14 Things To Do In Newcastle With Kids
Located in North East England, Newcastle upon Tyne is in the county of Tyne and Wear, which includes Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, and Sunderland. From spectacular visitor attractions and museums to really cool outdoor adventures, you and the kids can explore all sorts of experiences for the entire family.
The city of Newcastle upon Tyne offers free admission during school holidays including summer break and this goes for kids from out of town as well as the locals. Make your own itinerary for a kids' day out visiting one fun place after another all over the city.
There are so many family-friendly things to enjoy with the kids, you will need to plan carefully to be able to get it all in during your stay. Enjoy the trails and do some geocaching at Chopwell Wood Park or wear the kids out at the Splat Centre on Whitley Road.
Families flock to Namco Funscape, which is part of the Metrocentre, one of the biggest shopping centres in Newcastle Upon Tyne. From the soft play area for toddlers to the arcade games and bumper cars for the older kids, this place has something for everyone. Children of all ages can join in.
For big kids and little kids
Houghton le Spring in southern Tyne and Wear has quite a few fun parks and attractions as well. The Animal Fun Farm is one such place in the city with tractors, quad bikes, and dozens of animals like raccoons, sheep, pigs, and donkeys. You are likely to see a bunch of owls, pythons, and meercats as well.
Also in the city, Tynemouth Aquarium in Tyne and Wear is full of marine life and other creatures and the Seven Stories Children's Book Store is a haven for book lovers of all ages. The whole family will enjoy the award-winning Beamish Museum with its family friendly things to enjoy year round.
Whether you plan on taking your family to the aquarium, to the Jesmond Dene Park in South Gosforth, or to explore a majestic castle, you cannot bring your luggage or even large purses or backpacks with you. Luckily, there are dozens of suitcase storage sites in the city to choose from.
Tynemouth Aquarium
In Newcastle upon Tyne, the Tynemouth Aquarium, also known as the Blue Reef Aquarium in Tynemouth, is great fun for everyone. In this underwater world, children of all ages can discover what kinds of wildlife live in the waters nearby as well as all over the world. It is home to tens of thousands of creatures.
When you visit, your family will get the chance to see otters, terrapins, toxic toads, and poison dart frogs. The cownose rays, stonefish, and the triggerfish are just a few of the unique creatures that your family can discover. This is the best aquarium in the city and your family will love every minute of your visit.
Lost World Tyne and Wear Adventure Park
Also known as Lost World Adventure Park, take the kids out for a family day at this park on Great North Road. Featuring a battlefield for the whole family to enjoy as well as a variety of adventure areas to explore, children of all ages are welcome.
One of the best family areas of Tyne and Wear County, Tynemouth Park is truly fun for the whole family with some seriously awesome things to do. The park features Jungle Wipeout zip wires, Baby Wipeout for the smaller children, a boating lake, and the Pirate Quest Maze & Scavenger Hunt.
The Great North Museum-Hancock
Also a main feature in Newcastle upon Tyne, the Great North Museum boasts a plethora of fun items including a T-Rex and artifacts from Ancient Greece. It's a place where kids enjoy themselves and have fun while learning about the history of the city as well as the Great North.
The museum opened in 1884 but merged with the Shefton Museum and the Museum of Antiquities in 2006. You and the family can see a life-size African Elephant exhibit, a T-Rex skeleton, and even a couple of mummies. Hadrian's Wall is also interesting for older children to learn more about Ancient Egypt.
The Discovery Museum
The Discovery Museum in Tyne and Wear is a fun place for children as well as families with all sorts of science exhibits, most of them being interactive to keep the kids interested. Some of the popular exhibits include maritime items like the Turbinia, a 105-foot ship that was constructed in 1894, and some of the first lightbulbs invented by Joseph Swan.
Located in Blandford Square, many families enjoy this place for hours exploring the three floors of galleries featuring a science maze, the history of the Barras Bridge, and kids under seven will love Play Tyne with its mini-river and bridges. Take a tour on the Climate Change trail to learn more about the history of our changing climate.
The North Stephenson Railway Museum
On Middle Engine Lane in North Shields, the North Tyneside Railway and Stephenson Railway Museum are two excellent places in North East England. These two places share the same building and also share the love of railway history.
During your trip to these museums, you can see how the rail system has changed from horsedrawn carriages to steam engines dating back to 1755. Families can make a whole day of it, exploring both attractions and enjoying a meal at the cafe before taking a ride on the passenger train.
The Beamish Living Museum of the North
The Living Museum of the North in Newcastle upon Tyne features full-sized displays and an open-air museum in Beamish near the city of Stanley. The museum's main idea is to preserve the life of those who lived in rural North East England in the 1900s.
