What's On for Kids & Teens this Weekend (October 2021)

Blogging and the way I run my business evolves over time and after years of sharing ideas for the weekend ahead on my Facebook page, I switched it to a blog post recently and it has worked really well. This month, I am changing things up again and I am going to share a guide to events across the whole month ahead in a blog post.

I will still share events specifically for the weekend ahead via my Facebook group and page but I have received some feedback from both readers and the attractions I work with that sometimes they also like to see what's coming up across the next couple of weekends.

Sharing a post for a whole month ahead also provides some flexibility and I can include the odd mid-week event too which I know is something those with pre-school aged children are always on the lookout for. Thanks for everyone's feedback who has helped me to change the way I post. I always want to try and be as informative and useful as possible so I hope this post format is useful.

This post will be constantly updated with new events so please do save it and check back regularly. If you would like your event to be listed here, please email Sam@NorthEastFamilyFun.co.uk for consideration.

And just a final note to say, this post is scheduled in advance and information/events can change so please always double check information with venues direct when making plans and before setting off.

16 & 17 October

Saturday

Disney Disco at Whitley Bay Ice Rink (just turn up, regular admission applies). Find out more here.
Road at Northern Stage (recommended for ages 14+). Find out more and book here.
Haddock and Chips at Gosforth Civic Theatre (suitable for ages 12+). Find out more and book here.
FREE 'Together Again' Family Arts Workshop at North Shields Customer First Centre (ages 7+). A chance to create your own artwork which will be featured in an exhibition. Find out more and book here.
Horrible Histories Live on Stage at Whitley Bay Playhouse. Find out more and book here.
South Tyneside International Magic Gala at Customs House. Find out more and book here.
FREE Kitchen Zoo presents Blast Off at Stockton Arc (recommended for under 8s). Find out more and book here.

Jesus Christ Superstar at Alnwick Playhouse. Find out more and book here.
Print Goes Pop at Hatton Gallery. FREE with no need to book (donations welcome). Find out more here
FREE Seascape Rangers (booking essential) at Roker Pier for 14-18 year olds. Find out more and book here.
Jesmond Food Market (free and no need to book). Find out more here.
FREE Young Rangers (booking essential) at Low Barns Nature Reserve for 14-19 year olds. Find out more and book here.
Sheila from Shields, her cat and the rainbow exhibition at South Shields Museum. FREE with no booking required. On show until 30 October so catch it while you can. Find out more here.
THAI KWONDO - IT'S THAI - Battle of the Thai Foods at Wylam Brewery. Free entry, no need to book, dog-friendly. Find out more here.

Saturday & Sunday

Thingamabobas at Theatre Hullaballo. Pay-as-you-feel family theatre suitable for ages 4-11. Find out more and book here.
Pumpkin Picking at Laverock Hall Farm, Blyth (no need to book & free to visit - just drop in). Find out more here.

Lots of readers recommended this drop-in Pumpkin Patch last weekend. It is free to visit with no booking required and you can even enjoy a free tractor ride to the pumpkin patch. You just pay for the pumpkins you pick and visitors last weekend mentioned that pumpkins were very reasonable and priced between 50p for a miniature and £5 for a giant one.
Festival of Lights at Roker Park, Sunderland. Find out more and book here.
FREE Museum of the Moon at Durham Cathedral (no need to book, just drop in during opening hours. Please check for special events before heading out). Find out more here.
Halloween Spooktacular at Whitehouse Farm. Find out more and book here.
Behind the Seams Exhibition at Preston Park showcasing well-known costumes from Hollywood & TV including the Crown, James Bond, It's a Sin and Fantastic Beasts. Find out more and book here.
Braids + Cheer Up Slug at Live Theatre Newcastle (recommended for ages 14+). Find out more and book here.
FREE North Tyneside Pumpkin Trail. No need to book. Find out more here.
Northumberland Folk Exhibition across Northumberland Museums. No booking required. Exhibition ends on 31 October so catch it while you can. Find out more here
Darlington Model Railway Exhibition at Head of Steam. Find out more here.
What Lurks Beneath Interactive Trail at WWT Washington. Find out more here.
Halloween Trail at Paxton House (dogs on leads welcome). No need to book. Find out more here.
Conservation in Action Workshops at Belsay Hall. No need to book. Find out more here.
Sense of Place Exhibition at Wallington. Ends on 31 October so catch it while you can. No need to book. Find out more here.
Autumn Leaf Trail at Ormesby Hall. No need to book. Find out more here.
FREE Equal Play, Lumen, Biosphere Plush exhibitions, FREE Art in Action Quayside Trail, FREE Tea&Coffee/Juice in the Baltic Front Room at Baltic. No booking required. Find out more here.

