Is Bristol good for families? Absolutely! With everything from award-winning attractions and family festivals to green spaces and kid-friendly places to eat, this city has everything you could possibly want for a fun family day out. Whether you’re looking to grab a locally-sourced coffee or a pint while the little ones play, we’ve rounded up 14 family-friendly Bristol independents that you and the kids will love.

Child-friendly venues in Bristol

Arnolfini

16 Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA

Creative types will love this art and culture hub with its regular family-friendly workshops and events. Each exhibition includes a family guide to help you explore, places to sit for breastfeeding, and the free Arnolfini Art Cart, packed with exhibition-inspired activities and colouring-in materials. High chairs and activity sheets are available at the cafe bar, and the team will even warm up your baby's milk.

Spike Island & Emmeline Cafe

133 Cumberland Rd, BS1 6UX

You’ll find regular child-friendly workshops at this museum-scale gallery, tucked up beside Bristol’s historic docks. Carrying a tiny tot around with you won’t stand in the way of your art either, thanks to the Bring Your Baby tours that are sling and buggy-friendly. Stop by the vibrant Emmeline cafe to check out the locally-sourced menu — the bright, plant-filled space and scrumptious cakes will help any parent regain their zen.

Propyard

39-46 Feeder Rd, BS2 0SE

Littered with props from old film sets and set in a former torpedo testing factory, this imposing industrial space opened its doors in 2021 to host an eclectic array of events. While most are designed for adults only, it’s worth keeping your eyes peeled for some of the best Bristol family events. Recent child-friendly events have included the free Courtyard Family Social — a mini festival complete with bouncy castle, activities and a bubble fairy — and the iconic Big Fish, Little Fish family rave.

Watershed

1 Canon's Rd, BS1 5TX

Head to Bristol’s premier indie cinema during the holidays for screenings of kid-friendly new releases and family classics. Looking after a tot under one? Drop by on a Monday for Cinébabies, a baby cinema club where tots can cry, play, and babble while you enjoy a movie. The spacious cafe offers a tasty children’s menu of freshly prepared, seasonal food while baby changing facilities, lifts, and high chairs are available on site.

Bristol’s family-friendly pubs and restaurants

Bocabar Paintworks

Paintworks Central Trading Estate, BS4 3EH

This award-winning restaurant, housed in a redbrick warehouse building is hugely popular with the families of Bristol. The collection of comfy Chesterfield sofas and chairs creates a cosy seating area for kids while the spacious interior allows buggies to fit and children to toddle around. An extensive menu of children’s meals, from beans on toast to mini versions of the famous pizzas, makes Bocabar one of the best family-friendly restaurants in Bristol.

The Lazy Dog

112 Ashley Down Rd, BS7 9JR

This independent community pub lives up to its name with plenty of four-legged visitors, but it’s also kid-friendly up until 7pm. Admire the tasteful decor as you sample world food small plates and hearty pub classics. Or tuck into the quality Sunday roasts to end your week right. Kids’ meals are served all day, and the decent walled garden with its wooden Wendy house allows children to run free.

The Gloucester Old Spot

138-140 Kellaway Ave, BS6 7YQ

Expect a warm welcome from this vibrant independent pub that wants everyone to feel like a local. Boasting an interior filled with quirky charm and character, The Old Spot’s best-kept secret is the large enclosed beer garden with artificial grass and a play castle to keep little ones entertained. Book ahead for the Sunday roasts or visit on a Wednesday between 5-9pm for the buy-one-get-one-free pizza.

The Tobacco Factory

Raleigh Rd, BS3 1TF

This multi-use venue is a champion of independents with an eye on its environmental impact and a focus on community-centred events. Visit the theatre for a family-friendly show or drop by the cafe bar, a proud member of the sustainable restaurant association, where a special kids menu is waiting and little folks are welcome until 9pm. Expect high chairs, baby changing facilities, and colouring pages designed by local illustrators.

Purezza

79-81 Gloucester Rd, BS7 8AS

Imagine free vegan pizza for ten years of your life. Well, that’s exactly what kids get at Purezza, the plant-based pizza restaurant that’s come all the way from Brighton. The menu is filled with delicious child-friendly options (including a chocolate pizza for dessert), and the restaurant provides high chairs and accessible areas for prams. It’s a thumbs up and five family-friendly stars from us!

Kid-friendly cafes in Bristol

Windmill Hill City Farm Cafe

Philip St, BS3 4EA

If home-cooked, thoughtfully-sourced food is your thing, you’re in for a treat at the Windmill Hill City Farm Cafe. The menu is veg-led to reduce the footprint of the business, except when their own farm-reared meat is available. With animals to pet, a picnic area, and gardens for teaching your kids about where their food comes from, you can follow up your coffee and cake with a fun family day out.

Skyboat Cafe

4 Harcourt Rd, BS6 7RG

It’s soft play, but not as you know it. This stylish little space was designed for adults just as much as for kids with healthy food, superior coffee, artisan bakes, and a beautifully designed playroom for the kids to have some fun. Superfood salads, bakes, and light lunches are prepared on site using fresh local produce and cater to all dietary requirements. Play sessions are booked separately on the website, but there’s no need to make a reservation if you just want a bite to eat.

The Gossip Play Cafe

166 West St, BS3 3LY

Bristol’s first Montessori-inspired play cafe is a win for both kids and adults. The stylish interior provides a calm oasis for parents to relax and tuck into vegan and vegetarian grub while the little ones play with a variety of fun toys. The play space is designed to inspire independent and sensory play among 0-4-year-olds while a zero-waste and sustainability-first policy give the cafe its do-good credentials.

The Atrium Cafe at Arnos Vale Cemetery

Bath Rd, BS4 3EW

Who would have thought a day out at the cemetery could be this much fun? But we're not talking about any old cemetery. The mighty Arnos Vale is an atmospheric, 45-acre heritage site and wildlife haven with plentiful nature trails for adventurous kids to explore. It's worth noting that the ground can be uneven — so carers of wobbly toddlers, beware! Babes in arms and prams will be fine, thanks to the cafe’s buggy-friendly terrace. Stop in for a homemade cake, artisan sandwich, and a refreshing cider or wine.

St. Werburghs City Farm Cafe

Watercress Rd, BS2 9YJ

Who would have thought a day out at the cemetery could be this much fun? But we're not talking about any old cemetery. The mighty Arnos Vale is an atmospheric, 45-acre heritage site and wildlife haven with plentiful nature trails for adventurous kids to explore. It's worth noting that the ground can be uneven — so carers of wobbly toddlers, beware! Babes in arms and prams will be fine, thanks to the cafe’s buggy-friendly terrace. Stop in for a homemade cake, artisan sandwich, and a refreshing cider or wine.

Have we missed a kid-friendly indie that your family loves? Let us know on Instagram @inbristol.guide

Family-friendly Bristol: Our top picks for days out with kids