*Sharing a collaborative post with 10 activities to enjoy in Croydon that we hope is helpful*
Family days out together are precious. They are where you make lasting memories, experience brand new things together, and get the opportunity to learn more about eachother in the process!
If you’re planning a family day trip to Croydon, visiting these top-rated activities will ensure you create lasting memories with your kids that will last a lifetime! But with so many brilliant activities to choose from and time quickly running out on the clock, it’s hard to know where to start.
Here we’ve rounded up 10 activities for the whole family to enjoy in Croydon:
Exciting Escapes
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to uncover dark secrets from a government research facility? Or fancied becoming a Cold War spy for the afternoon?
Croydon’s premier escape room, Exciting Escapes, is the interactive, fully immersive challenge you’ve been waiting for! With an hour on the clock, you will need to solve a plethora of puzzles, crack codes, piece evidence together and escape the room, all before your time is up!
With four unique games to choose from, with five more in production, you and the whole family can get stuck in this Big Brother meets Crystal Maze extravaganza. Do you think you have what it takes to beat the room?
Kidspace Croydon
Let your child run wild and free through the magical, fairytale world of Kidspace, Croydon. There’s even a Jack in the Beanstalk inspired climbing wall!
Your kids can clamber, slide, dart and speed through a soft play adventure zone right in the heart of Croydon. With many innovative and futuristic gadgets to play with, mystical climbing frames and more to explore, your little ones will be left smiling long after they’ve left.
So if you want to spark your child’s imagination, make sure you book your slot at this magical soft play centre.
Croydon Airport Visitor Centre
Just off Purley Way, you’ll find one of the town’s worst kept secrets, Croydon Airport Visitor Centre, just off Purley Way. This micro-museum is a treasure trove of interactive displays and boards that explore Croydon’s history as Britain’s first major international airport during World War I and has a significant place in 20th-century British aviation history.
You’ll be transported back to the Battle of Britain, witness old footage of record-breaking flights and much more. Kids will love stepping onto the Air Traffic Control Tower and relive some of the remarkable moments that passed through the airport over the years.
Bear in mind, the centre is only open on the first Sunday of each month. Check their website for further details.
Dragon Quest Adventure Golf
Calling all swashbucklers, adventurers and dragon hunters! Dragon Quest is a fun 18-hole pitch and putt where you can take on fire breathing, snorting, wing-flapping giant dragons to claim the Dragon’s horde as plunder.
Perfect for all the family, Dragon Quest is an excellent destination for children’s parties to family days out!
Pinball Republic
Pinball Republic brings all the nostalgia and retro vibes of years gone by for you to share and introduce to your own kids. Whether you go head-to-head, fly solo or compete in tournaments, there are over 50 vintage to modern machines from the past 50 years for you to feast your eyes on and get your game on!
With a set entrance fee that gives you free rein on everything from Alien Poker (1980) to Whitewater (circa 1993), there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Pinball Republic.
Wandle Park
Sometimes we all need a breather, to recharge and reconnect with nature. That’s where the Green Flag award-winning Wandle Park comes in.
Take it easy at the river’s edge and indulge in a family picnic, take on the ramps at the skate park or let the kids loose in the playground.
During the summer, the park comes alive. Past events have included a summer garden party, sports events, outdoor cinema and theatre, and community garden volunteer conversation days. Check out Wandle Park’s events throughout the year, so you don’t miss out!
Boxpark Croydon
Fancy a feast but without the constraints of a restaurant? Boxpark Croydon is part of the street food revolution, and you are welcome to treat the whole family to sample culinary delights from around the globe all under one roof.
But it’s not just about food! Boxpark has a diverse calendar of events throughout the year that includes everything from live music, creative workshops, movie screenings, comedy nights, art exhibitions, spoken word and more.
Kids and grownups alike will be blown away by the quirky shipping container design, colour-popping food and the sheer variety on offer, all in the heart of Croydon.
The Ludoquist
While away the hours at the one of a kind board game cafe bar, The Ludoquist. With over 1,000 games in their vault, the whole family can go on a whirlwind adventure through the decades, from modern classics like King of Tokyo and Catan to mighty kid’s classics such as Dobble.
Pizza is on the menu! Stonebaked, hand-stretched and fired up in the oven, tuck into one of the best pizzas in town. With locally roasted coffee, craft beers, cocktails and soft drinks on the menu, there’s plenty for everyone.
Are you ready to play?
Shirley Windmill
Travel back to London’s industrial past at Shirley Windmill. The current windmill was built in 1854 to replace an earlier timber post-mill that had burned down 50 years previously. Today, you can explore original working era pieces used throughout the 19th-century.
Visitors can wander around this fascinating piece of industrial archaeology and find out more about what it was like to mill flour during the Victorian times.
Fairfield Halls
Fairfield Halls is Croydon’s world-class performance venue. There you can enjoy a diverse program of events throughout the year, including theatre productions, music, dance, comedy, classical performances and cultural events.
From movie screenings to panto, make sure you check out what’s on at Fairfield Halls ahead of your visit.
Croydon is home to some of the best family activities in South London. From stepping back in time and becoming a detective for the afternoon to letting the kids run wild with their imagination, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy! Where will you visit?