Sunday

Tarzania at Queen's Hall Hexham. An aerial theatre show for 3-8 year olds. Find out more and book here.
Trainmaster at Springwell Village Community Centre. Find out more and book here.
FREE Tractor Day at The Crown Inn, Humshaugh. Find out more here
FREE Young Rangers at Rainton Meadows for 14-19 year olds. Booking essential. Find out more and book here.
Meet Rapunzel and Belle at Secret Garden Seaton Delaval. Find out more and book here.

If you have enjoyed this post and found it useful, here are some ways you can say thanks and support North East Family Fun:

1 - Tag me in any photos you share on Social Media if one of my posts has inspired you to visit or click here to buy me a virtual coffee

2 - Join our Days Out Facebook Group here which includes lots of ideas for things to do - you can post your own recommendations too.

Continue reading this post to see what's on across the month ahead or scroll to the bottom of this post for lots more ideas for days out including rainy day ideas, free days out and more ideas for things to do with teens.

Recent posts you may like:

23 & 24 October

There are many more ideas for this weekend and the week ahead in the following posts:

Saturday

Puss in Boots at Theatre Hullaballo (ages 4+). Find out more and book here.
FREE 'Together Again' Family Arts Workshop at North Shields Customer First Centre (ages 7+). A chance to create your own artwork which will be featured in an exhibition. Find out more and book here.
Road at Northern Stage (recommended for ages 14+). Find out more and book here.
Grease at Phoenix Theatre Blyth. Find out more and book here.
Joe McElderry at The Customs House. Find out more and book here.
Braids + Cheer Up Slug at Live Theatre Newcastle (recommended for ages 14+). Find out more and book here.
Bus Running Day at Beamish. Find out more and book here.
Little Larks Forest School at The Sill for Under 5s. Find out more and book here.
Halloween Family Fusing at the National Glass Centre (ages 6+). Find out more and book here.
Pop-Up Mini Railway at Romanby Scarecrow Festival. No Booking Required. Find out more here.
Drop-in Pond Dipping at WWT Washington. Find out more here.
Sheila from Shields, her cat and the rainbow exhibition at South Shields Museum. FREE with no booking required. On show until 30 October so catch it while you can. Find out more here.
Print Goes Pop at Hatton Gallery. FREE with no need to book (donations welcome). Find out more here

Saturday & Sunday

Spooky Trail at Sunderland Winter Gardens. No need to book. Find out more here.
Pumpkin Picking at Laverock Hall Farm, Blyth (no need to book & free to visit - just drop in). Find out more here. Do check their social media before heading out as once they sell out, the patch will close.

Lots of readers recommended this drop-in Pumpkin Patch last weekend. It is free to visit with no booking required and you can even enjoy a free tractor ride to the pumpkin patch. You just pay for the pumpkins you pick and visitors last weekend mentioned that pumpkins were very reasonable and priced between 50p for a miniature and £5 for a giant one.
Festival of Lights at Roker Park, Sunderland. Find out more and book here.
FREE Museum of the Moon at Durham Cathedral (no need to book, just drop in during opening hours. Please check for special events before heading out). Find out more here.
Behind the Seams Exhibition at Preston Park showcasing well-known costumes from Hollywood & TV including the Crown, James Bond, It's a Sin and Fantastic Beasts. Find out more and book here.
FREE Mackem Monster Hunt in Sunderland. No need to book. Find out more here.
Drop-in Magical Creatures Event & Birds of Prey at Preston Park. No need to book. Find out more here.
FREE North Tyneside Pumpkin Trail. No need to book. Find out more here.
Northumberland Folk Exhibition across Northumberland Museums. No booking required. Exhibition ends on 31 October so catch it while you can. Find out more here
Berwick Bat Trail. No need to book. Find out more here
Hexham Skull Trail. No need to book. Find out more here.
Woodhorn Pumpkin Trail. No need to book. Find out more here.
Vile Vindolanda Tours. Find out more here.
Bare Bones Event at Roman Army Museum. Find out more here
What Lurks Beneath Interactive Trail at WWT Washington. Find out more here.
Halloween Trail at Paxton House (dogs on leads welcome). No need to book. Find out more here.
Sense of Place Exhibition at Wallington. Ends on 31 October so catch it while you can. No need to book. Find out more here.
Potions and Poisons Trail at Ormesby Hall. No need to book. Find out more here.
Witches Dance at Ormesby Hall. No need to book. Find out more here.
Spooky Storytelling at Ormesby Hall. No need to book. Find out more here.
FREE Design & Build an Electric Engine at Locomotion Shildon. Booking required. Find out more and book here.
FREE Equal Play, Lumen, Biosphere Plush exhibitions, FREE Art in Action Quayside Trail, FREE Tea&Coffee/Juice in the Baltic Front Room at Baltic. No booking required. Find out more here.

