Are you looking for things to do with toddlers in York? It’s fair to say toddlers are busy little people. They have endless energy, short attention spans and a curiosity to explore everything. We listed loads of ideas of things to do with toddlers & pre-schoolers in York and further afield. Add some variety to your days out and fuel their curiosity.
It’s not hard to have a fantastic day out in York. We’ve picked some of the most toddler-friendly places in town, and listed some great ideas of things to do with toddlers in York.
Why it’s great
✅ Plenty of space for little legs to run around
✅ A great location if it’s raining
✅ Indoor under 6’s play area – build your own rocket or sell tickets for a train ride
✅ Entry is free! (Note: Entrance fee applies for Wonderlab and recommended ages 7-14 years old)
✅ Great place to meet up with friends
What do Mumblers think?
“We took our son who’s 20 months 2 weeks ago and he loved it! The model train set is fab and the little railway outside was a hit with my son. There’s also a great little play area inside.”
“We took our son at about 22 months and he loved it. He basically shouted ‘Train! More train!’ for a couple of hours, it was great.”
For more information see the Railway Museum website.
Why it’s great
✅ Follow Monty the Monkeys trail or the Dragon Quest trail.
✅ York residents and children go free
✅ Toilets and changing facilities available
What do Mumblers think?
“I just want to recommend York Minster as a free trip out with little ones. We’ve just been this morning and it was marvellous.”
For more information see York Minster.
Why it’s great
✅ Toddler Time offers a 30-minute film/tv show so perfect for short attention spans every Friday at 11.30am
✅ Plenty of space outside to leave pushchairs
✅ Babies are welcome too
✅ Just £3.30 per child, adults go free!
What do Mumblers think?
“It’s really informal and only 30 mins. My 1 year old was fine but there’s chatting and moving about. Some are busier than others (holidays!). It’s a great intro to cinema.”
“Took my little boy aged 28 months to see Minions at City Screen. It was brilliant, they do an activity before film starts and he actually sat and laughed throughout (with a bit of standing). Great value for money.”
“We went a few weeks ago, had my youngest sat next to me in his car seat and toddler on the chair, both loved the experience!”
For more information & up to date film listings see the Picture House website
Why it’s great
✅ Family-friendly cafe in central York location, great for meeting up with other parents
✅ Accessible toilets & baby change area
✅ Plenty of room for buggies
✅ A weekly crafting and storytelling session for ages 2-5 on Friday mornings with Crafty Tales
For more information see the York Theatre Royal.
Why it’s great
✅ Dinosaur fans will LOVE Yorkshire’s Jurassic World
✅ Dinosaur Detective Toddler Trail for under 5s
✅ You can take pushchairs around the museum
✅ Explore Museum Gardens whilst you are there!
For more information see the Yorkshire Museum
Enjoy a visit to your local library for a browse through the children’s books or select some to borrow and read at home – using the library books checkout machine is always entertainment in itself for a curious toddler! Find all the details about your local Explore Library here.
There are also family-friendly cafes at Acomb Explore, Homestead Park, Hungate Explore, Rowntree Park, Tang Hall Explore, Haxby & Wigginton Explore and York Explore in the city centre.
Many of the libraries in York also hold a regular story and rhyme time for pre-school children.
A brilliant thing to do with a toddler in York is to simply go for a walk! Sometimes it is good to just get out of the house, get some fresh air and a chance to run around. If you need inspiration for some toddler-friendly walks in or around York, then check out our list of 50+ family-friendly walks. Each walk details the approximate distances and if they are buggy or dog-friendly too.
Or why not visit one of the brilliant Nature Reserves around York – you can find all the details here and some ideas on exploring the wildlife and nature, whatever the season!
We’ve even got some tips as to how you can make walking with children more fun!
Having a pre-schooler or toddler is an excellent excuse to go out for the day midweek. Generally, it’s not as busy and often the admission prices are cheaper. Here are the most frequently recommended days out for small people by local Mumblers.
Why it’s great
✅ Ticket valid for 12 months
✅ Indoor and outdoor play areas
✅ Plenty of picnic space
✅ Farm animals to see
✅ Pedal tractors
Driving distance from York: Murton Park is approximately 4 miles/15 minute drive from York
What do Mumblers think?
“There’s a great play area, cafe, barns with tractors and farming equipment in which also have a small indoor soft play area for under 5s, some animals, a nature trail, small fairy area and troll bridge and some amazing living history areas. For a small charge your child can ride in the engine room and drive the train.”
