1 / 6From hands-on science and dinosaur skeletons in Newcastle to seals, lighthouses and a seafront funfair on the coast, Tyne and Wear packs an enormous amount into a small area. Here are our favourite family days out across the region, all genuinely kid-friendly and easy to reach whatever the weather.
🎟️See things to do in Tyne and Wear on GetYourGuide →Life Science Centre (Centre for Life)
This interactive science discovery centre in Newcastle city centre, near Central Station, is built around hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, live science shows and an Experiment Zone. Kids get to touch, try and experiment their way through the day, with all shows covered by the day ticket, so it easily fills a full day whatever the weather. Great for curious children of all ages.
Tynemouth Aquarium
Set on Grand Parade beside Long Sands beach in Tynemouth, this seafront aquarium is home to UK and tropical sea life, a walk-through shark-and-ray tunnel, Seal Cove and a working seal hospital. Playful seals, daily talks and feeding sessions keep children entertained, and its beach location means you can pair the visit with a paddle at Long Sands. Regular Kids Go Free deals make it an affordable choice for families.
Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children's Books
The UK's national museum dedicated to children's books sits in a converted warehouse in Newcastle's Ouseburn, with story exhibitions, a dress-up area and daily live storytelling. It is built entirely for children, with interactive exhibitions celebrating authors like Judith Kerr and Enid Blyton. Now with free entry, it is a low-pressure rainy-day win for younger kids who love books and make-believe.
WWT Washington Wetland Centre
This Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust nature reserve in Washington offers wetlands walks, wildlife hides, flamingos and a big nature-based adventure playground. Children get close-up wildlife encounters alongside a timber play area with rope bridges and water zones, plus plenty of space to roam, feed the birds and spot flamingos. Family tickets come in at around £31, making it good value for a full outdoor day.
Souter Lighthouse and The Leas
This National Trust red-and-white cliff-top lighthouse near South Shields was the world's first to be powered by electricity, and families can climb the 76 steps to the top for sweeping North Sea views. The surrounding Leas offer coastal grassland, rocky bays for rock-pooling and picnic spots. Free balance bikes are available for little ones at weekends and during school holidays, making it a classic outdoor adventure day.
Great North Museum: Hancock
This free natural-history and ancient-civilisations museum in Newcastle features a life-size T. rex skeleton replica, a Hadrian's Wall gallery, a planetarium and a live-animal aquarium zone. The dinosaur skeletons are a guaranteed hit, and the free Mouse House drop-in play area keeps under-5s happy. With free entry and a central location, it is an easy add-on to any Newcastle day out.
Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths and Museum
At the eastern end of Hadrian's Wall in Wallsend, Segedunum is the most fully excavated fort on the Wall, with an interactive museum, a reconstructed bath house and a 35-metre viewing tower. It is designed with families in mind: hands-on Roman exhibits keep kids busy, and the tall viewing tower lets them spot the barracks and headquarters laid out below. Picnic-friendly outdoor areas are included with the ticket.
Ocean Beach Pleasure Park
The North East's largest seaside amusement park sits on the South Shields seafront, with 40-plus rides and attractions, arcades, a log flume and Laserforce laser tag. Admission is free on a pay-per-ride basis, so families only pay for what they want. Gentle rides like the Mini Teacups, Dumbos and Log Flume suit little ones, while bigger thrills and arcades cater for older kids, all right beside the beach.
Tips for a family day out
Check opening times and any seasonal closures before you travel, as coastal and outdoor attractions can vary by season. Several venues, including the Great North Museum: Hancock and Seven Stories, offer free entry, which pairs well with a paid attraction to spread out the cost. Pack layers and waterproofs for the coast, take a picnic where outdoor space is included, and look out for family tickets and Kids Go Free deals to keep prices down. Newcastle's city-centre attractions are close together and well served by the Metro, making it easy to combine two in a day.
FAQs
What are the best free family days out in Tyne and Wear? The Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle and Seven Stories both offer free entry, with dinosaurs and live storytelling respectively. Souter Lighthouse's surrounding Leas and Ocean Beach Pleasure Park (free admission, pay per ride) are also low-cost options.
Which attractions are best for a rainy day? The Life Science Centre, Great North Museum: Hancock, Seven Stories and Tynemouth Aquarium are all largely indoors, making them reliable choices whatever the North East weather does.
Are these attractions suitable for toddlers and young children? Yes. Seven Stories, the Great North Museum's Mouse House play area, the gentle rides at Ocean Beach and the adventure playground at WWT Washington are all well suited to toddlers and younger children.
🎟️ Top things to do in Tyne and Wear
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