Last Updated on 11 August 2026 by Colette
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As you know, we love a good day out. If you’re looking for Yorkshire attractions or family days out in Yorkshire, this post is a great place to start! (If you’re looking specifically for things to do in York then you’ll want to read this post or you’ll find a whole list of museums in York here)
North Yorkshire
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York Maze, Elvington, North Yorkshire
York Maze is a seasonal family attraction in Yorkshire, situated just off the A64 on the outskirts of York making it easily accessible from the city centre and perfect for a summer day out or a spooky Halloween adventure!
York Maze the largest maze in the UK, but it’s also so much more than that – you can read 10 reasons why York Maze is Amazing here.
National Trust Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire
Brimham Rocks is a large National Trust site easily accessible from Harrogate, Knaresborough and Skipton. These incredible rock formations create an amazing natural playground as well as some beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
Read more about National Trust – Brimham Rocks here.
Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire
There is so much to see and do at Bolton Abbey that you can easily fill a day there. Bolton Abbey is situated within easy walking distance of Catgill Farm campsite and has plenty of onsite parking across several car parks.
At Bolton Abbey there is plenty to explore – the ever popular stepping stones, an actual money tree (who knew!), opportunities for paddling (or chucking rocks in the river) and so many lovely views and places to walk. (Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead).
It’s worth noting that, at present, you must book ahead to guarantee entry. On our most recent visit (August 2020) we had to book and pay for a “car” at a cost of £10 even though we were on foot -.this is to ensure a steady flow of visitors throughout the day and to comply with social distancing guidelines. At present Bolton Abbey are have implemented a one way system to walk around the site but this didn’t cause us any trouble at all.
Stockeld Park, Wetherby, North Yorkshire
Stockeld Park is a large outdoor attraction between Harrogate and York, offering seasonal adventure play for families including an annual Easter event. Our favourite time to visit is at Christmas – we visit Father Christmas at Stockeld Park every year but there’s lots of fun to be had during the warmer months too!
Read 11 things we love about Stockeld Park at Christmas here, as well as a write up from The Summer Adventure at Stockeld Park
Forbidden Corner, Leyburn, North Yorkshire
Forbidden Corner might well be the most bonkers place I’ve ever visited! Expect to get lost, to get wet, to squeeze into tight spaces, to shriek, scream and laugh at surprises around every corner. Oh, and enjoy some stunning views of the Yorkshire Dales!
You can read more about Forbidden Corner here.
York Races, The Knavesmire, North Yorkshire
York Races welcome children throughout the year, with under 18s being admitted free of charge. There is a special Family Sunday fixture with a more relaxed dress code, character visits and a range of attractions for kids including bouncy castles.
You can read about Family Day at York Races here.
Flamingo Land Resort, North Yorkshire
Flamingo Land, Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire was the first theme park I ever visited as a child – I can’t have been more than about seven or eight years old! It was also the first theme park my big two went to. Unlike most theme parks in the UK, Flamingo Land also has an onsite zoo (with hippos!)
Read more about Flamingo Land here.
East Yorkshire
William’s Den, Brough, East Yorkshire
William’s Den is an exciting adventure nature based attraction in East Yorkshire – with both indoor and outdoor activity areas it’s a great day out whatever the weather.
Read William’s Den – 14 things we loved here.
The Seaside
You can’t beat the East Coast for seasides . . . well maybe you can, but I haven’t been to any that I like more! I love the traditional seaside towns of Whitby, Scarborough, Filey and Bridlington. Each holds a different appeal for me – Whitby is such a beautiful little town full of cute little shops selling Whitby jet and Magpie fish and chips are not to be missed. Filey we visit annually when Dad, Dave and Nic do the Great Yorkshire Bike Ride. Mum and I park at Filey Brigg and take the kids down a very sleep slope to play on the beach for a bit while we wait for our cyclists to come home.
Read more about a day out at Bridlingon or a sunny summer day in Scarborough here. You can find more recommended North Yorkshire beaches and a list of dog friendly beaches in Whitby here.
South Yorkshire
Cannon Hall Farm, Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Cannon Hall Farm is an award winning family attraction which combines a working farm with fun play areas and activities for all the family. You can watch milking demonstrations, handle small animals and even watch live births at certain times of the year!
