Wales is by far one of the most kid friendly countries I have ever had the pleasure of visiting! Not only were the local people kind to us and our little ones but. There are indoor and outdoor playgrounds everywhere, from outside pubs to inside farms.

Here are some favorite spots we took our three boys under three. Each a fantastic “day out” as they call them in the U.K.!

1.Foel Farm Park, Brynsiencyn, Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Isle of Anglesey, Wales

Thank God for GPS because this little treasure is located in the town with the second longest name in the world (a town in New Zealand has it beat.) One of my favorite moments was asking a local how to say it! (I highly suggest it.) It has an almost musical ring to it. Our home base was a wonderful VRBO home in Llanfairfechan. Foel Farm Park is located not far over the bridge in the Isle of Angelsy. It is an easy drive to get there though, fair warning, you arrive just as you feel you’ve driven down a country lane to nowhere. For us, feeling lost for a moment while soaking in the view of the bay and the remote fishermen’s homes was just part of the fun!

The farm was almost empty except for a few schools (school is still in session in early June in the U.K.) which makes it an excellent time of year to hit the kid activities without the crowds. We rode the bumpy tractor ride into the field to feed the horses, including a huge 19 hand horse, and Scotland’s famed Highland Cows. A staff member was kind enough to warn us to bring the blanket for the baby because it can get quite windy once you’re up on the hill in the fields and it certainly did.

After our ride the boys were even allowed to climb up into the big tractor and check out its controls and levers! Later we hand fed the sheep, piglets and goats. Times were posted to help feed the baby lambs and rabbits as well. Hand washing stations are everywhere with a significant amount of warning signs that wipes or hand sanitizer are not sufficient to clean ones hands after touching the livestock. I simply believed them and obeyed. There are a number of easily accessible bathrooms and a special one with a changing station which any parent like myself with 3 children in diapers zeros in on like a hawk. Few joys of motherhood top trying to changing a poopy diaper with your little one in the standing position in a bathroom stall.

Our favorite activity was the cart with seats pulled by the 4 wheeler. Constant jiggling and giggling! Check out the video below to see our ride complete with happy squeals of children and the gorgeous views of the bay. You could just see Carneferon Castle across the water. We also had our first introduction to a bounce pillow, a giant air filled pillow outside to slide and jump on!

The weather had gone from 80’s the day before to the cool high 50’s so the little cafe was the perfect place to stop and have hot, soup crusty bread, and hot chocolate. (TIP FOR PARENTS: soup in the U.K. is generally served absolutely scalding hot. We found this to be true whenever we ordered soup so we took special care before letting our little guys at it. At home, my go to is dissolving a few ice cubs in it to get an even cool down in a hurry.)

2. Next up was Anglesey Sea Zoo. Anglesey Sea Zoo and Marine Resource Centre, Brynsiencyn, Isle of Anglesey. Children under 3 Free, family tickets available, visit their website for seasonal hours.

Located next door to Foel Farm Park (booyah!) this little aquarium was absolutely charming with displays that introduce you to the local sea life.

The aquarium is small but the exhibits were fascinating with a real wave demonstration unlike anything we’d ever seen and a life size replica of a huge basking shark. Lots of local creatures to see from cuttlefish (they are so weirdly sweet!) to rays, octopi, seahorses, Moon Jellyfish and lobsters. It waste perfect size place to try and fit two activities in before nap (and meltdown central).

At the end we exited through the gift shop and our little guys drove the remote control Gator Swamp Boats (1£ for about 5 minutes of driving by captain’s wheel.) These little boats brought back fond memories of my sister and I driving remote boats while traveling around England as children.

Outside the aquarium there is a massive outdoor pirate playground complete with a bounce house and mini golf. There was also a special area so the very little ones could enjoy an array of toddler bikes, tractors and mini cars to push around (How thoughtful!) (Playground and toddler area were free, mini golf rounds and snacks could be purchased.)

