Grandparents taking kids on hols to Cardiff - activitues?

[Rathernew]

Hi Cardiff Mumsnetters,

I'm after some local knowledge. My parents, in theur 70's, have energetically offered to take my kids (7 and 9) on holiday this summer for a week in Cardiff. They are staying in the YHA near Atlantic Wharf/Newtown.

I'm after suggestions for activities that are easy to get to from there without a car. Things that might help if they are getting tired... for when the kids are squabbling non-stop!

For starters I'd be really grateful to know:

The nearest park with a good playground
The best playground in Cardiff
Anywhere near there where there are free activities
Good museums for kids
How to get to a beach from there
What you all do for a cheap day out in town
Fantastic things for kids that you think they shouldn't miss

Thank you for your help. My parents are very fit and active and look after the kuds regularly during the day but they are also really stubborn and I'm hoping to make the trip easier for them....

Not local but when we were in Cardiff we went to techniquest, very hands on science museum my kids age 4 and 8 at the time had a ball.
www.techniquest.org/

Easy train ride to Barry Island too. Platform 8 central station.

National Museum is cool. Cardiff Castle is probably good but I've not been there for years.

I'm not sure if you can get a bus there but I would recommend a day at St Fagan's. It has the feel of country park and has lots of houses scattered around, showing how we used to live in various times. There is an old bakery, school etc. Great day out, and free!

I would actively discourage a trip to the Royal Mint btw. We went and has a very expensive day out and it was just dull.

Seconding Techniquest.

Thank you very much for the suggestions

Caerphilly Castle -it’s about 20 minutes on the valley line which you can get from central or queen st station. Caerphilly train station is in the town about 10 minute walk to the castle.
I’m not sure if you can get to Big Pit on the train. It’s a genuine coal mine but there is a age /height resurrection to go into the mine.
St fagans welsh museum is just outside cardiff and I’m sure there are buses.
Cardiff Castle of course.
Techniquest
The bay.
I think there are trips round the bay as well, and you used to be able to go across to Weston on a paddle steamer but I’m not sure if it still does and how frequently etc.
The water sports centre does indoor surfing but I’m not sure about age limits.

Roath park boating lake