Outdoors – Get Active – Children Outdoors Activities and Days Out

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Forget star jumps, flips and roly polys…Yorkshire is one big playground waiting to be explored. Kids love to be active. Making physical activity a part of their daily routine is not only fun but also healthy. Encouraging kids to be active when they are young establishes a routine that could stay with them throughout their life. So there really are no excuses!

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Finding active ways to occupy the kids can seem like a challenge for even the most imaginative parent. With this is mind, we’ve picked out some great ways to keep your family active in Yorkshire, whatever the weather.

Search for further Yorkshire outdoor attractions.

Animal Fun

Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster – Yorkshire Wildlife Park is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. There is a programme of ranger talks and demonstrations throughout the day, including the spectacular flying display of Birds of Prey provided by Icarus Falconry (weekends and school summer holidays only). There are lots of animals to see including wallabies, antelope, zebra, camels and the most endangered carnivores in Africa, the Painted Hunting Dog.

Beacon Alpacas offer walks and experience days with these delightful creatures – taking an alpaca for a walk gives you the opportunity to get up close and learn more about the curious and friendly South American Camelid.

Filey Bird Garden & Animal Park – Meet and feed a variety of friendly animals in their spacious paddocks – from giant rabbits to woolly alpacas, spotty pigs and miniature ponies. Visit the Worm-world and Mini-beast Mansion, and if ou dare, dare to put your hands in the feely boxes.

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.

Learn & Play

Studfold Explore, Discover and Learn Trail The trail has been designed with primary school-aged children in mind. It encourages children to be aware of their natural surroundings in an innovative and exciting way.

Get active

Grass Hoppers, Bradford – Hop along to Grass Hoppers Outdoor Adventure Playground at Tong Garden Centre for proper outdoor fun. Have a bounce on the jumping pillows, zoom down the zip wire, play and dig in the giant sandpit, glide down the slides, drive around the race tracks and much more!

York Golf Range, York – Set in beautiful countryside on the outskirts of York, York Golf Range provides outstanding facilities and exceptional value for money. Hit balls on the golf range, Putt to victory on the Crazy Golf, Play golf on the 9 hole course or kick a hole-in-one on the FootGolf, whatever you choose you’ll have great fun at York Golf Range.

The Summer Adventure at Stockeld Park, Wetherby. Join Stockeld Park for magical adventures for the whole family this summer. There’s a fabulous Enchanted Forest with themed play areas and animated sculptures, a roller rink, a magical maze and lots of indoor play and outdoor fresh air fun within the beautiful surroundings of the Stockeld Park estate!

Another World Adventure Centre, Halifax – An exciting outdoor activity centre based in Halifax, West Yorkshire, offering a wide range of exciting activities suitable for all ages, groups and individuals.

Mother Shipton’s Cave – Mother Shipton’s is a beloved Knaresborough landmark and England’s oldest visitor attraction, open since 1630. This popular visitor attraction tells the story of Mother Shipton and the Petrifying Well. Great for all ages, there’s fun for families in the adventure playground, scenic picnic areas, interactive trails and actors during events, and petrified objects displayed in the museum and gift shop. Dogs are welcome in all areas, apart from the playground.

Sheffield Cable Waterski – Learn to water-ski or wakeboard with the whole family (12+ years). No experience required, all equipment provided at the North of England’s premier full-size cable and wake park.

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.  

Heritage & Culture

Yorkshire Sculpture Park near Wakefield – inspire your children!  A magical place, set in the beautiful grounds and gardens of a 500-acre estate.

Wentworth Castle Gardens – There are special events and attractions all year round for children and adults, from open-air theatre and musical events to cookie-making and Easter egg hunts.

Harewood Adventure Playground near Leeds can give hours of challenging fun. A great way to blow off some after-school steam and just the thing for a day out with all the family!

Castle Howard is guaranteed to light up children’s eyes at the new lakeside adventure playground.

Beningbrough Hall near York has a fantastic Wilderness play area, with a large fort for all the family to enjoy.

Adventure & Theme Parks

The Forbidden Corner in Middleham is a unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, follies and surprises in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. Admission by pre-booked tickets only.

York Maze – Winner of the Best Tourism Experience of the Year at the 2010 White Rose Awards is also one of York’s most popular summer attractions will be open once again in July ready to baffle visitors with its new design.

Go Ape is a treetop adventure based in the heart of Dalby Forest, near Thornton-le-Dale. Their Forest Segway adventure is now at Dalby Forest. Get off the beaten track on their all-terrain segways.

Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park, South Yorkshire opened in 2020 and features indoor attractions, outdoor rides, short break packages and exclusive experiences. They have also got a resort nearby offering accommodation if one day out isn’t enough! 

All aboard for rail-y good fun!

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. Most famous for its role in The Railway Children, this railway has featured in many television productions and showcases some of the best countrysides with a five mile steam locomotive ride.

Wensleydale Railway. Take an historic journey by steam train and trains of yesteryear through 16 miles of the stunning Yorkshire Dales countryside to the Dales National Park and Bolton Castle with the Wensleydale Railway.  

North Yorkshire Moors Railway Enjoy stunning scenery along 18 miles of railway through the National Park.

Take to the water…

YorkBoat Guided River Trips – Enjoy York from a different perspective whilst a friendly team guide you along the beautiful River Ouse. Admire the scenery from the comfort of the enclosed saloon or open top deck. Take home fascinating facts on the history of York and its river, from the live commentary delivered by local and knowledgeable skippers. Fun for all the family.

Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre – The perfect day out for families and lovers of the great outdoors to discover dramatic views and record-breaking engineering. Unwind with a picturesque walk along the towpath (which goes to and from Marsden Station). Hop on a 30-minute boat trip through Britain’s longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel, learning the fascinating tales of times gone by. 

Rother Valley Country Park offers 750 acres of beautiful landscape to explore and enjoy, whether you are into outdoor activities or searching for a little bit of peace and tranquillity.On the water, you can launch your own craft or hire our equipment from the Watersports / Activity Centre. Also located within Rother Valley Country Park is Sheffield Cable Waterski and Aqua Park.

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