Grab our FREE download with 45 ideas of things to do this summer in York with kids… yes 45 ideas for 45 days! Print off your sheet and colour in the squares when you’ve enjoyed the activity. We’ve included lots of free things, activities and attractions in York, plus a few ideas to keep the kids occupied at home.
Use the links below to jump to each section, or scroll the whole list and get filling up your FREE summer holiday planner!
Why not create your own plan with our summer holiday calendar planner and use some of our ideas to fill in the squares?
We’d love to see what you get up to over the summer so tag us in @yorkmumbler so we can see and share your summer fun!
Download your free blank calendar planner and our 45 ideas sheet here!
Plan a fab summer with the kids by printing off our calendar planner and filling in any activities and ideas you want to do. If you need some inspiration, check out our 45 ideas sheet (for 45 days of summer!), with more information for each activity shown below.
The ideas are grouped by category:
We’ve got lots of great FREE ideas of things you can do this summer in York. You can find even more inspiration on our blog dedicated to all things free and cheap in York this summer, PLUS we’ve got a list of all the places in York that Kids Eat FREE or for £1!
Enjoy the new Light Quest and Maths Quest! Look for shapes, patterns and colours as you journey around York Minster with our brand-new trails: Maths Quest and Light Quest. Perfect to keep little brains busy!
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 General admission is free for York residents and students with valid proof of a York address. Up to four children aged 17 and under go free with a paying adult
📅 Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 4pm & Sun: 12.45pm – 3.15pm
📍 Deangate, York, YO1 7HH
All aboard at the NRM Enjoy a free day out at the National Railway Museum. See Stephenson’s Rocket and the world’s fastest steam locomotive, Mallard or hop on the Japanese Bullet Train.
Note: Wonderlab a brand new interactive experience opens this summer at the NRM (charges apply).
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Free/Wonderlab day tickets from £7.20 per person & free update to annual passes available for YO postcodes
📅 Open 7 days a week from 10am – 5pm
📍Leeman Road, York, YO26 4XJH
Library Summer Reading Challenge Children aged 4-11 can visit their local library to take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge and read six or more library books over the summer! There are stickers and other rewards for every book read, plus a medal and certification when your child completes the challenge!
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Free
📅 Check the opening times of your local library here.
📍Find details of your local library here.
Enjoy a park or play area in York We’ve compiled an A-Z list of great parks and play areas in York so you can add some variety to your days out and enjoy even more of the many beautiful green spaces that York has hidden away. We’ve also created a handy map to help you find all the parks and play areas in and around York.
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Free
We’ve got loads of walking ideas for you!
ℹ️ Find out all our walking information here.
🎟 Free
Visit York Art Gallery York Art Gallery is very family-friendly and there are some brilliant fact sheets and colouring sheets you can download and print for free before you visit to keep the kids engaged and entertained on the way round.
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Entry to York Art Gallery is free, although charges do apply for any special exhibitions. You can find out about Bloom, the current exhibition here.
📅 Open Wednesday – Sunday, from 10am to 5pm
📍Exhibition Square, York, YO1 7EW
Paddle or swim outside There are more places near York for paddling and swimming than you might think! From streams to stepping stones and splash areas to outside swimming pools, we’ve rounded up 18 places near York where you can cool down this summer.
So why not pack a picnic, grab some towels and head off for a day of fun!
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Plenty of the places we have listed are free
Mumbler Mythical Creature Quest Enjoy the FREE quest we have created for your family to enjoy. Our Mumbler Mythical Creature Quest takes you on a short but magical walk around York to seek out eight mythical creatures that are hiding in the city.
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Free
📍 York City Centre
Get some family photos in York We’ve listed 12 fabulous places for great photos and we’ve even added a few little challenge shots and some creative tips for you at each place! Why not turn them into a photobook or collage as a summer holiday memento?
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Free
📍 York City Centre
Have a picnic OK, not really free but a cheap, easy and fun trip out in York with kids often involves a picnic! We’ve listed some great picnic spots you can visit to make the most of being outside together.
Plus we’ve got lots of food ideas for what to pack for a picnic!
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Free-ish!
Feed the ducks A good way to have a little trip out of the house and get some fresh air! We’ve got a list of all the great places in York to feed the ducks!