Read Reasons to visit Cannon Hall Farm here.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Yorkshire Wildlife Park is a “walk through” wild life park housing some 300 animals from from Meerkats to Giraffes as well as a number of indoor and outdoor play areas. You can buy annual passes and gift experiences such as a VIP Behind the Scenes Family Tour.
You can read more about Yorkshire Wildlife Park here.
West Yorkshire
Roundhay Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Roundhay Park has long been a favourite of ours – I used to work relatively nearby so would often use it as a place to escape for lunch when I needed to not be in school for a bit! When the kids were younger we’d often meet friends from York there as a nice mid way spot with plenty of free parking (there are five car parks at Roundhay Park as well as plenty of space on nearby roads).
Roundhay Park is one of the largest urban parks in Europe with over 700 acres of sprawling greenery to be enjoyed, a beautiful lake which makes for a lovely circular walk and two play areas – one including a skate ramp.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Yorkshire Sculpture Park is an open-air gallery in West Bretton, Wakefield. Spread across 500 acres, it is one of the largest outdoor sculpture parks in the world and well worth a visit.
There’s so many places to explore and the exhibitions and installations change regularly meaning there’s almost always something new to see!
Entrance to Yorkshire Sculpture Park is priced at £8 per person with under 18s going free.
You can read more about Yorkshire Sculpture Park here.
Mission Out, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Mission Out is a relative newcomer having opened in summer 2022 and is an outdoor activity park aimed at children aged 6+. Having recently been with my lot I would say that Ben, at 14 and 5ft 10 is probably about the upper age limit – he was almost too tall to go on the high ropes which would have been gutting as they were definitely his favourite bit of the experience!
Top tip – take a picnic as when we went, the card machines were down so they couldn’t sell us any food and we ended up having to leave early with five starving kids!
You can read more about Mission Out here:
Leeds Christmas Markets, West Yorkshire
Leeds Christmas Markets (also known as the Leeds Christkindelmarkt) are situated in Millennium Square in Leeds city centre open from mid-November through to just before Christmas Eve. The annual German Christmas Markets offer the perfect way to get into the festive spirit with lots of traditional festive food and drink as well as tempting toys, gifts and decorations.
Read more about Visiting Leeds Christmas Markets with children here.
If you’re looking for the best places to visit Santa in York this year or indeed the best places to visit Santa in Leeds this year, you’ll find handy guides here!
Room on the Broom Adventure Trail, Wakefield, West Yorkshire
The Room on the Broom Trail at Anglers Country Park in Wakefield features large wooden sculptures from the popular Julia Donaldson book – Room on the Broom, around a good 2 mile loop around a lake.
You can read more about exploring the Room on the Broom trail here.
Temple Newsam, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Temple Newsam is a family favourite of ours – especially for meeting with up with friends and family from York. If you’re looking for a cheap, fun day out with the kids in Leeds we definitely recommend you check it out.
With free to visit gardens and parkland plus an adventure playground there is plenty to keep you busy. You can also visit Temple Newsam House and Home Farm whilst you’re there but you do need to buy tickets for this.
You can read more about visiting Temple Newsam here:
Make your family day out fun and stress-free for everyone, from little ones to grandparents. Picking accessible spots and having the right support can make all the difference in keeping the day relaxed and enjoyable. Whether you’re off for a scenic stroll, exploring a museum, or heading to the park, a little extra stability from mobility aids like an NRS Walk Safe Walking Frame can help older family members feel comfortable and confident while joining in the fun. With a bit of planning, you can make sure the whole family has a brilliant time together, creating special memories without any hassle.
Planning ahead can make family days out more enjoyable for everyone. If you or a family member experiences bladder weakness, packing a few essentials before leaving home can make long journeys and full days away far less stressful. These travel tips from MoliCare include practical advice for managing incontinence while travelling, helping you enjoy your day with greater confidence.
Have you got any suggestions for family days out in Yorkshire you think we should try?
I think you’ll enjoy these posts too:
Easter days out in the Leeds area
Things to do in York this Easter
Where to park near York Minster
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I’ve bookmarked this for when we visit York next year. I’m so excited for the trip! x
I’m super excited for you! I know you’re going to love the city. I actually have a post in draft specifically about York – must get round to finishing that!