Cambridge had long been on our bucket list as the quintessential English university city, packed with historic charm and world-famous colleges. What we didn’t expect, however, was just how much our kids would love it too.
Between exploring centuries-old university grounds, we hunted for tiny “Dinky Doors,” let the kids burn off energy in lush riverside parks, and treated ourselves to sticky buns from the iconic Fitzbillies bakery. Toss in punting on the River Cam, getting up close with dinosaurs in free museums, and distinct Harry Potter vibes around every corner, and you have the perfect recipe for a family-friendly city break.
In this blog post, we share the 18 best things to do in Cambridge with kids, along with handy practical tips, great food spots, and our personal highlights.
18 Family Friendly Activities in Cambridge
#1 Go Punting on the River Cam
If there is one thing Cambridge is famous for, it is punting on the River Cam. Everywhere you look, narrow wooden boats glide past historic colleges, under ancient bridges, and along willow-fringed banks. Simply watching from the waterside is lovely, but getting out on the water yourself truly completes the Cambridge experience.
A standard tour takes you past iconic landmarks like King’s College, Trinity College, and St John’s College. The stretch along “The Backs”, the scenic green gardens behind the colleges, is absolutely stunning and shows exactly why Cambridge is so postcard-perfect. Along the way, you will drift under famous structures like the Bridge of Sighs and the Mathematical Bridge.
Punting has been a local tradition for centuries. The flat-bottomed boats were originally used to transport cargo, but today it is all about sightseeing. You can choose to hire a boat and punt yourself, or opt for a chauffeured guided tour. With young kids, renting a punt with a guide is much more relaxing. You can sit back, enjoy the ride, and listen to fascinating stories about the university and the city. Boats fill up fast on sunny days, so booking ahead is highly recommended.
#2 Explore the Cambridge Colleges
Cambridge revolves around its world-renowned university, which is made up of 31 colleges scattered across the city. Some of these buildings date back over seven hundred years, and walking through halls with that much history feels incredibly special.
For our 3 and 5-year-olds, the architecture itself wasn’t the main draw, but it is a whole different story for older children. Walking through Cambridge genuinely feels like stepping right onto a Harry Potter movie set, complete with massive courtyards, grand corridors, ancient libraries, and breathtaking chapels. Even if historic buildings aren’t usually your thing, the atmosphere here is bound to impress.
King’s College is the most famous of them all. Its towering King’s College Chapel is a massive crowd-pleaser and is widely considered one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England. Trinity College is famous as the place where Isaac Newton studied, while St John’s College boasts a stunning waterfront location and the iconic Bridge of Sighs. Over at Queens’ College, you can admire the famous wooden Mathematical Bridge.
Keep in mind that not all colleges are open to the public, and opening hours vary. Colleges occasionally close for exams, private events, or ceremonies. April and May can be particularly tricky, as many buildings restrict access during the main university exam period.
A few colleges that are often free to enter include Christ’s College, Downing College, Jesus College, Magdalene College, and Trinity Hall. For the most popular hotspots, like King’s, Trinity, St John’s, and Queens’, you usually have to pay an admission fee.
Top Tip: Want to see the inside of King’s College Chapel for free? You can attend a traditional Evensong service. It is a fantastic way to hear the world-famous King’s College Choir perform inside one of England’s most beautiful chapels without paying a penny.
#3 Hunt for the Dinky Doors
This might just be the most delightful surprise Cambridge has to offer for families: the Dinky Doors. These are whimsical, miniature art doors hidden away on brick walls, down narrow alleyways, and tucked against old buildings all over the city. Once you spot your first one, you can’t help but look for the next.
The first Dinky Door only appeared in 2021, but they have quickly become a beloved Cambridge staple. Each door has its own unique style and backstory. Some look like tiny shops or miniature pubs, while others are hidden away in places you would least expect.
What started out for us as a casual search for a single door quickly turned into a full-blown scavenger hunt. Our kids were suddenly racing through the streets, eager to make the next discovery. It is a brilliant way to keep little ones walking, and it forces you to slow down and notice the quiet, charming corners of the city that you would otherwise just pass by.
You can find various maps and walking routes online to help you track down the Dinky Doors. There aren’t hundreds of them, so it pays to look up where the most famous ones are before you head out. Fortunately, several of the best ones are located right in the city center, close to other main attractions.
Our absolute favorite was the Wonder Emporium because of its incredible attention to detail. We also loved Mage’s Pages right outside the Cambridge University Press Bookshop, especially because this tiny door can actually open!
#4 Admire Dinosaurs at the Sedgwick Museum
The Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences is one of the best free museums in Cambridge to visit with kids. The moment you walk through the doors, you find yourself face to face with massive dinosaur skeletons and fossils. Our young children were absolutely mesmerized.
Dating back to the early nineteenth century, this museum belongs to the University of Cambridge. It houses thousands of fossils, rocks, and animal skeletons that are millions of years old. While the large dinosaur fossils are naturally the biggest crowd-pleaser, the vast collection of shells, crystals, and prehistoric discoveries is equally impressive.
