York might be one of the UK’s best cities for families, but that doesn’t mean every family day out goes smoothly. Over the years, despite knowing York inside out, we’ve made plenty of mistakes ourselves, from battling the cobbles of the Shambles with a buggy to promising the kids a York Ghost Merchants ghost in […]

York Minster might sound like one for the grown-ups, but it’s a brilliant family experience when you get it right (and that’s where we come in!). York Minster is a historic cathedral in the heart of York that’s surprisingly family-friendly if you know how to approach it. York Minster is a historic cathedral in the […]

Yorkshire doesn’t do views by halves, and it’s always good to have something gorgeous to look at while you try to persuade your kids to eat what’s on their plate. Whether it’s a riverside table in York, a sea view on the Yorkshire coast or a waterfall in the woodland, they’re all lovely options. Here […]

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 […]

Father’s Day 2026 falls on Sunday 21 June, and if you’re looking for things to do in York for Father’s Day, you’re in the right place. 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 […]

With the May half-term arriving and summer just around the corner, spending an afternoon on the Ouse is hard to beat when the sun is shining in York. Whether you’re a resident, or just visiting with the kids, getting out on the river offers a lovely change of pace! If you want to take things […]

May half term in York is packed with fun things to do with kids, so why go anyhere else?! It runs from 25th May to 29th May 2026 and there’s plenty going on for families to enjoy. Take a look at our handy guide for our pick of the best, and keep checking back as […]

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 […]

If you’re looking for a magical family day out this May half term, there’s no place like Mother Shipton’s Cave. From 23rd to 31st May, the award-winning attraction is inviting families to step into an Emerald Adventure inspired by the timeless world of The Wizard of Oz and the spellbinding charm of Wicked. Expect woodland […]

What do families really think about visiting York Minster? Whether you’ve been recently, it’s been years, or you’ve never visited with the kids, we’d love your input. Take part in our quick York Minster Family Survey to help shape future family-friendly experiences, with the chance to win an annual family ticket and a York Minster […]

All aboard for a family adventure like no other! Thomas the Tank Engine is steaming into the North Yorkshire Moors Railway this May for the Day Out With Thomas: Let’s Rock, Let’s Roll Tour. Every ticket includes a real steam train ride behind Thomas himself, plus a full day of live shows, character meet-and-greets, hands-on […]

Plans are well underway for WizardFest, York’s first festival of wizardry coming to the city during May half term (May 23rd to 25th 2026). Conjured up by The Wizard Walk of York, this enchanting event is co-hosted with Little Vikings, for the most magical match! As a fun, family-friendly event that champions York’s magical side […]

Find new ways to explore the museum this half term! Pick up a fun new trail to hunt down objects and join our curators as they bring some star objects into the spotlight.  And join us for a day of free engineering fun with York Festival of Ideas and LNER on Wednesday 27 May, where […]

Where happy girls and boys thrive, The Mount Prep School is proud to be Primary School of the Year 2026 in My Local Awards! The Mount Prep School offers a remarkable education designed to empower young minds, capture imagination and fulfil potential. Our pupils make the most of every opportunity, both inside and outside the […]

The Romans are marching back into York this spring as the Eboracum Roman Festival returns from 16 to 31 May 2026, with two weeks of events, activities and living history celebrating the city’s fascinating Roman past. Once known as Eboracum, York was one of the most important cities in Roman Britain, so there’s no better […]

Panto season might seem a long way off, but we’ve got big news for the planners: York Theatre Royal has just dropped some seriously exciting casting news for this year’s show. If you’ve got little ones who are fans of CBBC or CBeebies – or older kids who love Horrible Histories or Class Dismissed – […]

York’s cobbled streets are brimming with stories, and with bookshops too. In fact, the city’s a dream for book-loving families with kids of all ages. Whether you’re raising a reluctant reader, a comic-book collector or a full-on bookworm, these brilliant bookshops are some of our favourites. 📚 Brilliant bookshops in York for families The Blue […]

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 […]

Don’t let the rain stop play! There are plenty of things to do on a rainy day in York, and these are some of the best indoor activities, whether you fancy visiting an attraction, losing yourselves in a movie or getting creative and making something lovely to take home with you. Rainy days in York […]

The very best things to do in York with kids Discover the best family-friendly adventures in and around York York is one of the UK’s most family-friendly cities, with activities, hands-on museums and outdoor adventures galore. From dinosaurs to Vikings, chocolate-makers to history-shapers, York is bursting with unforgettable things to do with kids. Whether you’re […]