1 / 6Yorkshire is one of the UK's best regions for family days out, packing Viking adventures, walk-through wildlife parks, hands-on museums and a full theme park into a single, easy-to-reach corner of the country. Whether you're based in York, heading to the coast or exploring West and South Yorkshire, here are seven confirmed kid-friendly attractions worth building a day around.
🎟️See things to do in Yorkshire on GetYourGuide →JORVIK Viking Centre
Built on the real Coppergate dig site, JORVIK Viking Centre lets visitors ride 'Time Cars' through a reconstructed 10th-century York, complete with animatronic characters, authentic sounds and even smells. The ride-through experience, lifelike Viking characters and hands-on artefacts make history genuinely fun for kids, while real skeletons and dress-up add a thrilling, memorable twist. You'll find it in the heart of York, North Yorkshire.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park
This large walk-through wildlife park in Branton, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, is home to around 400 animals across themed 'lands', including lions, tigers, giraffes and the only polar bears in England, plus play barns and a dinosaur trail. Walk-through enclosures, a wallaby walkabout, ranger talks, feeding shows and the Uproar! indoor and outdoor play barns keep kids engaged for a full day, and under-3s go free.
National Railway Museum
The world's largest railway museum, in York, North Yorkshire, is home to iconic locomotives including Mallard and a Japanese Bullet Train, alongside interactive galleries and the Wonderlab hands-on space. Free entry, an outdoor play area, miniature railway rides, interactive exhibits and holiday science shows and steam events make it a wonderfully stress-free family favourite.
The Deep
An award-winning aquarium at Sammy's Point on the Humber in Hull, East Yorkshire, The Deep is home to over 3,500 sea creatures including sharks, rays and penguins, with every ticket doubling as a free annual pass. Sharks, a viewing tunnel, penguins and a glass lift through the tank wow children, and unlimited free return visits within a year make it superb family value.
Eureka! The National Children's Museum
Based in Halifax, West Yorkshire, Eureka! is the UK's only fully interactive museum designed for children aged 0-11, with over 400 hands-on exhibits across six themed zones covering the body, everyday life and play. Everything is built to be touched and played with, from a giant brain to role-play jobs, making it ideal for younger children, and it sits right next to Halifax railway station.
York's Chocolate Story
This guided interactive attraction in central York, North Yorkshire, spreads over three floors and tells the story of York's famous confectionery families, Rowntree and Terry, with chocolate tastings and a hands-on chocolate lolly-making session. Chocolate samples throughout, making their own chocolate lolly and an engaging guided tour make this a sweet, memorable treat for kids.
Flamingo Land Resort
On the edge of the North York Moors at Kirby Misperton, near Malton, North Yorkshire, Flamingo Land Resort combines a theme park and zoo, with rollercoasters and family rides plus a zoo of over 100 species, all included in one admission ticket. Big thrill rides for older kids, gentle rides for little ones and a full zoo in a single ticket give families huge variety across one day out.
Tips for a family day out
Book ahead where you can to skip queues and lock in the best prices, and check each attraction's website for opening times before you travel, as these vary by season. Many of these venues, including JORVIK, York's Chocolate Story and the National Railway Museum, are clustered in and around York, so you can pair a couple in a single trip. Pack layers and comfortable shoes for the walk-through wildlife park and theme park, and remember that tickets like The Deep's double as a free annual pass, so it's worth planning a return visit. Arrive early at the most popular attractions during school holidays to make the most of your day.
FAQs
Which Yorkshire days out are best for younger children? Eureka! The National Children's Museum in Halifax is purpose-built for ages 0-11, while Yorkshire Wildlife Park and the National Railway Museum both have play areas and gentle, hands-on appeal for little ones.
Are there any free family attractions in Yorkshire? Yes. The National Railway Museum in York offers free admission, with paid extras like miniature railway rides, making it an excellent low-cost day out.
What's the best rainy-day option in Yorkshire? Indoor attractions like The Deep aquarium in Hull, Eureka! in Halifax and York's Chocolate Story are all great choices when the weather turns, keeping the family entertained under cover.
🎟️ Top things to do in Yorkshire
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