While we might disagree on what constitutes a sensible meal, a nice outfit or a reasonable bedtime, there’s one thing parents and kids can generally agree on: freshly baked goods make life a little bit brighter. York’s bakery scene is booming, so whether you fancy a tasty local breakfast, trying a local delicacy or need […]

York’s newest attraction is opening soon, and we’ve teamed up with the wizards to give you an exclusive opportunity to try it for FREE! Read on to find out how… The Potions Academy will open officially at its home in York’s famous Shambles in September 2024 and be made up of The Potions Class and […]

Inflatables at the ready! There’s a brand new family lake at Pool Bridge Farm, the best place for wild swimming near York. Here’s what you need to know. Now open, the Q Lake is a brand new lake that’s for families and paddleboarders. It’s larger than the other three put together, with plenty of space […]

Exciting news, Gruffalo fans! Everyone’s favourite fearsome woodland creature is coming to Dalby Forest this summer! Dalby’s new Gruffalo Birthday Trail is already one of our top picks for the summer, but for the ultimate Gruffalo experience, head to the forest on Saturday 10th August 2024 to meet the legend himself. Throughout the day, you […]

Much as we love the summer holidays, we’re less keen on six weeks of sorting out almost every meal and snack for the whole family. Not only can it feel like you’re a human vending machine, it can also get expensive, especially if you’re going out. Picnics are great to save money, but sometimes it’s […]

Remember the days when you had to nag, drag or downright bribe your children to go shopping with you? Well, those days are over. When they find out what’s on at York Designer Outlet, they’ll be nagging you to go (and we’re speaking from experience as that’s exactly what happened in our family last summer). […]

Visit Castle Howard this summer and make lifelong memories, with its incredible architecture, rich history and breathtaking landscapes as your backdrop. Summer is the perfect time to immerse yourself in Castle Howard’s contemporary sculpture exhibition and visit the house, gardens and award-winning Skelf Island adventure playground. Here are some summer highlights. Tony Cragg See a […]

York Theatre Royal is hosting a big top bonanza as they bring you the greatest show circumnavigating the earth – Around the World in 80 Days-ish! Based on the novel by Jules Verne and adapted and directed by Juliet Forster, who directs York Theatre Royal’s dazzling pantomimes. Join their raggle-taggle band of circus performers as they embark on their most daring feat […]

The longest holidays of the year are upon us, but don’t panic! It’s a long time to keep children entertained, but there are lots of things going on in and around York this summer. As always, we’ve handpicked the very best events and activities, with plenty of ideas for every budget and weather condition (but […]

The summer holidays can be pricey at the best of times, what with the endless snack requests, demands to go out and do something fun and cries for ice cream. With prices rising, we’re all going to be watching the pennies more than usual this year, so we’ve put together this handy guide to try […]

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 […]

We LOVE the Summer Reading Challenge. There’s no better way to get and keep kids reading over the summer than joining this annual celebration of all things book-related, and it’s FREE! This year’s theme is Marvellous Makers and it’s all about creativity. From dance to drawing, junk modelling to music, there’s something for everyone. The […]

We’re big fans of Barley Hall, one of York’s hidden gems, and now there’s a new reason to visit: a brand new exhibition that’s open in time for the summer holidays. Beasts At Barley Hall is the latest creation from York Archaeology’s exhibition and interpretations team, showcasing some of the weird and wonderful animal-related finds […]

Free hands-on activities for the summer holidays – Kids go free! Come and enjoy world-famous film locations at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) plus FREE kids’ activities, and best of all – kids go FREE!  NYMR has launched an all-new film trail which is available for families to enjoy from 1st July 2024. It […]

Much as we love the summer holidays – no pack-ups to make, uniforms to iron or PE kits to remember – they are LONG. The majority of 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 […]

Whether you’re in York for a day, a weekend, a week or a lifetime, it’s no secret that there’s plenty of things to do with kids. As locals ourselves, we’ve gone beyond the guidebooks to pick some of the most interesting and inspiring things to do and places to go, whatever the age of your […]

There aren’t many places that we’d brave the A64 for on the hottest day of the year, but Falling Foss near Whitby is one of them. If you’re looking for a really pretty walk that isn’t too taxing for younger children (and has the prospect of caffeine en route), then look no further. It’s not […]

Even the most boring sandwich tastes amazing when it’s eaten in the sunshine. There’s a lot to love about picnics – the kids can run about, the grass can deal with the crumbs and it’s cheaper (and less stressful) than piling into a restaurant or cafe. Take a look at our pick of the best […]

A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark maze…This year’s York Maze theme has been revealed, and it’s a great one: the Gruffalo! Despite his terrible tusks and poisonous wart, Julia Donaldson’s creation is much loved by families and he’ll be re-created in maize plants this summer. Marking 25 years of the picture book, […]

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 […]