In partnership with York Park & Ride
Family Friendly York
Family Friendly
Welcome to York, an exciting and child-friendly city perfect for family adventures! Whether you’re planning a fun-filled day out, looking to keep the kids entertained on a rainy day, or searching for holiday activities, York has something for everyone. Residents and visitors alike will find endless opportunities for family fun in our vibrant city.
Explore more great family-friendly ideas on our Half Term page. There's never been a better time to enjoy York with the kids!
Start your journey with York Park & Ride! It’s quicker and easier than driving. You can park for free. And it’s easy to access, with 6 different sites around the city. What’s more an Adult ticket with 3 children free costs just £3.90!
York Park & Ride ▸
Start your journey with York Park & Ride! It’s quicker and easier than driving - plus, you can park for free. Easy to access, there are 6 different sites around the city. What’s more, an Adult ticket with 3 Children costs just £3.90!
Book Your Stay ▸
York offers a wide range of accommodation, from hotels to self-catering getaways, giving you an eclectic choice of inviting places to rest your head after a day of exploring.
Visit York Information Centre & Gift Shop ▸
Based in the heart of the city, our friendly assistants are here to share their expert local knowledge of attractions, travel information, places to eat, shops and events with you.
Family Friendly Blogs
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Featured Family Friendly
York Sightseeing Cruise: City Cruises
York Minster
The Watchers of York: Sculpture Trail
Family Friendly Businesses
Family Friendly Experiences
York Sightseeing Cruise: City Cruises
York Sightseeing Cruise: City Cruises
Prices From £14.00
Sailing Daily from the City Centre! Uncover the history of our ancient city from a completely different perspective. Jo…
Calm Hour At The Puzzling World of Professor Kett…
The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring
Prices From £9.50
Experience The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring in a quieter, more relaxed environment during our dedicated Cal…
Wizarding Afternoon Tea at The Grand, York
The Rise Restaurant, Terrace & Bar
Prices From £26.50
The Grand, once a magical hub for railway travellers, has come alive once more for a long-forgotten tradition of Wizard…
York River Bus: City Cruises
York River Bus: City Cruises
Prices From £15.00
Riverbus: City Cruises From Campsite To The City - And Back!Ready to swap the campsite for a day in the city without …
The Cookery School at The Grand, York
The Cookery School at The Grand, York
Prices From £85.00
Based in York’s finest hotel, The Cookery School at The Grand, York offers classes for all skill levels. The expert tut…
York Fish and Chips Cruise: City Cruises
York Fish and Chips Cruise: City Cruises
Prices From £29.00
Sailing daily from the City Centre!Fancy a chippy tea with a view? Of course you do.Combine the best of British tra…
Abbeys, Ruins and Reformation
Highwayman Tours – Private Driven Tours of York & Yorkshire
Prices From £295.00
Explore Yorkshire’s ruined abbeys, historic villages and Reformation stories on a private driven tour from York.Abbeys,…
The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring
The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring
Prices From £9.50
Looking for something a little different in York? Welcome to The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring, an award-win…
Chocolate Bar Making Workshop at York Cocoa Works
York Cocoa Works
Prices From £25.00
AVAILABLE DAILY - Design and create your very own chocolate bar in our hands on chocolate bar making workshop. Choose f…
Self-Drive Boat Hire in York
Self-Drive Boat Hire in York
Prices From £40.00
Sailing daily from the City Centre!Fancy driving your very own boat? Of course you do.Try your hand at skippering y…
Chocolate Manufactory Tasting Journey
York Cocoa Works
Prices From £12.50
Learn how we make chocolate at York Cocoa Works with our Chocolate Manufactory Tasting Journey.During your time with us…
Evening Escape Cruise: City Cruises
Evening Escape Cruise: City Cruises
Prices From £18.00
Sailing daily from the City Centre!Looking for the most tranquil way to end your day in York?Embark on the Evening …
Alive After Five: City Cruises
Alive After Five: City Cruises
Prices From £14.00
The Happiest Hour on the Ouse! Clocked off or just getting started? Swap the pub for the river. Give happy hour a whole…
Hump Day BBQs
Novotel York Centre
Prices From £28.50
Grill & Chill at Novotel York Centre's BBQ! Delicious food, refreshing drinks and live music await. Your perfect su…
Party Nights Afloat: City Cruises
Party Nights Afloat: City Cruises
Prices From £47.50
Step off the pavement and onto York’s only floating dance floor.Party Nights Afloat is the city's go-to high-energy c…
The Ghost Quest: family-friendly treasure hunt in…
The York Quests: Immersive Riddly Treasure Hunts and Outdoor Escape Rooms
Prices From £19.99
Can you save all the ghosts?Enjoy a family-friendly treasure hunt in York. Walk through this historic city solving ridd…