3. Snowdonia National Park by train. If you have little boys or girls that can’t get enough of trains Northern Wales is perfect for you. They have numerous scenic train rides on adorable (can trains be adorable? I think SO!) narrow gage steam trains. Click here to visit Wales on Rails website.

Snowdonia National Park is famous for its high peak, Snowdon, of dragon lore. One look at this green countryside and dramatic mountains and you can just picture a dragon flying through the air back to its lair after battling with one of the local castles.

You can ride a steam train from Llanberis to the top of Snowdon Summit on Snowdon Mountain Railway for a breathtaking view on a clear day (this trip so a little more costly but worth it, discount tickets are offered on the first rides of the day).

Other train lines give you a scenic experience from the foot of the mountain and around Snowdonia’s lakes. We chose a short train ride from Porthmadog in the south so we could fit in a visit to the extremely unusual and beautiful Portmerrion. An Italian town complete with palm trees on the coast of Wales. Look for our blog post coming soon on visiting Portmerrion (does it have a tourist feel or was it actually something the kids enjoyed?! Both!)

Upon arrival at the Porthmadog Station, we learned we had just missed the train and the next was cancelled. Perfecto! After some helpful information from an attendant we made a uey in the parking lot and and raced the train (it was literally right next to us going over the most beautiful section of scenery in the bay – which we couldn’t see because of the high solid train trellis, so my small children are yelling from the back “there’s the train Mom! why aren’t we on the traaaaaiiiinnnnn????”) So we pushed forward in the name of a good time to the next station, Minnfordd, to beat the train before it got there. Once actually on the train, the ride was enjoyable in the uniqueness and charm of the train, that feeling of being thrown back into history, the gentle breeze coming in the windows and that we could order a snack from the attendant. (There, there children eat your crisps! (potato chips in the U.K.) I think I probably chose the leg of track with the least amount of epic scenery but MOMMA TRIED HER BEST and honestly the 4 month old just slept and the 2 and 3 year old could have been on the train in our backyard and it would be Thrillsville.

Due to time we stopped at the halfway point and got right back on another train headed back to our car. However, at the station the conductor was kind enough to give my little boys a close look at how they stoked the engine with coal and all was well and everyone happy so we “got on with it” as they say.

When we return I can’t wait to try another (longer) train line like the Bala Lake Railway or Llanberis Lake Railway, (or both!) which stops midway at a picnic site. For more information on all of the train line options visit this super helpful site 👉🏻http://www.snowdonia-attractions.com/steam-railways/ Which I came across after our trip, which was super helpful.

4. Snowdonia National Park by car was one of our most memorable day trips and one I can’t wait to do again on the same or a new route.

Those with motion sickness be warned but the roads are very narrow and curvy but for us it was a blast. We enjoyed a scenic drive, gorgeous walks and skipping stones in the lakes we came across. We began our drive in the north on A5 and went south through the curvy roads on our way to catch a train at Porthmadog. There are many places to pause and take pictures of the dramatic views (without the children because once in front of epic scenery children must simply refuse to cooperate) and tons of spots to stop and hike the hills. Snowdonia is full of sheep, slate and untouched majestic beauty, that leaves a lasting impression.

5. Castles! One of our favorite things (most likely connected to my boys interest in medieval knights but mostly their love of hitting each other with play swords). Wales does not disappoint! We visited two spectacular ones Conwy (I was told by a man at tourist information it can be pronounced Con-wee or Con-way) and Caernarfon.

Conwy was built in the late 13th century and is set on the Conwy bay with spectacular views. The town has charming shops and an in-depth tourist center. A fun walk was circumnavigating the town by walking above on its outer wall (though you cannot enter the castle from the wall walk).

Caernarfon Castle is a medieval castle that contains a wonderful globe video display which makes it easy to underatand its long and complicated history. Check out our upcoming post on these castles for more details and tips on these two must see sights and their towns!