It is possible to have plenty of fun out and about in the summer holidays in York without spending lots of money. We’ve pulled together a list of ideas that are free (or very cheap) to keep everyone entertained over the summer holidays.
York Mumbler is the place to come to find out everything going on in York for families. This summer our website is packed full of information to help make your life easier. If you are looking for holiday clubs & childcare or inspiration for a fantastic day out in the summer holidays, then you’ve come to the right place.
We also stay up to date with all the events happening in York so you don’t have to – all you have to do is look at our daily events calendar.
We’ve also got 50 amazing ideas of things you can do over the summer! Why not download the Mumbler Activity Planners and get planning your summer holidays now.
For only £12 per adult (if you’re a York resident). Having a YMT card is really handy, especially on a rainy day in town. Please note the Yorkshire Museum remains closed, but the Museum Gardens (free) are open.
ℹ️ See YMT website for more information
💷 Cost: £12 per adult, valid for a year, children are free. Pre-booking is now required.
📅 When: York Art Gallery is open Wed-Sun 11am-4pm and York Castle Museum is open for specialist tour events only Thursday – Sunday.
2. Go paddling or swim outside 
When the weather is warm it’s the perfect excuse to go paddling, splashing or swimming outside to cool off. From streams to stepping stones and splash areas to outside swimming pools, we’ve rounded up all the places near York that you can cool down this summer.
ℹ️See the Mumbler blog for more details
💷Cost: Free
📅 When: Anytime!
Reopening on Tuesday 4 August, staff across the Science Museum Group have been working hard to provide safe, clean spaces for you to enjoy the museum you know and love. Free, timed ticketing to manage visitor numbers, in addition to guided routes around the museum to ensure you have a relaxed visit and can maintain social distancing.
ℹ️ See Mumbler for more information
💷 Cost: Free
📅 When: Reduced opening times check online here
Enjoy a relaxed stroll around the boardwalk at Askham Bog and see what wildlife you can spot along the way. A great way for everyone to get out of the house and a bit of fresh air.
ℹ️ See YWT website for more information
💷 Cost: Free
📅 When: Open daily
An absolute Mumbler favourite is a visit to Moorland Nature Reserve. Enjoy a walk around the forest with plenty of things to spot along the way such as carved trees, ponds and a treehouse.
ℹ️ See YWT website for more information
💷 Cost: Free
📅 When: Open daily
Another summer holiday essential is a trip (or twenty) to your local park. Why not ring the changes and visit a park in York you might not have been to before? Make a day of it and take a picnic. We’ve listed 10 brilliant parks with play areas in York guaranteed to keep everyone happy.
ℹ️ See York Mumbler for more information
💷 Cost: Free
📅When: All parks open daily
If you find yourself in town when the kids need a run around the Museum Gardens is the place to go. There is a free trail (access via a smartphone) to make sure you explore every corner of these beautiful gardens.
ℹ️ See Museum Gardens website for the quiz
💷 Cost: Free
📅 When: Museum Gardens are open daily 10am – 6pm
If your children love a treasure hunt then download the Cat Trail and enjoy a few hours wandering the streets of York to try and find all 22 cats.
ℹ️ Download the cat trail here
💷 Cost: Free
📅 When: Anytime!
The City Walls are back open to walk around but operating a one-way system for safety. Also, entrance and exit points have been made at each bar so check the website first to plan and follow the route.
ℹ️ See York Walls.org for route information
💷 Cost: Free
📅When: 8am to dusk daily
If you are wanting to make the summer holidays feel a bit different to these last few weeks, to have some fun and create summer holiday memories then we’ve have got you covered. We’ve come up with 50 ideas using resources you will already have at home, or could easily get your hands on…so no excuses not to get involved!
ℹ️ See York Mumbler for more information
💷 Cost: Free
📅When: Anytime!
This summer Silly Squad, the Summer Reading Challenge 2020, which is produced by the Reading Agency, is going digital so that children can still take part even if libraries are not fully open! Children will be able to set how many books they wish to read for the challenge themselves and will get prizes as they go along. As well as this there will be games to play and activities to download. Best of all it is free to take part. The theme is fun, laughter and silliness.
ℹ️ See York Mumbler for more information
💷 Cost: Free
📅When: Anytime!
That’s the end of our list of free (or very nearly free!) ideas to do in and around York this summer. Do let us know if you hear about any other great free or cheap activities to do over summer so we can share them with all the other Mumblers.
Last updated July 2020
