Photo: Dzp, CC BY-SA 3.0Days out in Sussex with toddlers and young children
Sussex has a strong line-up for families with small children, and several places open almost every day of the year. Drusillas is built around younger children, Blackberry Farm Park offers pony rides from age two and Fishers Farm Park includes indoor soft play in the ticket.
Outdoors, look for short, level routes. The Easy Access Trail at Seven Sisters works for pushchairs, and Poohsticks Bridge in Ashdown Forest is an easy target for little legs.
Over half term and into December, the gentle events below are pitched at younger children, with age ranges noted where the organisers give them.
Farms and zoos
Animals to feed, ride and watch.
Image: Drusillas ParkDrusillas Park
A family zoo aimed at younger children, mixing animals with rides, play areas and soft play. It is one of the easiest full days out in East Sussex for families with under-10s.
Why it's here: A family zoo aimed at younger children, with penguin feeds at 11.30am and 4pm, walk-through lemur and bat exhibits, rides and soft play.
Image: Blackberry Farm ParkBlackberry Farm Park
Blackberry Farm Park is a family-run farm park on the A22 south of Uckfield. Children can feed animals on the farm walk, join animal handling sessions and ride ponies from age two, then head to the big indoor and outdoor play areas. A café, picnic spots and party cabins make it an easy day with young children.
Why it's here: Animal feeding on the farm walk, handling sessions and pony rides from age two, plus big indoor and outdoor play areas.
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Image: Fishers Farm ParkFishers Farm Park
A family-run adventure farm with animals to meet, more than 50 rides and attractions, and indoor soft play included in the ticket. It copes well with a wet day thanks to its indoor play and picnic barn.
Why it's here: Farm animals, more than 50 rides and attractions and indoor soft play, all in one ticket. Under-2s go free.
Image: Knockhatch Adventure ParkKnockhatch Adventure Park
Knockhatch near Hailsham mixes a small zoo with rides and play for a rain-or-shine family day. Visit the Jungle Kingdom zoo and owl display arena, ride Blackbeard's Buccaneer, and use the indoor and outdoor play areas, with bookable experiences with capybaras, lemurs, meerkats and owls. It opens almost every day of the year.
Why it's here: A small zoo, an owl display arena and indoor and outdoor play, open 361 days a year.
Image: WWT Arundel Wetland CentreWWT Arundel Wetland Centre
Boardwalks and hides through reedbeds and ponds below Arundel Castle, with ducks, geese and swans to meet up close. The short boat safari through the reeds is a hit with younger children.
Why it's here: Ducks, geese and swans up close, and a short boat safari through the reeds that is a hit with younger children. Under-3s go free.
Play, trains and easy walks
Shorter outings for short attention spans.
Image: Harbour ParkHarbour Park
Harbour Park is a seaside family amusement park on Littlehampton's beach, with more than 15 attractions. Outdoor rides and arcades sit alongside indoor soft play, a pirate-themed escape room and Toddler Town, a set of role-play rooms with a supermarket, vet and building site. It covers both sunny and wet days on the coast.
Why it's here: Toddler Town role-play rooms, with a supermarket, vet and building site, plus indoor soft play right by the beach.
Image: Paradise Park and GardensParadise Park and Gardens
Paradise Park in Newhaven pairs formal and informal gardens, with small lakes, waterfalls and fountains, with indoor planthouses and the Planet Earth Museum. Children can follow the Dinosaur Safari and use the Playzone, and there is a restaurant and coffee shop. A Halloween trail runs through October.
Why it's here: A Dinosaur Safari, a Playzone and gardens with lakes, waterfalls and fountains.
Image: Bluebell RailwayBluebell Railway
A heritage steam railway running between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead, with a Rover ticket that lets you hop on and off all day. The £1 child fare at weekends and in holidays makes it good value for families.
Why it's here: Steam trains through the Weald, with child fares (3 to 15) at £1 at weekends and in holidays with a paying adult.
Image: Seven Sisters Country ParkSeven Sisters Country Park
The classic view of the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs starts here, where the Cuckmere river meanders down to the sea. A level trail runs about 2km to the shingle beach at Cuckmere Haven, so it works for pushchairs and less confident walkers too.
Why it's here: A level trail of about 2km to the beach that works for pushchairs, with the Saltmarsh Café open daily from 9am.
Image: Ashdown ForestAshdown Forest
Open heathland and woodland that inspired the Hundred Acre Wood in the Winnie-the-Pooh stories. Big skies, long views and miles of paths make it a favourite for dog walks and family rambles, with Poohsticks Bridge an easy target for younger children.
Why it's here: Poohsticks Bridge is an easy target for younger children. Use the Pooh car park on Chuck Hatch Lane.
Gentle seasonal events
Halloween without the frights, and a first trip to the theatre.
Image: Borde Hill GardenA Spellbinding Halloween at Borde Hill
Borde Hill's Halloween trail, The Owl Who Stole Halloween, follows mischievous owl Morticus Moonfeather as he bewitches the scarecrows in Pumpkin Patch Meadow. Children meet the enchanted scarecrows and complete games and challenges to break the spell. Over half term there are daily extras, from magic shows to wand making.
Why it's here: The Owl Who Stole Halloween trail for ages 3 to 8, until 1 November, at £3.50 per child plus garden admission.
Image: WWT Arundel Wetland CentreSUPER Natural half-term at WWT Arundel
WWT Arundel swaps frights for fungi and fairy rings this half-term, with a free logbook to guide families round the wetlands. A wizard's potions class and boat safaris add a bit of magic.
Why it's here: Fungi and fairy rings rather than frights, with a free logbook and £3 boat safaris, daily from 24 October to 1 November.
Image: Sompting PumpkinsSompting Pumpkins
A family-run pumpkin patch across 15 acres beside the A27, with free entry and no need to book. Resident sheep, tractor rides and a pumpkin-themed food menu make it more than a quick pick.
Why it's here: Free entry, resident sheep and tractor ride-ons for under-5s, daily until 31 October.
Image: Chichester Festival TheatreHey! Christmas Tree
A gentle, funny festive story created by Michael Morpurgo, made as a first Christmas theatre trip for 3 to 7 year olds. It lasts about an hour in the intimate Minerva Theatre.
Why it's here: Made as a first Christmas theatre trip for ages 3 to 7, about an hour long, from 5 December.
Image: National TrustSnowdogs Discover Sheffield Park and Garden
Ten hand-painted Snowdog sculptures inspired by The Snowman and The Snowdog are hidden around the winter garden at Sheffield Park. Game stops and activities along the way keep younger children moving between the lakes.
Why it's here: Ten Snowdog sculptures with game stops between the lakes from 28 November, free with garden admission.
Questions people ask
Where can I take a toddler in Sussex?
Drusillas Park near Alfriston, Blackberry Farm Park near Lewes, Fishers Farm Park at Wisborough Green and Harbour Park's Toddler Town in Littlehampton are all designed with young children in mind.
Is Drusillas good for toddlers?
Drusillas is a family zoo aimed at younger children, with walk-through exhibits, rides and indoor soft play. Under-2s go free, and booking online by midnight the day before saves 20% on the gate price.
Which Sussex attractions for young children are open all year?
Drusillas opens every day except 24 to 26 December, Blackberry Farm Park 362 days a year, Knockhatch 361 days a year and Fishers Farm Park all year except Christmas Day and Boxing Day.