Summer Family Activities in Newcastle
The Summer holidays are upon us and we’re all ready for 6 weeks of glorious weather and no school! But how do you entertain the little ones for the full six weeks! Well, if you’re out and about near Newcastle, this might just help you fill the time.
By Becca Twist | Updated Mar 21 2023
Ouseburn farm
Tucked away in Ouseburn Valley, this little farm offers something for everyone. There’s a range of animals, from farmyard friends such a sheep, pigs and chickens, to rabbits and guinea pigs, and even a reptile house! It’s open to anyone from 9:30am - 5pm throughout the week and 10:30am - 4:30pm on the weekend, so you can pop in and visit the animals as much as you like. They also have allocated times throughout the day where you can go along to feed and get to know the animals.
On almost every Thursday throughout the summer, the farm is hosting Bees Knees days, teaching children and adults alike about the importance of bees, what they do, and how to look after them. Then why not top the day off with a spot of tea and cake in the café that overlooks the farm and have a peek around the garden to see what they’re growing!
Image Credit: Ouseburn Farm via Twitter
Ouseburn Farm is located at Ouseburn Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2PA
Beamish
Take a step back in time as you head slightly out of the city to this Victorian village! Learn all about how we used to live back in the 1800’s by having a lesson in the school, printing an old newspaper by hand and even seeing people visit the dentist! This immersive and interactive experience is a great day out for both children and parents, and boasts a lot to be learned about how our ancestors thrived.
Beamish is open to the public 10am - 5pm every day, for you to stroll around the village at your own leisure, or hop of the double decker bus for a quick way to get from A to B. Once there, Beamish are hosting a different visitor activity every day over the summer, so be sure to check out their website first and plan the trip! Why not get and unlimited entry pass for a small extra fee and go back to experience all the different activities!
Image Credit: Beamish Museum via Twitter
Beamish Museum is located at Regional Resource Centre, Beamish, County Durham, DH9 0RG
Great Exhibition of The North
Everyone has been talking about the Great Exhibition of the North (#GetNorth2018), which runs all the way through to the 9 September, providing a full summer of fun! Offering set exhibitions in a number of venues, including the Sage, the Baltic and the Great North Museum, Get North also has a number of trails marked out between the exhibitions, providing a great opportunity to get out and about in the city, as well as taking in some local heritage and culture! Covering a wide range of themes, there truly is something for everyone.
Image Credit: Great Exhibition of the North 2018 via Facebook
The Great Exhibition of the North runs until 9 September at locations around Newcastle.
InflateSpace
When it’s too wet outside for a real theme park (because let’s face it, you don’t know what the weather’s going to do in a British summer!), what better alternative than Newcastle’s indoor inflatable theme park? Let the kids run wild in 12 different zones, such as the Planet Pillars, Space Jam Slam Dunk and the Orbiter Wipeout. The theme park offers both a general admission session and a family session for those with slightly smaller kids. Or why not keep the full group excited by booking a party there - a great way to socialise with the rest of the class and keep them all entertained at once!
Image Credit: InflateSpace Newcastle via Facebook
InflateSpace Newcastle is located at Units A3, A4 & A5 Benfield Business Park, Benfield Road Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE6 4NQ
Centre For Life
What would the holiday’s be without a trip to Newcastle’s famous Life Centre and letting the little scientists in your family discover and explore to their hearts content in a way that barely feels like learning? The Life Centre is perfect for inquisitive little minds over the summer, and even suits the adults pretty well too!
This summer, the Centre boasts its Robots: Then and Now exhibition, looking over 500 years of robotic invention! As part of this, there will be different activities every day in the Making Space and Robot Activity Space, and your ticket to the exhibition also includes access to the planetarium, Science Theatre and the 4D movie ride!
Image Credit: Science at Life via Facebook
The Life Science Centre is located at Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4EP
Seven Stories
One for the story lovers in your family is Seven Stories in Ouseburn. This gorgeous museum focusses on all of our favourite childhood stories, as well as showcasing those that haven’t quite made it onto our favourites list quite yet! You can turn up as a general admission and make your way up through the floors (Don’t worry, there are lifts and plenty of space for pushchairs if needed!) and explore a different story on each, or attend one of their many events over the summer. Whilst they have many things going on, one of their main events this summer is Where Your Wings Were, an event with Children’s author David Almond and magical tales. Check out everything they have going on via their website -there’s something for everyone!
Image Credit: Seven Stories via Facebook
Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books is located at 30 Lime Street , Ouseburn Valley , Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 2PQ