One of my highlights of visiting the seaside as a child was always walking along the pier, playing in the arcade and riding on the fairground rides at the end.
Fast forward too many years and it is something my own children love to do too.
Last weekend we were invited to visit the all new Kidz Island on South Parade Pier in Southsea, to try out their end of pier funfair.
Southsea is a great destination for a family day out as is home to the Victorian seafront which features a funfair, the Pyramids swimming complex, D-Day Museum, Blue Reef Aquarium, Clarence Pier and a huge open green space, perfect for kite flying and picnics and home to Victorious Festival on bank holiday weekend.
South Parade Pier is often forgotten, as although it is less than a mile from Clarence Pier, it is set away from most of the other tourist attractions.
Kidz Island funfair includes a range of rides for young children including a mini roller coaster, and mini chair swings, full size dodgems, an iconic full size helter skelter and lots of side stalls and games for the kids to enjoy.
Entrance to South Parade Pier is free and you can enjoy unlimited rides for just £7.50 per person or £2 per ride.
We visited across Sunday lunchtime / afternoon and didn’t have to queue for any rides at all.
I lost count of how many times the kids went on each ride, but it was several – especially Helter Skelter, Dodgems and Rollercoaster.
Isaac did his best to run Daddy over when driving the Dodgem!!
There are also a couple of games for the kids to play including “Hook a Duck” and a kids High Striker Game, both with a guaranteed prize every time.
Isaac hit the hammer so hard that the puck hit the bell and got stuck, but they were all very pleased with their prizes.
As with all good fun fairs, there are also stalls selling ice cream, sweet treats, candy floss and slushies, plus tea and coffee for us grown-ups.
Kidz Island also has some special events coming up – visit on the 10th August for the chance to meet Rastamouse or on the 17th August for the chance to meet Sooty and Richard Cadell.
South Parade has plenty for the all family to enjoy including a fabulous new amusement arcade, take away fish and chips, licensed restaurant, ice-cream parlour, The Gaiety Bar / Venue and much, much more.
If you are visiting Portsmouth, South Parade Pier is a great day out for kids aged up to 10 and there is even FREE parking in the surrounding roads, unlike its close neighbours.
Disclaimer: We were guests of Kidz Island for the purpose of a review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.
I think emntry to the unlimited rides is really good value. It is much more in Brighton where we go. Looks like the kids had a wonderful time there.
oh this looks so fun. We have never been to Portsmouth.. it looks like a place my daughter would enjoy. We love dodgems and hook a duck!
I like how there are some mini rides for the kids and not too scary ride. Looks like kids were having a blast there.
Portsmouth looks like so much fun, the kids seemed like they had a blast. It makes me want to have a good visit.
I have never been to Southsea before but this looks like a lot of fun.
£7.50 for unlimited rides is great value. This might have to make next years bucket list now x
It looks like a great old fashioned funfair. Pretty good value for unlimited rides too. Your kids look like they are having fun!
I love a good British sea-side day out! Kidz Island sounds like so much fun.
Aww this is like a pirate island for kids or the Peter Pan island lol What a beautiful idea!
I haven’t been to Portsmouth before but I think I’d enjoy the area, especially South Parade Pier!
This looks like a place my kids would enjoy! If we’re ever in the area, we’ll definitely check it out.
It sounds like you all had a blast! I love a good seaside fun fair – it definitely takes me back! I shall have to pay a visit to Southsea soon!
Not been to this place before sure looks like a good place to visit with the kids hope to go soon .
Kidz Island looks like ever such a lot of fun – my kids would definitely enjoy it there!
Wow! That sounds so much fun!! I really wanted to take my boy there but it’s a little far from where I live.
My son would love this fun fair. We’re go to a few a little closer to home over the summer. It’s such a great family activity.
Such a fun and great experience you had. This is such a brilliant place to bring our kids. I can see how happy they were.
What a fun experience your family had. Seeing the kids having fun is priceless.
We’ve just recently got back from St Ives and loved the arcades there – but they sadly had no funfair rides! Kidz Island sounds amazing and we’re local so going to check it out!
What a fun place! Love taking the kids to piers like this!
This looks like so much fun! I always loved the ducky game as a kid!
Sounds like the perfect summer’s day fun, the unlimited ticket price seems good value especially if the children go on several of the rides
This looks fab!! My kids would love it here, rides, 2p machines and candyfloss! Plus free parking!
This sounds like a wonderful pier and day out with the family. Will take a note and go sometime this summer holidays.
I can see the kids had a lovely time. Very nice.
Look at those smiles, definitely a fun way to spend a weekend full of exciting things to do.
We went to a festival recently and they had a Helter skelter. the boys loved it but it was tough getting up there the steps inside were so steep
I watched your vlog of this and it all looks like so much fun and the perfect day out for kids (and adults too)
Laura x
How fun. I love taking my kids on adventures like these.