Windermere suggestions please

[Icanbuymyselfflowers22]

Holiday in Windermere in August. 4 adults, 2 kids aged 2 and 5. 5 year old very adventurous. All adults fit and able. Suggestions of things to do please. Will have cars so can travel. Zoo/farm suggestions as well please. Have had a good look on trip advisor etc but would be handy to hear from people on here thank you

We enjoyed fell foot park at the southern end of lake windermere when my kids were around that age, they can splash in the lake and the playgrounds are very good. You can also hire a rowing boat.
Brockhole on windermere is also worth a visit, though the activities are quite expensive and would probably suit older children better (there's a high ropes course and a few other activities.)
Ambleside is a nice base - there is a huge playground there and several child friendly cafes and restaurants.
We also enjoyed a walk to the caves near Rydal water.

Rydal Caves
Brockhole
Grizedale Forest
Yes to Ambleside for playground and cafes / restaurants. Cinema there also for rainy days.

We did Rydal Caves but at 2 and 5.5 make sure they've had a wee beforehand (no toilets around) it is a bit cobbledy and it is a longer way than you imagine - it's also the second cave you want which is a bit further. The car park can also be a bit of a mare. The hall/gardens nearby have nice ice cream.

Grizedale Forest has high ropes for more £ but we just stuck to the easy walk with musical trees (keys turn them). Cafe expensive but good quality. Zog walk okay but not amazing and is there mainly to promote the kerching tree climbing.
We went via car ferry across the lake from Bowness to cut out some traffic.

Bowness busy but £25 quid for family ticket to Beatrix Potter - still nice experience and decent cafe.

Windermere steam gondola great and worth the money. Decent ice cream.

Derwent pencil museum not worth the visit ime.

Ambleside Champion Tree Trail | Cumbria | National Trust
This was free but we needed more water/loo stop. The gardens probably better than the two tallest trees but we did find them then went back again. Ambleside itself has nice ice cream and fish and chips. Can stop for a paddle. Also roman fort remains and cows bit further along.

Killington lake services still my favourite services!

The Chocolate Factory Hawkshead – The Childrens Chocolate Experience – The Lake District
we didn't do this £££ but might have done if not budgeting (bars and restaurants and Tesco express across lakes dearer than what we are used to).
Lakeland Maze Farm Park
we definitely would have gone for this near Kendall had the maze been open at the time we were visiting.

On top of what has been mentioned Wray castle is very child friendly.

tarn hows is good for an easier circular walk

Boo! Wray castle is the one thing we missed - check the opening hours OP. I think grounds were open but castle only Saturdays but this was at Whitsun.