The summer is here and the school holidays last for weeks. It’s definitely time to start planning a fun summer break with child-friendly holidays suited to the whole family. Here are some of our tried and trusted favourites:

Fistral Beach Surfing School, Cornwall

The beautiful Fistral Beach in Cornwall is famous for the many surfers who flock there in the summer months, thanks to its reliable waves, so it’s no surprise that it’s the perfect setting for a surf school. Why not help your kids cool off by getting them started with surfing here? Fistral Beach Surf School offers lessons for surfers of any level of experience, so regardless of whether your kids are absolute beginners or maybe already have some experience with waves and wipeouts, this makes a fantastic way for them to spend a few hours on a sunny summer’s day.

Group surfing and private family surfing sessions are available, so you could even take a try yourself… or maybe just relax on the beach instead. Children aged 8 and up can partake in the group sessions, while private sessions are available for children as young as 6, so the whole family really can get involved. The town of Newquay next to the beach is also a great place to explore and grab a bite to eat afterwards.

Fantasy Island, Lincolnshire

Close by to the coastal town of Skegness in Lincolnshire, the Fantasy Island theme park is the perfect place to take the kids for a fun day out. There’s something for everyone at this amazing attraction. You’ll find a wide variety of rides, ranging from white-knuckle rollercoasters like the Jubilee Odyssey and the Millennium, to tamer fare for younger children such as the Jungle Adventure and a traditional carousel.

There’s more here than just rides, though. Fantasy Island also boasts an arcade, various carnival games, a go-karting circuit, an adventure golf course and a ten-pin bowling alley. That’s without even mentioning the massive Fantasy Island Market which is open 7 days a week and contains a range of stalls selling everything under the sun. It’s a shopper’s delight, selling fashion and clothing, gifts and toys, and even practical home and garden wares.

Go Ape, various locations

You probably know the name by now – Go Ape have created quite a buzz for themselves with their amazing treetop high-ropes courses and adventurous days out. For a family day filled with thrills and excitement, it just can’t be beaten.

Though Go Ape has locations all across the UK, we’re particularly fond of their site in Dalby in the Great Yorkshire Forest. The striking surroundings only add to the adventure, which includes a heart-stopping set of zip wires suspended 35m above a wooded valley – definitely not for those of a nervous disposition! That said, there are also less adrenaline-fuelled offerings if you’d rather not face a fear of heights head-on – why not race around the forest on all-terrain Segways instead?

Caithness Sea Coast, North Scotland

For a really special day out in Scotland that the kids will always remember, why not take them out on the ocean waves? Coastal tour boats are available all across the UK, and are so different to what your children are likely used to doing that you’re guaranteed a memorable trip. What child wouldn’t be excited to see what the sea has to offer?

Many boat tours are available for a range of different experiences, but for our money we think Caithness Sea Coast, which sets out from Wick in the North of Scotland, has got to be one of the best. The striking Scottish scenery alone is worth the price of admission, with natural caves, incredible sea stacks, and seven magnificent historical castles to be seen. And kids in particular will delight at the wildlife that is likely to show up along the way, with various seabird colonies as well as seals swimming in the water – if you’re especially lucky, there’s even the possibility of spotting dolphins and whales.

Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park, Dorset

For a family day filled with adventure and animals in equal measure, pay a visit to Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park in Dorset. There are over a thousand amazing aquatic creatures to meet, including seals, sharks, and the world’s smallest penguins. Learn all about oceanic life with a range of talks and feeding sessions throughout the day

There’s lots to see in this 14-acre park beyond just the animal exhibits, too – if your kids need to burn off some energy, there’s the massive Caribbean Cove adventure playground, as well as the Splash Zone and Pool for cooling off on hotter days. Sandwiches, snacks and drinks are also available from a range of on-site outlets, so it’s a perfect place to spend a summer day out.

Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre, Herefordshire

This Herefordshire wildlife centre has a focus on smaller creatures, and the beautiful farm makes a particularly excellent day out for those with younger children, although all ages can enjoy the amazing animals on display here. There’s a particular focus on owls, with a wide range of species to see, including all six species native to Britain as well as 27 more from around the world. In spring and summer you can even see newly hatched and young owls in a special room.

But there are more creatures to meet than just the owls. The whole family will delight in the various miniature farm animals here, including pygmy goats, miniature horses, donkeys, and chickens, and the world’s smallest breeds of cow and sheep. You’re encouraged to interact with and feed them, an experience the kids will never forget.

That’s before you even head to the small animal house to see chinchillas, guinea pigs, chipmunks and more, as well as the nearby ferrets and tortoises. There’s also a waterfowl enclosure with various species of ducks, geese and swans – it’s a really wild day out.

These attractions can make for a really perfect summer day out with the kids. Find your child-friendly holiday home today and start making memories.