Remember, please don’t feed them bread – lots of tips in the blog as to what you can feed them. They will enjoy sweetcorn, frozen peas, oats, bird seed and even lettuce torn into little pieces!
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Free-ish!
Make Space for Girls in Rowntree Park Following the success of ‘Make Space for Girls’ in Rowntree Park June programme, there are some free events and activities through the summer holidays for older girls at Rowntree Park. Pre-booking required.
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Free
📅 Various dates shown above
📍Terry Avenue, York YO23 1JQ
Enjoy a family-friendly bike ride in York, as on our blog we’ve listed routes that have as many cycle paths as possible.
We’ve highlighted cafes or attractions along the routes, so you can turn any of these suggestions into a fun day out.
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Free
Go to a Nature Reserve in York There are lots of great Nature Reserves in York where you can discover plants, animals and wildlife. In summer you can enjoy the sunshine and all the colour that nature offers. The Wildlife Trust has a great list of things you can spot in summer.
The Woodland Trust also has some great activities to try in the summer!
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Free
Designer Outlet Summer Social Take a trip to the beach this summer to the Designer Outlet! There are lots of buckets, spade and toys so the kids can play. There are also lots of outdoor games including a basketball hoop wall, ping-pong and a decent size crazy golf too! All for FREE!
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Free
📅 Now until Sun 3 September. Open Monday – Saturday 9.30am – 8pm, Sunday 10am – 6pm
📍 South Entrance of York Designer Outlet, just off the A19/A64 interchange.
Play games in the Museum Gardens Enjoy the new dinosaur-themed play area in the Museum Gardens! With balls, tunnels, wooden stepping blocks and planks for balancing and building, beanbags, hoops and table games, it should keep the kids busy while you enjoy resting in the gardens!
🎟 Free
📅 Now until 31 August (weather depending) until around 3.30pm daily.
📍Museum Street, York, YO1 7FR
A great way to see and enjoy York is from the City Walls! Find out all the information on the Friends of York Walls website. If you want even more family-friendly walking inspiration check out our walking section here!
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Free
There are a surprising amount of free trails and treasure hunts to do in York and the surrounding areas.
Luckily we’ve been out tracking them all down for you, so from newts to chocolate and trees to cats there are plenty to choose from!
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Free (a few listed require entrance fees/paid for apps)
We are spoilt for choice when it comes to days out in York! We’ve highlighted some great ideas below, but if you want even more ideas, you can find more details on our summer holidays days out page here.
Dig for fossils at Yorkshire Museum Enjoy the new exhibition ‘Mary Anning Rocks’, celebrating the inspiring story of the renowned palaeontologist, best known for discovering Jurassic marine fossils in Lyme Regis. Plus your tickets are valid for 12 months and York resident children go FREE!
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Adult: £8 online / £9.50 Walk up price
Child: £4 online / £4.75 walk up price (York Resident Child: Free)
📅 Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm
📍Museum Gardens, Museum Street, York, YO1 7FR
Get terrified at York DungeonsThis summer you find yourself in 1455, in the midst of The Wars of the Roses with the Rotten Royals! Will you survive the Palace Dungeon?
ℹ️ Find out more on The York Dungeon website.
🎟 Suitable for families with children aged 8+ (under 5s not permitted). Tickets from £21 per adult/from £17 per child (8+)
📅 Open seven days a week, 10am – 5pm during the school holidays
📍 12 Clifford Street, York, YO1 9RD
Cruise down the Ouse on a boat Take a leisurely boat tour along the River Ouse and discover the stunning landmarks, bridges and historic buildings that make York so special. Even if you live in York, you will get to see it from a different perspective!
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Day sightseeing cruise from £13 per adult/£7.50 per child/under 5s free. 1 hour boat ride from £35. Fish & Chip Cruise from £25 per adult/£15 per child/under 3s free.
📅 Runs seven days a week, see website for sailing times
📍 King’s Staith Landing, York, YO1 9SN and Lendal Bridge Landing, York, YO1 7DP
Colour at Bar Convent Discover the works of young local artists who have given their own creative twist to some of the most iconic heritage buildings and landmarks in York. In the garden you can enjoy the outdoor sketch space with easels and drawing materials.
