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. Pack a picnic and enjoy a full family day out in beautiful surroundings. A visit promises a special day against […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

The best day of the year, Yorkshire Day, is fast approaching and this year, something sheepish is heading to the heart of York. Flock, a friendly herd of dancing sheep, is set to take over the piazza outside York Minster for a one-of-a-kind celebration on Saturday 2nd August 2025. From 12pm to 5pm, you’ll be […]

Get ready for festive fun as Mother Shipton’s Christmas Experience returns to Knaresborough for 2025! From twinkling lights to cheerful elves and a very special meeting with Santa, it’s a magical day out that’s become a much-loved Yorkshire Christmas tradition. We’ve been several times and love it – it has the all-important Little Vikings seal […]

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 […]

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 […]

Christmas at Stockeld Park is packed with festive magic and loved by all ages, just a short drive from York, and we’re giving one lucky family (up to 2 adults and 3 children) the chance to experience it all with gold tickets! To celebrate the launch of Stockeld Park’s magical Gold Christmas tickets this summer, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]