Are you planning a weekend away with tweens in tow? Well, Preston is a brilliant choice for families with older children and young teens. With a fantastic mix of outdoor adventure, educational experiences, and fun activities, Preston offers something for the whole family to enjoy. So what should you not miss when exploring Preston with tweens? And how can you be sure of a memorable and enjoyable trip?
So what should you not miss when exploring Preston with tweens?
There are a number of fun and interesting things to do in Preston with tweens that can be split into different categories, including:
- City centre fun
- Wildlife and animals
- Hands on discovery
- Indoor fun
City centre fun
From shopping to events on the Flag Market, there are plenty of activities in the city centre itself that are sure to impress and entertain your tweens. These include:
- Preston Markets- This is a great stop for a snack or a wander. Under the Victorian canopy, you’ll find hot food stalls, sweet treats, and local crafts, all of which are great for tweens who like to browse or pick up quirky souvenirs.
- Preston Flag Market Events- If you’re visiting over a weekend, the Preston Flag Market often hosts events, from street food festivals to outdoor performances, making it a fun, spontaneous addition to your itinerary.
- Avenham and Miller Parks- These two adjoining Victorian parks are perfect for burning off energy. With wide open spaces, riverside walks, woodland trails, and a modern play area (which tweens still enjoy for a bit of climbing or a zip wire ride), this can be a peaceful but fun outdoor activity.
Wildlife and animals
If you have young fans of David Attenborough with you, a trip to Brockholes Nature Reserve, just 10 minutes’ drive from Preston, is the perfect choice. Built on a former quarry site, it’s now a haven for wildlife and outdoor fun. The floating visitor centre itself is fascinating, and the reserve offers woodland walks, birdwatching hides, and regular family activities like pond dipping and bushcraft, which are perfect for curious tweens who love to explore. Entry is free (parking charges apply), and there’s a café on site too.
Alternatively, tweens also love Ribby Hall Village’s Wild Discovery, about 25 minutes from Preston. It’s a small but interactive zoo where you can get close to animals, including meerkats, reptiles, and exotic birds. With daily talks and feeding experiences, it’s a more personal and educational wildlife encounter than a traditional zoo.
Hands-On discovery with tweens in Preston
Looking for something a little more structured?
Why not visit Samlesbury Hall? This is a historic manor house just a 15-minute drive away. It’s known for its Tudor history, ghost stories, and fun interactive guides. Best of all, entry is free. If your tweens are into mystery or stories of days gone by, this is a great stop. There’s also a mini animal farm and a Mayflower playground, plus a fabulous waffle house for a treat.
Indoor entertainment options
Let’s be honest, in Lancashire, it pays to have a few wet weather options, and Preston offers plenty of indoor fun for tweens including:
- Level Preston- This city centre entertainment complex is ideal for fun with tweens. Located in the Guild Hall, Level offers laser tag, bowling, a climbing wall, VR gaming, escape rooms, and crazy golf. It’s all under one roof, and perfect for tweens who like some adrenaline or tech-fuelled fun.
- Flip out Preston- If your children are into trampolining, Flip out Preston is fantastic. With a wide range of adrenaline pumping activities on offer, Flip Out offers more than just trampolining, and is a massive hit with families in Preston. Tweens will enjoy the stunt zones and inflatables, interactive football pitches, go karts, tumble tracks and arcades. There is something for everyone to enjoy, including adults!
Where to eat with tweens in Preston?
Eating out with tweens can be a challenge, but Preston has plenty of casual, family-friendly options.
The Ferret is a popular music and food venue offering amazing burgers and street food with a cool vibe that older kids love. The Continental, has a laid-back, artsy atmosphere with good pizza and outdoor seating by the river.
And of course, if all else fails, there’s always Nando’s, Pizza Express, or Turtle Bay, all located centrally and ideal for fuss-free family meals.
Choose the No. 10 Preston hotel for your stay
For luxury and comfort on your family trip to Preston, choose the No.10 Preston Hotel. With a fantastic city centre location, our hotel boasts top quality apartments for a great night’s sleep, and a relaxing retreat. Why not take a look at our rooms and availability today?