chloedickensonLast Updated on 3rd July 2024
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Are you planning a trip to York and looking for the best family friendly activities to enjoy in the city? This ultimate guide about the best things to do in York with kids has got you covered!
I’m a firm believer that my beloved city of York is perfect for almost every kind of traveller. Whether you’re heading there on a romantic weekend away with your partner, or you’re spending the day in the city with the whole family, York really is the city that keeps on giving.
While I’ve written dozens of travel guides about York, including the best things to do, all the best places to eat and drink, plus where to stay, I thought it was about time that I put together a mammoth guide of the best things to do in York with kids.
Despite its many cobblestones and awkward alleyways, York is a pretty family-friendly city and there are tonnes of things to see and do in York with kids; here are some of my top recommendations!
1. Rowntree Park – things to do in York with kids
Rowntree Park was one of my very favourite places to go as a kid in York and it’s still somewhere that I love to visit as an adult.
It’s a huge area that’s perfect for the whole family and as it’s tucked away from the busyness of the city, adjacent to the river, it offers a tranquil setting (aside from all the screaming kids!) in an otherwise jam-packed city. There are various playgrounds and climbing frames for kids to enjoy, plus a huge duck pond and even a skate park as well.
2. Clifford’s Tower
Clifford’s Tower offers some of the best views of the city and after it’s recent construction work, it’s now better than ever!
Children are sure to enjoy climbing the many steps to the top and once at the summit, you’ll be treated to seemingly endless views of the city of York, plus you’ll get the chance to peek through the holes in the walls from when the tower was used as part of the defence mechanisms of York Castle.
3. The Museum Gardens
The Museum Gardens are one of my favourite places in York and when I used to work in York city centre, I walked through the gardens every single day.
On a summer’s day you’ll find dozens of families enjoying picnics, kids running around and letting off steam and the odd game of football as well. It’s a beautiful haven, right within the city centre of York and it’s the perfect place to visit as a family while in the city; plus it’s free!
You can also pay a visit to the Yorkshire Museum while you’re at the Museum Gardens if you fancy an afternoon of learning!
4. River Cruise – things to do in York with kids
A river cruise is something that can be enjoyed by everyone when in York, but if you’re looking for something a bit different to do with the kids while in York, then a river cruise should definitely be on the cards.
You can opt to take out your own self-drive boat which can be hired right by the river, or you can embark on one of the larger city cruise boats, complete with a tour guide who will point out some of the city’s most famous spots and historic tales as you cruise down the Ouse.
5. York’s Chocolate Story
I think you’d be hard pressed to find a child who wouldn’t enjoy a visit to York’s Chocolate Story, especially when it comes to the end of the tour where you’re able to make your own chocolate creations!
Even as adults, Matt and I both thoroughly enjoyed our visit to York’s Chocolate Story, but it’s definitely a place that accommodates children of all ages as well.
6. The York Dungeon
If you’re visiting York with older kids in tow, then a visit to The York Dungeon might be the ideal way to spend a couple of hours while in the city.
It’s an interactive and immersive experience for people of all ages, and while I would probably advise against taking young children to the Dungeons, if you’ve got brave kids who want to test their scare-ability, then this is the perfect place to do so!
7. The National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum was another one of my favourite places to visit in York as a child and even though I didn’t quite enjoy it as much when I recently visited it as an adult, I remember it being a place that my siblings and I utterly adored when we were younger.
The trains themselves are fascinating to see and if you can schedule your visit in line with when the museum hosts a variety of different exhibitions (I remember watching a performance of The Railway Children here when I was younger), then it’ll make for the perfect family day out in York.
8. Visit the Harry Potter shops
The infamous Shambles in York is renowned as being one of the inspirations for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter franchise, so naturally local business owners have jumped in on the hype and opened numerous Harry Potter-themed shops along the Shambles.
If you’ve got kids who are huge Harry Potter fans, then a stop at one of the themed shops is a must-do while in York; be warned though, if you visit on a busy Saturday afternoon, you’ll likely be queuing just to get inside the shops!
9. JORVIK Viking Centre
I only went to the JORVIK Viking Centre for the first time a couple of years ago when my cousins were over from America and I can’t believe I didn’t visit sooner!
Similarly to York Dungeon, albeit much less scary, the JORVIK Viking Centre boasts an immersive experience depicting the tales of when Vikings ruled the city. It’s a great way to spend an hour in the city, especially if it’s raining and you don’t fancy doing anything outdoors!
Kids can pretend to be little Vikings, all the while learning about the fascinating history of York’s enigmatic past!
10. DIG – things to do in York with kids
DIG is an awesome place to take kids in York as it offers a hands-on archaeological experience whereby children get the chance to “dig” for 2000+ year-old artefacts.
You can take a tour of DIG and learn all about the medieval, Viking, Roman and Victorian periods, while being immersed in actually digging for artefacts and learning at the same time. If you’ve got children who very much enjoy hands-on experiences, then DIG York is the perfect place to take them.
11. York Castle Museum
The last time I visited York Castle Museum was on a school trip many years ago now, but I remember being absolutely fascinated with what it had to offer.
Inside, you’ll find exhibitions such as Victorian Streets and The Sixties, plus a glimpse into York Castle Prison. Kids who are fans of history are sure to enjoy a visit to York Castle Museum and it’s certainly something that parents will enjoy too, so it’s a win-win for everyone!
12. City Sightseeing Bus Tour
One of my favourite ways to get to know a new city is by taking a sightseeing bus tour. While I haven’t actually taken one of York yet (I suppose just because I live there!), I know that the City Sightseeing Bus Tours are incredibly popular amongst both local and tourist families.
It’s a great and alternative way to explore York with kids and it means that you get to rest your feet for five minutes while the children can enjoy spotting some of the city’s famous landmarks from the rooftop seating area!
13. Spend the day at The Web Adventure Park (Creepy Crawlies)
Formerly known as Creepy Crawlies, The Web Adventure Park is the perfect place to visit with kids as it’s an epic indoor and outdoor adventure playground for kids of all ages!
Even babies can enjoy the soft play inside, while older children will love running off steam at the giant indoor play area, as well as the fun climbing frames and obstacle courses outside!
14. Visit York Minster – best things to do in York with kids
The York Minster is the most iconic structure in the city and while it might not be a good idea to visit with screaming kids in tow, it is an excellent family friendly activity if you just want to admire the remarkable cathedral from outside.
You can also pay to go inside the York Minster and climb its towers to enjoy breathtaking views of the city from above, but it is quite the feat to climb to the top, so be wary of this when visiting with young children!
Read more: The Best Views Of York Minster
15. Explore the York City Walls
The City Walls are one of the best things to do in York for free, whether you’re accompanied by kids or not! The Walls comprise more than 2 miles, but there are numerous entry/exit points dotted along them, so you don’t have to walk the entire way around.
If you’re looking for the perfect York family day activity, I’d definitely recommend checking out the section of the walls near the train station so you get an awesome view of the York Minster!
Bonus best things to do in York with kids
- York Maze
- Vangarde Shopping Park (Puttstars and Hollywood Bowl)
- Point Zero Trampoline Park
- Castle Howard
- Piglets Adventure Farm
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- 17 Best Things To Do In York At Christmas
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Do you have any other things to add to this list of the best things to do in York with kids? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram @imjustagirl_16.
