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Brilliant things to do at Drake Circus and The Barcode this summer

Days out ideas, kids’ entertainment, menus and more

Planning days out this summer? Drake Circus and The Barcode has everything from imagination-sparking play centres, VR games and adventure golf to sweet treats, shopping and toys, the biggest movie blockbusters, special seasonal events, offers and discounts, now’s the time to get inspired.

Let them go wild

The amazing Wild Things Play Project has sand play, crafting corner, climbing frames and sensory spaces for kids up to the age of seven. With no screens or plastic, it’s designed to spark their imaginations and creative plays. There’s a cafe for grown ups with salad bowls, muffins and kids-friendly choices – open every day but book ahead in case it gets busy.

Play some mini golf

Paradise Island Adventure Golf is two fun-filled 18-hole adventure golf courses spanning 16,000 sq ft of tropical utopia and swamps while the 19th hole gives you the chance to win a free game at the end of your round. They have tonnes of offers including online booking for families for £35.50, discounts for students, carers, Blue Light card holders, military and Argyle Pride members and eat and play discounts. Book here.

See the biggest movies

This summer, it’s all about the blockbusters with the arrival of live-action Lilo & Stitch and Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning (23 May), live-action How To Train Your Dragon (13 June), Jurassic World: Rebirth (2 July), Superman (11 July), The Fantastic Four: First Step (25 July), The Bad Guys 2 (1 August) and Freakier Friday (8 August). Phew!

Cineworld is the place to see them all with child tickets for £5 or family tickets for two adults, two children. They offer Movies for Juniors for £2.50, Cinebabies and autism-friendly sessions. There’s also 2-for-1 tickets with Meerkat Movies. Book your seats here.

Take a photo at our Pride rainbow

We’ll be hosting our Pride Community space outside the Cornwall Street entrance with astroturf and giant rainbow vinyl so pop along for a spirit-lifting selfie.

Go head to head at Boom Battle Bar

Under 18s are welcome at Boom Battle Bar until 7pm so get ready to have a family game of AR darts, shuffleboard, karaoke and American pool. With street food of halloumi fries, burgers and tater tots plus special offers and live sport, it’s a great day out.

Discover the best kids’ menus

• Las Iguanas is a family favourite with delicious tapas and Mexican and South American dishes including fajitas, enchiladas and burritos. They’ve got Bottomless Brunch and Bottomless Tapas for adults and also do great kids’ menus including a main course of chicken wacky tacos, veggie nuggets and grilled chicken burger, two sides and a dessert for just £7.25 or smaller portions of adult choices.
• Zizzi’s Bambini menu has three courses of carrot, cucumber and veggie sticks, pizza and pasta (pomodoro, bolognese, vegan lentil ragu, just cheese, please) plus chips or fruit squash and desserts of ice cream, fruit lollies and cut grapes. Plus, adults can get three-course set menus for just £26.50.
• Franco Manca is also a crowd pleaser with delicious sourdough pizzas for all and kids’ pizza, drink and an ice cream for £8.25.
• Yo! does kiddy bento boxes of their tasty Japanese street food (teriyaki chicken, gyoza, katsu) with a side and drink for £7.50 or head to wagamama for special kids’ menus for £7.70. Choose from one of their mains made mini (yaki soba, ramen, chicken katsu) with drinks and desserts of chocolate brownie, tropical fruit lolly or vanilla ice-cream.
• For a fun day out (where even your dog can come too), Brewdog has kids’ toasties, mac’n’cheese and chicken nuggets all served with fries, salad and soft drink for £6. Go for a hoppy meal for £8.75 and get a drink, milkpop and awesome activities too! Keep an eye on their calendar here as kids often eat free in the holidays.
• Cosy Club is a great place to enjoy some downtime with brunch, lunch and dinner from 9am. Order a kids’ cosy breakfast for £7.50 (Cumberland sausage, smoked back bacon, hash brown, egg any style, beans and buttered toasted sourdough); tomato pasta rigatoni with San Marzano tomato sauce from £6.95 and vegan burgers for £7.50.

Go shopping for kids’ bits and pieces

Drake Circus is home to some of the best stores to find toys, new summer wardrobes, holiday packing and entertainment. Head to The Entertainer for fun toys and pop into Claire’s, Flying Tiger Copenhagen and Smiggle for school stationery and fun finds while Waterstones is ideal for picture books, games and activities and chapter books for older kids.

Find great summer wardrobes at Marks & Spencer, H&M, Mango, Next, Primark, New Look and River Island.

Grab some food on the go

Make it a quick and easy meal for everyone with some of the best food-on-the-go favourites. We’ve got Burger King, Five Guys, Starbucks, Marks & Spencer (a main, a snack and drink for just £4), Slim Chickens and Nando’s (sign up to the app to easily order at your table and build up loyalty points with Nandino meals of a main, two sides, a drink or dessert).

Take a turn at Spinners

Spinners is the place for duckpin bowling, electric darts and indoor clay shooting under cherry blossoms with under 18s welcome until 6pm. Find out more here.

Go for a sweet treat

All that shopping and exploring can leave you feeling wiped out so take the kids for a sugar-boost at Bubble CiTea for fruit teas with rainbow bubbles, lychee jellies and more. Or head to Hotel Chocolat for fun kids’ finds including tasty Tiddly Pots, jaw-dropping hot chocolates and Smile Milk Chocolate lollies. Sign up to their loyalty scheme for discounts and birthday specials.

Pick up delicious doughnuts at Krispy Kreme or head to Kaspa’s Desserts for artisan Italian gelato, incredible giant American waffles topped with oreos, peanut butter and berries, sundaes including bubblelicious and speculoos, tutti frutti shakes and and much, much more. Book here.

Keep tweens happy…

Have some tweens to keep entertained? Head to Lush (sign up to the app and get £3 off your next purchase) for fun and colourful bath bombs, spa finds, hair and body sprays, jellies and more. They also run Lush parties in-store (£25pp to make your own products and limited edition party bags)! Mooch, Primark and Superdrug are also great places to find notebooks, travel minis, face masks and a host of beauty brands and perfumes.

Get crafting

Unleash their creative imaginations with plenty of pens, paints, paper, glue and DIY projects from Flying Tiger Copenhagen.

It’s easy to get to Drake Circus and The Barcode via car and public transport (find out more here) plus we have easy parking and family-friendly facilities.

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Last updated Friday 16 May, 2025