A-Z of FREE or cheap things to do in Yorkshire with kids

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It’s half-term for many in Yorkshire this week and before we know it we will be looking for things to do during Easter, Whit-week and even the Summer holidays!

So today I share with you my A-Z list of free or cheap things to in Yorkshire with kids!

attractions in Yorkshire

Alpamare Water Park, Scarborough

This awesome water park opened in the Summer of 2016 and is one of only two (I think!) water parks we have in Yorkshire.

Beach

We have some fabulous beaches on the East coast..

• Bridlington
• Filey
• Scarborough
• Hornsea
• Fraisthorpe
• Barmston
• Withernsea is on the Yorkshire coast too don’t forget 😉

Castles

Another thing we have plenty of in Yorkshire…

• Scarbrough Castle
• Castle Howard
• Knaresborough
• Clifford Tower
• Conisborough Castle
• Helmsley Castle

Dalby Forest

This is somewhere where every year I think we should go but never actually do! There’s even a Go-Ape up there, cycle tracks and 8000 acres to explore!

Eden Camp

I loved Eden Camp when I was younger and is for sure on my list to take the kids to this year.  My near 8-year-old is really interested in the war and I think he’s at the perfect age to really take it what this original POW Camp is all about.

Fort Paull

This is another Yorkshire attraction that I think my eldest would love… located to the east of Hull Fort Paull is Yorkshire only remaining Napoleonic Fortress.

Geocaching

Nina Spencer and her family are big fans of Geocaching. You can download the free app over at Geocaching.com for ones near you!

Humber Bridge

We can see the beauty that is the Humber Bridge from our bedroom windows and is somewhere we regularly go on a weekend when we are wanting to blow the cobwebs off, particularly on the foreshore. There is a Farmers Market on the ‘top car park’ the first Sunday of every month too and with the Country Park that takes you from the bridge itself to the bottom of the first tower; a dog walk and a visit to the pond in the very middle via what we locals call ‘Little Switz’ is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Ice Skating

Although perhaps not the cheapest activity you will find on here it is one that is pretty fun for all ages! We have Hull Ice Arena, Bradford Ice Rink and of course the ice capital of Yorkshire, Sheffield.

John Bull World of Rock

Located just on the outskirts of Bridlington, you can pop in and even make your own rock as you listen to the history of the area’s premier confectioners as told by John Bull’s ancestor.

Kirkstall Abbey

Kirkstall Abbey is one of the most complete examples of a medieval Cistercian abbey in Britain. Set in wonderful parkland along the banks of the River Aire, Kirkstall Abbey boast historic architecture amid a haven of wildlife and greenery.

Lighthouses

Located at the Spurn Point is the first lighthouse on the east coast you’ll come to at the most southern point of the north bank; Spurn Point, 15 miles drive north will bring you Withernsea (Museum open from Easter onwards) then Flamborough (not far from Bridlington) and Scarborough further north still.

Museums

There are tons of museums around the Yorkshire area… here’s just a few of them…

• National mining museum in Wakefield
• National Science & media museum in Bradford
• Eureka Halifax
• National Railway Museum York
• Trolleybus Museum, Doncaster
• Jorvik Viking Centre
• Royal Armories
• Industrial Museum in Bradford

North Yorkshire Moors

Last summer we decided to randomly head up to the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors. We couldn’t believe that such a beauty was pretty much on our doorstep and we had such nice time.

We were going to stop at Pickering and jump on the train up to Goathland but although beautiful I’m sure, it was a little expensive for a family of 4 so we drove up there in and amongst the sheep and sheer open fields.

On the way back we headed across to Thornton-Le-Dale and just sat beside a beautiful clear stream soaking in the beauty that is the moors.

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These two at the minute are really clashing… whatever Zac does or doesn’t do for Harper she screams and whatever Harper doesn’t do for Zac because she doesn’t necessarily understand he shouts at her (which causes again the screams!!) …. sometimes they love each other but at the minute it’s extremely rare 🤣🤣 . #brotherandsister #kids #schoolholidays #summerholidays

A post shared by Kirsty 🤳 HAKZvideos.com (@hakzkirsty) on Aug 7, 2018 at 12:53am PDT

Outlets

We have a few shopping outlets in Yorkshire where you can find discounted stores such as Next, New Balance, Cath Kidston and so many more.  I can’t promise you won’t spend some money there though but you can pick up some right bargains!  Some of my favourite outlets in the Yorkshire area is McCarther Glenn at York, Junction 32 at Castleford and Lakeside at Doncaster.

