Visiting St Ives with Children: Everything You Need To Know

St Ives is packed with child-friendly adventures that make family days out truly special. Whether you’re crab spotting on the pier, exploring rock pools on sandy beaches, learning to surf, or getting creative with arts and crafts, there’s something here to spark every child’s imagination.

At Orange Roofs, we’re lucky to call this incredible corner of Cornwall home, and we’ve spent years crafting unforgettable family holidays for countless visitors who keep coming back year after year.

Here, we’ve put together our guide to the best beaches, play parks, outdoor pursuits and creative activities to help you plan a fun-filled visit the whole family will love.

Where are the Best Beaches for Children in St Ives?

Porthgwidden, Porthmeor, and Porthminster beaches are perfect for younger children – with colourful huts, rockpools, and shallow paddling water.

The Harbour Beach in front of The Sloop is also a treasure trove at low tide – ideal for sea glass or driftwood hunting.

Fun Fact: Did you know that in 1997, a freak wave knocked 5 million pieces of LEGO off the cargo ship Tokio Express into the sea? Some of them still wash up on Cornish beaches today – so keep your eyes peeled, you might just find pirate swords or flippers in the sand!

Porthgwidden Beach

Is St Ives Good For Crabbing?

Yes! Grab some string, a little net, and the ultimate crab bait – a rasher of bacon! Head to the back of Smeaton’s Pier and lower your line into the water. Crabs can’t resist a salty snack, and they’ll often scuttle right up for a bite. The best time to try your luck is just before high tide and up to two hours afterward. Once you’ve had a good peek at your catch, gently return them to the sea – it’s all part of the fun!

Where Can I Learn to Surf in St Ives?

St Ives Surf School – As well as being able to hire your wetsuits and boards from their handy base at Porthmeor, they offer lessons for all levels with beginners learning safety and wave skills to begin with. Looking to try paddle boarding or kayaking? Head over to their second centre at the much flatter Porthminster.

Sandy Acres Surf School (Hayle) – Located in the beach car park overlooking St Ives Bay, the surf school offers the opportunity for kids to learn to surf in a fun, safe setting. With free parking and qualified instructors, children get all the skills they need to start riding waves confidently and safely.

Gwithian Academy of Surfing – Based by the Lula Shack (formerly Rockpool Bar & Grill) in nearby Gwithian, they offer public surf classes for kids 10+, private lessons from age 6, or you can even book a lesson for the whole family!

St Ives Surf School / Ruaraidh Monies

Where Can I Go Horse Riding In St Ives?

If you’re looking to explore the Cornish countryside on horseback, there are some great places offering child-friendly sessions and holiday activities around St Ives:

Penhalwyn Trekking Centre on the outskirts of town offers summer holiday hacking for those aged 4 and upwards.

Old Mill Stables on the Old Coach Road at Lelant also have various child-friendly sessions throughout the summer – Tiny Tots (Sat 9:30am, Sun 12:30pm), Lead Rein Group Lessons (Sun 1pm), and Happy Hooves Holiday Club for ages 6+ (Wed 10am–2pm, includes riding, games, lunch, rosette and a pasty!).

Standing Stone Stables near Carbis Bay also have a summer camp on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through the holidays from 11am -2pm.

Where are the Best Play Parks for Children in St Ives?

Should you manage to peel them away from the shore, these St Ives parks offer a great opportunity for younger members of the family looking to stretch their legs:

Ayr Field & Play Park – At the top of the road leading down to Porthmeor, this gated playground offers swings, a climbing frame, a slide, and sweeping sea views, plus a large field perfect for scooting and kite flying.

Palemon Best Recreation Ground (Penbeagle Park) – Located at the top of town behind the fire station, this local favourite has play equipment for all ages, a zip wire, football goals, and a large skate park.

Richmond Park – On the main road through Carbis Bay, this open space is great for kids to let off steam, with glimpses of Godrevy Lighthouse in the distance.

Read more about children’s playgrounds around St Ives here.

Looking for Creative Activities for Kids in St Ives?

This summer at the infamous Tate St Ives, the Foyle Studio has become an immersive space for creative play inspired by artists Liliane Lijn and Emma Critchley. Families can experiment with light, shape, and reflections – projecting colours, exploring sensory shapes and jellyfish forms, and discovering how artists use light. Entry to the Tate Gallery is free for those aged 18 and under.

Every Wednesday and Thursday in August, the Tate also hold their brilliant Beach Art Explorers workshops, where children aged 5-12 can join a local artist to create seaside-inspired art just steps from Porthmeor Beach.

TATE St Ives

Throughout August, Leach Pottery is packed with creative fun for kids – from moulding their own tea set or board game, to getting hands-on in the Potter’s Corner, stocked with plenty of clay to play with. Sketching Kits are also on hand for those who prefer to draw and design.

Just looking to explore and get your bearings? Hop on a scenic double-decker bus ride to charming spots like Zennor, Sennen, and Land’s End. Or, for one of the most breathtaking views in Cornwall, take the train between St Erth and St Ives – it’s hard to beat!

The St Ives branch line passing through Lelant

If you’re swerving the seagulls and searching for somewhere suitable to feed the family – checkout out our Top 5 Child Friendly Eateries – perfect for refueling sandy, sun-kissed little explorers after a day at the beach.

From splashing in gentle waves and hunting for sea glass, to pony rides, surf lessons, and getting hands-on with art, St Ives is bursting with ways to keep children entertained. Whether you’re here for a day, a week, or the whole summer, you’ll find plenty to fill your time – and make memories that last long after the buckets and spades are packed away. Just remember to always supervise children closely near the water, as piers are often high and exposed and tides can change quickly!

If you’re looking for a stress-free stay, Orange Roofs has been providing family-friendly cottages in St Ives for over a decade, and can ensure you’re equipped with travel cots, stair gates, high chairs, booster seats and everything you need to make settling in a breeze. Give us a call today on 01736 806100 and let us help you find your perfect family getaway!