Chocolate Lollipop Making
York Cocoa Works
Prices From £6.50
Join us at York Cocoa Works to craft your own chocolate treat to take away to show off, share or just enjoy!Budding cho…
Family Friendly Events
View all Events
Ghosts After Dark
Ghosts After Dark is returns to York with its biggest event yet.Running from Wednesday 4th to Sunday 8th November 2026,…
Trick or Treat Trek
York's Chocolate Story
Get ready for a fun-filled mix of treats and spooky surprises as you explore the hidden corners of York! Follow our two…
Halloween Chocolate Masterclass
York's Chocolate Story
There's no tricks, just treats this spooky season with our fun, hands-on chocolate-making masterclass led by our expert…
Tour & Halloween Truffle Rolling
York's Chocolate Story
Join us this spooky season for a special treat! Step into the sweet story of chocolate with our immersive guided tour, …
Sensory and Mindfulness Trail
Castle Howard Arboretum
Slow down, use your senses and notice the trees, plants, wildlife and landscapes around you. Take your time to fully im…
Welcome to Storywood - Writing Workshops for ages…
Grand Opera House York
Mon 21 Sep, Mon 19 Oct & Mon 23 Nov 2026 | 4pm - 5pmAge guidance: 9+Step beyond the pages of a familiar fairytale a…
Autumn Market at Nunnington Hall
Nunnington Hall - National Trust
Spend a relaxed autumn day at Nunnington Hall and discover a celebration of local craftsmanship, creativity and communi…
Medieval Weekend at Barley Hall
Barley Hall
Join us at Barley Hall from 29th – 31st August for a weekend celebrating the sights, sounds, and skills of the Middle A…
Art at the Adventurers with Clavis Mentis
Merchant Adventurers' Hall
Join us in the relaxed setting of the Hall's garden for an arts session with a difference! Bring your own sketchbooks a…
Christmas On The Water!
York Sightseeing Cruise: City Cruises
Christmas On The Water! Make the most of the festive season with a magical voyage through the heart of the city. Keep t…
October Half Term on the water!
York Sightseeing Cruise: City Cruises
October Half Term: York’s Only Boat Tour Make the most of the school holidays with a unique voyage through the heart of…
The Selfish Giant
Friargate Theatre
Step into the magical world of the Giant's garden. It's full of music, beauty, bird song and stories!But the Giant is …
Family Friendly Offers
Little Vikings, Rewards!
The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring
Little Vikings cardholders now receive 10% off walk-in admission tickets to The Puzzling World of Professor K…
Eat, Drink & Play Deals
Hollywood Bowl And Putt and Play mini golf
Eat, Drink & Bowl for just £8 per child and £11 per adult! Includes 1 game of bowling, 1 meal and 1 drink…
FREE Early Evening Admission for York Attractions…
York Army Museum
Visit York Army Museum for free between 4pm-6pm on Tuesday 18 August. Discover our collections representing …
50% off Boat Trips!
York Sightseeing Cruise: City Cruises
About UsSailing Daily from the City Centre!York Attractions Week Special Save 50% on Daytime Sig…
York Pride Offer!
The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring
From now until the end of the year, show your York Pride wristband to our team when purchasing a walk-in tick…
£25 off Wolds Edge Breaks
Wolds Edge Holiday Lodges
To celebrate winning Visit York Tourism Award for Camping, Glamping, Holiday Park and Self Catering of the Ye…
10% off Admission to The Puzzling World of Profes…
The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring
Enjoy 10% off admission to The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring during Visit York Attractions Week! D…
Half Thy Toll: York Witch Walk, Attractions Week
York Witch Walk with Ragnell Hagathorn
Ye Wise Olde Witch has cast a spell over York Attractions Week, and for one week only, her tolls are halved.F…
Early Evening Special Menu
The Drovers Arms Restaurant & Country Pub
Join us every Monday to Friday evening from 5.00pm till 6.00pm for our special fixed price evening menu. Cura…
Summer Cave Savings
Stump Cross Caverns
Great news for summer adventurers! As part of the government's Great British Summer Savings scheme, we're pas…
Lunchtime Fixed Price Special
The Drovers Arms Restaurant & Country Pub
Join us every Monday to Friday lunchtime for our special lunchtime fixed price menu. 2 courses for £22 and 3 …
FREE Nursery Rhyme Time for Under 5s
York Army Museum
A free Nursery Rhyme Time session at York Army Museum. Singing, moving and playing for Under 5s. Join us fo…
Family Friendly Itineraries
Starring York & North Yorkshire: 72 Hours
If you're in York and North Yorkshire for only 72 hours, find our ultimate itinerary for you to use on your visit. From…
York Mumbler’s Guide to Accessible Family Fun in York
York Mumbler has published a comprehensive, free online guide for families with accessibility, autism-friendly, sensory…
Family Friendly Summer in York: Sunrise to Sunset
York is a the perfect family-friendly destination. Let us help you make your summer in York unforgettable with a family…
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