Live shows
You and the kids will all thrill to the flamboyant live performances that are put on in Cardiff all year round. Here's one of the biggest venues to catch family-friendly offerings.
Its sweeping copper dome inscribed with vast words of poetry which glow in the night, the Wales Millennium Centre is a true icon of the city. It's not just a pretty face, though – inside you'll find a major performance venue which puts on wild and colorful plays and musicals perfect for little ones, teenagers and parents alike.
Bute Place, Cardiff CF10 5AL.
Interactive exhibitions
While Cardiff has a lavish art gallery right at its heart, there are also museums and exhibitions here which will exhilarate younger visitors. Expect to discover distractions that will expand their minds and make the hairs stand up on the backs of their necks.
Techniquest
Techniquest is a huge space crammed with interactive science exhibits. From firing rockets to discovering how gravity works, children of all ages will be able to push buttons, pull levers and toggle switches to make things pop, jump, fizz and erupt. Even grown-ups won't be able to resist getting stuck in.
Stuart Street, Cardiff CF10 5BW.
Doctor Who Experience
In Cardiff you can enter the world of the Time Lord and his time machine thanks to the Doctor Who Experience. Your family can go on an interactive adventure with the Doctor himself, as well as step through the authentic Tardis sets and meet the monsters who've terrified audiences for generations.
Discovery Quay, Cardiff CF10 4GA.
Outdoor activities
Cardiff isn’t just about indoor fun – there are swathes of green for you to wander and for kids to play on. A short bus ride from the city centre will take you an urban oasis with a wide blue lake.
Garlanded with trees and flowers, Roath Park is a hit with the locals and any visitors who happen to be in the know. It's dotted with multi-colored flowerbeds and winding paths, along with a huge adventure playground younger kids will love. You can also take the family out on a rowing boat across the tranquil lake.
Lake Road East, Cardiff CF23 5PG
Food for the family
Many restaurants are strewn around the city centre, but if you're here with the family you might prefer heading out to Cardiff Bay. It has a vibrant atmosphere, views of the coast, and loads of eateries aimed squarely at people with kids in tow.
With its 50s-style diner vibe, colorful props and pumping tunes, Eddie's Diner is all about having fun without any airs and graces. Ideal for anyone with younger kids, then – especially as even the fussiest palates won't be able to resist the burgers, fries and shakes.
Mermaid Quay, Cardiff CF10 5BZ.
JRC Global Buffet
It can be tough getting the whole family to agree on what to eat. JRC Global Buffet means you don't have to, because it serves up everything from Chinese and Indian dishes to barbecued meats and pasta dishes. It's a lively, all you can eat place, and kids won't be able to resist the gushing chocolate fountain.
Mermaid Quay, Cardiff CF10 5BZ.
