👶👧 Things to Do with Children Under 5 in Normandy – Family Activities Around Coutances

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Last updated: November 2025

Travelling with little ones can seem like a challenge, but here in Normandy, everything becomes easy. The region is full of gentle walks, calm activities for toddlers and places perfectly suited to families with babies and children under 5. Whether you’re enjoying a family holiday in La Manche or a stay at our Holidays-Normandy gîte in Nicorps, here are our favourite ideas to keep everyone happy and stress-free.

🦙 Meet Our Llamas – A Magical Experience at the Gîte

No need to go far! Our friendly llamas live peacefully in the fields surrounding Holidays-Normandy. They’re used to gentle children and love calm visits and little pats. It’s often the first holiday memory for our youngest guests – a moment filled with laughter and soft furry noses. The activity is free for guests booking directly with us.

👉 Tip: bring a camera – their curious expressions and fluffy faces are guaranteed to melt hearts!

🏖️ Sandcastles on Family-Friendly Beaches

Normandy offers vast, safe beaches that are perfect for families. Around Coutances, several seaside spots are ideal for little ones:

Hauteville-sur-Mer – fine sand, lifeguards in summer, toilets, showers and parking nearby. Perfect for pushchairs.
Gouville-sur-Mer – famous for its colourful beach huts; gentle tides and flat sand ideal for sandcastle-building.
Agon-Coutainville – livelier, but still family-oriented, with shops, ice cream stalls and restaurants all within walking distance.

Bring buckets, spades, towels and snacks, and enjoy a stress-free day out. Children can run free, hunt for shells or watch kites in the sky. It’s one of the best family activities in Normandy.

🛍️ Explore Normandy’s Local Markets – A Feast for the Senses

Local markets are a riot of colour and smells. For little ones, it’s a sensory adventure: smelling apples, tasting cheese, listening to street musicians and watching friendly locals chat. The Coutances market (Thursday mornings) is one of the liveliest in the area.

👉 Tip: buy a sugar crêpe or a small apple pastry to share, then sit on a bench and watch Normandy life go by. Simple happiness!

🌸 Coutances Botanical Garden – A Peaceful Green Escape

This 19th-century botanical garden is perfect for a pushchair walk or a calm moment under shady trees. Kids love the fountains, peacocks and flowerbeds. In summer, you’ll often find free shows or music here. It’s also a great spot for a family picnic with a view of the cathedral.

🚂 The Little Tourist Train of Granville

Just 40 minutes from the gîte, the Granville Tourist Train offers a fun 30-minute guided tour. Children love the little horns and corners; parents love discovering the port, the ramparts and the views towards the Chausey Islands. It’s short, cheerful and perfect for a morning by the sea.

🌧️ Rainy Days? Fun Indoor Museums & Activities for Kids

In Normandy, rain is part of the charm! But when the clouds roll in, don’t worry – there are plenty of nearby places for fun, educational days out. These options are ideal for children under 5 – short, interactive and full of wonder.

🐚 Le Roc des Harmonies in Granville – just 40 minutes from the gîte, this magical site combines aquariums, butterflies, seashells and sparkling minerals. Children can watch fish, turtles and jellyfish in colourful tanks, and the tropical greenhouse is pure enchantment. There’s also a café and gift shop on-site.
🖼️ The Quesnel-Morinière Museum in Coutances – a small, family-friendly museum in a historic townhouse. Spacious, bright rooms display natural history exhibits, shells, historic objects and artwork. Little ones love spotting funny shapes and animals. It’s quiet, free for under 6s and perfect for a short cultural stop.
📚 Coutances Media Library – ideal for a cosy, quiet moment. There’s a children’s corner with carpets, cushions and illustrated books. Storytime and craft sessions are often organised – free and open to all. It’s warm, calm and pushchair-accessible.
🐐 La Ferme de la Chèvre Rit (near Gavray) – a friendly teaching farm where you can meet goats, hens and rabbits – even when it’s drizzling! Covered workshops let children feed the animals, watch milking or make fresh cheese. A fun and educational day out.

💡 Tip: Always keep a pair of wellies in the car. In Normandy, jumping in puddles and laughing in the rain is all part of the adventure – that’s the spirit of a real family holiday in Normandy!

🧺 Picnic Spots and Nature Breaks

Around Nicorps and Coutances, you’ll find beautiful picnic spots – along the River Sienne, near Château de Gratot, or in local parks. Many places have shaded picnic tables and space for toddlers to stretch their legs between adventures.

🚜 Farm Life and Mini Animals

Young children adore animals, and the Normandy countryside is full of open farms to visit. Nearby, you’ll find:

Ferme du Parc (Montmartin-sur-Mer) – goats, hens, rabbits and miniature ponies; kids can even help feed them!
Ferme de Villedieu-les-Poêles – workshops for making butter or bread, perfect for curious little ones.

These experiences are both fun and educational – perfect for first farm discoveries.

☕️ Coffee Break – Family-Friendly Spots

Need a breather while the little ones rest? Around Coutances and the coast, several cafés and restaurants welcome families with open arms. We recommend Les Pipelettes in Coutances for its bright décor, homemade cakes and calm atmosphere. For a seaside treat, head to Les Dunes in Gouville-sur-Mer: local cuisine, a terrace overlooking the colourful beach huts, and even a menu section called “Something for the Bambinos” designed especially for young travellers.

🎠 Playgrounds and Family Parks

Beyond the Botanical Garden, Coutances and its surroundings have several small playgrounds perfect for toddlers. You’ll find good ones in Agon-Coutainville (near the main beach) and Montmartin-sur-Mer. These safe, fenced play areas let kids burn off energy while parents relax.

🚗 Short Excursions Under an Hour Away

Granville – the port, ice creams, Dior Museum and Roc des Harmonies aquarium – fascinating even for toddlers.
Villedieu-les-Poêles – the town of artisans, with bell foundry tours and copper workshops shining like treasure.
Regnéville-sur-Mer – a charming harbour village with castle ruins and a maritime museum, ideal for a short, scenic walk.

These short excursions are perfect for families with small children – easy drives, parking on-site, and family-friendly amenities.

🛌 Back to the Gîte – Relaxation and Playtime

After a day exploring, nothing beats returning to peace and quiet. Our family-friendly gîte in La Manche offers large grassy play areas, a swimming pool (in season), a library with children’s books, and of course the evening llama visit. You can dine on the terrace while the little ones watch the stars or listen to the crickets.

💡 Practical Tips for Travelling with Young Children

Pack a light backpack with snacks, wipes, toys and spare clothes.
Normandy restaurants are welcoming: high chairs and children’s menus are common.
Distances are short in La Manche: most activities are within 30–45 minutes of the gîte.
Bring rain boots and a light jacket – even rainy days are charming here!

🌟 In Summary – Normandy with Children is Simple and Magical

Between its peaceful beaches, lively markets, gardens and friendly animals, Normandy is a true paradise for young families. There’s no need to over-plan – just enjoy the little moments. Whether it’s a sandcastle at Hauteville-sur-Mer, a cuddle with a llama, or a picnic under the apple trees, every moment becomes a precious memory.

From our Holidays-Normandy gîte in Nicorps, you’re close to everything the region has to offer families with children under 5. A serene, natural, joyful stay – exactly what family holidays in Normandy should be 🌿