Fancy an alternative to a Christmas Grotto this year? Then why not head to Scarborough and visit the magical world of Grue? Built by Scarborough’s community and made entirely of recycled and repurposed materials, Grue is a wandering cardboard labyrinth of rooms to explore and wonders to discover. Back by popular demand, the walk-through immersive […]

Mulled wine wafting on the breeze, lights twinkling on the trees; you know Christmas has really begun in York when York Christmas Market (also known as St Nicholas Fair) opens. Now in its 31st year, York’s Christmas market is one of the most popular in the UK, bringing visitors from across the country to enjoy […]

The excitement we feel about heading along to the preview of Castle Howard’s Christmas experience is similar to the excitement our kids feel as their heads (finally) hit the pillow on Christmas Eve. It’s a feeling of festive anticipation unlike any other: the hope that this year will be as good as – if not […]

Who needs a trip to the Alps this winter when you can get a Swiss chalet experience right in the heart of York? New for 2022, The Winter Hutte is a two-storey, alpine-inspired bar and restaurant that promises to bring a continental vibe to the city this Christmas. With a sprinkle of Christmas stardust, it’ll […]

For something seriously cute to do in York this Christmas with your family, it doesn’t get much sweeter than A Town Mouse Christmas at Fairfax House. If you’ve never visited, Fairfax House is one of York’s most magnificent Georgian townhouses, a literal stone’s throw from Clifford’s Tower. It’s had a glorious festive makeover and a full-on […]

In recent years, The Bar Convent’s Christmas displays have brought a welcome festive warmth to York, and this Christmas is no different. With the outbreak of war in Ukraine, this year The Bar Convent has partnered with local charity New Visuality to create a display of origami doves – the symbol of peace and love […]

The long summer holidays are at an end and many of us are ready to get back into a routine again. The start of a new term is the ideal time to try a new class with your baby, toddler or older child, and there are loads of different ones on offer. Whether you’d like […]

As we dragged ourselves through the dark mornings and evenings towards the end of term, there were twinkling lights at the end of the tunnel: the North Yorkshire Moors Light Spectacular. It’s one of the most popular family-friendly events in the heritage railway’s calendar, and despite a few attempts over the last few years to […]

Welcome to York, Pho! It’s taken 17 years for Pho to bring a branch of its small chain of Vietnamese kitchens to our fair city, but who’s counting? We’re just glad that they’ve finally opened the doors, fired up the playlist and are busy luring hungry Yorkies across the city with the promise of a […]

It’s that time of year again – a chance to send some love to the family-friendly places and people in around York. Now in its 8th year, the Little Vikings Awards is the only awards scheme that rewards the very best of York (and beyond) for kids, and we’d love you to take a few […]

Everyone knows that the Yorkshire coast is an amazing place for a day by the sea, from the twinkling lights of Scarborough’s South Bay to the simplicity of Hunmnanby, Filey and Fraisthorpe. There are attractions galore – Whitby Abbey, Sewerby Hall and Scarborough Castle to name a few – but we’ve discovered a new place […]

The happiness that Tiger Woods feels when he gets a hole-in-one is nothing compared to the buzz of a parent who’s finally discovered an activity that makes a hard-to-please older child happy. This summer, we’ve found it: FootGolf. York FootGolf, to be precise: a 15-hole course at Skelton, just a 10-minute drive from York. We […]

From scouring the menu for something they’ll eat to checking there’s a highchair and then expecting them to sit in it for more than a minute, eating out with children isn’t always the most relaxing of experiences. Thankfully there are plenty of family-friendly places to eat in York where things are more likely to be stacked […]

You’ve just dropped your bags at your hotel or apartment, or you’ve spilt out of the train or car into York city centre, kids in tow, but there’s no time to rest. There’s a whole city to explore, but where to start? Look up, and there’s your answer: York Minster. No visit to York is […]

If the thought of taking your children for afternoon tea fills you with dread – the noise! the crumbs!  – consider this: a child is never quieter than in the presence of cake. So imagine just how compliant they are when they’re faced with three tiers of baked goodies! We’re big fans of taking children […]

With so many things to do in York with kids, it can be hard to know where to start, especially if you’re not here for long. Let’s save you a bit of time by recommending the National Railway Museum, as one of York’s must-see attractions for family visitors. We visited again recently to check that […]

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to attractions and museums in York, with wizards, Vikings and Victorians all waiting to meet you. Whatever your children are into, there’s somewhere for them, from the world-famous JORVIK Viking Centre to one of the best railway museums in the world, the National Railway Museum. Some of them are […]

Did you know that there’s a beach in York? And we don’t mean that scruffy patch of sand under Ouse Bridge, home to the city’s goose population who are clearly dreaming of more tropical climes. Nope, we’re talking about the much loved but surprisingly little known beach on the Beningbrough river walk. Since we discovered […]

One of York’s newest family attractions, The Wizard Walk of York, has been showered with five-star reviews since it launched early in 2022. In fact, it’s even won the Little Vikings Award 2023 for Best Tour of York, as voted for by our wonderful audience! Unlike the various ghost tours, river tours and bus tours […]

York’s bursting with so many things to do with kids that it can be hard to know where to start, especially if you’re short on time. One place that always makes it into our top picks for families – and a favourite with Little Vikings readers- is York Castle Museum, a place that ticks plenty […]