There’s loads of fun-filled events happening for kids throughout the year in Swanage – from art workshops & educational activity trails in nature, to seasonal games & special events during school and festive holidays.
Find a family-friendly event or activity to keep the children entertained whatever the weather, whether you live here or are visiting on holiday – and there’s loads of free options too.
🗓️ Saturday 9th – Sunday 17th August 2025 The annual Swanage Lifeboat Week is back this summer for nine days of RNLI festival fun both on the water and on land at Prince Albert Gardens and around town. It’s a packed programme of activities and entertainment, from the much-loved build-a-boat competition and family-friendly charity duck […]
🗓️ Saturday 26th July – Saturday 2rd August 2025 Swanage Carnival is one of the main highlights of the year in Swanage and across the Isle of Purbeck, with eight days of entertainment taking over the town in one of Dorset’s most popular family-friendly festivals. Swanage Carnival is the proud winner of the Bronze award […]
🗓️ Friday 30th – Saturday 31st May 2025 See Swanage’s Sandpit Field transformed by a sprinkling of fairy dust and a whole lot of mermaid magic during the Swanage Fairy Festival. It’s a feast of colour with mischievous pixies, swashbuckling pirates, magical mermaids and of course beautiful fairies – find them dotted about the craft stalls […]
🗓️ Saturday 24th – Sunday 25th May 2025 Invading the beach and taking up post at Sandpit Field, the pirates are back in Swanage for another weekend of swashbuckling shenanigans and skirmishes. Watch as they practise their musket and cannon fire, parade through town and show off their sword-fighting skills at the Battle of the Beach. There’ll […]
🗓️ Saturday 24th – Sunday 1st June 2025 Get outdoors and explore the natural world of Studland Bay this half-term. Nature Detective Bags are free to borrow and will help you discover Knoll Beach’s natural environment. Each bag contains an activity sheet, binoculars, magnifying glasses and bug pots. A small number of sensory bags are […]
🗓️ Friday 18th – Monday 21st April 2025 If you’re travelling on the Swanage Railway this Easter, look out for the Easter Bunny’s missing eggs en route. Collect your Easter Egg Hunt activity sheet at any ticket office and look out the carriage windows as you travel to see if you can spot those Easter […]
🗓️ Thursday 10th & Monday 14th April 2025 Discover Swanage Pier’s special history this half-term on this guided tour for kids. There’s so much more to the pier than meets the eye – with true tales of pirates, smugglers, sunken treasure and shipwrecks to be heard. Adult admission to the pier applies. For more events […]
🗓️ Wednesday 9th April – Wednesday 28th May 2025 (Selected dates) Head to The Blue Pool for some fun and educational bushcraft activities this spring. The nature reserve’s ‘wild wednesdays’ offer children the chance to try a range of outside activities including: Dates & Timings There’ll be two bushcraft sessions between 11am – 12pm and […]
🗓️ Tuesday 8th April 2025 Learn how to draw Easter bunnies and hares at Durlston with artist Mark Page. All materials needed are included in your ticket price. Book your space on Durlston’s website: www.durlston.co.uk/event/kids-easter-drawing-workshop–08-04-2025-1030
🗓️ Saturday 5th – Sunday 6th April 2025 Bluey is back for another visit at Swanage Railway this spring. Enjoy a fun-filled family day out on the railway and meet Bluey en route at Harman’s Cross. The Blue Heeler pup will be making appearances at Harman’s Cross village hall throughout the weekend at timed intervals. […]
🗓️ Wednesday 2nd – Wednesday 23rd April 2025 Discover Durlston’s fairies this Easter at its special outdoor trail just for kids. Explore the country park’s woodland and see if you can find all the fairy doors to win a prize. Collect your booklet from Durlston Castle’s Reception.
