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Discover the best things to do in & around York for kids

The very best attractions, days out, classes, places to eat and activities in York for families

What's New

Beauty and The Beast comes to the Grand Opera House York – Oh yes it does!
A Christmas wish come true! Aladdin at York Theatre Royal is now booking
Christmas in York – The best shows, festive days out and where to see Santa around York this year
The best breakfast and brunch spots in York
Now booking! Ghosts After Dark at York Museum Gardens
Inspire the whole family at York’s Film Festival! And win a family pass!
Take our two-minute survey and win a £50 York Gift Card!
Win a family ticket for the North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s Santa Special!
Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland – It’s back for 2024 (and you can win a family ticket!)
Victorian Christmas at York Castle Museum is back!
Brownies, breads and buns – The best bakeries in York
Where to see Santa in and around York 2024: Our guide

Little Vikings Family Guide To York

York’s top family attractions // Rainy days in York // York on a budget // Family-friendly places to stay // Family friendly places to eat // Family-friendly afternoon tea // Best day trips from York // The Yorkshire Moors, Dales & Coast for families

Little Vikings Family Recipes

From tasty cakes to brilliant biscuits, crowd-pleasing tea options and simple snacks, we’ve put together some of our favourite family-friendly recipes. Some have even been given to us by our friends at attractions and other family-friendly businesses across Yorkshire so that you can enjoy their delicacies from the comfort of home.

Classes, Holiday Clubs and Birthday Parties

Classes

Holiday Clubs

Birthday Parties

Discover places around York

Shopping

Top Attractions Around York

Services for families

Schools & Childcare

Places to Stay

Active Fun & Games

Food & Drink

The Best Family-Friendly Attractions in York and Beyond

York

Yorkshire Coast

North Yorkshire Moors
&
Howardian Hills

Yorkshire Dales

Leeds

Welcome to family-friendly York!

From dinosaurs to Vikings, steam trains to Victorians, chocolate-makers to history-shapers, a family adventure in York is unlike any other, whether you’re here for a day, a week or you’re lucky enough to call York home. Voted Best Place to Live in the UK by The Sunday Times, why wouldn’t you? You can read our Moving to York Guide here

With everything from first-class family attractions to stunning outdoor spaces and lots of fantastic places to shop, eat and drink in York with the kids, it’s a full of memory-making opportunities. Make time for a trip or two out of the city too: the beautiful North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales and Yorkshire coast are full of wonderful places to explore with children. And none of it needs to cost a fortune – there are plenty of wonderful things to do in and around York that are free or cheap, from walking the city walls to visiting the National Railway Museum. If there’s a way for families to save money, you can trust us to let you know about it!

Need somewhere family-friendly to stay? York has some brilliant hotels with family rooms as well as self-catering houses and apartments, not to mention camping and glamping options. They can be hard to find, but we’ve hand-picked our favourites for you so that you’re never short of a high chair or cot if you need one.

Let’s not forget York’s wealth of brilliant children’s classes too, from dance to drama, STEM to forest school, cookery to rugby. Looking for birthday party ideas? Look no further – take a look at the best birthday parties in York. And we’ve got some great holiday club and childcare options, too. 

Here you’ll find our pick of the very best things to do in and around York with children throughout the year, as tried, tested and recommended by a York family with three children. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram so you don’t miss a thing, and why not let us know what you get up to?

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