Explore – Days out to keep children and adults entertained

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Kids’ Days Out in Yorkshire

Stuck for ideas? Then why not take the kids’ for a day out in Yorkshire.

Yorkshire is home to some fantastic places that will inspire great days out for all ages.

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With plenty to keep children (and adults) entertained, get out and about in Yorkshire and start to make memories of a lifetime. If your looking for something new to do, then Yorkshire is the place to be.

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York’s CHOCOLATE Story – Learn to taste chocolate like a professional, reveal chocolate’s exotic origins, uncover the stories of the families who brought chocolate to York and the people of York who made sweets loved all around the world.

Eureka! The National Children’s Museum is the only fully interactive museum totally dedicated to children aged 0-11 anywhere in the UK. They have six unique zones, with over 400 interactive, hands-on exhibits designed to inspire enquiring minds to find out about themselves and the world around them. Kids can climb into a giant mouth, mix their own music, and talk to a giant robot. Plus extra events during the school holidays. Just off the M62 between Manchester and Leeds.

There’s a fun day out for all the family at the National Railway Museum, in York. Discover 300 years of history and over a million wonderful objects. Marvel at the record-breaking Mallard, watch engineering work in progress, see locomotives moving on the turntable or let off steam in the outdoor play area.

Web Adventure Park in York is A popular family favourite whatever the weather. Fun and excitement for all ages with amazing activities in the soft play area and the extensive outdoor park which includes climbing frames, a mini water park, sand play area, toddler tri-bikes, quadbikes an Animal Zone and more. Wired High Ropes opens during holidays and at weekends for those seeking high rise thrills and challenges.

Xscape in Castleford is Yorkshire’s ultimate entertainment destination, find them at J32 off the M62 for amazing activities including our 175m real snow slope, indoor surfing, Laser tag, Bowling, Cinema, Aerial assault courses, Soft play, Shops, Bars Restaurants and more. 

DIG, York. Grab a trowel and dig to see what you can find in DIG’s specially designed excavation pits. This hands-on archaeology experience is based on real-life past digs in the city. 

Encounter the exotic and experience a wild family day out at Tropical Butterfly House! Get close to free-flying butterflies and birds, as well as friendly, free-roaming farm animals. Meet the residents of Meerkat Mansion and Prairie Dog Camp, along with snakes, birds of prey and creepy crawlies in unforgettable Animal Encounters daily.

Heeley City Farm – a relaxing slice of the countryside in the heart of Sheffield where you can meet friendly animals, play in our under 8’s Playground, enjoy healthy vegan and vegetarian food in the Farm Kitchen, browse their peat-free Garden Centre and learn about how to save energy and live more sustainably.

Scarborough SEALIFE & Marine Sanctuary gives you astonishing close views of everything from the humble starfish to mighty sharks. You can now see turtles and seals too.

Lightwater Valley in Ripon is simply bursting with 175 acres of action-packed adventures, from the dark and a mysterious subterranean world of Raptor Attack to the dizzying heights of Whirlwind, a typhoon of screams that twist even the bravest of soul.

Copley Maze, Pontefract, the Fun Park is 10 acres in size which is massive (you could fit 8 full size football pitches or 2700 cars in 10 acres) and the Largest Cow In GB is 6 Acres, ‘that’s a whole lot of cow’. The Maize grows to 9 ft tall, you can learn all about the crop maize by following the How Does It Grow heading.

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway voted one of the best train rides in the UK, this really is a fun day out for all. Step back in time and enjoy a train ride through the heart of Bronte country – The backdrop to The Railway Children.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway, you can enjoy a fun an exciting day out for all the family, with 18 miles of stunning scenery through the National Park. Be transported back to an era when magnificent steam engines ruled the railways and relive the magic of Harry Potter and Heartbeat with a visit to Goathland.

Kirklees Light Railway – Enjoy a fantastic, traditional family day out at the home of Yorkshire’s Great Little Steam Trains – the Kirklees Light Railway. With real life steam engines, a miniature railway, glorious scenery, outdoor play parks, a café and ice cream in the heart of Yorkshire.

York Dungeon Exciting, scary and fun – delve into York’s bloody history at the York Dungeon. We know that when it comes to history – the horrible bits are the best. Experience live actors, dramatic history and special effects… are you brave enough to face 70 minutes of York’s dark past?