🗓️ Selected Sundays between March – October 2025 Come and get creative and connect with nature at this special Nature Journalling for Kids activity in Studland. Children are encouraged to explore the dunes, woodland or beach – what can you hear, see, smell and feel in your surroundings? Use the inspiration that’s all around you […]
🗓️ Wednesday 19th -Thursday 20th February 2025 Learn the art of blacksmithing this February half-term at Sandy Hill Arts in Corfe Castle. There are two workshops available – one for children aged between 7 – 12 and one for teenagers (12 – 18). Both workshops are led by Sandy Hill’s resident blacksmith Alistair Butcher. You’ll […]
🗓️ Tuesday 18th February 2025 Join Squashbox Theatre this morning for a funny and fascinating trip around the world. Meet crazy characters and learn some incredible facts about our ‘wonderful world’ as explorer Craig follows clues across the globe to try and find his missing Great Aunt Gladys. Wonderful World is full of live music […]
🗓️ Tuesday 18th February 2025 Come and meet the team from The Etches Collection today to learn all about Jurassic life under a microscope. You’ll get the chance to closely examine fossils and use the Kimmeridge museum’s interactive tablets to produce 3D images of Jurassic sea creatures that once swam in the seas here. Swanage […]
🗓️ Monday 17th – Friday 21st February 2025 (Selected dates) Whether you live here or are visiting the Jurassic Coast for the half-term holiday, come and visit Swanage Library for a fun dinosaur-themed craft session. ‘Cretaceous Crafts’ is a free, drop-in arts & crafts session for children to get creative and have some fun. Make […]
🗓️ Saturday 15th – Sunday 23rd February 2025 Bring your teddy to Corfe Castle this half-term to have a go on the teddy bear zip wire. If your teddy’s not with you or is a bit nervous to take the plunge, you can borrow one of the castle’s resident teddies to have a go. You […]
🗓️ Wednesday 12th – Wednesday 26th February 2025 Head into nature this February half term and discover Durlston’s ‘treemendous’ trees. There’s a special booklet to help you explore your way around the park – and a prize awaits at the end. And if you visit during the Easter holidays, there’s a fun Fairy Doors trail […]
🗓️ Friday 10th – Saturday 18th January 2025 (Selected dates) Get the date in your diary for Swanage Drama Company’s next pantomime. The SDC’s retelling of Jack & The Beanstalk will be on at The Mowlem in January 2025. Dates & Times Tickets Book tickets via Ticketsource: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/swanage/the-mowlem-theatre/jack-and-the-beanstalk/e-ylybyk
🗓️ Thursday 2nd January 2025 Make your own bird feeder with a park ranger at Durlston and learn all about the birds that call the country park home. Book online: www.durlston.co.uk/event/brilliant-bird-feeder-kids-activity–02-01-2025-1430
🗓️ Tuesday 24th December 2024 Kids can get creative and Christmassy this morning at Durlston at this festive art workshop. You’ll be led by artist Mark Page for a special Christmas edition of his drawing workshop where you’ll learn to draw robins, reindeer and more. Book your space online: www.durlston.co.uk/event/kids-christmas-eve-drawing-workshop-24-12-2024-1030
🗓️ Saturday 21st December 2024 Join the Toy Story gang at The Greyhound today for a festive morning of fun. You’ll get to meet Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear, who’ll perform for you and pose for photos, before you tuck in to a delicious brunch. Plus, each child will receive a special Christmas gift to […]
🗓️ Saturday 21st December 2024 Swanage Carnival is holding a festive fundraiser this afternoon. Children can come and visit Santa in his grotto and receive a Christmas gift. The event is hosted by Elm Care, with proceeds from the afternoon going to the Carnival.
🗓️ Saturday 14th – Monday 23rd December 2024 (Selected Dates) Step into Swanage Pier’s winter wonderland grotto this Christmas. First, you’ll be greeted by Santa’s elves, who’ll help you write your Christmas letter and post it in the magical Christmas postbox. Then you’ll head in to meet Father Christmas in his grotto and receive a […]
🗓️ Saturday 14th December 2024 Join performer and singing teacher James B Partridge (Primary School Assembly Bangers LIVE) at The Mowlem this December as he brings his UK tour of The Big Christmas Assembly to Swanage. It promises to be a fun-filled evening of nostalgic Christmas songs, magical mash-ups and other festive surprises. Fun for […]
🗓️ Saturday 14th December 2024 Santa’s coming to the seaside in this brand new festive event for kids. See The Mowlem’s new Studio transformed into a seaside-themed Christmas wonderland, complete with Santa’s grotto. Children can meet Father Christmas and other magical characters during the experience and will receive a special present. The Father Christmas Experience […]
🗓️ Sunday 8th December 2024 Visit Durlston Country Park for a Christmas crafting activity today. You’ll get to make and decorate your very own wooden Christmas tree decorations to take home with you.
🗓️ Saturday 7th – Monday 23rd December 2024 Visit Santa this festive period at the magical setting of The Blue Pool. Follow the enchanting trail that leads to Santa’s grotto and have your photo taken on his sleigh, before receiving a special Christmas gift. Throughout the month there’ll also be plenty of winter warmers on […]
🗓️ Saturday 7th December 2024 – Sunday 12th January 2025 Follow this festive family quest around Corfe Castle this Christmas and help Monty Mouse and his wife Matilda host their very own Christmas party. The trail will lead you through the castle ruins as you search for gifts and goodies for Monty and Matilda’s friends. […]
🗓️ Friday 6th December 2024 Have a fun, festive afternoon out and help support Corfe Castle’s village primary & preschool by visiting its annual Christmas fair. There’ll be craft stalls, games and refreshments, along with Santa’s grotto. Stallholders If you’d like a stall at the Christmas fair, get in touch by email: s.cole232@btinternet.com