We know that children just want to have fun, and fun means different things to different children. Our itinerary includes a mix of arts, crafts, sports and leisure activities which are sure to put a smile on your child’s face. Beware though, some of activities we have listed are parent free zones!
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Alton Water |
| Address: | Holbrook Road, Stutton, IP9 2RY | Telephone: | 01473 328408 | |
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| Just a short drive out of Ipswich and you will find Alton Water. Offering day access to visitors, you can experience sailing, windsurfing and canoeing. Don’t worry about having your own equipment, you can hire a dinghy, windsurfing board, canoe and even hire wetsuits. And after spending time out on the waters you can enjoy something warming in the Servery. |
| Additional Information | Alton Water operates at differing times according to the season/weather. Please check the website for up to date information on current opening times before planning your visit. |
Anglian Indoor Karting |
| Address: | Unit 12, Farthing Road Industrial Estate, Ipswich, IP1 5AP | Telephone: | 01473 240087 | |
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| If you have a budding F1 champion in your family then how about spending time getting some thrills at Anglia Indoor Karting. Enjoy high-speed entertainment as you travel around the multi-level circuit. With karts which suit all age ranges Anglian Indoor Karting provides great motorsport activity to all adrenaline-seekers. |
| Additional Information | Suitable for children aged 5+, and adults too. Open all day Monday to Sunday. Full safety briefing is provided for all children. Prices start from £16.50 |
Area 25 Skate Park |
| Address: | 25 Betts Avenue, Martlesham, Ipswich, IP5 3RN | Telephone: | 01473 806119 | |
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| Ipswich’s indoor skate park you can enjoy skateboarding, inlining, as well as utilising facilities for BMX and Scooters. Open to adults and children who are looking to experience these exciting sports – for younger children and the less experienced there are shallow ramp areas, and for spectators there is a viewing area and a refreshments area. |
| Additional Information | Open Tuesday to Friday 2pm to 9pm (10pm on Friday), Saturday and Sunday 10am to 10pm.
Pricing starts from £6 |
Christchurch Mansion |
| Address: | Christchurch Park, Soane Street, Ipswich, IP4 2BE | Telephone: | | |
| Web: | www.Christchurch-Mansion |
| Christchurch Mansion is a beautiful example of a Tudor mansion, and is widely considered to be one of the jewels in the crown in the history of Ipswich. With over 500 years of history there is much to see and explore. Helpful fact sheets are placed in each room and there is always a number of helpful and informative staff on hand to help fill in the gaps. When you’ve completed your visit, take time out for refreshments in the Mansion Café, and don’t forget to make time for a stroll around the stunning Christchurch Park. |
| Additional Information | It is free to enter Christchurch Mansion. At certain times during the year additional events are planned, including activities for children. Opening times vary across the year, so please check the website before planning your visit. |
Christchurch Park |
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| Christchurch Park includes a number of ponds, a wildlife area and the Upper and Lower Arboretums. There is also an enclosed children’s play area suitable for young children. In the winter sledging is a popular pastime for children and teenagers. And don’t forget to look out for Mabel, the park’s famous resident tawny owl! |
| Additional Information | A number of events and concerts take place in the park each year, including the Ip-Art Music Festival, open air cinema showing, and the annual fireworks display. Check the Ipswich Town & Waterfront website for current event listings. |
Craftability |
| Address: | 4 St Lawrence Street, Ipswich, IP1 1DN | Telephone: | 01473 257550 | |
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| If you love crafts then you will love Craftability. It has practically everything you need for your craft project. From cross stitch to dolls’ houses; from pipe cleaners to paints; scrapbooking and so much more. A great shop for children and adults alike. |
| Additional Information | As well as a super craft shop Craftability also puts on a number of craft workshops. These are very popular, so booking is essential if you would to be involved. Check their website for dates of upcoming craft workshops. |
Crown Pools |
| Address: | Crown Street, Ipswich, IP1 3JA | Telephone: | 01473 433655 | |
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| Crown Pools can be found in the heart of Ipswich town centre. It has three pools: the eight lane 25 metre competition pool; leisure pool complete with wave machine, fountain shower and inflatable slide; and the teaching pool, which is suitable for babies and parents. |
| Additional Information | There is a car park close by. Onsite there is a café where food and drinks may be purchased as well as a number of vending machines. Prices - £2.80 children, £4.00 adults, £1 spectators. |
Fynn Valley Golf Club |
| Address: | Struggler's Lane, Witnesham, Ipswich, IP6 9JA | Telephone: | 01473 785267 | |
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| Fynn Valley Golf Club is a short drive out of Ipswich. It has a 9 hole and 18 hole course, which is open to non-members. There are family bookings available so everyone can join in. A great shop is on site run by experienced and knowledgeable staff, as well as a licensed bar which serves food and drink. |
| Additional Information | On Saturday afternoons there are children’s coaching sessions, at just £3.50 per head – excellent value for money. |
I-Scream |
| Address: | 31 St Peter's Street, Ipswich, IP1 1XF | Telephone: | 01473 212349 | |
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| I scream for ice-cream, we all scream for ice-cream! Head on down to I-Scream for take away ice cream. Whatever your flavour combination, or whether you’re wanting an ice cream sundae, shake or splitz, I-Scream will make you a perfectly yummy creation … and all before your very eyes. |
| Additional Information | I-Scream is only a short walk from the waterfront, so why not head down with your sweet treat and enjoy the scenery of our beautiful marina. |