Discover the Magic at Stockeld Park in Wetherby. Open during school holidays, Stockeld Park hosts inspirational seasonal events which include the Summer Adventure. Expect a host of fun-filled family activities, such as The Enchanted Forest with its themed play areas, Buccaneer boats on the Lake, go-karts and roller skating. The ‘award winning’ Christmas Adventure offers Ice skating, Nordic skiing, the Illuminated Enchanted Forest, a huge snowflake maze, Santa’s Grotto, a Christmas shop and Woodland cafe. Altogether a fun packed schedule of special events and activities.

Mother Shipton’s Cave is England’s oldest visitor attraction! Millions of visitors from all over the world have been enchanted by the Park’s natural beauty, mesmerised by the Petrifying Well and enthralled by Mother Shipton’s birthplace and her amazing story. Set in 12 acres of parkland in Knaresborough, running parallel to the popular River Nidd. Be part of the magic yourself by making a wish in their world famous Wishing Well. You can also enjoy one of the four scenic picnic areas, museum, tea rooms and two adventure playgrounds. Dogs are welcome throughout the estate and it is suitable for all ages.

Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway Situated just outside of Skipton, the railway runs 4 miles between the award winning station at Bolton Abbey and Embsay station built in 1988. Many special events are held each year including visits from Thomas the Tank Engine on the Easter, Spring Bank and August Bank Holiday and Santa at Christmas.

The Civic in Barnsley is a mutli-purpose theatre and art gallery. The Civic presents world-class accessible performances and exhibitions throughout the year, to audiences in the heart of South Yorkshire.

Visit North Bay Miniature Railway and travel on Britain’s most historic seaside miniature railway running for 3/4 mile through the North Bay at Scarborough, with spectacular views of Scarborough’s North Bay, historic headland & Scarborough Castle. 

Kilnsey Park, Skipton is a family visitor attraction in the heart of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Spend a day and enjoy fishing, the nature trail including red squirrels and orchids, and a Dales meal or cream tea in their cosy café/restaurant. Seasonal events and treasure trails mean that there’s always something going on.

City Cruises York, escape the city rush and enjoy York from a different perspective whilst their friendly team guide you along the beautiful River Ouse. Its a great day out for all the family.

Keelham Farm Shop, visit the award-winning Farm Shop in Skipton. As they’re based on a working farm, they’re passionate about sourcing local produce and are well-known for providing great tasting, fresh and affordable food, sourced directly from over 250 Yorkshire producers and farmers. For the family to enjoy there’s a fun Animal Croft with pigs, chickens, rabbits, goats, sheep and lambs, suitable for all ages. 

Wolds Way Lavender is set within ½ mile from the Wolds Way Walk, surrounded by mature woodland, on the edge of the picturesque Yorkshire Wolds. Wolds Way Lavender and Herb Farm is a wonderful and relaxing place to visit. Our family run 12 acre site is currently planted with over six acres of lavender ranging from rich hues of purple to the purest white. 

Get hands on with history in York Minster, one of the most magnificent cathedrals in the world. Discover secrets and surprises with the hands on interactive activities in the 2000 year journey through history in Revealing York Minster in the Undercroft. Walk in the footsteps of Romans and step inside the life of one of the most magnificent cathedrals in the world, discover treasures and stories about the people whose lives make up the past and present of York Minster. 

Sewerby Hall and Gardens is situated in a dramatic cliff-top position with spectacular views over Bridlington and set in 50 acres of early 19th Century parkland. It offers something for everyone from the magnificent award-winning gardens to the deep rooted heritage of the grand hall.

Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens is a garden managed to encourage wildlife and is a tranquil oasis throughout the summer, providing a home to many unusual species of insects and birds. 

The Deep – Located in Hull, East Yorkshire, The Deep is one of the most spectacular aquariums in the world. They are home to over 3,500 fish including Green sawfish, spectacular sharks and rays. Don’t forget the snakes, bugs, a colony of Gentoo penguins and pair of Loggerhead sea turtles too!

William’s Den – Set in the rolling landscape of the Yorkshire Wolds, William’s Den is a unique indoor-meets-outdoor adventure playscape, centred on good old-fashioned fun. Inspired by kids and loved by grownups, William’s Den makes the perfect day out for parents, grandparents and children where families can spend quality time together, whatever the weather.  

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