The Isle of Man is a small British island located in the middle of the Irish sea. This small island has an extraordinary story, making your holiday unique and exciting. Since the island is surrounded by sea, it can get quite windy. The weather in Isle of Man is temperate, with average temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to mid-60s Fahrenheit, making it an all-year-round destination. Overall, summers are cooler, wet and cloudy, whereas winters are cold, with frequent rain.The best time to visit the Isle of Man would be during the months of May to mid-September. July and August are the warmest months there. Autumn is a beautiful season too. If you’re looking for those wonderful orange autumnal palette colours, than this is the season for you! However, it’s always ideal to pack a waterproof jacket, a sweatshirt, a sweater and a pair of good boots also in midsummer.
There are lots of things that you can do as a family on The Isle of Man as it offers many family-friendly activities, beautiful nature spots. Get in touch with nature through the beautiful plantations, reservoirs and glens. You can also visit some of the most beautiful beaches there including Ramsey and Jurby beach. Kids usually love collecting stones and pebbles there. Apart from the outdoor attractions such as The Great Laxey Wheel and the beautiful Peel castle, the Isle of Man also offers indoor places for kids such as The House of Mannan and the Bowling and Leisure Centre. When travelling to The Isle of Man with kids, you’ll surely find great kid-friendly restaurants and cafes too. A chippy is not the healthiest, but it’s a must when you’re there. Manx people are very friendly and happy to welcome you to The Isle of Man. All in all, we definitely think you should put this small island on your bucket list. Head to Booking with Kids for more tantrum free travel advice.
The best period to visit Isle of Man with kids
You can visit The Isle of Man all year-round. But, there are a few things to keep in mind. Spring is a nice season, where the island turns purple with its Bluebell flowers. June-July are great months to visit the Isle of Man. During these months, you will have a chance of better climate conditions, with more sunshine. August is then the warmest of all months. The Summer months can be quite crowded with the ongoing TT races, so one may want to choose a calmer month to visit The Isle of Man with kids. The TT races are usually on for 2 weeks starting from end of May to early June each year. Autumn is also another beautiful season, with less tourists and good, mild temperatures. When travelling to The Isle of Man with kids, make sure to pack waterproof shoes and jacket and wear layers. Since the island is surrounded by sea, it can get very windy, and it’s raining on most days. Sometimes, you can experience all seasons in a day, from sunshine, to rain, and wind. Before travelling to the Isle of Man with kids, make sure to take with you the best travel gear.
Activities to do in Isle of Man with kids
Whether you are looking to head for a day at the beach, or trek along a glen or coast, or enjoy a good meal, then you’ve landed at the perfect destination. The Isle of Man has plenty to offer, from seaside cafes, to ice-cream parlours, fun indoor games, historic museums and castles. Depending on the weather, you can choose an activity to do in the Isle of Man with kids. But, rest assured that in the Isle of Man, there is something for the whole family to enjoy.
Our selection of activities for children under 5:
- Ride on the steam train
- Visit Curraghs wildlife park
- The Douglas Promenade
- Collect rocks and pebbles across the beaches
- Visit Mooragh Park
- The Manx Fun Farm
- Visit The Sound
Our selection of activities for children over 5:
- Bowling and Leisure Centre
- Manx Fun Farm
- Curraghs wildlife park
- Peel Castle
- House of Manannan
- The Manx Museum
- Castle Rushen
- The Great Laxey Wheel
- Point of Ayre
- Snaefell Mountain
- Niarbyl Bay
- Visit the Calf of Man
- Adventurous Experiences and The Venture Centre
Parks and Glens in The Isle of Man
The Isle of Man offers many possibilities to enjoy the great outdoors. There are various National Glens, that can be easily accessed by car with several being situated near the Manx Electric Railway, Steam Railway stations and on bus routes. Visiting these glens and parks, you will surely meet people walking their dogs too and quickly get to making some new Manx friends. Some of the most beautiful glens to visit include: Glen Maye National Glen, Dhoon Glen and Ballaglass Glen. Great parks to check out with your kids include: Mooragh Park, Onchan Pleasure Park, and Curraghs wildlife park.
Beaches in The Isle of Man
The beaches in Isle of Man are some of the best in the world, with a mix of sandy and pebbly beaches. Some of the top beaches to visit include Peel Beach, Douglas Beach, Kirk Michael Beach, Garwick Beach, Castletown Beach, Port Erin Beach, Ramsey Beach, and Laxey Beach. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for seal spotting, as the Isle of Man is home to a thriving seal population.
Castles
Castles are another highlight of the Isle of Man, with many historic and stunning castles to visit. Some of the top castles to visit include Peel Castle and Castle Rushen. Peel Castle, which is located in Peel is where the Christian missionaries and Viking warriors left their footsteps. Find out how the Kings and Lords of Mann lived at Castle Rushen in Castletown.
Moving Around in The Isle of Man
Getting around in Isle of Man is both easy and fun, with options like the steam railway and the electric tram. The Isle of Man also has a horse tram, covering the promenade in Douglas. You will also find busses operating to several locations and taxis. If you plan to move around in all the means of transport that the island provides, then you should look at purchasing the Go Explore Card from the Sea Terminal in Douglas.
Indoor Activities in The Isle of Man
For indoor activities, check out the Manx Aviation and Military Museum, the Port Erin Railway Museum, and the Jurby Transport Museum. The Manx Aviation and Military Museum is located at Ronaldsway airport. This museum offers a wide range of exhibits relating the military and aviation history of the Isle of Man and also the people who served in the Armed Forces both on and off the island.The Port Erin Railway museum is home to various locomotives, the Royal train, memorabilia, posters and other interactive displays. The Jurby Transport Museum has a wide range of vehicles on display.
In conclusion, the Isle of Man is a fantastic destination for families, with its friendly and warm environment, and plenty of things to do. Whether you prefer to spend your time indoors or outdoors, there is always something to do. To learn more about the Isle of Man, and to find the best family-friendly accommodation, check out Booking with Kids. Don’t forget to download the free family-friendly travel guide with all that you need to know about travelling to the Isle of Man with kids.
