What to do in south Devon with a 10 year old?

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Staying in a lovely rural location but 10 yo ds needs some activity/ fun/ child centered days out
Any ideas?

Depends where the rural bit is located! We generally took ours out all day - walking the coast path, walked inland following helpful guides in dedicated books, kayaking/canoeing, days on the beach even in the rain - can still have a sandcastle competition! We were on a tight budget so couldn't afford the playpark type places. There are a few NT places with adventure playgrounds if I remember correctly. Salcombe is nice to walk around, so is Plymouth - we saw some warships coming back from a tour of duty! Have a lovely time x

Woodlands is great for kids

If near Torquay then the model village in Babbacombe is great fun!

Whereabouts are you and what is he in to?

Obvious choices are the beach - there are many lovely ones!
Paignton Pier is a pretty good one. Paignton Zoo is really nice.
Teignmouth Lido has just reopened this weekend
Water sports centres are on every beach area
Devon Sea Safari for a boat trip
Crab fishing - again, pretty much every harbour
Rent a boat - Teignmouth do them quite reasonably
Brixham is a nice walk and shoalstone pool is lovely. Berry Head is stunning.
There's the usual suspects of trampoline parks, bowling, escape rooms and cinema dotted around.
River Dart country park might be a good shout too.
Mini golf dotted around too - Teignmouth has one
Funder Park at Dawlish Warren or Crealy or Woodlands for a smaller theme park?

There are a couple of theme parks in Devon but not sure how far from where you're staying. I've been to The Big Sheep (yes, it is a sheep themed theme park) and The Milky Way and kids enjoyed them both. Mine are a bit younger though (between 5 & 8)

Some good ideas hereEnglish Riviera

Explore Dartmoor, even do a wild camp if you have the gear.

Hire bikes and cycle the Granite Way.

Plymouth Lido, or just next to the Lido there is a marked out swimming area.

Get the boat over to Mount Edgecombe for the day from Plymouth.

There is a dry ski slope/luge/tubing just outside of Plymouth.

Powderham Castle is good and sometimes has activities on.

Thanks we are just outside Exeter

He loves animals trains boats beaches crazy golf and usual stuff a 10 yo likes.

We do the Round Robin from Totnes - it's a open top bus, boat and steam train. Takes in Paington, Totnes and Dartmouth / Kingswear i think and our kids love it. The boat is quite long though so I would buy snacks for that bit!

Rive Dart Country Park.. loafs of activities and a kids swiming Lake. Pp mentioned woodlands too that's a good shout! Haldon Forest has go ape and trails etc. Dingles Fairground Museum is cool and has rides tou can go on. My oh is from there so often visit family with our 9 year olds

Shortlist is

Cannonteign falls
Devon railway centre
Haldon forest
Buckfastleigh butterfiies and otter sanctuary

Any one been to these?

Haldon Forest (get there early as parking is a 'mare once it gets busy). Can just walk through the forest / use play areas or for more adventure, hire bikes or do Go Ape (might be wise to book in advance)

Take a train to Exmouth (buy a return) then walk back part of the way along the Exe estuary (decent path all the way). There are various train stations along the route so just hop back on the train to Exeter when you / DC gets tired.

The Bear Trail at Cullompton is really good fun (muddy assault course).

We've done cannonteign with younger children and loved it. It's only a 3 mile route as I recall. Great cafe and play area.

If you are using the buses the fares are £2 per person per single journey.

Sidmouth donkey sanctuary

Can't go wrong with Dawlish Warren with the amusement park and arcade. Nice beach too.

Also Splashdown Quaywest splash park in Paignton if he likes water flumes.

Haldon forest is good. The butterfly and otter place is fun but not huge although it is very near the steam train so could easily combine them think you cam do it as a joint ticket.

Exmouth for the beach and they have a mini golf (I think)
Bicton Park
Donkey sanctuary and sidmouth

Exeter museum is really good, and a nice size.

Splashdown at Paignton
no one has said Crealy yet!
South Devon railway

Paignton pier arcades
Occombe farm
Woodlands
Crealy
Paignton zoo
Quay west water park
Bike hire in lots of different locations with great cycle routes
Dartmoor for a walk
World of country life
Exeter museum
Torquay museum
Dartmoor zoo
Pennywell farm

I live here and there's alot to do with kids! Mines only 3 so different age group but we never struggle to find things to do.

When mine was that she she loved Pennywell farm