The museum is not overwhelmingly large, but it kept us entertained for a long time. You do not need to spend hours walking around to see a lot, and our little ones were completely captivated by the puzzles, reading corners, and drawing stations. Admission is free, though voluntary donations are welcome.
#5 Spot Wildlife at the Museum of Zoology
Another wonderfully surprising museum in Cambridge for families is the Museum of Zoology. This museum is completely dedicated to the animal kingdom, and it is far more interactive than you might expect from a university museum.
The star of the show is the gigantic fin whale skeleton hanging right in the entrance hall. Further inside the main gallery, you will find skeletons, taxidermy, and fascinating animal species from all corners of the globe. From tiny insects to massive predators, there is so much to see.
What makes this museum especially great for kids is that it never feels like a dusty, old natural history museum. It features interactive displays, drawers that kids can pull open, and objects they can examine up close. Our children stayed engaged for much longer than we originally anticipated.
Just like many other university museums in Cambridge, entry here is completely free. This makes it the perfect spot to pop into during a walk through the city or on a rainy afternoon.
#6 Visit a Harry Potter Shop
Cambridge might not have official Harry Potter filming locations like Oxford, but the atmosphere comes surprisingly close. The ancient colleges, narrow streets, and historic architecture make you feel like you are walking through a mini Hogwarts. It is no surprise then that Harry Potter shops are incredibly popular here.
The most famous shop is The Department of Magical Gifts in Rose Crescent. This was the first Harry Potter shop in Cambridge and remains the most charming one to explore. The owner is a true Potterhead who got the idea after visiting a similar shop in York, leading him to open his own magical store in 2018.
Inside, you will find exactly the magical fantasy atmosphere that fans hope for. The shelves are packed with wands, robes, jewelry, chocolate frogs, and other wizarding souvenirs. Our kids spent ages staring at the moving elves that appear to be defacing the paintings and walls.
Since then, other shops like House of Wonders and House of Wizard have also opened in the city center. While these are located more centrally, they feel a bit more commercial and sell merchandise from other television franchises as well.
Top Tip: For the die-hard Harry Potter fans among us, book the Warner Bros. Studio Harry Potter tour in Londen!
#7 Marvel at the Corpus Clock
Right in the heart of Cambridge hangs one of the strangest clocks in England, the Corpus Clock. There is a good chance you will pass it naturally while exploring, as it is located right near King’s College and the main shopping streets.
The clock was unveiled in 2008 by physicist Stephen Hawking and is mounted on the exterior of Corpus Christi College. The most eye-catching feature is the metal creature sitting on top of the clock. This mechanical insect is known as the “Chronophage,” which translates to the time-eater. The monster literally looks like it is devouring time with every single tick.
#8 Enjoy Chelsea Buns at Fitzbillies
You cannot really leave Cambridge without trying a Chelsea bun from Fitzbillies. This famous bakery has been around since 1920 and is renowned for its huge, sticky buns packed with cinnamon and syrup.
While the original Chelsea buns are naturally the most popular choice, they also offer seasonal flavors. We tried the blueberry lemon special, and honestly, we might have liked it even better than the original. Inside, the shop still retains that classic English tearoom atmosphere, but you can also just grab your buns to go.
Fitzbillies now has multiple locations across the city, but the branch on Trumpington Street remains the most iconic.
#9 Grab an Ice Cream at Jack’s Gelato
Another spot that everyone in Cambridge seems to flock to is Jack’s Gelato. On sunny days, you will almost always find a queue stretching out the door, but the ice cream is absolutely worth the wait.
Jack’s Gelato started out as a small local ice cream parlor and grew into one of the most famous food spots in Cambridge. The unique flavors are what make this place so popular. Alongside the classics, you will regularly find creative combinations that you will not see anywhere else.
Right next door to Jack’s Gelato, you will spot The Eagle. This iconic Cambridge pub is famous as the place where scientists Watson and Crick announced they had discovered the structure of DNA in 1953.
#10 Lunch on Focaccia at Aromi
Aromi is another local legend. This Sicilian bakery sits right in the city center and is immensely popular with both students and tourists. Inside, the counters are packed with large focaccias, pizza slices, ciabattas, and sweet cannoli. It is ideal if you want to grab something quick with the kids without sitting down for a long lunch.
The bakery gets quite busy around lunchtime. You can either eat inside the restaurant or grab some treats to go. We chose the latter and ate our focaccias on a bench around the corner near the market square.
#11 Immerse Yourself in the Fitzwilliam Museum
The Fitzwilliam Museum is one of the most famous museums in Cambridge and is surprisingly fun with kids. The moment you step inside, it feels like walking into a mini palace. The building itself is impressive, featuring grand staircases, high ceilings, and beautiful galleries filled with art and historical artifacts
For children, the Egyptian mummies and sarcophagi are usually the biggest hit, though our kids also enjoyed looking at the paintings together with us. You will also find sculptures, ancient books, and archaeological discoveries from many different eras.
The museum regularly organizes family trails and children’s activities to keep things engaging for young visitors. In the museum cafe, you will find a special family trolley stocked with magnifying glasses, drawing supplies, and activity packs to use in the galleries.