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Adults: £6, Children (6-15): £2, Under-6s: Free, Family Tickets (2 Adults and 2 Children): £12
📅 Monday – Saturday: 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm). Closed Sundays and bank holidays
📍17 Blossom Street, York YO24 1AQ
Tee off at Play2ParCover the basics of golf under the supervision of two DBS certified golf professionals!
Your child will get to use virtual golf games and challenges to practice at the purpose-built academy with 6 hours of coaching.
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 £60 for two sessions (6 hours) or £50 for the same day. 1-hour sessions are also available
📅 Morning & afternoon sessions are available every Mon, Wed & Fri over the summer holidays and 1-hour sessions are available on Saturdays 22 July – 2 September.
📍22/23 Flexspace, York Business Park, Rose Avenue, York YO26 6RR
Get Sporty at York Sport From Family Splash swim sessions in the heated swimming pool to discounted entry for kids to the 1km cycle circuit or athletics track, and family fun with half-price court bookings for racquet sports! A trip to York Sport is a great way to stay active during the holidays!
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 See York Sport website for details
📅 See York Sport website for opening hours
📍York Sport Centre is located on Campus West, University of York, James Way, Heslington, York YO10 5NA and York Sport Village is located at Lakeside Way, Heslington, York YO10 5FG
Be a Viking at JorvikMeet a Viking at the award-winning JORVIK Viking Centre! Plus you can uncover the Silverdale Hoard – one of the largest silver hoards ever found!
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Adult £15, Child (5-16) £10.50, Family 4 £43, Family 5 £49.50. Pastport tickets are also available with entrance to JORVIK, DIG, Barley Hall and City Walls Experience.
📅 Open 7 days a week, 9am – 5pm in the school holidays
📍Coppergate, York, YO1 9WT
Arts & Crafts at Spark*Spark* are running an art competition until 20th August (new extended deadline) which centres around how summer in York may look in 100 years’ time. They are also hosting a range of art and craft workshops over the summer, including junk modelling and spray painting workshops.
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Price varies depending on art workshop
📅 See details of events with dates and prices here.
📍17—21 Piccadilly, York, YO1 9PB
Visit a Leisure Centre Stay active over the summer and visit a leisure centre! Better Leisure at York Community Stadium Leisure Complex has a 25m swimming pool, learner pool and splash pad. As well as a large spacious gym, fitness class studios, multi-sports hall, Clip N Climb arena and 3G pitches. You could also visit Better Leisure in Acomb or enjoy a swim in Yearsley swimming pool.
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Check individual venues for costs
📅 Check individual venues for opening times
📍Various locations
Enjoy summer fun at Piglets With daily shows, a mini beach, animal encounter sessions, a maize maze and much more you will be guaranteed lots of summer fun at Piglets this year. Don’t miss the foam party at 4pm every day!
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 If pre-booked online, Child (1-16) £14.95, Adult £12.95, Summer passes available from £25 per person (under 1s free)
📅 Open 7 days a week, 10am – 5pm in the school holidays
📍Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Lane, York, YO32 9ST
Visit a cinema or see a theatre show Always a good option for a rainy day! There is a brilliant choice of cinemas and theatres in York. From family films to baby and toddler screenings, plus live theatre shows, check out our blog for lots more information.
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Check individual venues for costs
📅 Check individual venues for screening times
📍Various locations
See animals at Beetle Bank Farm You can meet lots of animals including donkeys, llamas, alpacas and pigs. Enjoy the adventure playground and relax in the cafe.
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Standard ticket from £8, family ticket from £30, Yearly Pass from £45
📅 Mon, Wed, Thurs & Fri 9,30am – 5pm, Sat – Sun 10am – 5pm. Closed Tuesdays
📍 Moor Lane, Murton, York YO19 5XD
Stay fit & have fun at Agility Book a summer holiday camps for 6-12 year olds if you need childcare over the holidays. Or you can all enjoy a Ninja Warrior 90 sessions for kids and families!
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 See website for details
📅 Mon to Sat 9.45am – 8pm, Sun 9.45am – 5.30pm
📍, London Ebor Business Park, Millfield Lane, York YO26 6QY.
