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 £4!
York Park & Ride ▸
Enjoy an affordable and convenient way into the city with York Park & Ride. Simply drive to one of our surrounding sites and hop on the bus to the city centre - an Adult ticket with 3 Children costs just £4!
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
Christmas in York 2026
York Christmas Market 2026
York Ice Trail 2027
Family Friendly Businesses
Rainbows Ceramics - Event Organiser
Family Friendly Experiences
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…
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 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…
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…
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…
Castle Howard, Abbeys & North Yorkshire
Highwayman Tours – Private Driven Tours of York & Yorkshire
Prices From £299.00
Spend an unhurried day among some of North Yorkshire’s finest historic places on a private driven tour from York, with …
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…
York Christmas Market 2026
📅 12 November – 21 December 2026🕥 10.30am – 7pm, Wednesday–Monday🎄 Closed Tuesdays for a weekly rest day📍 Parliament St…
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…
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…
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…
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…
York's Santa Cruise Experience
York Sightseeing Cruise: City Cruises
Prices From £16.00
Christmas on the water!Experience the magic of Christmas from a completely different perspective.Join Santa, his …
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 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 …
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 …
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…
Family Friendly Events
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Kids' Crafting
JORVIK Viking Centre
Let your little Vikings unleash their creativity with our hands-on Kids’ Crafting activities at Barley Hall! What will …
How To Train Your Dragon School – Poo Week!
JORVIK Viking Centre
It’s smelly, it’s squelchy and it wouldn’t be the Viking Festival without it! Poo Week is back at DIG.Believe it or not…
It’s Your Role – D&D Events at JORVIK Viking Fest…
JORVIK Viking Centre
Answer the call to adventure with It’s Your Role, a madcap Dungeons & Dragons experience coming to JORVIK Viking Fe…
Pablo & Splash with Sheena Dempsey
JORVIK Viking Centre
Calling all avid young readers, aspiring writers and budding artists! To celebrate the release of Pablo & Splash: V…
Beowulf by Candlelight
JORVIK Viking Centre
Back by popular demand, join us at St. Helen’s Church for a captivating retelling of the classic legend Beowulf, perfor…
March to Coppergate
JORVIK Viking Centre
It wouldn’t be the JORVIK Viking Festival without the March to Coppergate! Nothing quite beats the sight of hundreds of…
The Viking Encampment
JORVIK Viking Centre
The Vikings have once again taken over York city centre! Don’t worry, though – they’re not here to loot and plunder. In…
Berserker Boot Camp
JORVIK Viking Centre
Do your little Vikings have what it takes to become fierce Norse warriors? Get them ready for battle at our Berserker B…
Viking Games
JORVIK Viking Centre
The Eye of York once again plays host to the Viking Games! Two teams of Vikings go head-to-head to settle the age-old q…
Kids Barbaric Battles
JORVIK Viking Centre
Every Viking remembers their first battle. Now it’s your little warrior’s turn!In the Kids Barbaric Battle, up to 150 y…
JORVIK Viking Festival 2027
JORVIK Viking Centre
The Vikings will be back 8th-14th February 2027 for JORVIK Viking Festival!This world renowned festival features living…
Christmas Market At York Stadium Leisure Complex
York Leisure Centre
2 Day Christmas Market At York Stadium Leisure ComplexEnjoy a fantastic selection of local traders, handmade gifts, fes…
Family Friendly Offers
Hollywood Bowl 3 games deal!
Hollywood Bowl And Putt and Play mini golf
Take advantage of our exclusive online only offer! Grab 3 games of bowling from only £9 per child, £11 per ad…
Save up to 30% per person at the York Dungeon
The York Dungeon
Save up to 30% per person using this link to book tickets for the York Dungeon*.Get ready to journey back thr…
1 game, 1 course deal
Hollywood Bowl And Putt and Play mini golf
Snatch up this great value in centre offer of 1 game, 1 course for only £10pp! Valid all day, every day.
York Pride Offer!
The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring
Celebrate York Pride with us and enjoy 20% off walk-in admission when you show your York Pride wristband at e…
Save 20% Off Your York Adventure Quest
Go Quest Adventures - Self-Guided Interactive Treasure Hunt & Exploration Game
Looking for something unique to do? Why not try a Go Quest Adventure - a city-based challenge packed with puz…
Wing Wednesday
Fancy Hank's Bar & Kitchen
All You Can Eat Wings & Fries £13.95pp 💥Wednesdays from 4pmChoose your flavours..💥Buffalo💥Cowboy Butter💥B…
Lunch 2 Course Menu Offer
Kapadokya 50
Get ready to discover the enchanting flavors of Kapadokya50 with a modern touch. The carefully crafted Lunch …
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…
Morning deal + 4 and 6 box deals
Little Blondie Bakehouse
Our morning deal runs 7 days a week (from open until 11:30am) grab yourself a pastry + hot drink for only £6M…
2 or 3 Course Set Menu
Ate O'Clock
Enjoy 2 Courses from our Set Menu for £25 or 3 Courses for £29.50Available Sunday - Thursday all day & Fr…
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…
£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…
Family Friendly Itineraries
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…
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…
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