Family Days Out

Creating lasting memories and happy faces! Based in Beaulieu in the New Forest National Park, discover family-friendly adventures and find something the whole family will love – from little adventurers to grandparents.

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Things to do with kids in The New Forest

We understand that trying to find things to do with kids that the whole family will enjoy can be tricky, especially when it comes to pulling them away from the tech and getting them to enjoy the great outdoors. Family days out are precious, and we want to help you make the most of your time together.

Our guided sessions are designed for real families – mixed ages, mixed confidence levels and mixed abilities. From toddler-friendly paddles to activities for teens, you don’t need any previous experience to join in. We’re based in Beaulieu, exploring the beautiful Beaulieu River and surrounding New Forest countryside with you.

We’ve got adventures big and small for families big and small. Check live availability and book online, or get in touch with our team if you’d like help choosing the right activity.

Live Family Activity Calendar

See real-time availability for family-friendly sessions in Beaulieu and book online instantly.

Family days out, sorted!

Use our live calendar to see real-time availability and secure your family adventure in just a few clicks.


Check your dates & book online

Best Selling Activities

Check out a selection of our most popular adventures for families – all fully instructed and suitable for beginners.

A father and son enjoying a Family Canoeing session on the Beaulieu River

Family Paddling (over 18 months)

Duration: 90 minutes
Ages: From 18 months+ sharing a canoe with adults

Experience the sights and sounds of the Beaulieu River during this guided canoeing tour. Our 2–4 seater canoes make this the perfect activity for families to paddle together. No experience needed – ideal for first-time paddlers and mixed ages.

A boy taking part in BattleZone laser tag with his family

BattleZone (over 8s)

Duration: 2 hours
Ages: 8+ (with grown-ups very welcome to join in!)

Take on Mum and Dad on the battlefield during this action-packed laser tag experience. Like paintball, but without the pain and more of the fun! Perfect for energetic kids (and big kids) aged 8+.

A mother and her children enjoying a family activity in the new forest

Archery (over 8s)

Duration: 90 minutes
Ages: 8+ (great for children, teens and adults)

Learn the ancient sport of archery in The New Forest and unleash your inner Robin Hoods and Katniss Everdeens together. A brilliant option if you’d like to stay on dry land but still try something new as a family.

Family exploring further along the Beaulieu River

River Explorer (teens & adults)

Duration: 2 hours
Ages: 12+ (great for teens and adults)

Take your Beaulieu River adventure up a notch with our River Explorer session. Choose your craft – canoe or kayak – and travel that little bit further with your instructor, making it a brilliant option for confident families and older teenagers who are keen for more time on the water.



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Have a question for us?

If you can’t find what you’re looking for below, get in touch and speak to a member of our friendly team.


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Family FAQs

The questions families ask most often when planning a visit.


What ages are your family activities suitable for?

Our family activities are designed for mixed ages. Family Paddling is suitable from around 18 months upwards (with little ones sharing a canoe with adults), and activities like BattleZone, Archery and River Explorer are ideal for older children and teens. Each activity page and our online calendar shows the recommended minimum age.

Do we need previous experience or to be strong swimmers?

No experience is needed for our family sessions – they’re perfect for beginners. All water-based activities include buoyancy aids, a full safety briefing and support from our friendly instructors on the water. As long as everyone is comfortable being around water, you’ll be fine.

Can younger children share a boat with adults?

Yes. On our canoe sessions, younger children normally sit in the canoe with parents or carers, while older children and teens may be able to paddle more independently depending on conditions. We’ll help you choose the best boat set-up when you arrive so everyone feels safe and included.

Can we bring our dog on a family activity?

Well-behaved dogs are welcome on selected canoe trips and many families bring their four-legged friend along. Just let us know when you book so we can advise on the best session. Dogs remain your responsibility during the activity and must be happy around water, people and other dogs.

What should we wear and bring with us?

Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate outdoor clothing and closed-toe shoes you don’t mind getting a little wet or muddy (old trainers are ideal). We recommend bringing a waterproof layer, a change of clothes for children, a towel, sun protection in warm weather and snacks/drinks for after your session.

What happens if the weather is bad?

We run in most normal weather conditions, including light rain – with the right clothing it can still be great fun. If conditions become unsafe (for example, very strong winds or thunderstorms), we may need to reschedule your session or offer a credit/refund in line with our booking terms. We’ll always contact you as soon as possible if anything needs to change.

Is there parking and are there toilets on site?

Yes, there is parking available at or close to our meeting points in and around Beaulieu, and toilets are available either on site or a short walk away depending on the activity location. Your booking confirmation will include full details of parking, facilities and where to meet.

How do we book, and can we cancel or move our booking?

The easiest way to see what’s running for families is to use our live online calendar – just hit any of the “Check your dates” or “See More Family Activities & Book Online” buttons on this page to view real-time availability and book in a few clicks. If you need to cancel or move your booking, get in touch with us as soon as you can. We’ll always do our best to help within the timescales set out in our booking terms, which are shown during checkout and in your confirmation email.

The adventure starts here!

Ready to get something in the diary? Use our live calendar to find a date that works for your family and book online today.


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"A great family adventure session"

A fantastic adventure experience crewed by a very friendly and professional team. Canoeing down the Beaulieu River was a wonderful experience and the guides were competent, knowledgeable and made it fun too!

"Bike hire for the day"

We hired two bikes along with a child seat for the day. The trail that was recommended was great, bikes in really good condition and the staff very accommodating. We will definitely be back to do the canoeing too next time!

"Brilliant canoe trip for all the family!"

Totally brilliant trip. We did a family canoe for 90 minutes up to Beaulieu and it was amazing. We were well prepared with excellent equipment and guided all the way. The staff were lovely and so helpful and our group of 4 adults, 4 children and 1 dog had a fantastic time. Can’t fault the experience at all.

"Excellent morning out!"

The second time we’ve booked an activity, Archery this time. Our instructor Jonathan explained everything really clearly and we had an excellent time. As before, the staff are really first class.

"Great day out with the kids"

We had a great experience with this organisation. We were lucky enough to pick a sunny, dry day. The location was beautiful. Our instructor, Leander, was friendly, encouraging and informative. All equipment was clean and looked after. We spent a fun hour and a half paddling up the river, being helped by our instructor to improve our paddling and steering skills and being told all about the local plants, wildlife and area. Would definitely recommend.

"Great family fun!"

What a fabulous morning on the Beaulieu River. My partner and our 4-year-old son absolutely loved it. Dani our instructor was lots of fun and very informative. We’d highly recommend.

"Great, friendly, enthusiastic people"

I wanted us to do something outdoors as a family. We hired 4 bikes and took a great ride by the river. Excellent bikes. We then did canoeing which was fantastic – we loved the knowledge of the staff, about the history of Beaulieu. We will definitely be going back to Forest Activites.

"Hands down, one of the best days out we've had!"

My daughters and I took canoes with an instructor up the Beaulieu River. They kitted us out in all the right gear and we stayed dry throughout. The instructor was not only knowledgable with the canoes but also the flora and fauna too. We saw all sorts of wildlife including hundreds of jellyfish (that don’t sting) and a month later, the kids still talk about it!