“We went to Murton Park farming museum today. It’s was a lovely day with lots for our 3 year old to do. You can go back for free for the year as well. We would recommend it.”
For more information see Murton Park.
Why it’s great
✅ Indoor barn and chance to pet the animals
✅ Undercover play area with ride-on toys
✅ Outdoor play area and sandpit
✅ Fairly small so easier to keep little ones in your sight
✅ Café for lunch or a quick coffee and a sit-down!
Driving distance from York: Beetle Bank Open Farm is approximately 5 miles/15 minute drive from York
What do Mumblers think?
“We have fed animals, held a duckling and rabbit, been on the bouncy castle, played in the sandpit. So much to do and such a lovely place with fantastic staff.”
“Beetle Bank is lovely! It’s all in one area so you’re not too worried about your kids running off and being too far! They’d always be in sight… there’s a little barn with animals which is really nice as they can have a little bit of a hold. There’s a little play area too where they can go on swings etc and bikes. Highly recommend.”
For more information see Beetle Bank Open Farm. Note open all year but not on Tuesdays in term time.
Why it’s great
✅ Huge indoor play area
✅ Separate zones for babies and toddlers
✅ Outdoor area with mini beach and water play area
✅ Animal area outside with plenty of animals to see
✅ Café which is great for meeting up with other parents
Driving distance from York: The Web Adventure Park is just off the ring road by Clifton Moor and is approximately 3 miles/10-minute drive from York City Centre.
What do Mumblers think?
“We go to creepy crawlies for the whole day when the rides are on.”
For more information see Web Adventure Park.
Why it’s great
✅ Huge grounds to explore & there are often trails on
✅ Large, shady play area – great on a sunny day!
✅ Large cafe with lots of outdoor seating
✅ Baby change facilities
✅ Under 5’s can bring balance bikes and scooters along!
Driving distance from York: Beningbrough is approximately 8 miles/20-minute drive from York City Centre.
What do Mumblers think?
“One of our go to places, whatever the weather!! You can have a walk around the walled gardens, the playground is great for young(ish) children, and there’s a den building area. There’s plenty of places for a good game of hide and seek. They have a fish pond with very friendly fish as well – my three year old would happily spend about half an hour just watching them!”
For more information see Beningbrough.
There are loads of really fantastic parks and play areas in York but sometimes it’s useful to take toddlers to places with play equipment where they can play independently and don’t get stuck at the top of the older children’s climbing frame! Small enclosed play areas are also great as (shock) you might even get a chance to sit down. Here are some of York Mumbler’s favourite ‘toddler-friendly parks’.
Toddlers World, York Leisure Centre, Kathryn Avenue, Monks Cross, York, YO32 9AF & Burnholme Sports Centre, Mossdale Ave., Tang Hall, York, YO31 0HA
Why it’s great
✅ A fun and interactive one-hour long soft play session for children aged 6 months to 5 years
✅ A staff member is present throughout the session (children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times)
✅ Toddlers World sessions are an hour long and cost £4.35 per child (parents/guardians free entry) at York Leisure Centre & £4.80 per child at Burnholme Sports Centre.
Driving distance from York: Toddler World is located within York Leisure Centre at Monks Cross in the Sports Hall/ Burnholme Sports Centre, Tang Hall.
For more information see York Leisure Centre or Burnhome Sports Centre.
What do Mumblers think?
“It’s a really fab place to go for an hour, and it’s good value for money.”
Agility, London Ebor Business Park off Millfield Lane, Poppleton, YO26 6QY
Why it’s great
✅ Ninja Warrior Tots classes – 90 minute fun for under 4s
✅ Agility Mini – special are for under 3s including a sensory room
✅ Café which is great for meeting up with other parents
Driving distance from York: Agility is located on London Ebor Business Park off Millfield Lane, Poppleton and is approximately 3 miles/10-minute drive from York City Centre.
What do Mumblers think?
“Agility do a toddler session that is great fun!”
For more information see Agility Parks.
Point Zero, 3-7 Rose Avenue, York, YO26 6RU 
Why it’s great
✅ Toddler time Mon, Wed, Thur & Fri between 10am – 12pm & Tues 10am – 2pm
✅ Toddler time Sat & Sun mornings between 9 – 10am
✅ Café which is great for meeting up with other parents
Driving distance from York: Point Zero is just off York Ring Road by Upper Poppleton and is approximately 3 miles/10-minute drive from York City Centre.
