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 2024 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. Each day of Carnival is packed with family-friendly entertainment day […]
🗓️ 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 […]
🗓️ 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.
🗓️ 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 […]
🗓️ 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
🗓️ Monday 2nd – Saturday 21st December 2024 Keep a look out for Santa’s sleigh as it makes its way around the streets of Swanage and Purbeck this Christmas. Check your road on the route list below and make sure you’re ready that evening to go out and say hello to Father Christmas and his […]
🗓️ Monday 2nd – Tuesday 24th December 2024 Pop in to The Mowlem this month and help Jonny the Elf find a lost message from Father Christmas. Ask at the box office or in the Showbar for your first hint and follow the trail to find the secret message – a festive treat awaits you […]
🗓️ Monday 2nd – Tuesday 31st December 2024 Bring the kids to Swanage Library this Christmas for some festive fun. Come and find all the Christmas characters and complete a Christmas trivia quiz.
🗓️ Saturday 30th November 2024 Swanage Library is holding a festive craft session for children to come and make their own Christmas cards. It’s a free event and includes everything you need to create your own Christmas cards, fairies and lots more to take home with you.
🗓️ Thursday 31st October 2024 If you’re travelling on the Swanage Railway today – and come in your best Halloween fancy dress – you’ll receive a free toy and a voucher to spend in the Railway’s shop. The Halloween event for kids runs throughout the day. And if you share your pictures on social media […]
🗓️ Saturday 26th October – Sunday 3rd November 2024 Get spooky in Swanage this half term on a Halloween hunt along the pier. Follow your trail sheet and when you’ve found all the fiendish characters and solved the special Halloween riddle, head to the gift shop for a reward. You’ll also be automatically entered into […]
🗓️ Tuesday 27th August 2024 Learn how to draw everything from animals to plants at this artist-led workshop at Durlston Country Park. Artist Mark Page holds several art workshops for children at Durlston throughout the year. All materials are provided. Booking your place online: www.durlston.co.uk/event/kids-drawing-workshop-27-08-2024-1030
🗓️ Thursday 22nd August 2024 Get green-fingered at Durlston this summer and learn all about how to plant seeds to grow your very own flowers. You’ll get to decorate your own flowerpot before sowing some seeds and taking it home to watch them grow! You might get a bit painty/muddy, so wear something to dress […]
🗓️ Friday 16th – Thursday 29th August 2024 Gru and his family – with the new addition of Gru Junior – are back for a fourth instalment of the hit comedy animation. The family embarks on a new adventure, and Gru (Steve Carrell) faces new nemesis Maxime Le Mal (voiced by Will Ferrell). Film Times […]
🗓️ Tuesday 13th August – Thursday 5th September 2024 Grab a trail pack from the castle reception to help you discover the magic of Durlston’s wildflower meadows this summer. The trail will lead you around the country park’s meadows, where you’ll learn all about the wildlife that calls them home as you go.
🗓️ Tuesday 13th August 2024 Join in this fun workshop at The Mowlem with artist Darrell Wakelam, who will show you how to make your very own 3D dragon. You’ll use simple building techniques and materials, along with lots of cutting, sticking and painting, and you’ll get to take the dragon you dreamt up home […]