If you are living in Cardiff right now (October 2020) then you must be aware that we’re in local lockdown. Due to the rise in coronavirus cases, we’re not allowed to mix with other households indoors and are limited in what we can do. We can’t leave the county, so we have a very small area to work with. In fact per square mile, Cardiff is one of the smallest areas in lockdown, with most of the outdoor attractions in South Wales being outside the city. But limited doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do – there are still attractions open and still places you can visit.
This half term you might be struggling to find days out – but check out this list and visit these venues websites and you should find something the whole family can enjoy, safely. Half term dates for Cardiff this year are Monday 26th October to Friday 30th October, so expect the weekend before and after to be busier at these venues.
Please do check with the Welsh Government website as to what the current limitations are when you read this, in case things have changed.
Where to take the kids in Cardiff during Local Lockdown
St Fagans Museum
St Fagans Museum has re-opened, although it’s not open every day and you need to book tickets in advance. This is a free day out and well worth a visit, as there’s plenty to walk around and see outside, as well as great facilities. Last update the galleries and main building were closed, but the gift shop was still open as well as all outdoor facilities and there was food for sale.
Website: St Fagans Museum
Mountain View Ranch
Also known as Caerphilly Mountain View Ranch… but it’s actually within the Cardiff council boundary rather than Caerphilly, which means in this instance, Cardiff residents are in luck! The opening times at the moment are variable so you need to check the website in advance for tickets and information.
Website: Mountain View Ranch
Cardiff Castle
Whilst the indoor areas of Cardiff Castle are closed and the Castle is not currently operating as a tourist attraction, the public square and the castle green are open and free of charge! The cafe is also open with light refreshments, and there’s an outdoor seating area – or this is a great space for a picnic.
Website: Cardiff Castle
Thornhill Farm Shop
Yes! Last time I checked the children’s play area and animal paddock was open again, and there’s absolutely fab outdoor seating now where you can enjoy coffee and a cake whilst the kids play.
Website: Thornhill Farm Shop
Fantastic Walks and Outdoor Play Areas
There are some fantastic family friendly walks available in Cardiff. At the beginning of the national lockdown, you might have noticed that most council toilets were closed. These are now open again, which really makes walking with the family that little bit less stressful.
Some walks I’d recommend in Cardiff include:
Bute Park – Located in the city centre this is a lovely walk to pair with a visit to Cardiff Castle grounds. Walk along the river, or walk along the city walls and spot the stone animals.
Roath Park – This large park is open, with it’s big play area too. Feed the swans and the ducks (not bread mind you, this duck and swan food is the best!) and walk around the gardens.
Victoria Park – We didn’t get to enjoy the splash park this year sadly, but Victoria park is still a nicely contained walk, with open toilets and a playground.
Forest Fawr – The circular Forest Ffawr walk, with its cool wood carvings is accessible and it falls within Cardiff county boundaries, although it’s close to RCT.
Insole Court – Insole Court in Llandaff is quite small, but a compact walk around the grounds is lovely for smaller children. There are very clean toilet facilities and the cafe is open.
Llandaff Fields – There are no public toilets at Llandaff Fields but the small cafe at the entrance is serving takeaway drinks and food. This is a great open space with a path for cycling or walking, and the large playground is open.
Play Centres and Soft Play
I’ve done some research and checked all these websites at the time of writing, but you should definitely check before traveling anywhere and most are likely to need to book in advance. I’ve provided the websites for you so you can easily check yourself.
Please let me know if you know of a business that’s now open that isn’t listed here by leaving a comment below!
Parc Play – Open for sessions and great for outdoor play too. Check Facebook.
Sprollie’s Soft Play Crafts and Youth Centre – Soft play, crafts and activities is open. Check Facebook.
Ants Inya Pants – This soft play off Newport Road is open. Check Facebook.
Tee Rex Soft Play and Tee Rex Adventure Golf – Both the soft play and the Adventure Golf list themselves as open on Facebook.
Jump Soft Play – Temporarily closed, but the website currently states they’re hoping to open on Oct 19th. Keep an eye on their Facebook for updates.
Zone Play – Seems to be open for limited sessions. Check Facebook.
Amaze Playz – This new venue in Canton that focuses on Pretend Play with a small soft play area seems to be open. Check Facebook.
Trampoline Parks, Adventure Golf and Climbing Centres
Always check the websites in advance for up to date opening information and to find out whether you need to book tickets in advance.
Infinity Trampoline Park – Open with limited times. See their website.
SupaJump – Open with limited times. 50 Minute bouncing sessions with 10 minutes of cleaning in between. See their website.
JumpJam – Open with limited times. See their website.
Ninja Warrior Cardiff – This inflatable adventure park is open. Minimum age is 4 years, and for the inflatable course jump tower you need to be 1.25m or taller. See their website.
Boulders Climbing Centre – Now open for pre-booked climbing sessions including sessions for 6-12 year olds. Boulders used to have a soft play available for under 6s called Pebbles but this no longer seems to be the case. See their website.
Tee-Rex Adventure Golf – This outside family-friendly adventure golf course is open, with plenty of opportunity for social distancing. See their website.
Treetop Adventure Golf – Open, and no booking required! See their website.
Family Bowling
Superbowl Cardiff – There are some limited open hours listed on the website, but they’ll be open 9am to 9pm for half term. See their website.
Hollywood Bowl, Red Dragon Centre – Open and ready for some safe, fun bowling, and there’s the bonus of amusements, restaurants and the cinema available in the red dragon centre too. See their website.
Cinemas
Make sure you book in advance as most cinemas, whilst open, have to be careful with their seating plan to allow for social distancing, meaning there are less seats available than usual.
Odeon at Red Dragon Centre – Open! Website.
Vue Cinemas – Open! Website.
Everyman Cinema – Open! Website.
Techniquest (Opening 14th November)
Honorable mention to Techniquest here. Although it’s currently closed and won’t be open during half term, they have been working hard on making it safe and have a new launch date of Saturday 14th November, so make sure you check out their website and book tickets if you’re looking at visiting.
Website: Techniquest
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