Summer in York is a magical time for families, with long days, sunny skies (we’re manifesting🤞), and a city packed with brilliant ways to keep your kids happy and entertained. Whether you’re local or planning a summer break in North Yorkshire, there’s no shortage of family-friendly things to do in York during the summer holidays (Saturday 19th July to Sunday 31st August 2025).
We know from years of experience that six weeks is a very long time to fill, so we’ve done the hard work for you, curating the ultimate guide to the best summer events and activities for kids in and around York with insider insights and top tips. From free days out and budget-friendly fun to indoor rainy-day ideas and big days out, there’s something all ages, budgets and weathers.
We’ll be updating our list all summer long with even more ideas for things to do with kids in York, so why not bookmark this page and keep checking back? Make sure you’re following us on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok, and sign up for our newsletter through our website, too, so you never miss a thing.
RECOMMENDED
💰 The best free and cheap things to do 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
☀️ Summer holidays in York – The best things to do ☀️
Fairies and Hobblings at Mother Shipton’s – This summer (Saturday 19th July to Sunday 31st August 2025), head to Mother Shipton’s Cave, where magic dwells deep, with hobbit-esque themed displays and plenty of fairy magic. Keep an eye out for an enchanting fairy and curiously courageous Hobbling who guard the secrets of the forest and may even share their enchantments with worthy adventurers. Mother Shiptons, High Bridge, Knaresborough HG5 8DD – Visit the Mother Shipton’s website
Do the Tommy Treebark Trail (FREE!) – Designed for children aged 3 to 12, this new fun trail from The York BID invites families to head off on a mission to help Tommy Treebark find all his wild friends. Complete the trail and return your leaflet to claim a FREE prize, from a snuggly cuddly toy to a Tommy Treebark badge or a handy minibeast magnifier for more outdoor exploring! Pick up your leaflet from the Visit York Information Centre on Parliament Street. Find out more here
The Great Summer Social at York Designer Outlet – York Designer Outlet’s Great Summer Social is back until 8th September and it’s better than ever. There’s a whole host of activities and games, from table tennis to 9-hole minigolf, and admission and all the games are FREE! Golf clubs, table tennis bats and balls can be collected from customer services next to The Great Summer Social entrance. York Designer Outlet, St Nicholas Ave, York YO19 4TA Visit the website for more info
Wonderlab at the Railway Museum – Explore the wonders of science and create unforgettable family memories at Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery. Experience the thrill of science in action with electrifying live shows and roll up your sleeves and have a go at 18 interactive challenges! Back out in the museum, explore Great Hall and meet locomotive giants including Mallard and the Japanese Bullet Train. Discover a huge collection of railway items in North Shed or take a trip back in time to relive the story of the Flying Scotsman with the Flying Scotsman VR Experience. Visit railwaymuseum.org.uk
The Potions Academy – The Potions Academy is York’s newest experience for young wizards and you’ll find it on the famous Shambles. Brought to you by the expert team behind The Potions Cauldron and The Hole in Wand, you’ll learn the art of magic, receive a magical potion to celebrate your graduation from The Potions Class and have the chance to swoop over the city on a broomstick. You can even book a special afternoon tea experience! Visit the website.
Explore York by boat with City Cruises York – City Cruises York has a wide range of cruises to keep your children entertained all year round, and it’s a great way to see York from another perspective. The river is one of York’s biggest and best attractions, and no visit to York is complete without spending some time walking by it or sailing on it! Take a river cruise or pack a picnic and hire a self-drive boat. There are early evening cruises too. Why not use our City Cruises York discount code?
