Family Camping in Wales: 10 Child Friendly Attractions in Snowdonia
There’s a particular kind of excitement that only happens on a family camping trip. It starts with the rustle of sleeping bags at dawn and the question every parent hears within minutes of waking: ‘What are we doing today?’ Luckily, when you’re camping in Snowdonia (Eryri), the answer is always: ‘something brilliant’.
This corner of North Wales is made for families, dramatic enough to feel like an adventure, but packed with accessible, hands-on attractions that welcome children as much as adults. Here’s
Rhyd y Galen’s best collection of days out that mix history, fresh air, imagination, and just the right amount of ice cream.
Conwy Castle
If you want to spark your children’s imagination, start with a castle that looks like it’s been lifted straight from a storybook. Conwy Castle is wonderfully intact, with towers to climb, spiral staircases to conquer, and plenty of nooks where little ones can dart off pretending to be knights, dragons, or royalty surveying their kingdom.
Parents tend to be equally captivated, not just by the history, but by the sweeping views over the River Conwy and the three bridges that cross it. It’s a place where you can mix learning with play without anyone even realising they’re doing both.
Top tip: arrive early so children can explore before it gets busy. They’ll love having the towers (almost) to themselves.
Ffestiniog Railway
Not every adventure needs to involve walking boots and tired legs.
The
Ffestiniog Railway offers a chance to sit back while Snowdonia rolls past your window in a blur of green hills, stone walls, mountains, rivers, woodland; throw yourself back in time as you absorb over 40 miles of outstanding natural beauty. Children love the novelty. With some of the most comfortable seating on a preserved railway, you won’t need to worry about restless legs or running down the aisles, but we would recommend booking into second class for the best family experience.
The charm lies in the rhythm of the journey, the chug of the engine, the time spent together as a family, and the whistle echoing through the valley.
Greenwood Family Park
After a day of sightseeing, children often just need space to move. Greenwood Family Park is ideal for exactly that. Set among trees and designed with sustainability in mind, this adventure spot is designed to provide hours of outdoor fun with a multitude of climbing areas, soft play, rides, and nature based play that blends beautifully into the landscape.
Once you’ve exhausted all your energy, you can grab a bite to eat at one of their on site cafes and snack stops, catering to even the most fussy eaters.
Expect rosy cheeks and very good naps afterwards.
Snowdon/Snowdonia
One of the joys of camping in Snowdonia is that some of the best experiences cost nothing at all. Snowdonia is the adventure itself. The landscape invites families to discover things at their own pace rather than rushing between ticketed attractions.
And, depending on the fitness level and age of your children, it is possible for them to climb, at least partway, up this iconic mountain. You might start with a gentle lakeside walk, where the mountains reflect perfectly in still water. Follow a winding trail through woodland and you'll find fallen logs to balance along and endless opportunities for imaginative play. Nature provides the entertainment with no batteries required.
There are plenty of family friendly routes up Snowdon that don’t involve steep climbs. Try shorter circular walks, picnic beside Llynnau (lakes), or ride up the mountain on
The Snowdon Mountain Railway before exploring easier paths at the top. Let children set the rhythm; when they’re allowed to lead, every rock becomes a discovery and every pause becomes part of the story.
Zip World
If your club of small feet includes thrill seekers, Zip World delivers a completely different perspective on Snowdonia, often at speed.
With activities ranging from treetop adventures to soaring zip lines, it’s an opportunity to challenge yourselves together. Older children especially love the sense of achievement (and the bragging rights afterwards). It’s the sort of day that gets talked about long after the tent is packed away.
Visit the seaside
Even with mountains on your doorstep, the call of the coast is hard to resist and thankfully, Snowdonia is wonderfully close to the sea. A short drive can take you from rugged peaks to wide sandy beaches where the horizon suddenly stretches out forever.
For children, the seaside is a playground of possibilities. There are sandcastles to construct (and dramatically defend from the tide), rock pools teeming with tiny sea creatures, stones to collect, and endless space to run freely. The mix of mountain air and salty breeze can feel invigorating, especially after an active day inland.
Add an ice cream or a portion of fish and chips, and you’ve got the kind of timeless family outing that never goes out of style.
Walk the Wales Coast Path
Stretching for miles along cliffs, coves, and quiet headlands, The Wales Coast Path gives families a chance to explore the coastline in manageable bite-sized sections. You don’t need to tackle long distances to enjoy it. Choose a shorter stretch and turn it into a miniature expedition. One moment you’re walking through grassy clifftops dotted with wildflowers, the next you’re descending towards a hidden bay that feels like a secret.
Children love the ever changing scenery. There are seabirds to spot, boats to track across the water, and interesting rock formations that spark plenty of questions. Bring binoculars if you have them; wildlife spotting adds an extra layer of excitement.
Plan plenty of pauses along the way. A snack break overlooking the sea or a detour down to the shore transforms the walk into a relaxed adventure rather than a trek. The beauty of this path is its flexibility: you can make it as short or spontaneous as your family needs.
King Arthur’s Labyrinth
For families who enjoy a dash of mystery with their adventure, King Arthur’s Labyrinth offers something completely different from your typical day out. Tucked away in Corris, where Mid Wales meets the edge of Snowdonia, this attraction invites visitors to go underground, quite literally, in search of ancient stories.
The adventure begins in an unusual way: by boat. Visitors are taken across an underground waterway, passing through a waterfall and deep into the mountains, setting the tone for a journey that feels part history, part myth, and entirely memorable. Once inside, families follow a guided walk through atmospheric caverns where Welsh legends unfold around them. Tales of dragons, giants, fierce battles, and, of course, King Arthur himself are brought to life using dramatic scenes enhanced by light and sound.
Guiding the way is a hooded ‘Dark Age Boatman,’ adding just the right amount of theatrical flair to keep children wide eyed and engaged.
Portmeirion
Portmeirion feels almost Mediterranean in spirit, with pastel buildings, hidden gardens, and pathways that seem designed for wandering without purpose. Enjoy the freedom to explore the village’s twists and turns, while adults appreciate the artistry and coastal setting. It’s relaxed, slightly surreal, and wonderfully different from the rugged landscapes elsewhere in the region.
A slower day. A scenic one. Perfect mid holiday.
Llechwedd Slate Caverns
Rainy day? This is your answer. At Llechwedd Slate Caverns, families descend into the industrial history that shaped this region and its communities. If your family enjoys experiences that feel a little bit different, and a little bit daring, then a visit to Llechwedd’s historic slate mines is one to add to the list.
The
Deep Mine Tour at Llechwedd takes visitors on a guided journey into a Victorian slate mine, descending far below ground to discover how this remarkable landscape was shaped by generations of miners.
As you explore, you’ll move through vast underground chambers and tunnels carved directly from the rock, learning how slate was extracted and why the industry was so important to North Wales. The caverns themselves are enormous, the kind of spaces that make children instinctively whisper ‘wow’ before their voices echo back at them. There’s a sense of scale and drama that captures children’s attention, and makes them forget entirely about the weather outside.
Make the kind of holiday children remember
Years from now, it won’t just be the castles or zip lines they recall. It’ll be the laughter echoing across a campsite. The excitement of unzipping the tent each morning. The shared discoveries, big and small, that come from exploring North Wales together.
Snowdonia is a place for adventures, certainly. But more than that, it’s a place for families to reconnect with nature, with curiosity, and with each other. Pitch up, step outside, and let the exploring begin at
Rhyd y Galen Caravan Park & Campsite.
