Playgrounds, country parks, woodland trails and nature reserves. Most of these cost nothing.
A man-made island between the Sankey Canal and the Mersey, reclaimed from the chemical industry into flat riverside parkland with big skies and boats to watch. Free parking, next door to Catalyst, and yes, it is where the Stone Roses played in 1990.
Widnes's flagship park with a summer splash pad, big playgrounds, a skate park for older ones and a bandstand cafe. The local free default, minutes from Catalyst.
A prehistoric trail winding through a garden centre, with interactive bits along the way. Under-2s free, and there's a café and indoor shelter if the weather turns.
The reliable default: gardens, a children's zoo, a big playground and plenty of room to run. Pay for parking, nothing else.
Inflatables in Old Market Square every day, plus a rotating Wednesday programme across the parks and a Thursday session in Time Square. No tickets, no booking, just turn up.
A peat bog nature reserve with woodland trails, a visitor centre and an observation tower the kids can climb. Free, close and short enough for little legs.
St Helens' biggest park. Play areas, open space and a walled garden, and it costs nothing.
A 20-metre white head rising out of a reclaimed colliery, with woodland trails around it. Genuinely strange and memorable for kids, and a short walk rather than a hike.