A summer of adventure at Piglets Adventure Farm – There’s so much going on at Piglets this summer, with changing themes throughout the weeks, from dragons, knights and princesses to Dino Adventures and Showtime! Enjoy live entertainment, hop on a tractor ride and even visit the beach! Visit the Piglets website to discover what’s on and when. Why not buy a Summer Pass for unlimited visits during the holidays? Open daily; visit the Piglets website
Summer holidays at Beningbrough – Spend time together at Beningbrough this summer. The popular Feathered Friends nature trail continues: explore the gardens spotting the hidden wooden birds along the way. Join one of the Wonderful Wild Wednesday activity days, try your hand at bird-themed crafts, learn about the
tansy beetle or listen to an immersive storytelling session. Visit the Beningbrough website for details.
York’s Chocolate Story – Learn, Taste & Create! – Learn the incredible story of chocolate – from its ancient origins in the rainforests of Central America to York’s pioneering chocolatiers who shaped the treats we know and love today.
Taste your way through history – from the original, rich Mayan chocolate drink to iconic bars still made in York today.
Create your own chocolate lolly, roll and dip indulgent truffles, or take part in a hands-on masterclass for the ultimate chocolate-making experience! Save 20% on admission with your Little Vikings Family Card! Visit the York’s Chocolate Story website
York Georgian Festival – York Mansion House is proud to collaborate once again with some of the city’s much-loved museums, venues and historical experts to bring back York Georgian Festival for the second year. Thursday 7th to Monday 11th August 2025 – Visit the York Mansion House website for details of the activities
Children’s activities at York Minster – There’s plenty of activity for families at York Minster during the summer holidays, including free Explorer backpacks to borrow and family trails to choose from. Find all the details of what’s on at York Minster when here
Take a tour on an open top bus – Running every 15 mins, 7 days a week, the CitySightseeing York tour captures hearts of all ages. The live guides will guide you through 2000 years of history in York. Take the City Sightseeing York bus tour and be inspired by the beauty this city has to offer. Hop on the red open-top bus at Exhibition Square and get ready to start your adventure through time! Ticket valid 24 hours. Visit the website
Summer at York Maze – Home to the largest maize maze in Europe, York Maze now boasts over 20 amazing rides, shows and attractions including the Crowmania tractor and trailer ride packed with animatronic and theatrical surprises. Open daily, 12th July to 1st September 2025 – Pre-booking required – Visit the York Maze website
Do something free (or cheap) – Entertaining children over the summer holidays can get expensive, so we’ve put together a handy guide to ways to save money on days out in York. Don’t forget to pick up a FREE Little Vikings Family Card from the Visit York Information Centre for special discounts and perks (see the latest Little Vikings Family Card offers here)
Visit the Vikings – Ride back in time through a Viking village, meet the Vikings and see incredible Viking artefacts at the JORVIK Viking Centre. Pre-booking is advised, and check out DIG for younger children – it’s the best place to get hands-on with history in York. JORVIK Viking Centre, 19 Coppergate, York YO1 9WT – Visit the JORVIK website
Do the Little Vikings I Spy Trail – Recommended by The Sunday Times, the free Little Vikings I Spy Trail is one of the best ways to explore York on foot with children. NEW! You can now access an interactive 3D version of the map from our website, so you can follow the route on your phone and pick up some facts along the way. Collect a map from the Visit York Information Centre or click here to download it from our website.
Go on a Great Yorkshire Family Escape – a whole year of inspiration for anyone looking for a family break in Yorkshire. Discover the best family hotels in Yorkshire, with places to stay on the Yorkshire Coast, in the North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales and the towns and cities in between. As well as Yorkshire family hotels, we’ve got lovely self-catering options, glamping and camping too. Take a look at our Great Yorkshire Family Escapes
Do something free in York – Keeping everyone happy during summer holidays can be eye-wateringly expensive, even without big days out, but don’t despair. We’ve put together a handy guide to the very best things to do in and around York that are free or don’t cost a fortune. Read our guide to free things to do in York.
