Family Things to Do in the Cairngorms National Park
· Updated
The Cairngorms is the UK's largest national park, and for a family holiday that size is the whole point. Inside its 1,748 square miles you can meet Britain's only free-ranging reindeer herd in the morning, swim off a sandy loch beach at lunchtime, and ride a steam train before tea, all within a short drive of Aviemore.
This is a proper family destination, not a wilderness you need mountaineering skills to enjoy. The best things to do in the Cairngorms with kids sit around the villages of Aviemore, Carrbridge, Boat of Garten and Glenmore, so you rarely spend long in the car. It is part of our guide to camping in the UK's national parks, and you can find and compare local sites through Camping Sites in Britain.
The best family days out, at a glance
Here are the headline attractions and who they suit, so you can build a rough plan before you arrive.
| Attraction | Where | Good for | Book ahead? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairngorm Reindeer Centre hill trip | Glenmore | All ages, meeting the herd | Yes, essential |
| Loch Morlich beach and watersports | Glenmore | Beach days, ages 5 and up on the water | For hire, in summer |
| Landmark Forest Adventure Park | Carrbridge | Ages 3 to 12 especially | No, but book online to save |
| Strathspey Steam Railway | Aviemore to Broomhill | Toddlers to grandparents | Recommended in peak weeks |
| Cairngorm Mountain funicular | Cairn Gorm | All ages, no walking needed | Book online for a slot |
| RSPB Loch Garten | Abernethy Forest | Budding wildlife spotters | No |
Meet the reindeer herd
The Cairngorm Reindeer Centre at Glenmore runs guided hill trips to meet Britain's only free-ranging herd of reindeer, which has grazed these slopes since 1952. A ranger walks you out onto the mountainside, hands round a bag of feed, and the reindeer wander straight up to eat from your hands. For most children it is the highlight of the whole trip.
The hill trip involves a short uphill walk over rough, boggy ground and usually a small stream crossing, so bring wellies or sturdy boots and waterproofs whatever the forecast. Trips run year round but places are limited and sell out, so book online before you travel. If the weather closes the hill, the paddocks and centre at Glenmore give you a rain-safe alternative. Check current times and prices on the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre website.
Loch Morlich beach and watersports
Loch Morlich has a genuine sandy beach, freshwater and framed by the high tops of the Cairngorms, and it is free to visit. On a warm day families paddle, build sandcastles and swim, with Glenmore Forest and easy loch-side walks right behind the sand.
For something more active, the watersports centre on the shore hires out canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, and runs windsurfing and sailing sessions in summer. Most paddling activities suit children from about age five with an adult, and buoyancy aids are provided. Sessions depend on weather and staffing, so it is worth booking hire in the school holidays rather than turning up and hoping.
Landmark Forest Adventure Park
Landmark Forest Adventure Park at Carrbridge is the Cairngorms' rainy-day insurance and its best all-day outing for younger children. It packs treetop rope trails, a water coaster, a runaway timber-train ride, a wolf and bear enclosure viewpoint and huge outdoor climbing structures into a forest setting, and your ticket covers everything once you are in.
It works best for roughly ages 3 to 12, though the tall towers and the Tarzan-style trails keep older kids busy too. Some rides carry a minimum height, so check before your children set their hearts on them. One admission price gives a full day, and buying online in advance is usually cheaper than the gate. See the current rides and prices at Landmark Forest Adventure Park.
Ride the Strathspey Steam Railway
The Strathspey Steam Railway runs vintage steam trains from Aviemore through Boat of Garten to Broomhill, a round trip of about 20 miles through the Spey valley. It is a gentle, sit-down treat that spans the generations, from toddlers glued to the engine to grandparents remembering the age of steam.
You can break the journey at Boat of Garten and walk to the village, and Broomhill station doubles as "Glenbogle" from the television series Monarch of the Glen. Special services run through the year, including Santa trains in December, which book up fast. Timetables change by season, so check the Strathspey Railway site before you go.
Up the mountain without the climb
The funicular railway at Cairngorm Mountain carries you to the Ptarmigan station near the summit of Cairn Gorm, at around 3,600 feet, with no walking required. It reopened in early 2023 after major repairs, and it is the easiest way to get small children and less mobile grandparents high into the mountains for the views.