Most of the information is related to the Victorian and Edwardian eras featuring all sorts of artifacts including buildings, working vehicles, and equipment on 350 acres. The part that most families enjoy the most is the livestock and costumed actors where you can all learn about the history of the Roman Empire.
Tyne Laing Art Gallery
This may not seem like an attraction for families but the Tyne Laing Art Gallery has special areas and exhibits just for kids. Besides the fascinating artwork and sculptures, the gallery also has a Playspace just for the young ones.
The Playspace lets children dress up and explore the castle and circus-themed space. Some of the features include a light table, den, toys, and books. Older kids can learn about the local artists and see some of their exquisite paintings and sculptures. There is also a cafe in case you get hungry during your visit.
Tynemouth Treasure Trail
This self-guided Tynemouth Treasure Trail starts on Station Terrace in Newcastle and is a fun way to get the whole family outdoors and running about. This popular trail is just one of the exciting 27 trails around Tyneside and Northumbria.
With a clear set of directions, you and the family can follow a game of search, looking for the answers to the clues you will find along the way. The trail is about two miles but there are plenty of places to rest along your trip. Most families spend about two or three hours at this game. After some time here, why not try a local Newcastle hike?
Diggerland Newcastle
Nestled in the centre of County Durham, Newcastle, Diggerland Theme Park is one of the most unique parks and is where families head for digging in the dirt. Most kids have always wanted to play with bulldozers, diggers, and other large equipment... and they can do just that on your trip to Newcastle upon Tyne.
In fact, Diggerland Newcastle has 20 different rides including the Spindizzy where the kids get spun around by a digger, mini land rovers, mini tractors, robots, and go-karts as well as dodgems, quad bikes, and the sky shuttle. Of course, they also have food and a gift shop too.
Exhibition Park
This family park boasts a fantastic playground as well as a lake, tennis courts, and a few hiking trails to enjoy. There is also a cafe to refuel and a brewery for some adult beverages. The Exhibition Park in the centre of the city in the corner of the Town Moor.
There is also a fun skate park where your older kids can try their skills on the ramps and bowls. The fenced-in playground has spring toys, climbing frames, slides, and swings. And the boating lake is also a great place to let the kids get their feet wet.
The Centre for Life
Right on the River Tyne, the Newcastle Centre for Life is a science centre in Newcastle upon Tyne where the whole family can learn about all sorts of scientific experiments and facts. The centre has more than 300 thousand visitors every year from toddlers to seniors who want to discover more about science.
The science exhibitions vary depending on the season but the ones that are popular include the attraction Animal Earth Program featuring wildlife and gardens and the LEGO Creations exhibit built by LEGO artists. There is even a special attraction for kids under seven and a planetarium.
The Fun Shack
This amusement centre is all indoors so you can enjoy it even when the weather is not so enjoyable. Turn a rainy day into a family fun day with the Go Kart Track, Rubber Ring Slide, Cannonball Cove, and Football Court. And everyone will love the Pirate Ninja Course with three stories of fun.
They also have trampolines, which is the perfect place to let the kids work off that unwavering energy. The magic castle is also fun, making this attraction a popular place when it gets cold outside. They only allow a certain number of visitors at a time though so you may have to wait.
Richardson Dees Park
In the centre of Wallsend off the Coast Road, Richardson Dees Park is a vast green space with several playgrounds. The main play space is enclosed and boasts a bunch of equipment like a zip wire, climbing nets, balance beams, and timber totes.
During the summer the park also has a water play area with a water pump and dams to splash around in. You and the family may also enjoy the formal gardens, fountain, skate park, bowling green, and the lake. Or take a walk on one of the trails before grabbing some food from the cafe.
Shiremoor Adventure Park
With free entry and tons of fun, the Shiremoor Adventure Park is another great thing to do in Newcastle upon Tyne with the kids. There are zip wires, basket swings, roller skating, treehouses, and play huts everywhere as well as a wildlife pond. With free activities for all the kids, you will love this place.
In the middle, you can find a farm area with small animals like guinea pigs, chickens, and two Kunekune pigs, Mavis and Nancy. Visitors of all ages enjoy this site, including the parents. You will all get to pet the small furry animals too.
Family Fun in Newcastle
There is way too much to do in Newcastle with the kids to be able to fit it all here but we listed some of the most popular with kids of all ages as well as the adults. Because everyone should get to have fun no matter their age. The Baltic Centre for arts is also a great place to visit and you should definitely go see the majestic Newcastle Castle and Moors Castle. Wondering how to get around Newcastle? Well, make your way to the city via the Newcastle Central Station, a great place to start your adventure.