Looking for budget-friendly ways to entertain the kids this summer? Same here. With the cost of living on the rise, summer holidays can quickly add up, from the day-long snack distribution to pleas for ice cream and requests for another day out. Here’s the good news: having a good time in York doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag.

We’ve pulled together a brilliant guide packed with free things to do in York with kids this summer, including cheap family days out and attractions that are great value, including free child admission, tickets that last all year and places where you’ll only need to pay for parking. You’ll even find some exclusive York discount codes and Little Vikings Family Card offers to help your money stretch further.

So whether you’re a local looking for inspiration or planning a family visit to York, pack your picnic blanket, stock up on snacks and make some magical memories without breaking the bank.

RECOMMENDED

💰 The best free and cheap things to do in York

☔️ Rainy days in York

🪄The best Harry Potter things to do in York

🛌 The best places to stay in York with kids

🤪 The best unusual things to do in York

👶 The best things to do in York with a baby/toddler

😀 Read the Little Vikings Family Guide to York

😎 The best things to do with older kids and teens in York

Free things to do in York this summer

• – Summer Reading Challenge at Explore York libraries – Get your kids reading! – Read more
• – The Little Vikings I Spy Trail – Do our free walking tour of York (NEW – check out our interactive 3D map and use it while you walk)
• – Tommy Treebark Trail – Explore York and collect a prize!

Special Little Vikings offers

Little Vikings Family Card discounts

One of the best ways for families to save money in York is to pick up a FREE Little Vikings Family Card. Collect yours from the Visit York Information Centre in Parliament Street and take advantage of special offers and perks – find the current offers HERE. Here are some of our most popular perks on days out in York:

• – 15% discount at Stockeld Park
• – 10% discount at Stump Cross Caverns
• – 20% off admission to JORVIK DIG
• – 20% off admission to York’s Chocolate Story
• – £5 annual family ticket at York Army Museum
• – FREE chocolate frog at The Potions Cauldron
• – FREE Premium Upgrade at The Hole in Wand
• – £5 discount with City Cruises York
• – 10% discount at Rainbows Ceramics
• – Free golden dragon coin with The Wizard Walk of York
• – 10% discount on Adventure Camps holiday camps
• – 25% discount on a family pass at Oxygen York

Summer passes

Some of the family-friendly attractions around York are offering summer passes, keeping costs down if you think you’ll visit a few times. Our favourites are:

• – Piglets Adventure Farm – £35 per person – Visit as many times as you like during the summer
• – Stockeld Park – £40 per person; free for under 2s – Unlimited visits
• – William’s Den – £30 per person – Unlimited visits

York Pride Wristband discounts

A York Pride wristband may set you back £6 per person BUT you’ll get some cracking discounts with it. Buy yours from York Station and you’ll get some great discounts including:

• – 20% off admission to Barley Hall
• – 20% off all drinks at Thor’s Tipi
• – FREE entry to Beningbrough Hall until 31 August 2025
• – 10% off sightseeing and dining cruises with City Cruises York
• – 10% off at City Screen
• – 20% off walk-up admissions to JORVIK DIG
• – 20% off walk-up admissions to JORVIK Viking Centre
• – 10% off The Potions Cauldron, The Hole in Wand and The Potions Academy
• – 10% off The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring
• – 10% off walk-up admission at York’s Chocolate Story

Free admission for all at these York attractions

• – York city walls
• – Railway Museum
• – Shambles
• – York Museum Gardens
• – Rowntree Park
• – Dean’s Park
• – Picnic spots around York

Free admission for young children

1. – JORVIK Dig – Under 3s go free
2. – JORVIK Viking Centre – Under 5s go free
3. – York Castle Museum – Under 5s go free
4. – The Yorkshire Museum – Under 5s go free
5. – York Minster – Under 18s go free
6. – York’s Chocolate Story – Under 4s go free
7. – Beningbrough Hall – Under 5s go free
8. – Nunnington Hall – Under 5s go free
9. – RHS Harlow Carr – Under 5s go free
10. – Newby Hall – Under 2s go free
11. – Castle Howard – Under 2s go free

Free admission for York residents

1. – York Minster (adult and child residents go free)
2. – York Castle Museum (child residents go free)
3. – The Yorkshire Museum (child residents go free)

Just pay for parking at these lovely places

1. – Dalby Forest
2. – Bolton Abbey
3. – Brimham Rocks
4. – Sutton Bank
5. – Falling Foss
6. – Askham Bog
7. – Moorlands Nature Reserve
8. – Fairburn Ings Nature Reserve

Tickets valid for 12 months at these York attractions

• – JORVIK Viking Centre
• – The Yorkshire Museum
• – Dig York – An Archaeological Adventure
• – Barley Hall
• – Murton Park
• – The Deep, Hull