At the top there is an exhibition and a cafe, and staff manage numbers so pre-booking a slot online is sensible in busy periods. Lower down, the base station has a mountain garden and marked trails if you would rather stay at ground level. Dress warmly whatever the season, because it is always colder and windier at the top than in the glen.
Wildlife the whole family can spot
RSPB Loch Garten in Abernethy Forest is the classic Cairngorms wildlife day, best known for the ospreys that nest here each summer and appear live on the nest cameras in the centre. The surrounding pinewoods are also home to red squirrels and crested tits, and the feeders near the centre make them easy for children to see.
Across the park, red squirrels, red deer and mountain hares are all realistic sightings, and the ancient Caledonian pine forests around Rothiemurchus and Glenmore are among the best places in Britain to find them. Pack binoculars and a spotter sheet and the children will do the rest.
Easy family walks
You do not need to tackle a Munro to feel like you have earned your dinner. Two short, low-level walks near Aviemore suit almost any family.
Loch an Eilein at Rothiemurchus
The circuit of Loch an Eilein is about 3.5 miles on good, mostly flat paths through old pine forest, with a ruined castle sitting on an island in the loch. It is one of the prettiest easy walks in the Highlands and manageable for confident young walkers, though the ground is too rough for standard buggies in places. There is a car park at the visitor centre, usually with a charge.
The Green Lochan
An Lochan Uaine, the Green Lochan, is a short there-and-back walk from Glenmore of around 1.5 miles each way, and its water really is a vivid green. Local legend says the fairies dyed it, which keeps children moving up the gentle track. It sits on the way to Ryvoan, so you can turn back at the lochan or push on if legs allow.
Where to base yourself
Aviemore is the natural family base, with Glenmore, Coylumbridge, Boat of Garten and Carrbridge all within a short drive and most of the attractions above on your doorstep. Camping and caravan sites cluster around the town and out towards Loch Morlich, so you can pitch up close to the beach and the reindeer.
Browse family-friendly options across the region on our Highlands campsites pages, or start from the full campsite directory. If you are still weighing up where to stay, our guide to how to choose a campsite in the Highlands is a good next read, and campervan families should see the best sites for campervanning in Scotland. The pinewoods here also feature in our roundup of the best campsites for exploring ancient woodlands.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cairngorms good for young children?
Yes. The main attractions, including the reindeer hill trip, Loch Morlich beach, Landmark park and the steam railway, are all designed for families and cluster near Aviemore, so travel between them is short and easy with small children.
Can you really feed the reindeer?
Yes. On a guided hill trip from the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre at Glenmore you walk out to the free-ranging herd and hand-feed them. Trips involve a short walk over rough ground, need booking in advance, and run in most weather.
How many days do you need in the Cairngorms with kids?
Three to four days lets a family cover the reindeer, Loch Morlich, Landmark park, a steam train ride and an easy walk without rushing. A long weekend covers the highlights, and a full week leaves room for rainy days and slower mornings.
Is Loch Morlich safe for swimming?
Loch Morlich is a popular spot for paddling and open-water swimming from its sandy beach, but it is unpatrolled fresh water with no lifeguards. Supervise children closely, stay near the shore, and remember the water is cold even in summer.
When is the best time to visit?
Late spring to early autumn gives the warmest weather, the ospreys at Loch Garten and full watersports on Loch Morlich. Winter brings snow, skiing on Cairn Gorm and Santa steam trains, though some walks and hill trips depend on the conditions.
Is the Cairngorms the biggest national park in Britain?
Yes. The Cairngorms National Park is the largest in the UK, covering roughly 1,748 square miles, which makes it bigger than the whole of Luxembourg and around twice the size of the Lake District.
The short version
The Cairngorms hands families a rare mix: hand-feeding Britain's only reindeer herd, a sandy loch beach, a steam railway, a forest adventure park and a funicular up a mountain, all within reach of Aviemore. Base yourself near the action, keep a rainy-day plan in your pocket, and you have a brilliant trip whatever the weather. Start with our guide to camping in the UK's national parks or find a pitch in the Highlands.