Be a Wizard at The Hole in Wand Visit York’s most magical Golf course in the Coppergate Shopping Centre and take on 9 holes of magical golf and Search for the missing gargoyle – Grobblenook!
💜 Quote YORK MUMBLER for a complimentary premium upgrade saving £2.00 per person! 💜
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Standard ticket £6.99 per child, £8.29 per adult – pre-booking recommended
📅 Open daily from 10am and the last entry time is 7pm
📍Leeman Road, York, YO26 4XJH
Have a treat at York’s Chocolate Story Are you ready for a Choc-tastic Summer? Enjoy an exciting and educational journey through the fascinating history of chocolate. With interactive exhibits, delicious tastings, and chocolate-making, you’ll be in for a treat!
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Adult from £15.75, Child (4-15) from £13.50, Family 4 from £55.80, Family 5 from £66.60
📅 Open 7 days a week 10am – 4pm
📍3-4 King’s Square, York, YO1 7LD
Visit Yorkshire Air MuseumVisit the home of aviation in Yorkshire! Find the Hidden Harriers around the Museum this summer in a new trail.
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Adult £14, Child (4-17) £6, under 4s free, Family (2 adults & up to 3 children) £35
📅 Open 7 days a week 10am – 5pm (last admissions 4pm)
📍Elvington, York, YO41 4AU
Take a trip to Beningbrough Hall Enjoy the ‘Who’s hiding in the trees’ trail as you wander the gardens. Enjoy the wilderness play area or build a den! Plus in August on Wednesdays there are special activity sessions for kids.
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Free to National Trust members, RHS members and under-fives
📅 Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 4pm & Sun: 12.45pm – 3.15pm
📍Beningbrough, York, YO30 1DD
Go to town on the bus Take a trip into the city centre on the bus. For just £9 your family can travel on all our city services across York all day so you can put your parking money towards treating your little ones. Or just the Park & Ride into town. An adult return is only £3.60 and up to three children (aged 16 or under) travel FREE with a fare-paying adult.
ℹ️ Find out more about Park & Ride here and download the First Bus App here.
Get an ice cream
Nothing sums up the summer holidays more than enjoying an ice cream! We’ve listed 10 fabulous places in York where you can buy a delicious ice cream or two!
Why not make it your summer holiday mission to try them all!
ℹ️ Find out more here.
Be a tourist on a sightseeing bus Why not hop-on and off an open-top bus and let the tour guide talk you through 2000 years of history in York.
You enjoy the views of York from a different angle, and learn something new along the way.
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 Tickets is valid for 24 hours. Adult from £16, Under 16 from £9, Family from £35
📅 Buses run every 15 mins, 7 days a week
📍See timetable & map here
Enjoy the Georgian Festival at the Mansion House Dust off your petticoat and powder your best wig ready for an exciting plethora of engagements at York Mansion House, Fairfax House, Bar Convent and more. Learn to dance the minuet, discover Georgian family life with Horrible Histories writer Terry Deary, solve the mystery of tricky Dick Turpin’s missing corpse in an immersive murder mystery night, and take a peep behind-the-scenes with York’s curators.
ℹ️ Find out more here.
🎟 See the website for prices & times of various events
📍Various city centre locations
Sometimes it’s nice to have a day at home, not doing too much! But if the kids get restless, we’ve got a few ideas that are quick (hopefully!) and cheap to keep them entertained for a few hours!
Have a go at bubble painting
Make some edible jewellery
Make a suncatcher
Bubble Bath in the Paddling Pool
Ice play
Water Balloon or Water Pistols Fight
Floor Chalk Games
Fly a Kite
Camp in the Garden
Have a theme day 🧖♀️Invite some friends around and create your own Sports Day
Create a Spa at home
Host a Bake Off Competition
Sow some seeds 🪴Collect up some tins and egg cartons and get the kids planting some seeds.
They will need to remember to water each day and can enjoy watching them grow. It’s a great way to teach them the gardening basics and a chance to venture into the ever-popular world of growing your own food.
Yoghurt Ice lollies
Rainbow Fruit Lollies
Fruit smoothies
Chocolate BBQ Bananas
☀️Don’t forget to download your FREE summer holiday planner here!
Tag us in @yorkmumbler so we can see and share your summer fun!☀️
All details are correct at the time of publication 19 July 2023.
