Looking for the best things to do in York this February half term? York Castle Museum, York Art Gallery and the Yorkshire Museum are have a whole host of family-friendly activities going on, from immersive Victorian experiences and Viking performances to creative workshops and hands-on crafts. Whether you’re visiting for the day or planning a full week of adventures, York’s museums offer brilliant, budget-friendly days out for kids of all ages.
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York Castle Museum: Step Into Victorian York
This half term, York Castle Museum is bringing Victorian York to life with a new immersive experience and a packed programme of family activities. Opening in the final week of January, The Last Stop Before Kirkgate transforms the entrance to Kirkgate – the museum’s famous Victorian street – into a recreated coaching inn, filled with the sounds and stories of 19th-century York. Throughout half term, families can enjoy:
- 🍞 Castle Kitchen demonstrations and tastings inspired by traditional coaching inn food
- 📚 Victorian classroom sessions, where children can experience a taster of school life in the 1800s
- 🎩 Creative Studio activities, designing your dream Victorian outfit
- 🔒 Daily prison cell talks, uncovering the history of York Castle Prison
- 🏛️ Access to much-loved galleries including Period Rooms, Sixties Street and World War One
Best of all, all half-term activities are included with general admission! And don’t forget that your tickets are valid for 12 months, too.
📍 York Castle Museum, Eye of York, York YO1 9RY
💻 yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk
York Art Gallery: Creative Half-Term Fun
York Art Gallery is the place to get creative this half term, with hands-on craft activities inspired by the Harold Gosney exhibition and its striking horse sculptures and works on paper. Families can drop into relaxed creative sessions, with materials provided and plenty of inspiration from the gallery’s collections.
Younger visitors can also enjoy Wicked Wednesday storytelling adventures with Storycraft Theatre, perfect for little ones.
📍 York Art Gallery, Exhibition Square, York YO1 7EW
💻 yorkartgallery.org.uk
The Yorkshire Museum: Vikings Take Centre Stage
The Yorkshire Museum’s headline exhibition, Viking North, is at the heart of half-term fun, with immersive performances and creative workshops inspired by Norse history. Families can enjoy:
- ⚔️ Live Viking performances from History Riot (Tuesday 17 & Friday 20 February)
- 🛡️ Artist-led family workshops, creating Viking-inspired crafts (Wednesday 18 & Saturday 21 February)
- 🏺 Opportunities to explore star objects from the exhibition
Why not combine it with enjoying the Jorvik Viking Festival events happening across the city?
📍 The Yorkshire Museum, Museum Gardens, York YO1 7FR
💻 yorkshiremuseum.org.uk
Coming Soon: Making Waves at York Art Gallery
There’s even more to look forward to at the end of half term, with a major new exhibition opening at York Art Gallery. Making Waves: The Art of Japanese Woodblock Print opens on 27 February 2026, featuring iconic works including Katsushika Hokusai’s The Great Wave, on loan from Maidstone Museum.
