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
Strawberry Picking is Back at The Balloon Tree – Strawberry season has arrived at The Balloon Tree! Pick Your Own opens this weekend, with strawberries and gooseberries ready to pick, no booking needed. Just turn up, grab a punnet and follow the signs. Entry is £2.50 per person, and don’t forget to check out the café, play area and farm shop too.
📍 The Balloon Tree, Stamford Bridge Road, Gate Helmsley, York, YO41 1NB
🗓 Weekends from 13th June, 9am to 4.30pm
ℹ️ theballoontree.co.uk
💰 Free fun
Make the most of York without spending a penny! Discover the best free things to do in York with kids.
Make Space for Girls – Rowntree Park
This brilliant free festival gives older girls the chance to try something new, from basketball and drama to willow weaving and bath bomb workshops. Advance booking advised.
📍 Rowntree Park (13-14 June)
🗓 13-14 June
ℹ️ letsmakespace.org/festival
☔️ 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.
The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring
York’s newest indoor attraction is a great shout for the weekend, whatever the weather. Kids and adults alike will find plenty to puzzle over at this brilliantly baffling place. Don’t forget you can save 10% on admission with your Little Vikings Family Card.
📍 Merchantgate, York, YO1 9TU
🗓 Open daily
ℹ️ puzzlingworldyork.co.uk
🌳 Day Trip of the Week
Fancy a little adventure beyond the city? Here’s a lovely family day out from York
Bolton Abbey
A classic Yorkshire day trip, this is one of our favourites. The ruins, riverside walks, woodland trails and green spaces give kids plenty of space to explore. Car parking is £12.50 per car (book ahead), and once you’re in, 80+ miles of footpaths are yours for the day.
📍 Bolton Abbey Estate, Skipton, BD23 6EX
🗓 Open daily, 9am onwards
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.
Black Wheat Club
One for the parents! This independent microbakery and bistro on Fossgate does exceptional house-baked pastries and seasonal brunch, and now you can grab it to go! Perfect for a weekend morning when the kids have somewhere to be, or take them with you and find a lovely green space to enjoy it while they run about.
📍 Black Wheat Club, 52 Fossgate, York, YO1 9TF
ℹ️ @blackwheatclub on Instagram
😊 Plan Ahead
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) – rebooted and reimagined for 2026 – is coming to York Theatre Royal’s Main House stage next month (7th to 11th July 2026) and promises to be great fun for older kids and teens.
✨ Little Vikings Family Card offer
Stockeld Park is a cracking summer day out, and you can save 15% on admission with our special offer. Here are the details.
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.
