Our home town of Brighton is a natural playground for children, but when it comes to ideas on how to entertain your easily unimpressed tween or teens, it can be a little more challenging. My own teenager rolls his eyes at what used to be a great day out, so I’ve been testing out some great activities and have collated some ideas to help you plan your day out with your teens in Brighton and Hove.
Watersports on Brighton beach
It’s an obvious choice, but couldn’t be omitted from this list. It’s still our number one choice for having a great day out, but you may want to prepare a little more to keep your teens entertained. To make the most of the summer days, I recommend hiring a stand-up paddleboard or kayak for some extra fun. Brighton Watersports has it all and they also offer lessons if you’re feeling a little wobbly.
Go up the i360
Hop-on the i360 pod and climb 450feet for some of Brighton’s best views over the South Downs and the English Channel. It’s a fun experience, especially for those with an interest in photography. I recommend pre-booking tickets, especially during the summer season
Explore the rides at the Palace Pier
Always a winner in our teen’s book are a few hours spent at the Palace Pier, which have rides for all ages, and has the perfect balance of seaside nostalgia, fried donuts and a must-do helter-skelter! You can save some money by pre-booking your wristbands, and come prepared with cash as if your kids are anything like mine, there will money spent on games and pinball at the arcades!
Watersports at Hove Lagoon
If your kids want to try wakeboarding, or do a paddleboard lesson on calmer waters, then Hove Lagoon is a brilliant spot for them. There’s a great skateboard park, and a large playground and paddling pool if you have littler ones with you (and Fatboy Slim’s Cafe for some lunch). If you’re down that end, you may want to pop into Rockwater for a spot of lunch or sunset drinks.
Play beach volleyball at Yellowave
A staple in our Spring to Autumn calendar is the fantastic Yellowave, where you’ll find 6 sandy volleyball courts, a cafe with lots of seating and the biggest beach vibes of the city. I suggest you pre-book your court as they do get snapped up quickly, join one of the beginners classes if it’s your first time or simply watch the pros play from the cafe.
Zipline
The Brighton Zipline (next to Brighton Pier) offers an exhilarating experience for kids of (almost!) all ages and adventurous parents too. As the longest zip wire on the south coast, this 300-meter dual zip line propels riders from a towering 32-meter-high platform, during which you can take in the breathtaking views of Brighton beach.
Go on a guided bike city tour
See all of Brighton’s main sights on a 2.5 hour guided bike trip, perfect if you want to cover most of the city’s highlights, but still have time to do one of the more unique activities we suggest.
Glow mini-golf in One Under
This recently opened glow mini-golf is a fantastic place to escape some unexpected showers with a few games of mini-golf, and a few drinks for the parents. You can play 9 or 18 holes, which include some clever automatic runs, and excellent graphics, including a mural of the Hoff! Located a few minutes’ away from the Palace Pier, it’s a great spot for a break either from the rain, or just on any day.
Laser Zone Brighton
Another place we often head to is Laser Zone on West Street. Great just for the teens, or for the whole family, Laser Zone is a go-to on a Brighton rainy day.
Board games & gaming at Loading
Loading is a café on the seafront (between the Pier and the Zipline) with a huge selection of board games, consoles ranging from PS5s to classic Nintendos and some great arcade machines too. A great spot to spend a few hours, have some lunch or just relax whilst the kids engage in some healthy competition.
