You can’t beat a day down the seaside with the little ones. It always feels like a wonderfully traditional British day out – building sandcastles, eating ice cream (a little too much), swimming in the sea, it is a perfect day out. Luckily, in Yorkshire we have some really picturesque seaside resorts to choose from, and one in particular is very popular – Scarborough. In our guide, we will look at all the things to do in Scarborough with kids and what makes it such a good day out.
We will look at traditional activities such as crabbing, high adrenaline activities at North Yorkshire Water Park, wildlife tours that get you in touch with nature, and so much more. Let’s jump in and start planning your next trip to the seaside.
So, What are the Fun Things to Do in Scarborough with Kids?
Here are some of our favourite places to visit in Scarborough, which your children will just love. Let’s start with a classic.
1. Get Traditional and Go Crabbing
A traditional, popular, and highly fun activity will help the little ones get in touch with nature: crabbing. The beautiful Scarborough beaches provide some of the county’s best crabbing spots.
This long-running seaside tradition is enjoyed by kids of all ages. They eagerly lower their lines into the water and wait with anticipation of what they will pull up. Haven’t got any equipment? Not to worry, you can pick up buckets, lines, and bait from local shops along the seafront. The crabs they catch are small and inedible, but part of the fun is that it gives the children a chance to be gentle with them and care for them. They can watch and study them while the crabs scurry around in the buckets before releasing them back into the sea.
Here are some of the best places to visit in Scarborough for crabbing:
Scarborough North Bay
A beach that’s highly popular with rock pool enthusiasts and surfers, and of course, those wanting to go crabbing. Time your visit for the low tide, as you will find some incredible marine life emerging.
Scarborough South Bay
Another perfect spot for the kids to drop their lines and experience crabbing. This beach has a traditional seaside feel. So, once you’ve had your share of crabbing, you can take the children to play in the amusements or eat ice cream at the different parlours dotted around.
So, grab your lines, baits, and buckets and get ready for some classic fun by the sea.
2. Get in Touch with Nature and Take a Wildlife Tour
If your children are nature enthusiasts, then one of the best things to do in Scarborough with kids is a wildlife cruise. It is an activity both adults and children will enjoy and gets you out on the open sea.
There are two popular cruises to pick from in Scarborough:
- Queensferry Cruises: Offering several trips available from Easter to October, their tour heads southwards to Casty Rocks. Along the way, you will be able to spot fascinating local wildlife, including seals, herons, gannets, razorbills, puffins, guillemots, cormorants, and much more. The kids will get loads of information about the wildlife they see, and of course, they’ll have plenty of opportunities to take photos to capture the memories.
- Becca Marie Sealife Safari: All aboard! You’ll depart on an epic 3-hour trip to Bempton Cliffs. On the journey, you’ll stop at Horse Rocks, a local wildlife attraction, where the kids will hopefully get the chance to see seals. When you arrive at Bempton, you can see and photograph puffins. If you are lucky, you’ll be able to see dolphins!
When planning your next trip to Scarborough with the kids, make sure you add an exciting nature adventure.
3. Take a Ride on the North Bay Heritage Railway
The North Bay Heritage Railway has been delighting visitors, young and old, since 1931 and has become one of the most popular things to do in Scarborough with kids. It is Britain’s biggest miniature railway and offers you and the little ones the chance to sit back and take a relaxing journey along the North Bay.
This 30-minute experience offers a nostalgic way to travel between Peasholm Station and Scalby Mills Station. You’ll ride on one of their fleet of heritage steam outline diesel locomotives. The 2-mile return journey takes you past the picturesque Northstead Gardens with great views of Scarborough Open Air Theatre. You’ll then go on to the stunning North Bay.
The railway is open every day, and a journey can be enjoyed whatever the weather, as the carriages are fitted with roofs for those rainy days. For more information about timetables and to plan your visit, visit their official website. It is a trip back in time that the kids will fully enjoy.
4. Go Time Travelling at Scarborough Castle
Fun, educational, and the chance to step back in time, your kids will love their time at Scarborough Castle. They’ll hear all the exciting tales from its 3,000-year history. From its early beginnings as an Iron Age Settlement to being a Roman signal station, to its development in the 12th century by King John and Henry II. They’ll learn about the epic battles that took place, including defending the country from Napoleon and the German Kaiser in World War I.
To add to the fun, the little ones can uncover English folklore on the Folktale Create Trails. On the trails, they can discover magical English myths and legends. As they walk around the site, they will meet six unique creatures and earn special certificates rewarding their achievements when they have completed the trail.
All that time travel will undoubtedly make them hungry and thirsty. Scarborough Castle has got you covered and has plenty of refreshments on offer, including ice cream, cold drinks, and delicious cakes. There is also a gift and secondhand bookshop in case they want a souvenir of their incredible day out.
Visit Scarborough Castle with the kids and take them on a thrilling journey into the past. You can find more details to plan your visit here.
5. Relax and Play at Peasholm Park
If you are looking for more relaxing things to do in Scarborough with kids, then Peasholm Park will be right up your street. This beautiful and peaceful park is filled with waterfalls, streams, and miniature bridges, tree-lined paths, mystical gardens, and a lake for you and the children to stroll and play in. You’ll also find a wonderful array of wildlife living there, including ducks, swans, squirrels, and geese.
