Best things to do in York with kids
Whether you're in York for the weekend or you're a Yorkshire local, these are the best family-friendly attractions to try in 2025.
The summer holidays are here, and like most parents up and down the country, you're probably wondering what activities you can do with your kids to keep them entertained. Well, you've certainly come to the right place for inspiration.
The MadeForMums team are experts at finding top family-friendly attractions across the UK, such as in our best things to do in Edinburgh with kids and best family days out in Glasgow guides, plus, we know a thing or two about saving you money, for example, in our Alton Towers deals and Thorpe Park deals articles. And if you're heading to York we've got you covered too.
York is a brilliant destination for your next family day out. Not only does it have brilliant historical locations such as York Minster and Castle Howard, but there are plenty of fun attractions such as the National Railway Museum, plus did you know York is famous for its chocolate?
Looking for a saving on a family day out? Be sure to read our guides to the best Go Ape offers, cheap Cadbury World tickets and cheap Leeds Castle tickets.
Things to do in York with your kids at a glance:
- Wizard Walk of York tour | from £11
- York Bird of Prey Centre | from £11
- Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour | from £14
- SEA LIFE Scarborough | from
£22£16 (save £6 or 27%) - York Chocolate Story tour | from £19
- York Dungeons |
£29£25 (save £6 or 14%) - Castle Howard House and Gardens for Two Adults and Two Children | £70
Best things to do in York with kids
Castle Howard and Gardens
Parents might recognise this location from TV shows such as Brideshead Revisited and Bridgerton, but it's also a brilliant family friendly day out. At Castle Howard, you'll discover the Great Hall, grand galleries, brilliant bedrooms, as well as a fantastic sculpture collection, and in the Castle Howard Gardens, you'll explore lakes, follies, woodland, and temples.
Plus, one of the things that we love about purchasing through Virgin Experience Days is that it offers flexible booking, so with this voucher in particular, you'll have until 31st October 2025 to use it.
York Dungeons
If you're looking for something to do in York with older kids — perhaps with teenagers who think they're fearless — we'd recommend heading to York Dungeons.
York Dungeons is part of the Dungeons attractions, which boast set-ups in London, Edinburgh, Blackpool, and other locations, and it has plenty of terrifying themed rooms, such as the York Plague House, The Torture Chamber and Curse of the Witch.
Buy York Dungeons tickets for £29 £25 (save £6 or 14%) at York Dungeons
In the run up to Halloween, be sure to take a look at how to get Scarefest tickets and Fright Night tickets.
Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour
If your kid is a Harry Potter fan, then this is the perfect activity to do on a staycation. The tour will take Potterheads around some of the key filming locations from the Harry Potter films, including Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express platform.
You'll even be sorted into houses and compete against each other in a Harry Potter trivia quiz that will go on throughout the tour.
Buy Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour tickets from £14 at GetYourGuide
SEA LIFE Scarborough
If you head to Scarborough in Yorkshire, you'll find the SEA LIFE aquarium. At SEA LIFE Scarborough, you and your family will discover an exciting underwater world, with creatures such as seals, penguins, sharks, otters, and so much more. There's also Pirate Adventure Mini Golf, which the little ones are sure to love.
Buy SEA LIFE Scarborough tickets from £22 £16 (save £6 or 27%) at SEA LIFE
Currently, you can secure a Merlin two-for-one deal which will see you visit two attractions for the price of one.
York Chocolate Story tour
Who says Cadbury World is the only place where you can enjoy a fun-filled chocolate experience? At the York Chocolate Story experience, you and your family will explore the history of chocolate, right from the discovery of the cocoa bean up until the emergence of three world-famous chocolate making families who all started out in York! Of course, no chocolate experience would be complete without delicious samples, and this tour has a few!
Buy York Chocolate Story tour tickets from £19 at Get Your Guide
York Bird of Prey Centre
The York Bird of Prey Centre is home to 100 birds of prey and owls, from falcons to giant golden eagles. There are two interactive flying shows every day, where you can see formidable hawks in action and even handle them yourself, with the help of the experienced staff.
There's also a kids' play area and a nearby café where you can catch your breath.
Buy York Bird of Prey Centre tickets from £11 at GetYourGuide
Wizard Walk of York tour
Fancy a magical walking tour around York? How about an award-winning one? The Wizard Walk of York tour has won the Best Tour and Best of York Award, and it's guaranteed to create brilliant memories for you and your children. On this walking tour, you'll head to some of York's most spellbinding sights, such as the Shambles, Mad Alice Lane, St. William's College and York Minster.
Buy Wizard Walk of York tour tickets from £11 at Get Your Guide
For more like this, be sure to take a look at best UK family breaks, best UK zoos and best family festivals.