The summer holidays are almost here, and the need to fill the days and tire out the kids is almost upon us! This is a list of some of our favourite days out, along with a few places that have been recommended and are high on our to-visit list. The ones in bold are free or low cost, because everyone knows the summer holidays get expensive really quickly! It’s worth planning ahead and checking local radio stations websites such as Viking FM, Minster FM and Yorkshire Coast Radio for offers on entry to attractions. It’s also worth checking HotUKDeals and MyVoucherCodes for offers or voucher for bigger attractions.
Explore the woods
1 – Climb some trees at Brayton Barff
2 – Collect twigs & leaves to make wild art at Hambleton Hough
3 – Hunt for bugs at Bishop wood
Go on an adventure walk
4 – Become a Selby Trails Young Explorer
5 – Look out for rabbits at Barlow Common
6 – Watch out for the cows at Skipwith common
7 – Admire the sculptures at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
8 – Complete the “Room on the Broom” Adventure Trail at Anglers Country Park, Wakefield
9 – Don your wellies and join the Welly Walk along the banks of the river Wharfe at Bolton Abbey, Skipton
10 – Explore Roundhay Park, Leeds (and don’t forget to visit Tropical World too, see below)
11 – Explore the gardens at parkland at Golden Acre Park, Leeds
Visit the Library
12 – Take on the ‘Mischief Makers” Reading Challenge
Theme Parks & Themed Days Out
13 – Ride the Hero and enjoy the zoo at Flamingo Land
14 – Explore the rides at Sundown Adventureland
15 – Ride in a digger at Diggerland Castleford
16 – Brave the unknown at Forbidden Corner, Leyburn
17 – Have an a-mazing-ing day at York Maze
18 – Visit The York Dungeons, and try not to scream!
19 – Discover archaeology at the Jorvik DIG, York
Go for a swim
20 – Take on the total-wipeout inflatable obstacle course at Goole Leisure Centre
21 – Take on the gauntlet inflatable Selby Leisure Centre
22 – Make a splash in the lagoons at Doncaster Dome
23 – Ride the Calypso Cove flumes at Barnsley Metrodome
Visit a Museum
24 – Join in the BIG summer festival at Eureka, Halifax
25 – Check out the treasure hunters app at National Railway Museum, York
26 – Create some Viking art at Yorkshire Museum Of Farming, Murton Park, York
27 – Explore 400 years of fashion in the “Shaping the body” exhibition at Castle Museum, York
28 – Enjoy the outstanding views from Clifford’s Tower, York
29 – Transport yourself back to wartime at Eden Camp, Malton
30 – Rediscover our prehistoric predecessors in Jurassic World at Yorkshire Museum, York
31 – Witness the return of the Vikings at Jorvik Viking Center, York
32 – Explore arms and armour from across the world at The Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds
33 – Find the ‘Leeds Tiger’ in the ‘Life On Earth’ gallery at the Leeds City Museum
34 – Take a step back in time and explore the heritage of medicine and healthcare at Thackray Museum, Leeds
35 – Have a science adventure at Magna Science Museum, Rotherham
Visit an Aquarium
36 – Hold a starfish at The Deep, Hull
37 – Walk with penguins at Scarbrough Sealife Sanctuary, Scarbrough
Get closer to Nature
38 – Learn about nature and conservation at Skylark Center and Nature Reserve, Barlow They are running events through the summer holidays, you can see the events on their facebook page here (some do need pre-booking)
39 – Enjoy the farm life at Cannon Hall Farm, Barnsley
40 – Have a wild day at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster
41 – Meet the animals at Piglets Adventure Farm, York
42 – Get up close to the piglets and chickens at Home Farm – Temple Newsam
43 – Enjoy the Bird Garden at Lotherton Hall, Leeds, and spot the tapirs and capybaras in the new woodland zone.
44 – Go pond dipping at RSPB Fairburn Ings Nature Reserve, Castleford
45 – Go bird spotting at RSPB Bempton Cliffs
46 – Dance amongst the butterflies at Tropical World, Leeds
47 – Meet the donkeys at the Wonkey Donkey – Donkey Sanctuary, Knottingley
48 – Dig out the binoculars and head to RSBP St Aidens, Allerton Bywater
49 – Be a zookeeper for the day at Askham Bryan Wildlife and Conservation Park
50 – Feed the animals carrots and apples at Swithens Farm, Wakefield
51 – Seek out the flower meadows at Brockerdale Nature Reserve
A trip to the cinema
52 – Enjoy a cinema experience on your doorstep with Selby Globe
53 – Enjoy movies in IMAX or 4DX at Cineworld, Xscape
54 – Emmerse yourself in a big screen experience at Vue Cinema, York
55 – City Screen Picture House, York is a riverside arthouse cinema, surrounded by cafes, bars and restaurants.