Ipswich Museum |
| Address: | High Street, Ipswich, IP1 3QH | Telephone: | 01473 433550 | |
| Web: | www.Ipswich-Museum |
| Discover the history of Ipswich; learn about the discovery of the famous woolly mammoth, the castle on the hill, as well as the history of wartime Ipswich. The museum also includes an extensive collection of natural history, enabling you to get up close with animals including the giraffe, and study rocks and precious gems excavated from the local area. |
| Additional Information | Entrance to the museum is free. There is a small gift shop within the museum, and throughout the year the museum puts on themed activities for children. Please check the website for further information. |
Jimmy’s Farm |
| Address: | Hall Lane, Otley, Ipswich, IP6 9PA | Telephone: | 01473 890264 | |
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| A working farm, a nature trail, art and craft work shops, ceramics workshops, a shop, and a restaurant – a completely engaging day out for children of any age. Whatever the weather, there is always something going on at the farm, so pull on your wellies and get back to nature. |
| Additional Information | Entrance to Jimmy’s Farm is free. Charges apply to workshops, activities and workshops. See the website for further details. |
Kingpin Bowling |
| Address: | Gloster Road, Martlesham, Ipswich, IP5 3RJ | Telephone: | 01473 611111 | |
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| Traditional bowling lanes, as well as the cosmic bowling lanes, where you can experience the thrills of bowling in the dark. Refreshments available, as well as shoe hire. |
| Additional Information | Open Monday to Thursday 10am to 11pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 11.30pm, and Sunday 10am to 10.30pm. Children’s prices start from £3.75 |
New Wolsey Theatre/New Wolsey Studio |
| Address: | Civic Drive, Ipswich, IP1 2AS
St George's Street, Ipswich, IP1 3NF
| Telephone: | 01473 295900 | |
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| Seating 400, this great theatre is located in the centre of Ipswich. Attracting audiences from far and wide, it is also a favourite amongst local people. There is a great range of productions for children, as well as the popular Under-12s and Under-18s Comedy Nights (no parents allowed at the Under 18s Comedy Nights), and the StoryTeller sessions for the younger audiences. |
| Additional Information | The New Wolsey Theatre is fully accessible, with Infra Red Hearing Enhancement, Touch Tours and Audio Described performances. Pricing is very reasonable. |
Pernickety Pots |
| Address: | Crown & Anchor Mews, Ipswich, IP1 3DJ | Telephone: | 01473 216865 | |
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| Super ceramics café in the centre of Ipswich. Take your time in choosing an item to paint, and enjoy tea, cake and take time out to get creative. Helpful staff will ensure you get the most from your visit, and when you’ve completed your masterpiece it will be glazed and fired, and ready for collection within a week. |
| Additional Information | Additional services are available, such as foot and hand prints, as well as personalised items, so if you are looking for that special gift just let one of the staff know. |
RaRas |
| Address: | 12 Northgate Street, Ipswich, IP1 3DB | Telephone: | 01473 221252 | |
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| The all-American diner. If you’re a fan of knickerbocker glory then you’ll love RaRas! The restaurant is fitted in with traditional red seating, and staff uniforms will remind you of those restaurant scenes from the movie Grease. Go greased lightening! |
| Additional Information | RaRas is right in the centre of town, so if you’re planning a day’s shopping then make sure you plan in time for a break and enjoy some traditional American yummies. |
Regent Theatre |
| Address: | 3 St Helens Street, Ipswich, IP4 1HE | Telephone: | 01473 433100 | |
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| We all love a visit to the theatre, so whether it is pantomime, dance, ballet, opera, there is always a great selection of performances at the Regent for you to choose from. Choose matinee, evening or weekend performances. Wheelchair friendly access, hearing loop, and sight enabled performances are included. |
| Additional Information | Car parking is within walking distance. There are onsite bars serving a range of drinks and snacks. |
Snakes & Ladders |
| Address: | 9 Cavendish Street, Ipswich, IP3 8AX | Telephone: | 01473 255000 | |
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| Snakes & Ladders is a giant centre of fun. Included is a three tier play frame and sports court, a water play and construction zone, and electric motor bikes there is plenty to keep active children amused. And for younger children there are dedicated areas for toddlers to play away from the bustle of older children. For parents and carers, take off your shoes and relax on the comfy leather sofas whilst your children play away. |
| Additional Information | An onsite café is available serving snacks and drinks. Prices for children start at £3.30. Free parking. |
Suffolk Leisure Park |
| Address: | Bourne Hill, Ipswich, IP2 8NQ | Telephone: | 01473 602347 | |
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| Offering ski, snowboarding, and tobogganing, as well as a climbing wall and high ropes, Suffolk Leisure Park is a popular venue for those who like to be active. There is also a mini golf course, driving range and putting green. Ski hire and equipment hire is available. |
| Additional Information | Parking is available, and there is also an onsite shop and restaurant. Opening times vary across the year so check the website for current openings. |
Walking Tours Around Ipswich |
| Address: | Across Ipswich | Telephone: | | |
| Web: | http://ipswich-waterfront.co.uk/walks-around-suffolk/ |
| There are many starting points that you could take for your walk around Ipswich. We have included the link to Walk 4 Life which gives you many walking routes at different locations across the town. Whether you want to follow the route of the Olympic Flame, along Nacton shores or by Ipswich Waterfront there is a good selection, with plenty of detail, including length and timings. |
| Additional Information | We recommend you take a walk along the banks of River Orwell where you can admire the splendid of the stunning Orwell Bridge, and enjoy the flora and fauna of this unspoilt area. |
