Entertaining teenagers requires a fundamentally different approach to younger children. They want activities that feel grown-up, ideally something they can share on social media, and preferably something they can do with friends rather than parents hovering nearby.
West Sussex has a surprisingly good range of teen-friendly activities, from adrenaline sports to free beach days. Here is what actually works.
Adrenaline Activities
Go Ape, Tilgate Park
The Treetop Challenge at Tilgate Park in Crawley is the standout teenager activity in West Sussex. High ropes, zip lines, and Tarzan swings through the tree canopy. Minimum age 10, minimum height 1.4m.
Tilgate Park itself is free to enter, so you can combine Go Ape with a walk around the lake or a visit to the nature centre.
Trampolining — Flip Out Chichester
Flip Out in Chichester (Atlas House, Glenmore Business Park, PO19 7BJ) is the biggest trampoline and adventure park in Sussex with 12 attractions: free-jump zones, a ninja assault course, Wipe Out, Dropslide, rope bridge, and inflatables alongside the trampolines.
- Prices: From £13.50 per person (off-peak 1-hour session) to £21.50 (2-hour session at weekends/holidays). Weekday term-time Unlimited sessions (5 hours) are just £18, which is exceptional value.
- Age: All ages welcome. Under-12s need an adult on site; ages 12–18 need a parental waiver signed online in advance (parents do not need to stay).
- Height: Some attractions have a 1.2m limit. Under-1.2m has a dedicated Kids' Stunt Box.
- Socks: Grip socks required. Buy online or on arrival.
- Booking: Book at flipout.co.uk. Strongly recommended at weekends and during school holidays. Walk-ins accepted when spaces remain.
There is no equivalent large trampoline park in Worthing or Horsham, so Flip Out Chichester is the go-to for West Sussex teens.
Paintball and Airsoft — Driver Wood Activity Centre, Copthorne
Driver Wood (Old Hollow, Copthorne, RH10 4TA, near M23 J10) operates across 40 acres of woodland with game zones built around forts, military vehicles, and varied terrain.
- Paintball (ages 10+): Half-day Pay & Play from £7.99pp; Half-day All Inclusive (400 paintballs) £27.50pp; Full-day All Inclusive (800 paintballs) £49.50pp. Children's low-impact paintball for ages 8–10 at £24.99pp.
- Airsoft (ages 10+): Beginners package £29.99pp with all kit provided. Walk-on (experienced players) from £20 with own kit.
- Laser Tag / Nerf Wars / Gel Blasters (ages 6+): £14.99pp, the no-bruise option for younger or more cautious groups.
- Duration: Half-day is 2.5 hours; full-day is 6.5 hours (9:30am–4pm).
- Groups: Minimum 10 players for midweek paintball bookings. At least one adult must remain on site.
- Booking: driverwoodactivitycentre.co.uk or call 01293 882806.
A half-day All Inclusive paintball session for a group of 10 works out at £27.50pp, which is competitive for the experience. Book well ahead for school holiday weekends.
Go-Karting — TeamSport Crawley
TeamSport Indoor Karting (Gatwick Goodsyard, Crawley, RH10 9RE) runs a 750-metre three-level indoor track with electric karts.
- Prices: Dynamic pricing. Expect approximately £20–£35pp for a standard race session depending on day and time. Book online for best rates; discount code GET10 applies.
- Age: Minimum 8 years. Ages 8–12 use Cadet karts (minimum 25-inch inside leg); age 13+ can use adult karts reaching 40mph (minimum 29-inch inside leg).
- Opening: 9am–11pm daily.
- Parties: Kids' birthday parties for ages 8–12 from 10 drivers.
- Booking: team-sport.co.uk/go-kart-tracks/crawley
For older teens (17+) who want more serious racing, Q Leisure in Albourne (London Road, BN6 9BQ) has an 800-metre outdoor floodlit circuit. Kids & Family sessions (ages 8+, min 132cm) start from £49pp for a 30-minute session.
Climbing — Clip 'n Climb, Crawley
Clip 'n Climb (6 Forest Park Way, Pease Pottage, Crawley, RH11 9ZG) is the UK's largest Clip 'n Climb centre, with 33 auto-belay climbing challenges of varying styles and difficulty. No climbing experience required; harnesses and all equipment are included.
- Prices: £19.99pp for an 85-minute session (30-min briefing + 55 min climbing). Add Stairway to Heaven (tallest challenge) for £4 extra.
- Age: From age 4+. Under-18s need a responsible adult on site (who does not need to climb).
- Sessions: Start on the hour. Arrive on time as latecomers lose session time.
- Shoes: Trainers required. No flip-flops or boots.
- Opening: Mon and Fri 10am–7pm; Sat–Sun 9am–7pm. Tue–Thu closed in term time.
- Booking: crawley.clipnclimb.co.uk. Advance booking strongly recommended.
For teens who want to progress beyond clip-and-go, the Arena Sports Centre at Bognor Regis has a serious bouldering wall (9m+ walls, 50+ sq m bouldering surface) with structured weekly sessions for beginners (age 8+) and intermediates (age 10+) on Wednesday evenings.