The great thing about the Fitzwilliam Museum is that you do not have to see everything to enjoy it. Even a short stroll past the main highlights is worth the visit. Best of all, admission to the museum is completely free.
#12 Go on an Adventure at The Polar Museum
The Polar Museum was high on our Cambridge wishlist, but unfortunately, we could not quite squeeze it into our schedule. Even so, this small museum is frequently recommended as a fantastic stop for families traveling with children.
The museum focuses on polar expeditions and the brave explorers who ventured into Antarctica and the Arctic. Inside, you will find historic sledges, expedition clothing, maps, and incredible stories of survival in extreme conditions. Older kids who love adventure and tales of discovery will likely find this fascinating. To top it off, entry is completely free, and the museum is located quite centrally.
#13 Unwind at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden
If you need a quick escape from the bustling city center, the Cambridge University Botanic Garden is a beautiful place to take the kids. This expansive botanical garden belongs to the university and has been welcoming visitors since 1846.
The grounds feature massive lawns, tropical greenhouses, duck ponds, and thousands of unique plants and trees from all over the world. Especially with toddlers and young children, it is a lovely spot to stroll at a slower pace or let the kids burn off some energy between sightseeing stops.
#14 Stroll Along The Backs
Without a doubt, one of the most picturesque areas in Cambridge is The Backs. This lush green landscape sits right behind the famous colleges along the River Cam. It delivers the exact postcard image most people picture when they think of Cambridge, complete with historic architecture, bridges arching over the water, and students lounging on the grass.
For families, it provides a peaceful sanctuary away from the crowded shopping streets. Walking this route gives you a fantastic view of the colleges from behind, which is often much more spectacular than the street-side views. The famous Bridge of Sighs and the Mathematical Bridge are both located along this path.
We found this to be the perfect spot to slow down and take a breather. Kids can run around and play much more freely here than in the busy city center, and there are plenty of spots to sit down and watch the punts glide by.
Right near The Backs, you will also find Lammas Land, a popular park with a playground and wide open fields where local families flock on sunny days.
#15 Climb Great St Mary’s Tower
Right in the heart of Cambridge stands Great St Mary’s Church, the historic university church of the city. The main draw for visitors here is the opportunity to climb the church tower for a panoramic view of Cambridge. Sadly, we missed out on this due to time constraints, but it is firmly at the top of our list for our next visit.
After a steep climb to the top, you are rewarded with a viewing platform overlooking the historic colleges, church spires, and rooftops. The view of King’s College Chapel is said to be particularly breathtaking, and on clear days, you can see surprisingly far into the distance.
#16 Visit Cambridge Market
Located smack in the center of town is the bustling Market Square. A market has been held on this very spot since Saxon times, and the square is still packed daily with stalls selling food, souvenirs, flowers, and local crafts. The air is filled with the scent of fresh food, making it easy to track down a delicious treat. Expect to find everything from fresh doughnuts and street food to artisan sandwiches and classic British snacks.
Since the market sits directly next to major landmarks like King’s College, the Corpus Clock, and the main shopping avenues, you will naturally wander past it during a day out in the city.
#17 Play in the Parks and Playgrounds
While Cambridge is world-renowned for its university buildings, it offers a surprising amount of green space for families. Especially with young kids in tow, we loved breaking up the day by stopping at a playground or an open field.
One of the most popular family spots is Lammas Land. Located just a short walk from The Backs, this park features a large playground, plenty of space to kick a ball around, and a free paddling pool and splash park during the summer months. On sunny days, you will see crowds of local families enjoying picnics by the water. For a fun bonus, walk there via Laundress Green, where cows frequently graze right in the middle of the city.
Jesus Green is another huge hit with families. This sweeping park along the river feels much calmer than the city center and is ideal for a relaxing stroll after sightseeing. You will see students playing sports, families walking, and people relaxing by the riverbank. On the north side of the park, you will find the Jesus Green Play Area as well as the famous Jesus Green Lido, an iconic outdoor swimming pool that stretches an impressive 91 meters.
Top Tip: Keep your eyes peeled in Jesus Green for Ride & Park, which is one of the most creative and artistic Dinky Doors in Cambridge.
#18 Rent Bicycles in Cambridge
With the sheer number of bicycles around, parts of Cambridge feel almost Dutch. Students and locals commute on two wheels through the narrow lanes, and you will see massive bike racks packed to the brim everywhere you look, along with signs reminding you where not to park.
Renting a bike is a brilliant and authentic way to explore. If you are staying in the city for more than a day, it allows you to easily reach spots outside the compact historic center, such as the Botanic Garden or the quieter parks further down the river.
A classic cycling or walking route heads toward Grantchester, a charming quintessential village just south of Cambridge. The path takes you past green meadows and riverside trails completely away from the city traffic. Once in Grantchester, you can stop at The Orchard Tea Garden, a famous English institution where you can enjoy traditional scones, clotted cream, and afternoon tea under the apple trees. Cycling there takes about fifteen minutes, while walking takes around forty-five minutes.
