Family Days out in the North East
Whether it’s exploring castles, discovering wildlife, or bringing history to life there’s no shortage of amazing family days out in the North East. For the most adventurous of young explorers we also have our own family friendly activities, giving your young ones the chance to turn the beautiful coasts and rivers of the North East into their very own natural playground. Here are just a few of our favourites:
Beamish Museum
Beamish is much more than your average museum. It’s a magical place that brings the history of the North East to life. Set on a huge open-air site you can explore an Edwardian railway station, 1900s colliery, 1950s town and much more. Travel around the site on vintage trams and buses, meet friendly farm animals, and fill up on traditional fish & chips. It’s also worth looking out for seasonal events for an extra special experience.
Coasteering
Scramble over rocks, explore hidden caves, and leap into the sea as you make your way along the rugged coastline. Guided by experienced instructors, coasteering is perfect for families looking for a fun, adrenaline-filled day by the water. It's a fantastic way to enjoy the stunning coastal scenery and challenge yourselves with thrilling jumps and climbs.
Adventure Valley
For a day full of high-energy fun, head to Adventure Valley, a family adventure park just outside Durham. With six themed play zones, there’s something for every age group. The park includes a mix of indoor soft play areas, outdoor adventure playgrounds, tractor rides, and animal encounters. Kids can feed farm animals, meet reptiles, or even ride a mini quad bike. In the warmer months, there's also an outdoor splash park.
Rising Sun Country Park
For a more relaxing day out try heading to the Rising Sun Country Park, a peaceful 400-acre nature reserve. Stroll around the lake, spot wildlife, or simply let the kids run wild in the well-equipped playground. There are picnic areas for lunch, walking trails and in the summer the park hosts various events and workshops. It’s also dog friendly (must be lept on lead) and has a small cafe which sells sandwiches and snacks.
Tynemouth Aquarium
Perfect for entertaining little ones on a rainy day, Tynemouth Aquarium, gives you the opportunity to get ‘face to fin’ with some wonderful sea creatures. Situated right on the coast there are daily talks and feeding sessions for everyone to get involved and learn more about the wildlife along our coasts. There’s also a cafe for relaxing with some tasty food and stunning sea views.
Gorge Walking
Get ready to get wet and wild with a gorge walking adventure. This thrilling activity involves scrambling through rocky gorges, wading through rivers, and navigating natural rock formations. Families with adventurous spirits will love the challenge of climbing waterfalls and sliding down natural rock water slides. Minimum age is 8 years old.
Seven Stories
A must visit for book lovers is the wonderful Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children’s Books. Dedicated to the art of storytelling there are exhibitions, workshops, live readings and interactive activities, all designed to inspire young imaginations. Especially suited to families with younger children there’s also a cafe and children's bookshop.
The Forbidden Corner, North Yorkshire
Although not technically in the North East if you are visiting the area it’s worth making the short drive to The Forbidden Corner. Described as “the strangest place in the world” it is a unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, follies and surprises. There’s something unexpected around every corner and plenty of secret doors, twists and turns, and strange creatures to keep curious minds entertained. Note that pre-booking is now essential.
More adventures
That’s our top tips for family days out in the North East. If you still have some energy then check out our other fun family days out and our guide to 10 fun things to do with kids in the North East for even more ideas!