As well as being a place of natural beauty, there are plenty of activities to keep the children occupied, such as:
- A Boating Lake – Peasholm’s Boat Deck offers a choice of rowing boats and dragon pedalos so you can relax on the water and take in the views of the park.
- Mini Golf – The park’s 18-hole mini golf course provides an active and fun way to pass the time and get that all-important hole-in-one.
- Naval Warfare Battle – The park is also home to the UK’s oldest continuously simulated battle. This is a miniature sea battle called ‘The Naval Warfare’ and has been a unique family holiday tradition since 1972. It takes place in July and August every year, so don’t miss it.
- Spring and Autumn Daze – Offers the chance to take part in seasonal activities, including bushcraft, arts and crafts, and ‘Moonlight on the Lake’, which sees the park come to life at night as it is decorated with lanterns and lights among the trees and lake, creating a magical experience.
So, have a fun-filled and relaxing day at one of the best Scarborough tourist attractions, a perfect place no matter what time of year.
6. Go Wild at North Yorkshire Waterpark
Next on our list of things to do in Scarborough with kids is found in the picturesque countryside near the village of Wykeham, a short distance from Scarborough. North Yorkshire Water Park offers a day out full of adventure and thrills with a wide range of diverse activities for all the family to enjoy.
Here are just some of the activities your kids could enjoy:
Watersports
One of the main attractions is the Aqua Parks. There are four action-packed courses for the children to take on:
- ‘Wipeout’ – A course full of swings, stepping stones, slides, balance beams, and jumps.
- ‘Warrior’ – Battle through climbing walls, balance bars, huge slides, trampolines, rollers, rockers, and jumps.
- ‘The Ultimate’ – This is a combination of Wipeout and Warrior for the ultimate course. It is only available in July and August,
- ‘Slash Kingdom’ – This is aimed at younger children aged 3 to 7 and gives them a chance to enjoy the fun of the Aqua Park in a safe environment.
They can also experience watersports such as wakeboarding, paddleboarding, pedalos, kayaking, open water swimming, fishing, and so much more.
Land Activities
If they want a break from the water or just don’t fancy getting wet, there are plenty of fun and wild land-based activities to choose from. Here are just some of the activities on offer:
- Escape Rooms – Solve puzzles and crack codes to support the RAF in defending the coast against the dangerous U-boat threat.
- Laser Tag – Step onto the battlefield for a game of skills, speed, and strategy.
- Climbing Walls – Are your kids ready to take on the 12 metre high climbing wall?
- Archery – Let the children channel their inner Robin Hood on the archery range.
- Zip Lines – Soar through the air across the lake on a 250 metre line and take in the stunning views.
- Cycling – Enjoy a bike ride along the 2.5km lakeside track and see the children enjoy nature and the beautiful surroundings.
So, take your kids to North Yorkshire Waterpark and discover why it is one of the most fun of all of Scarborough’s tourist attractions.
7. Catch Some Air at Hairy Bob’s Skatepark
Are your kids thrill seekers? If they are, you need to take them down to Hairy Bob’s Skatepark. Named after a nearby cave, it was designed and built by Maverick Industries. The park is designed for skateboarders, scooters, and BMX bikers of all skill levels. The skatepark features excellent facilities, including a large bowl area, quarter pipes and ramps.
It is a fantastic spot with smooth surfaces, excellent arrangement of facilities, and has something for everyone of all styles and abilities. Also, while the kids skate, scoot, or bike, you can take in the stunning views of the seafront. It is open 24 hours, except on Sunday, when it is open from 7am till 8.30pm. Oh, and the best bit, it is totally free to use.
For more information on one of the most thrilling places to visit in Scarborough, check out Hairy Bob’s Skateparks website.
8. Eat Ice Cream and Build Sandcastles on Scarborough’s Beaches
It wouldn’t be a trip to the seaside without spending some time on Scarborough’s beautiful beaches. It truly has some of the best beaches in the country, and its sand makes it perfect for building sandcastles. The beaches are also home to some incredible rock pools, where, at low tide, the kids explore and find fish, crabs, and even lobsters.
Here is a quick guide to some of the best beaches in and around Scarborough:
- South Bay Beach – Arguably the busiest of Scarborough’s beaches, and it is easy to see why. South Bay beach has a classic seaside feel with soft sand, amusements, fresh seafood, and lots of ice cream parlours. It is also home to Scarborough’s picturesque harbour, which is filled with boats and fishing trawlers.
- North Bay Beach – This is Scarborough’s Blue Flag beach, meaning it is one of Europe’s best for cleanliness for both the water and the sand. It is more relaxing and peaceful than the South Bay as the arcades are replaced by its famous rainbow coloured chalets.
- Cayton Bay – Just a short drive down the coast, you’ll find a beach that’s away from the hustle and bustle of Scarborough’s main beaches. It has a large sweeping bay, dramatic Jurassic cliffs, and is completely dog-friendly. It is also the perfect place if your kids love to go fossil hunting!
So, have a classic seaside day out and make sure you visit one of the beautiful Scarborough beaches on your next trip.
Looking for More Things to Do in Scarborough with Kids?
This list is certainly not exhaustive. That is what is so great about Scarborough, there is just so much to do! For more information about the many, many things to do in Scarborough, check out our Scarborough archives.
If you would like to go further afield, then discover our travel section for more details on what our great county has to offer.
Read More: 10 Of The Best Pubs In Scarborough You Need To Visit
Feature Image Credit: Unsplash