Peasholm Park, Scarborough

I remember visiting Peasholme Park as a child like it was yesterday but I haven’t actually visited for many many years!

I have a picture that I typically can’t find of me and my Grandad on the rowing boats. The swan boats are a memory of which I will never forget about Peasholm Park.

They not only have a lake but a miniature golf, putting green and obvious the island itself that you can fully explore with or without kids!

Quadbiking

Probably one of the most expensive experiences on this list but having saved on 25 other activities you might want to splash out… (that.. and you try and think of something beginning with Q! 😉

North Yorkshire seems to be the place to go quad biking so here’s a couple I’ve come across:

• Quads North Yorkshire
• Camp Hill
• Yorkshire Outdoors
• And Quadbiking Yorkshire

Rivelin Valley Park

The Rivelin Valley Park is situated on the Rivelin Valley Nature Trail in Sheffield which has some of the most beautiful waterfalls you will find in Yorkshire. Maria at happymummy.co.uk says she and her family loves the paddling pools and beautiful lakes.

Seven Seas Fish Trail in Hull

The Seven Seas Fish Trail is something I again pass and have passed day in day out for many many years but have never actually ever done myself! The tour takes you around the Old Town of the city center where you go on the hunt for fishes that have been set in the pavement.. you can do it without a map as way the fishes are pointing shows the direction you should walk in to find the next one but if you do want a map you can pick one up from the Tourist Information Center. For sure the fish train is one of the best FREE things to do in Yorkshire with the kids!

The Tour De Yorkshire

The Tour De Yorkshire is back! You can find out more information on where the routes are going to be this year over at https://letour.yorkshire.com

Underground

Can you tell I struggled with U… but this is a good one trust me!

Every wanted to go caving? (See what I did there.. underground, caves, caverns … sorry it was the best I could do!) 😉

There are so many caverns and caves just waiting to be explored particularly in the Yorkshire Dales.

I remember going to Mother Shiptons Cave when I was younger which is child friendly but there are a few more that you may want to look at too if you want a true caving experience and/or are experienced in caving itself:

• White Scar Cave
• Stump Cross Caverns
• Gaping Gill
• Ingleborough Cave
• Blue John Cavern
• Victoria Cave
• Simpson’s Pot

Valley Gardens in Harrogate

The Valley Gardens Harrogate are open all year round, 24 hours a day, and with a number of different areas and garden styles make a relaxing and captivating place to explore.

Whitby Abbey

We’ve only actually visited Whitby the once (probably more when I was younger!). It’s such a beautiful place as a whole but the ruins of Whitby Abbey is a must-see if visiting North Yorkshire and it’s cheap too!

Xscape at Castleford

Although there are activities with Xscape that aren’t cheap there are tons of activities that are super super fun! You have adventure golf, Gravity ariel adventures, Gravity Trampoline Park, Ten Pin Bowling, Escape Rooms, Soft Play and of course the SnoZone. They also have discounts on a Tuesday through to the end of March!

York

My eldest is obsessed with history at the minute and so in addition to visiting the FREE National Railway Museum during February half term week, we decided to also check out some of the historic beauty that York city centre has to offer too. Parking was £10 all day in the museum which is just a short walk away from the centre. We spent nothing meandering around the small cobbled streets and along the famous walls. The kids absolutely loved it and can’t wait to head back in the summer to go on a river boat!

Zoo

Now there are a fair few Zoo’s around the Yorkshire area but in my opinion, the larger more popular ones aren’t necessarily cheap so I’m not going to go for your obvious here.  Instead I’m going to go with:

• Bridlington Birds of Prey & Animal Park
• Thirsk Birds of Prey Center
• Sewerby Hall
• Lotherton Hall
• Filey Bird, Garden & Animal Park
• Harewood House
• Tropical World
• Canon Hall Farm
• The Sealife Centre in Scarborough (lots of 2 for 1’s on offer for Sealife Centers)

I hope this gives you some inspiration on cheap things to do in Yorkshire with the kids! If you think I’ve missed anything then please feel free to drop me a comment below and I will add to it!

 If you got value from this post let me know & feel free to share with your friends!

If you too are on the hunt for something new to do locally then why not check out some of my previous Yorkshire related blog posts below:

Chamas vs Estabulo | comparing Rodizio Bar & Grill’s in Beverley
A-Z of free or cheap things to do in Yorkshire
Caio Chicchetti Italian Restaurant review
Wingfield Farm Hessle – a British family pub
Rock Up Hull adventure & review

Feel free to Pin to read again later…