Amazing Outdoor Adventure Playgrounds
56 – Have a magical adventure at Stockeld Park, Wetherby
57 – Have fun on the zip wire at Williams Den, South Cave
58 – Speed down the tower slide or ride a pedalo on the lake at Hemsworth Water Park and Playworld
59 – Explore the magical musical stepping stones, skate in the skate park or swing on the tyre swings at Clifton Park, Rotherham
60 – Or if you want to stay closer to home, tour the local parks. Both Riccall and Thorpe Willoughby have lovely parks
Soft Play for a rainy day?
61 – Explore the three-story adventure soft play at Summit, Selby
62 – Go wild on the slides at Jurassica, Goole
63 – Adventure in all of the different soft play zones at Creepie Crawlies – Web Adventure Park, York
64 – Find & fly the helicopter at The Wishing Well, Selby
65 – Xplore at Xscape, Castleford
National Trust Members?
66 – Discover the parkland at Nostel Priory
67 – Seek out the new 7-meter pyramid adventure play area at Beningbrough Hall and Gardens
68 – Try ‘Family Funteering’ at Brimham Rocks
69 – Play amongst the ruins and find the ‘Folly!’ artwork at Fountains Abbey
70 – Join Clumber Park for a summer of sport
Beautiful Houses, Castles & Gardens
71 – Wander around Selby Abbey, soaking up the history and architecture
72 – Explore the beautiful Georgian property, spot the flamingos and penguins or tackle the huge adventure playground at Harewood House
73 – Enjoy the picturesque ruins and dramatic architecture of Kirkstall Abbey
74 – Become a ‘Castle Howard Explorer’ and ‘Sea the sheep’ at Castle Howard
75 – Join the ‘Great Wizard Gathering’ at Burnby Hall Gardens (1st August only, see here for other events)
76 – Find your way around the lavender maze at Yorkshire Lavender
Visit York?
York has so much to offer. Parking in the centre of town can be tricky & expensive. But you can get the train from Selby or park and ride from the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet. I’ve already mentioned lots of museums that can be found in york above, like the National Railway Museum & Jorvik Viking Centre as well as other attractions such as The York Maze and The York Dungeons.
77 – Soak up a bit of history as a tourist on the bus sightseeing tour
78 – Visit Yorks most famous street and visit “The Shop That Must Not Be Named” on The Shambles
79 – Picnic in the York Museum Gardens
80 – Explore the castle walls – A guide and map can be found on the Friends of the Wall website
81 – Explore a different side of York, with York Chocolate Trail. A self-guided, chocolate and sweet themed treasure trail!
Explore the beautiful east coast.
82 – Climb the steps to Whitby Abbey
83 – Enjoy the beautiful blue flag beach and quaint promenade at Hornsea
84 – Spot the lighthouse and visit the museum inside at Withernsea
85 – Roll up your trousers and head for the deep rock pools at Filey
86 – Take a walk from Filey into nearby Hunmanby
87 – Walk along the promenade or enjoy a donkey ride at Bridlington
88 – Visit the open-air theatre or hire a boat at Peasholm Park, Scarbrough
89 – Hunt for fossils at Robin Hoods Bay
90 – Spot the lighthouse as you explore the dramatic coastline at Flamborough Head
91 – Follow the woodland trails or visit the seashore at Danes Dyke Nature Reserve
92 – Ride on the land train from Bridlington to Sewerby Hall, to explore and visit the animals & play park
Pick your own fruit and veg
*please note these are seasonal only, and its best to ring ahead to check if you are looking for something particular
93 – Pick your own soft fruit, have a meal in the restaurant or visit the farm shop at Spuds and Berries, Selby
94 – Pick your own soft fruit, visit the Moo Cafe or visit the farm shop at Farmer Copleys, Pontefract
95 – The Balloon Tree, York have a selection of seasonal pick your own soft fruit and vegetables, as well as a farm shop and tearoom.
96 – Forage for blackberries in the hedgerows at Barlow Common, or along the Selby Canal
Action & Adventure
97 – Selby Superbowl is home to a laser zone and kub karting track, as well as bowling.
98 – Learn to drive in the ‘Firefly’ cars for five to ten year olds at Young Driver, Church Fenton
99- You can find a bowling alley, ski slopes, and a laser zone, as well as soft play and adventure golf at Xscape, Castleford
100 – Summit Indoor Adventure, is home to a bowling alley, skate park, high ropes and a climbing wall, as well as big adventure soft play area.
101 – The Web Adventure Park, York has wired high ropes for older children, as well as indoor and outdoor adventure play areas, complete with water zone & sandpit and an animal zone.
102 – Ice skate at on the only split level ice rink in the UK at Doncaster Dome
103 – Challenge yourself to complete the inflatable floating obstacle course at Allerthorpe Lakeland Park
104 – Go Ape on a tree top adventure at Dalby Forest, Temple Newsam and Sherwood Forest
105 – Let loose on the climbing wall or high ropes at Let Loose, Beverley
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