Articles

Dec 27
New! Little Vikings I Spy Trail – a free walking trail of York for families

I spy with my little eye a clock, a cat and a flag! We’re so excited to launch a brand new family walking trail for York: the Little Vikings I Spy Trail. For some time we’ve wanted to create a fun walking trail for families that’s available all year round, encourages families to explore York […]

Jun 30
Amazing machines and incredible stories – A fun summer day out at the Yorkshire Air Museum

Are you a plane fan in the house? Why not plan a trip to the Yorkshire Air Museum this summer? Head out to Elvington, just a short drive or bus ride from York, and discover incredible aircraft, fascinating stories and even an aeroplane-themed playground! Set on the site of an original RAF bomber base, the Yorkshire Air […]

Jun 27
Pixie Dust and Pirate Gold: Summer Adventures on the NYMR

Head to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for a magical summer full of fairy-tale fun and pirate adventure across the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR). From 19th July to 31st August, ride the rails and discover crafts, theatre, outdoor games, and competitions across all the stations. Inspired by the playful Pickering Pixie Trail and linking […]

Jun 21
Summer at Castle Howard: A Sublime Day Out for Families

Enjoy a sublime summer day out at Castle Howard. Visit the house, gardens, and award-winning Skelf Island Adventure Playground, cafes with locally sourced produce on the menu, and the farm shop, gift shop, and garden centre.  A visit promises a special day against a backdrop of magnificent architecture, rich history, and breathtaking landscapes. See the […]

Jun 21
A Free Family Festival in York this July – Discover the Magic of Homestead Park Festival: Here is Hope

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 […]

Jun 20
Best places for ice cream in York – Sprinkles optional!

Money might not buy happiness, but it can buy ice cream – and in York, that’s almost the same thing. We’ve explored the city’s best ice cream parlours, gelaterias, dessert cafés and hidden gems to bring you the ultimate guide to where to get ice cream in York. Whether you’re after the best gelato in […]

Jun 20
Best Places to Stay in Yorkshire with Kids – Our Ultimate Guide

Welcome to Little Vikings Great Yorkshire Family Escapes! Looking for the perfect family-friendly getaway in Yorkshire? You’re in the right place! Over the next few months, we’ll share the best places to stay in Yorkshire with kids, from family hotels on the Yorkshire Coast to child-friendly stays in the North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, and […]

Jun 20
Summer adventures await at Beningbrough: A family day out to remember

Looking for the perfect family escape this summer? Nestled in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside, the National Trust’s Beningbrough Hall offers a magical blend of history, nature, and play that promises to delight visitors of all ages. 🌿 Explore, discover, and play Beningbrough is more than a country estate – it’s a playground for […]

Jun 19
Step Back in Time This Summer at York Castle Museum

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 […]

Jun 18
Summer holidays in York – The Ultimate Family Guide

Summer in York is a magical time for families, with long days, sunny skies (we’re manifesting🤞), and a city packed with brilliant ways to keep your kids happy and entertained. Whether you’re local or planning a summer break in North Yorkshire, there’s no shortage of family-friendly things to do in York during the summer holidays […]

Jun 17
Berry good fun! Three top spots to pick your own fruit near York

Pick up your punnets, fruit fans! The sun is shining (most of the time) and we’re getting ready for a sweet summer filled with fruit-picking forays. The suggestion of strawberry picking is one of those rare things: a trip out that all of our children can agree on. After all, what’s not to love? Rolling […]

Jun 11
NEW! A magical light and sound experience at York Museum Gardens this autumn

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 […]

Jun 08
Free Things to Do in York – Your Ultimate Family Guide

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 […]

Jun 08
York’s best summer holiday clubs and camps 2025

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 […]

Jun 05
Summer in York for Kids – The Best Water-Based Activities

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 […]

Jun 04
Summer at Mother Shipton’s – Fairies and Hobblings!

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 […]

Jun 03
The best riverside cafés in York for families

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 […]

Jun 01
Review – Wizard Afternoon Tea at The Potions Academy, York

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 […]

May 15
Make Space for Girls at Rowntree Park and Homestead Park – Fun activities for older girls in York

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 […]

May 14
Discover the Power and Treasure of the Vikings at Yorkshire Museum’s New ‘Viking North’ Exhibition

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 […]

May 14
Father’s Day in York – Special offers and things to do

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 […]

ARE YOU IN?

The best of York and beyond for families, Straight to your inbox every week.

Subscribe now