Try a holiday club or camp – York has lots of brilliant holiday clubs and camps that will keep kids entertained while you work/have a well-earned breather. Take a look at our pick of the best, from multisports to drama, art and more. Find the best holiday camps in York
Farmyard fun at Beetle Bank Farm – There’s a selection of friendly animals to meet and feed this summer: cuddle a rabbit, guinea pig or chick in the large petting barn. During the summer there’ll be loads of different activities, from scarecrow building to safari week and wildlife workshop week. Follow Beetle Bank Farm on Facebook for the latest. The cafe serves locally sourced home-cooked food (the chocolate brownie is a must! Please check the website for details of the days and times of events.
Summer Reading Challenge York 2025 – We LOVE the Summer Reading Challenge. There’s no better way to get and keep kids reading over the summer, and it’s FREE! The Summer Reading Challenge 2025 launches on Saturday 12th July at Explore York Libraries. Over the summer, children can choose and read books and collect stickers along the way. There’s a medal and certificate for all who complete the Challenge by Saturday 13th September. Find more details here.
Have an ice cream! – Cool down with a delicious ice cream this summer. We’ve put together a handy guide to our very best places in York for ice cream, from ice cream boats to a traditional Sicilian gelateria – Read our guide to where to find the best ice cream in York.
Visit the Yorkshire Coast – There’s no better time than summer to visit the Yorkshire Coast, and there’s a whole host of things to do. As well as the pretty beaches (Hunmanby, Fraisthorpe, Runswick Bay, Robin Hood’s Bay and Bridlington are some of our favourites), there are some excellent attractions too. Sewerby Hall & Gardens, Scarborough Sea Life, Peasholm Park in Scarborough, Alpamare, Whitby Abbey and Scarborough Castle are all well worth a trip. Read our guide to the best of the Yorkshire Coast for families here.
Head to JORVIK DIG – DIG is a hands-on archaeological adventure, from the Viking experts at JORVIK, that gives kids the chance to become trainee ‘diggers’ and discover the most exciting artefacts from 2000 years of York’s history! Tours last one hour and you are strongly advised to pre-book your place.
DIG, St Saviour’s Church, St Saviourgate, York, YO1 8NN – booking recommended – Visit the DIG website
Explore a medieval house at Barley Hall – Barley Hall is one of York’s hidden gems, and another great JORVIK Group attraction with plenty of hands-on activities for children. Tucked away down Coffee Yard, it’s a stunning medieval townhouse that’s been painstakingly restored. This summer, explore the new Beasts at Barley Hall exhibition. Visit the Barley Hall website
Under the Sea at Stockeld Park – Head to Stockeld Park this summer to go Under the Sea! Prepare to be submerged in an aquatic-themed wonderland of adventure and entertainment. The ticket price includes a variety of exciting activities that will transport visitors to an enchanted forest with magical sea creature-themed trails, maritime mazes with riddles and jokes, and entertainment by the Stockeld Starz and the adorable park mascot, Scout. stockeldpark.co.uk
Take a jeep ride and pick some fruit at The Balloon Tree – Head over to The Balloon Tree, just outside Stamford Bridge, this summer. Enjoy something to eat and drink in the cafe while the kids play in the play area and then treat them to a go on the Jeep track. Why not pick some asparagus while you’re there? The Balloon Tree, Stamford Bridge Rd, Gate Helmsley, York YO41 1NB – Visit The Balloon Tree website.
Play a round of wizard golf – The Summer of Magic has arrived at The Hole In Wand York! Take on 9 holes of mini golf and receive a magical potion based on your score. Pop in on the following dates and you’ll meet an award-winning magician: 24th and 30th July, 14th, 21st and 28th August (11am to 2pm). On selected Mondays, a talented face painter will be in the venue creating spellbinding designs for all ages: 28th July and 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th August.
The Hole in Wand, 14-16 Coppergate Walk, York YO1 9NT – Visit The Hole in Wand website to book
Go for a family walk around York
Summer is the perfect time for a family walk: see the flowers in bloom, keep an eye out for butterflies and enjoy some fresh Yorkshire air. Take a look at our guide to the best places for a family walk in and around York for inspiration for all ages and abilities.