Water Activities
Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
SUP has exploded in popularity and it is perfect for teenagers: easy to learn, Instagram-friendly, and genuinely fun. Chichester Harbour, Littlehampton, and the River Arun are popular launch spots. Hire and lessons are available from several providers.
Kayaking and Canoeing
Chichester Harbour, the Arun, and the canal offer kayaking suitable for beginners. Guided sessions are available for those new to paddling.
Surfing and Bodyboarding
The West Sussex coast gets rideable waves, especially in autumn and winter. Natural Surf School at East Wittering is the county's only Surf England Accredited surf school and a reliable choice for beginner lessons. Wetsuits make surfing comfortable year-round. Board hire is also available from beach shops near Worthing and Littlehampton.
Snorkelling with Mulberry Marine (Selsey)
For something genuinely different, Mulberry Marine runs guided snorkel tours off Selsey. Expect to spot crabs, wrasse, and anemones in the clear shallow waters along the Sussex coast. It is safe for beginners and highly memorable. Book in advance as sessions are small-group.
Free Activities
Beaches
The most obvious free option and still one of the best. Teenagers are old enough to enjoy the beach on their own terms: swimming, bodyboarding, volleyball, or just socialising.
- West Wittering — the best beach, with sand and surf
- Worthing — easy access, sandy at low tide
- Littlehampton — sandy, with cafes nearby
See our guide to the best beaches.
Skateparks
West Sussex has a strong network of free outdoor skateparks, from beginner plazas to one of the best pool parks in the UK. All are free, open year-round, and welcome all ages.
Crawley Freestyle Skatepark (Southgate Avenue, RH10 6LW) is the county's best outdoor park: two large concrete bowls including an oververt section, plus a full street run with rails, hubbas, and manny pads. Fully floodlit until late. One of the best parks in the South East.
Shoreham-by-Sea (Brighton Road, Ham Recreation Ground, BN43 6RE) draws skaters from London and beyond. Three connected concrete pools with authentic pool coping, widely regarded as one of the best pool parks in the UK. Bowl lights until 9pm on a push-button timer.
Horsham Park (Hurst Road, RH12 2EP) was completely rebuilt in 2022 by Betongpark. All concrete, transition ramps up to 7ft 6in, open bowl, and a rear street plaza. One of the best newer parks in the country.
Lancing Beach Green (Beach Green, off Brighton Road, BN15 8RA) is a large seafront concrete plaza with bowled corners, quarter pipes, rails, and ledges. South Coast Skate Club runs free Saturday morning sessions here with boards and helmets to borrow, which is ideal if your teenager has never tried skateboarding before.
Littlehampton Seafront (Sea Road, next to The Wave, BN16 2NA) has a 2019 Maverick-built concrete park with a large bowl and street run. Floodlit until approximately 9pm.
Worthing (Chesswood Road, Homefield Park, BN11 1LB): smooth Wheelscape-built concrete, mini ramp, funbox, rails. Flat and accessible, making it the best beginner park in the county.
Chichester (Via Ravenna, next to Westgate Leisure Centre, PO19 1RJ): mini ramp and street section, lit, with toilets next door at the leisure centre.
East Grinstead (King George's Field, Moat Road, RH19 3LN): Wheelscape street park with stair sets, rails, hubbas, and brick banks. Solid build quality.
Midhurst (Carron Lane Recreation Ground, GU29 9LF): spray-concrete pumptrack and street section, rebuilt 2021.
Indoor options: The Skate Farm (30 Bridge Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 1TX) opened November 2024 with a mini ramp, half pipe, three progressive skill zones, café, and free parking. Paid sessions; coaching available. Board AF (Toddington Lane, Littlehampton, BN17 7PP) has an indoor mini ramp and street section with lessons.
South Downs Cycling
The South Downs Way and surrounding trails offer excellent mountain biking for teenagers who enjoy being active. The chalk tracks are rideable in summer with a hybrid or mountain bike. Routes from Steyning, Findon, or the Centurion Way near Chichester are good starting points.
Walking
Some teenagers will walk, especially if there is a destination. Cissbury Ring from Findon, Devil's Dyke from the car park, and the Trundle near Chichester all offer dramatic views for relatively short efforts.
Indoor Activities
Escape Rooms
Locked in a themed room, your group has 60 minutes to solve puzzles and escape. Tulleys Escape Rooms near Crawley (off the A264, near Turners Hill) is one of the most highly rated venues in the South East, with multiple themed rooms of varying difficulty. Other venues operate in Chichester and Worthing. Most allow groups of teenagers from around age 14 without a parent on site. Book in advance, as weekend and school holiday slots fill quickly.
Tenpin Chichester (Chichester Gate Leisure Park, Terminus Road, PO19 8EL) also has escape rooms from £15pp, alongside bowling, laser tag, and an augmented reality climbing wall. Useful if you want to combine several activities in one visit.
