Looking for a joyful family day out in York this summer? You’re warmly invited to Homestead Park Festival: Here is Hope – a free, family-friendly festival packed with music, creativity and connection, all set in the beautiful grounds of Homestead Park. It’s taking place on 5th and 6th July 2025, and it’s completely free. Whether […]

Head to York Castle Museum this summer (19th July to 31st August 2025) for a Victorian-style extravaganza that brings the past brilliantly to life for visitors of all ages. This summer, the museum’s much-loved Victorian street, Kirkgate, will be bursting with colour, music and flowers as it transforms into a joyful scene inspired by the […]

If you’re looking for a unique family experience in York this October half term, Echoes of Yorkshire: The Museum Illuminated is one to add to your list. For ten nights only, York Museum Gardens will be transformed by the internationally renowned creative team Luxmuralis into a breathtaking open-air light and sound installation, bringing history to […]

York’s a great place to visit with kids, and it’s bursting with free things to do. Children are easily pleased, so you really don’t need to spend a fortune in York to have a good time – in fact there are lots of things to do in York that are free or cheap (even by […]

Much as we love the summer holidays – no pack-ups to make, uniforms to iron or PE kits to remember – they are LONG. Most parents will need, or want, a holiday club or camp for a few days or more so they can work or get stuff done without little people in tow. It’s […]

York’s summer can be summed up in two words: glorious and short (okay, three words if you count ‘unpredictable’). If there’s one thing we know, it’s that you’ve got to make the most of it while it’s here, and that means enjoying the sun while it shines and splashing about near the water. No matter […]

We’re going on an adventure! This summer (Saturday 19th July to Sunday 31st August 2025), head to Mother Shipton’s Cave, where magic dwells deep, with hobbit-esque themed displays and plenty of fairy magic. It’s an adventure to rule them all, happening in the heart of Yorkshire! Keep an eye out for an enchanting fairy and curiously […]

York’s much-loved rivers, the Ouse and the Foss, wind right through the heart of the city and are a must-visit for families exploring York with kids. As well as boat trips with the brilliant City Cruises and lovely riverside walks, it’s also a perfect place to eat with kids in tow. There’s something magical about […]

If you’re looking for afternoon tea in York for the whole family, The Potions Academy has recently launched Wizard Afternoon Tea and it’s proving more popular than a Harry Potter costume on World Book Day. Run by the expert team behind The Potions Cauldron and The Hole in Wand, it’s an experience that brings the […]

The Make Space Festival is back for 2025 and it’s bigger, bolder and has more events than ever! The festival is all about empowering teenage girls to take up space, try new things and have fun. From creative workshops to active outdoor sessions, the festival is packed with free events designed to spark curiosity and […]

Viking fans, this one’s for you! The Yorkshire Museum’s exciting new exhibition, Viking North, opens on Friday July 11th, just in time for the summer holidays. Step back into the dramatic Viking Age and discover the captivating – and often fierce – history of northern England. Viking wonders galore The Yorkshire Museum has brought together […]

It’s that time of year again when those of us lucky enough to have our dads around (or someone who does those fatherly things for us) scrabble to find a way to thank them for what they do for us. While there’s a lot to be said for keeping it simple (and nothing says I […]

There’s a new reason to explore York with kids this summer, and it’s wild, wonderful, and completely free: the Tommy Treebark Trail! Families living in or visiting York are invited to take part in this fun city centre trail, which promises to be fun for all ages. Running from 25th April to 14th September 2025, […]

The sun’s back, and so are The York BID’s colourful seating areas and grass animals! We’re big fans: these spaces are the perfect place for families to relax, sit down with a snack or snap a sunny selfie when York’s brimming with summer visitors. The grass animals are always a big hit with kids (but […]

Spring is in the air, and there’s no better time to head out on a family adventure in York. With longer days, blooming flowers and (hopefully) a bit of sunshine, you’re spoilt for choice this springtime. Whether you fancy meeting some animals, getting out into nature or enjoying North Yorkshire’s best adventure playgrounds, we’ve rounded […]

Visiting York Minster with kids is an awe-inspiring experience that you won’t forget, but did you know it can also be a bit of a family workout? Families fit – and brave – enough can embark on the York Minster Tower Challenge, climbing to the top of Central Tower for some of the most spectacular […]

If there’s one thing that most children adore, whatever their age, it’s splashing about in the water. Whether they’re a toddler dipping their toes in the water or a slide-loving tween, swimming and paddling are one of those activities that everyone usually enjoys. There are lots of places in York and nearby where you can […]

Spring is the perfect time to get outdoors and connect with nature after the long, dark winter months, and what could be more uplifting than spending some time in the company of adorable animals? Days out that involve anything furry tend to please the whole family, from tiny toddlers to tired teens, so there’s a […]

No half term is complete without a visit to see the trains and rail vehicles in the huge halls of the National Railway Museum. Entry to the main museum remains free, so if you’re planning a visit, here are our top five things to see and do. 1. Explore HUGE vehicles! As you enter Great […]

If you’re looking for a lovely walk in York or the surrounding Yorkshire countryside with your children, look no further. There’s a lot to love about going on a family walk: it’s great exercise, gets everyone off their screens and gives you a great chance to chat and connect. There are lots of great walks […]