Looking for exciting family-friendly activities in Yorkshire this summer? We’ve got you covered, from amazing woodland trails to thrilling adventure parks where the kids can run wild. There is something for everyone in God’s Own Country. We’ve hunted for the lesser-known things to do in Yorkshire as well as some classics and curated some fun-filled things for you to do.
As well as our guide to the prettiest free castles and heritage houses and gardens, this guide has found the best things for kids to do to make the most of time out of the house with them. Make sure you bookmark any of your favourites and make your way through our ultimate checklist of family-friendly days out for you to try in those warmer months when the sun finally shines.
Check out our guide to the best family-friendly activities in Yorkshire this summer below:
Mother Shipton’s Cave, Knaresborough
Known as one of the UK’s oldest tourist attractions, Mother Shipton’s Cave has been mesmerising visitors with its magical well, whose waters turn everyday objects to stone. And, the little ones will be transfixed by the mystique shrouding the historic spot.
You can also enjoy a woodland trail and enchanting tales that you’ll learn along the way in the Royal Forest of Knaresborough. The park’s natural beauty will have you captivated. Prophecy House, Harrogate Rd, High Bridge, Knaresborough HG5 8DD
Forbidden Corner, Yorkshire Dales
Full of follies, underground tunnels, and secret chambers, Forbidden Corner is built to fuel the imagination and awaits you and your kids to explore. They may look children, but these gardens are Fun for all ages with plenty to explore and admire.
It’s definitely one of the best family-friendly activities in Yorkshire, and we should know, it’s one of our personal favourites to visit. Many people can’t quite find the right words to describe this stunning venue, which is why you’ll just have to go and discover it for yourself. The Forbidden Corner, Middleham, Leyburn DL8 4TJ
Falling Foss Tea Room, North York Moors
This magical woodland tea garden sits beneath a 30ft waterfall and is the perfect woodland walk for you and your family this summer. You can either take a two-mile walk or park up at the car park and enjoy a spot of tea. As far as family days out go, this one is a must. You can event take a little dip in the water before heading up to explore the tea garden at the top of the falls.
You can find it just 6 miles outside of Whitby, and it has a natural play area and becks to paddle in. Check out Falling Foss Tea Garden here. Midge Hall, Whitby YO22 5JD
Piglet’s Adventure Farm, North Yorkshire
Piglet’s Adventure Farm offers a range of activities for the perfect day out with kids as well as events throughout the year, including their pick-your-own pumpkins and Christmas event. The kids can play on their man-made beach whilst you sit in a deck chair and chill.
Or, they can let off steam in the playground before petting a range of animals in their petting zoos such as pigs, donkeys, Shetland ponies, rabbits, sheep, ducks, a pygmy goat, tortoise, and even guinea pigs. Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Ln, Towthorpe, York YO32 9ST
Visit One of Yorkshire’s Outdoor Swimming Pools and Lidos
Lidos are becoming in vogue once more. And, with good reason. Outdoor swimming has so many benefits and we think its a great way for the kids to stay cool in the summer months. We’ve already kicked off the summer with some of the hottest weather on record, so these outdoor swimming pools and lidos will be perfect for you to cool down.
The kids can run wild in a safe space enjoying splashing around in these beautiful outdoor pools and lidos in some of the most picturesque locations across Yorkshire. Find out more here.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster
Home to over 300 animals and over 60 species, the Yorkshire Wildlife Park is Doncaster’s largest and number one visitor attraction. You can explore the park and visit the lions, tigers, polar bears, giraffes and everything in between. We bloomin’ love this place! We could wander around the place all day and still find wonderful new things in every corner.
The park supports the conservation and welfare of animals by helping rescue endangered animals and through breeding programmes. To get booked in, visit the website here. Hurst Ln, Doncaster DN9 3QY
Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire
Yorkshire’s greatest theme park, full of fun for all ages, Flamingo Land is the perfect place to enjoy fantastic adrenaline-fuelled rides, along with some fantastic games and fun activities. If you have some little daredevils on your hands, then you should definitely add this theme park to your bucket list for the Yorkshire summer holidays.
You get a two-for-one with Flamingo Land as they also have an amazing zoo which is full of lions, hippos, giraffes, and a whole host of creepy crawlies for you to discover (if you’re not too wet from the fantastic log flume, that is).
York Maze, York
It’s only open for a few months of the year, but York Maze is a great day out with the kids. In the middle of the Yorkshire countryside, it boasts the biggest maze in Europe – the Giant Maize Maze. But that’s not all there is to do here.
There’s also a Jurassic Maze, a Mineshaft Maze, and a Finger Fortune Maze, not to mention loads of play zones, including a jumping pillow (that’s a bouncy castle without the walls) and a climbing zone. Find out more here. Elvington Lane, York, YO19 5LT
Dalby Forest, Pickering
Cycling, woodland walks, a fantastic park, and much more, Dalby in North Yorkshire is full of summer activities for kids all located in Yorkshire’s best forest.
Whether you choose to take a picnic, venture on the Gruffalo Trail, or decide to get some food in the on-site cafe you can easily while away a whole day and more at Dalby. If you’re feeling brave, why not try out the Go Ape treetop course, or explore a segway tour? Dalby Forest Dr, Low Dalby, Pickering YO18 7LT
Visit Yorkshire’s Beautiful Beaches
The Yorkshire coastline has everything from white sandy stretches of beaches, to fossil hunting spots and classic seaside towns with fish & chips. To us, it’s childhood in a bottle. Delicious fish and chip shops, ice cream, sweet shops and amusements – and more.
We couldn’t think of a better way to spend the summer as a family than grabbing a bucket and spade and heading to the coast. Whether it be Saltburn, Bridlington, or some of the lesser-known beach spots, the fresh sea air, the bright colours of seaside rock gracing many of the storefronts, and the sound of laughter from the open doors of the arcades is unbeaten.
Read More: 7 Of The Most Fun Stepping Stone Walks In Yorkshire To Do
Feature Image by www.traveljunction.com
