There’s lots to see and do in Angus with the kids!
To help you plan time with the family, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite places to visit on a day out with the kids in Angus, grouped by area.
Download the free Visit Angus app from Apple and Google Play and explore 80 stops where you can experience fun interactive experiences throughout Angus.
Image: West Links Park
Arbroath
There’s lots to see and do in the pretty coastal town of Arbroath. Don’t miss a visit to the fantastic West Links Park on the beachfront which has a fantastic range of play equipment and a crazy golf course.
Also at West Links you’ll find Jumping Joeys soft play centre and Arbroath Cinema, perfect for rainy day entertainment.
Take a walk along the road to the picturesque Arbroath Harbour where you can watch the fishing boats depart and arrive. There’s lots of shops around the harbour too where you can enjoy fresh fish and chips or an ice cream.
You’ll also pass the Signal Tower Museum on your way – well worth a visit to find out all about the Bell Rock Lighthouse and learn about pirate Ralph the Rover. The fantastic exhibitions at the museum include audio-visual elements with quizzes and games for children.
The Webster Memorial Theatre in the town centre has a great range of performances all year round – take a look at what’s on during your visit.
Also in Arbroath’s town centre, budding artists will enjoy a visit to Potter Rhoney – a quirky and welcoming paint your own pottery experience.
Image: Brechin Castle Centre
Brechin
Don’t miss a visit to Caledonian Railway whilst in Brechin. This heritage railway, run by volunteers, regularly run steam trains on a short track from Brechin to Bridge of Dun through the stunning countryside, and there are regular events throughout the year including a Day Out with Thomas.
Brechin Castle Centre on the outskirts of Brechin is a fantastic day out for little ones with so much on offer, including all terrain go-karts, sledge run, giant sandpit, zip slide, farm themed courtyard and lots more. There’s even a magical fairy trail through the woodland. Take a picnic or grab a bite in the café.
Outside of Brechin in the small village of Aberlemno you’ll find Davidson Cottage, once home to William C Davidson, father of the founding sons of Harley Davidson. The cottage is restored to how it would have been in 1857 and gives a fascinating insight into how the family lived.
Journey further afield to the village of Edzell and visit the Shakin Brig – a pedestrian suspension bridge that crosses the River North Esk. The bridge gets its name from the obvious shaking sensation felt while crossing it and kids absolutely love to run across. Download the Visit Angus app and you can enjoy a great fun game of Pooh Sticks while you’re here.
Near Edzell you’ll find the fascinating Glenesk Folk Museum, originally created by local schoolteacher Greta Michie in 1955. Little ones will love exploring the stories of the glens in days gone by, spotting animals in the beautifully painted murals and exploring the gardens, complete with Bronze Age tomb.
Image: Barry Mill
Carnoustie
The Sandy Sensation playpark, located on Carnoustie’s seafront is a firm favourite with kids who love the wooden climbing frames and splash zone. There’s also a great café in the nearby Leisure Centre – good for refuelling!
Young budding golfers will love Carnoustie Nestie – a short six-hole junior course at Carnoustie Golf Links. The course is free to play and clubs are available from the Carnoustie Golf Centre. Kids will also love the golf simulators in the Performance Centre, free for under 16’s when accompanied by a paying adult.
Just outside of Carnoustie, Craigmill Den offers a quiet woodland walk with lots of wildlife spotting opportunities – see what you can spot and try to identify them.
You can continue on from here to the picturesque East Haven village. The pretty little bay at East Haven is hugely popular with families with its sandy bay and small natural harbour providing a safe area for children to play amongst the rock pools during low tide.
Don’t miss a visit to Barry Mill, a working water-powered corn mill that produced oatmeal and animal feed, as well as providing work for local people, right up until 1982. Get a glimpse into the tough working day of the miller and the wheel turning and the machinery moving. There are also some fantastic walks arounds the grounds, with the chance to spot dippers, kingfishers, herons, woodpeckers and a whole host of woodland wildlife.
Image: Newton Farm
Forfar
Kids will absolutely love visiting Newton Farm, a working farm just outside of Forfar where you can enjoy a range of farm experiences. Take a guided tour to find out where your food comes from and meet the friendly animals including goats, sheep, pigs and even alpacas.
Murton Farm and Nature Reserve is also a great spot for little ones. Meet the very friendly collection of animals and birds including the adorable Kune Kune pigs and enjoy the play area which has sand pits, pedal toys, and a variety of outdoor toys including in ground trampolines. There’s also a tearoom where you can enjoy a light lunch or a snack.