What do Mumblers think?
“If anyone’s looking for something to do with their toddlers, we went to Point Zero Trampoline Park today for their toddler session, and my little girl had the BEST time. They’ve now lowered the ages to 1 years old for the toddler sessions.”
For more information see Point Zero.
Playgroups are a brilliant opportunity to chat with other parents and for your children to play in a safe environment. All the playgroups in York are listed by day of the week on the Mumbler website so you can find the right one for you.
See individual listings for times, age ranges, any charges and if pre-booking is required.
Did you know there are loads of classes listed on the Mumbler website perfect for 0-5-year-olds? With everything from music classes like Tiny Toes to dance classes like My Baby Can Dance and ballet to rugby, your biggest challenge will be deciding what to do!
Pre-booking is needed for lots of these – see individual listings for pricing, dates and times.
If you’re planning a trip to town or meeting up with friends and have a toddler in tow, here are some of the places Mumblers recommend time and time again. Family-friendly venues with plenty of space.
Why it’s great
✅ Big restaurant – always plenty of tables
✅ Great value kids menu
✅ Plenty of space for an in-between course stroll!
Why it’s great
✅ Great kids menu with kid-friendly plates and cutlery
✅ Small, friendly, independent cafe
✅ Lots of games & entertainment
Why it’s great
✅ Games available to play
✅ Space for pushchairs
✅ Very family-friendly
Why it’s great
✅ Nice big space with plenty of room for pushchairs
✅ Kids menu & colouring
✅ Watch the boats go by on the river
Why it’s great
✅ Very family-friendly
✅ Great kids menu
✅ Open kitchen so you can see the chefs at work
For even more ideas for eating out with children and toddlers in York, see our Eating Out in York Guides.
Look out for our Mumbler-approved stickers in York Restaurants & Cafes!They’re not exclusively for families and we know that different families are looking for different things, so we’ve set 5 criteria of ‘family friendliness’ including nappy change facilities, pram space, high chair availability, kids menus and kids activities. The ‘Mumbler approved’ sticker in the window shows that they’ve qualified for at least 3 of the 5 child-friendly criteria.
10. Go swimming!Splashing around in the swimming pool is great fun for toddlers! Here is a list of Pay as You Go swimming pools in York.
🏊♀️ York Leisure Centre at Monks Cross – with a 25 metre swimming pool, as well as a shallow learner pool and toddlers splash pool perfect for gaining water confidence
🏊♀️ Yearsley Swimming Pool, Hayley’s Terrace – a unique 50-yard Edwardian swimming pool
🏊♀️ Energise Leisure Centre, Cornlands Road, Acomb – 25m swimming pool, plus a warm small pool is perfect for some family fun and younger children.
🏊♀️ York Sport, Heslington – two pools open to the public daily. A 25m pool is perfect for serious lane swimmers and an n18m Small Pool which is perfect for those learning to swim and for families looking for fun.
We also have lots of swimming lessons you could go to together listed here.
Feed the ducks
This doesn’t need to be an expensive day out! You could:
🦆 Feed the ducks – see our top 6 places to feed the ducks in York here!
🐿 Look for Squrriels in the Musuem Gardens and complete the Squirrel Trail Quiz whilst you are there!
🐠 Go and find Nemo (or some goldfish) and your local Garden Centre. Both Dobbies and Dean’s Garden Centre have an Aquatics department and both have really good cafes too!
🦉Go bird watching or bug hunting at your local nature reserve – find our full list of Nature Reserves in York here.
🐇 See some cute furry animals at Pets at Home in Clifton Moor or Pets at Home Foss Islands. They often have free workshops and sessions for children.
With a small person in tow, it’s not always straightforward even getting out of the house. If you want some ideas as to how to keep toddlers busy at home, then we’ve listed our 20 favourite ideas that are:
✅ Easy to put together and to clean up after
✅ Kids can do themselves, with supervision, rather than adult-led activities
✅ Using things we already have at home
So if some days it just isn’t happening or the weather is not on your side, we’ve got 20 ideas & activities to keep busy toddlers happy at home and out of mischief. Although we can’t promise the last bit 😉 !
Disclaimer: All information is correct at the time of updated publication (Jan 2024). Please check opening times, prices and any other information that is important to you before you set off on your travels. Nobody wants a disappointed toddler on their hands!
