Looking for what’s on this weekend in York? You’ve come to the right place. If you’re visiting York or lucky enough to call it home, this is your weekly guide to the best things to do in York with kids this weekend. We update it every week with handpicked family events, free fun, rainy-day ideas and lovely days out.
This guide is put together by the Little Vikings team, who spend their weekends doing exactly what you’re probably planning: finding great things to do with kids, making the most of the city or heading out on a day trip. We know that your time is precious – not to mention your money! – so we’ll only share recommendations that we think you’ll love.
⭐ Our Top Pick
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. It opens this weekend, and it’s one of the best summer days out in the region.
📍 York Maze, Elvington Lane, York YO19 5LT
🗓 11th July to 3rd September 2026
💰 Free fun
Make the most of York without spending a penny! Discover the best free things to do in York with kids.
Sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge
This year’s theme is Read to the Beat, a celebration of music and reading brought to life through illustrations by Harry Woodgate. Kids can sign up at their local Explore York library and collect rewards as they read,
📍 Explore York libraries across the city
🗓 Sign up from Saturday 11 July
ℹ️ exploreyork.org.uk
☔️ Indoor fun
Perfect for when the weather’s not on your side. Here are lots of ideas for things to do on a rainy day in York, and this is our recommendation for this week.
Watch Toy Story 5 (or any other movie) at one of York’s cinemas. It’s a good way to avoid any suprise rain or – more likely – the crazy heat! Choose from Vue York, Everyman York, Cineworld York and City Screen York.
🌳 Day Trip of the Week
Fancy a little adventure beyond the city? Here’s a lovely family day out from York.
Bolton Abbey
Bolton Abbey is one of Yorkshire’s best family days out: riverside walks along the Wharfe, stepping stones that older kids love to wobble across, and the ruined priory to explore. Pack a picnic, bring the right shoes for paddling and book your parking ahead.
📍 Bolton Abbey, Skipton BD23 6EX
🗓 Open year-round, daily
ℹ️ boltonabbey.com
🍰 Eat of the Week
There are loads of family-friendly places to eat in York, and here’s our recommendation of the week.
Curlew Fields Dairies
Curlew Fields Dairies is a proper treat for York families: a working dairy farm in Hessay with a self-serve milk vending machine, homemade ice cream in an array of flavours, and a lovely little café for waffles and coffee. Kids will love spotting the cows and farm machinery.
📍 Curlew Fields Dairies, New Rd, Hessay, York YO26 8JS
🗓 Open daily 6:30am-6:30pm (vending machine); café open Thurs-Mon, 11am-5pm
ℹ️ Follow them on Instagram
😊 Plan Ahead
Summer at Stockeld Park
The Stockeld Summer Festival returns, with fun for all ages. Enjoy a full programme of daily activities, including Magic Mondays, Tribute Tuesdays, and Lunchtime Live performances every other day. Explore the adventure playgrounds, hop on board the pedal go-karts and don’t miss the inflatables zone (not included with Playhive-only tickets). Plus, with the Rainy Day Inflatables Guarantee, there’s no need to worry about the weather!
📍 Stockeld Park, Wetherby Road, Wetherby LS22 4AN
🗓 Open daily
ℹ️ stockeldpark.co.uk
✨ Little Vikings Family Card offer
Save 15% on subscriptions for My Pirate Penpal (a York-based business!)
Every month, your child will receive a beautifully personalised letter inviting them aboard The Jolly Jackal for a new adventure with Captain Blue Beard and the crew. As they sail the world, they’ll discover countries, wildlife and landmarks while learning fascinating facts along the way. Each subscription includes a FREE welcome gift, plus a FREE personalised birthday card with annual memberships. Find out more about how to save over on our website.
Pick up your Little Vikings Family Card from the Visit York Information Centre for exclusive family discounts and offers across York.
For more inspiration for family days out, trails, events and places to eat, visit little-vikings.co.uk or follow us on Instagram @littlevikingsyork.
This guide was written by the Little Vikings editorial team. Little Vikings is an award-winning, independent guide to the best family-friendly activities in and around York, run by a local family with an in-depth knowledge of brilliant things to do and places to go.
About Little Vikings – York for Kids
Little Vikings is York’s award-winning family guide, run by a local family who know the city inside-out. We explore, review and recommend the best things to do, see, eat and experience with kids in York and beyond.