Cinema
West Sussex has cinemas across the county, from multiplex to arthouse to luxury sofa screening. A few worth knowing about:
- Cineworld Crawley (Crawley Leisure Park, London Road, RH10 8LR): the county's biggest multiplex with 15 screens. Premium formats include 4DX (motion seats with wind, water and scent effects, from £9.90 for under-14s) and IMAX (from £12.50 for under-14s). Standard tickets from £6.50 for children. Good for action and blockbuster films.
- Everyman Horsham (16 Piries Place, Horsham, RH12 1EH): sofa-style seating with footrests and side tables, drinks and food served to your seat. Adult tickets from £12, children slightly less. The premium treat option, well suited to teens who want to feel grown-up.
- The Dome, Worthing (Marine Parade): seafront independent with a sofa screen option. Bargain Monday: £4.95 for any ticket. Weekend morning screenings from £3.95. Good value if budget matters.
- Chichester Cinema at New Park (New Park Road, PO19 7XY): independent arthouse. Under-25s pay £6.50, under-15s just £3.00. Great for teens who want something beyond the mainstream.
Bowling
Hollywood Bowl has two West Sussex sites:
- Hollywood Bowl Crawley (Crawley Leisure Park, London Road, RH10 8LR, same complex as Cineworld): 28 lanes. Adults from £7.70/game, under-16s from £6.70/game. VIP lanes available with dedicated decor and seating. Open until midnight on weekends.
- Hollywood Bowl Worthing (Marine Parade, BN11 3PZ): seafront location. Adults from £6.80/game, under-16s from £5.80/game. Open daily from 10–11am.
Tenpin Chichester (Terminus Road, PO19 8EL): 26 lanes with a broader entertainment complex including laser tag (from £5.75), two karaoke rooms, pool and arcade. Thursday deal: 2 games of bowling + a burger from £10. Open daily until midnight.
Bowling works well as the anchor activity for a group outing. Add food and it fills a half-day easily.
Unique Experiences
Young Driver — Real Driving at Goodwood
A proper driving experience for teenagers aged roughly 15+ (minimum height 1.5 metres). Goodwood Motor Circuit (Chichester, PO18 0PH) runs learner sessions in the Dynamic Training Zone: real manual cars (BMW 118i), one-to-one with an Approved Driving Instructor, real steering and pedals. Not a fairground ride.
Sessions cost £149 for one mission (approximately 50 minutes of driving time). There are three missions in the Training Zone, then a Graduation Experience: a full lap of the 2.4-mile Goodwood Motor Circuit. Parents and friends can watch and bring cameras. Book at goodwood.com.
Axe Throwing
Driver Wood Activity Centre offers 1-hour axe throwing sessions at £24.99pp (minimum 4 people, ages 15+). Three daily slots: 10am–11am, 12:30–1:30pm, 3–4pm. Includes instruction and progresses to knife throwing once you have mastered the axe. A genuinely novel group activity. Book online at driverwoodactivitycentre.co.uk.
Crazy Golf
Modern adventure golf is a significant step up from traditional seaside miniature golf: elaborate themed holes, challenging layouts, and a social atmosphere that works for teenagers and adults alike.
WildForest Falls Adventure Golf at Hotham Park, Bognor Regis (Upper Bognor Road, PO21 1HN) is the most substantial modern course in the county, with 18 holes and life-size animal sculptures (bears, wolves, stags) through park woodland. Under-16s £5.75/round, adults £8.50/round, family of 4 £22.50. After school hours on weekdays, under-16s pay just £3.00. Cards only.
Splash Point Mini Golf, Worthing (Denton Gardens, 400m east of the pier): 18 holes, seasonal (April–October), weekends and school holidays. Adults £5.50, children £4.50, family of 4 £18.00. Turn up and play, no booking needed.
Activities Teenagers Can Do Without Parents
One of the most common parent questions is "can I drop them off?" The answer, for most West Sussex teen activities, is yes from around age 14:
- Go Ape (10+): young teenagers need an adult present, but 16+ can go unsupervised
- Escape rooms: most venues allow groups of teens from 14+ without a parent on site
- Climbing walls: usually supervised induction, then teens can climb independently
- Beaches: West Wittering, Worthing, and Littlehampton are all suitable for independent teen visits
- Skateparks: always unsupervised, free, open year-round
- Cinema, bowling, town centres: no restrictions
Always check the specific venue's policy. Age limits change, and some activities (like paintball) may require a parent to sign a waiver even if they are not staying.
Tips for Parents
- Let them go with friends. Most activities work better when teens are with their peer group. West Sussex towns are generally safe.
- Budget for activities. Adrenaline sports are not cheap. Mix paid activities with free beach and park days.
- Check minimum ages. Paintball is 10+; axe throwing is 15+. Karting requires a 25-inch inside leg for Cadet karts, 29-inch for adult karts.
- Book in advance. Escape rooms, Go Ape, and karting all require or strongly recommend advance booking, especially during school holidays.
- Drop-off is fine. Most venues from Crawley to Chichester are set up for this. Confirm the policy when booking.
For more ideas, see our guide to the best beaches in West Sussex and our adventure activities guide.
All activities and venues were correct at the time of writing. Prices, age restrictions, and opening times change — check venue websites before visiting.