson’s Tales From Acorn Wood in April and Twirlywoos Live in May. If you can’t wait until Christmas for a panto , roll up for Goldilocks & the Three Bears in May! Don’t forget it’s not too early to book for this year’s panto Aladdin!

Mayflower Theatre has a host of shows for the whole family this year, from the smash-hit West End shows Annie, Six and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory through to life-size puppet shows such as Winnie the Pooh and finishing the year with everyone’s favourite – the pantomime – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!

For the Thrillseekers

Learn a new skill and go for gold on the archery range during a fun-filled Family Archery session with New Forest Activities. Their experienced and knowledgeable instructors will help you get to grips with a bow and arrow before taking part in a range of fun scoring games and challenges to put into practice all that you’ve learned. Great for families with children aged 8+ years, with sessions available throughout the year!

This year marks Paultons Park’s 40th Anniversary and their previous mascot, Percy the Owl will be returning to the Park on selected dates in May to say hello!  From 1st April through to 30th October there will also be a special anniversary sculpture trail, inspired by Percy! How many of the beautifully decorated owl sculptures will you be able to find around the park!?  

Families enjoy an annual pass to Spinnaker Tower for just £25 each and can return again and again throughout the year – no view is ever the same. Receive 10% off food and drink and standard admission tickets for up to five accompanying family members. For thrill-seekers, abseil season begins on April 22nd – visitors can experience an adrenaline-packed 100-metre descent down the side of the landmark.

Things to do with the kids in 2023 on the Isle of Wight 

As well as being the sunniest place in Britain, a designated UNESCO Biosphere Nature Reserve, and over half the Island an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty it’s the Island’s uniqueness that brings visitors back to visit time and time again.

Why not follow dinosaur footprints and go fossil hunting on Dinosaur Island? Take a walk along the UK’s oldest pier in Ryde, or go in search of the famous Island resident, the red squirrel – with no grey squirrels on the Island, you may just spot a flash of a red squirrel on the Red Squirrel Trail. 

Save money with Hampshire’s Top Attractions with money-off vouchers for Wighlink, Hovertravel and Red Funnel when travelling to the Isle of Wight.

Now that you have planned all the things to do with the kids in 2023. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter! Stay up to date on Hampshire’s Top Attractions news, events, giveaways, and fun days out. Check out the wonderful attractions for day-out ideas and inspiration.