Frosty’s Soft Play is a fantastic indoor play centre with excellent equipment providing an adventure for children of all ages, as well as a café serving home baking, snacks, hot & cold drinks.
Don’t miss a visit to Forfar Loch Country Park. Enjoy a walk around the loch with wildlife spotting opportunities and have fun in the playpark. There are also regular events taking place with the ANGUSalive Countryside Rangers.
Image: Neverland Playpark
Kirriemuir
Kirriemuir is a paradise for little ones who are fans of Peter Pan, being the very place where author JM Barrie was raised during his early house. Visit JM Barrie’s Birthplace to see where Barrie slept, the washhouse where he performed plays for his family and meet the crocodile in the garden! You can see a statue of Peter Pan in Kirriemuir’s town centre too.
Barrie also gifted to the town the Cricket Pavilion on Kirrie Hill, where you can visit the Camera Obscura which is one of only three in Scotland. The camera provides outstanding 360 degree views of the surrounding countryside and is not to be missed.
Also on Kirrie Hill, make sure to visit Neverland Playpark, opened to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of JM Barrie. The park has a host of play equipment themed on Peter Pan, Captain Hook and a crocodile, as well as a Lost Boys hideout, pirate ship and an aerial slide.
Back in the centre of the town, Kirriemuir Den is a peaceful area of green space, situated in a small valley with the Gairie Burn running throughout, perfect for a relaxing walk or a run around. There is a small play park here as well.
Just outside of the town, in nearby Lintrathen, Peel Farm has a coffee shop, gift shop, farm shop and nature trail. The nature trail is the ideal way to enjoy a relaxing stroll through some amazing scenery. Along the way you will have the opportunity to spot song birds, butterflies and wildflowers and there is an activity sheet available from the coffee shop to keep little ones entertained.
Image: Blue Seaway
Monifieth
The popular Blue Seaway on Monifieth’s beachfront has lots to offer including putting, tennis courts, bowling green, wheeled sports and two play parks for children – a great spot to enjoy burning off some steam.
Near to Monifieth, there are two fantastic country parks – Monikie and Crombie. Both have spectacular trails to enjoy a walk or bike ride as well as play parks for little ones, and Monikie also offers a range of watersports to enjoy.
There’s fun for all the family at Piperdam Golf and Lesiure Resort. There is a huge range of indoor and outdoor activities on offer here including archery, segways, foot golf, crazy golf, a soft play centre in the Activity Barn and so much more – you’ll be spoilt for choice!
In the heart of the countryside, Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort is full of adventure for all ages with fishing in the resort ponds, an Angus Thistle Maze, 18 hole putting green and plenty of walking routes available to discover the nature filled paths.
Image: Lunan Bay
Montrose
Kids of all ages will enjoy visiting Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre. On the site of Britain’s first operational military airfield, the centre has some outstanding exhibitions telling the story of the men and women who served there as well as a number of airplane exhibits and the opportunity to try on uniforms from the era.
The fantastic Montrose Playhouse has three screens showing the latest films for the family to enjoy. The venue also has a packed programme of events, workshops, classes and activities aimed at all ages and abilities.
Head along to the beachfront to enjoy fun and games at Montrose Splash playpark. The purpose-built play area has a range of play equipment suitable for all ages as well as a splash zone.
Montrose Beach itself stretches for three miles from Montrose to the North Esk River, and boats stunning views south to Scurdieness Lighthouse. There is a circular walk that heads along the length of the beach before returning via an inland route, visiting the North Water viaduct.
Lunan Bay is another amazing beach near to Montrose which is hugely popular with visitors all year round. The beach is a popular destination for surfers and horse riders, and is also a fantastic place to go bird watching. And of course it’s perfect for a relaxing day building sandcastles and paddling in the sea.
Don’t miss a trip to Montrose Basin Visitor Centre. Overlooking the picturesque Montrose Basin, this fantastic centre provides stunning views and the chance to spot a host of wildlife using the telescopes and binoculars provided. Little ones will love the wildlife-themed kids corner and outdoor mud kitchen.
There’s so much to see and do in Angus we couldn’t list everything here, so make sure to visit the things to see and do section on our website for more ideas.
For information on public toilets throughout Angus, please see the Angus Council website for up to date information.