Sunday

Tim Peake at O2 City Hall Newcastle. Find out more and book here.
Trainmaster at Fulwell Community Centre. Find out more and book here.
Make Magic at Ushaw. Find out more and book here.
Little Horrors at Halloween at Head of Steam. No need to book. Find out more here.
Meet Peppa and Pup Patrol at Seaton Delaval Secret Garden. Find out more and book here.

30 & 31 October

There are many more ideas for this weekend and the week ahead in the following posts:

Saturday

Meggie Magicia at Alphabetti Theatre. Pay-as-you-feel family theatre. Find out more and book here.
FREE 'Together Again' Family Arts Workshop at Wallsend Customer First Centre (ages 7+). A chance to create your own artwork which will be featured in an exhibition. Find out more and book the 9:30am session here and the 11:15am session here.
Pumpkin Picking at Laverock Hall Farm, Blyth (no need to book & free to visit - just drop in). Find out more here.

Lots of readers recommended this drop-in Pumpkin Patch last weekend. It is free to visit with no booking required and you can even enjoy a free tractor ride to the pumpkin patch. You just pay for the pumpkins you pick and visitors last weekend mentioned that pumpkins were very reasonable and priced between 50p for a miniature and £5 for a giant one.
Road at Northern Stage (recommended for ages 14+). Find out more and book here.
Everyone Loves Jamie at Theatre Royal Newcastle (recommended for ages 12+). Find out more and book here.
The Hound of the Baskervilles at People's Theatre. Find out more and book here.
Joe McElderry at Phoenix Theatre Blyth. Find out more and book here.
The Last Dinosaur at Stockton Arc (recommended for ages 3-7). Find out more and book here
Redcoat at Live Theatre Newcastle (recommended for ages 14+). Find out more and book here.
Samhain at Jarrow Hall (ages 5-12). Find out more and book here.
Ghost Tours at Tynemouth Priory (ages 16+). Find out more and book here
Print Goes Pop at Hatton Gallery. FREE with no need to book (donations welcome). Find out more here
Sheila from Shields, her cat and the rainbow exhibition at South Shields Museum. FREE with no booking required. On show until 30 October so catch it while you can. Find out more here.
Witches the Movie and Pumpkin Carving at Secret Garden Seaton Delaval. Find out more and book here.

Saturday & Sunday

FREE Mackem Monster Hunt in Sunderland. No need to book. Find out more here.
Drop-in Magical Creatures Event & Birds of Prey at Preston Park. No need to book. Find out more here.
Festival of Lights at Roker Park, Sunderland. Find out more and book here.
FREE North Tyneside Pumpkin Trail. No need to book. Find out more here.
FREE Museum of the Moon at Durham Cathedral (no need to book, just drop in during opening hours. Please check for special events before heading out). Find out more here.
Behind the Seams Exhibition at Preston Park showcasing well-known costumes from Hollywood & TV including the Crown, James Bond, It's a Sin and Fantastic Beasts. Find out more and book here.
Northumberland Folk Exhibition across Northumberland Museums. No booking required. Exhibition ends on 31 October so catch it while you can. Find out more here
Berwick Bat Trail. No need to book. Find out more here
Hexham Skull Trail. No need to book. Find out more here.
Woodhorn Pumpkin Trail. No need to book. Find out more here.
Vile Vindolanda Tours. Find out more here.
Bare Bones Event at Roman Army Museum. Find out more here
What Lurks Beneath Interactive Trail at WWT Washington. Find out more here.
Halloween Trail at Paxton House (dogs on leads welcome). No need to book. Find out more here.
Sense of Place Exhibition at Wallington. Ends on 31 October so catch it while you can. No need to book. Find out more here.
Potions and Poisons Trail at Ormesby Hall. No need to book. Find out more here.
Witches Dance at Ormesby Hall. No need to book. Find out more here.
Spooky Storytelling at Ormesby Hall. No need to book. Find out more here.
FREE Design & Build an Electric Engine at Locomotion Shildon. Booking required. Find out more and book here.
FREE Equal Play, Lumen, Biosphere Plush exhibitions, FREE Art in Action Quayside Trail, FREE Tea&Coffee/Juice in the Baltic Front Room at Baltic. No booking required. Find out more here.

Sunday

Classic Car Day at Beamish. Find out more and book here.
Halloween at the Hall at Seaton Delaval Hall. No need to book. Find out more here.
Creepy Crawlies at Ormesby Hall. No need to book. Find out more here.
Big Spooky Science at The Word (for 5-11 year olds). Find out more and book here
Jack and Sally visit Secret Garden Seaton Delaval. Find out more and book here.

Rainy Day Ideas

Tynemouth Aquarium - Find out more here
War Room Laser Tag - Find out more here
A new laser tag arena in Birtley offering lots of family fun. Expect a 5000ft sq arena with 24 laser guns, UV lights, laser beams, music and a fully licensed bar. Family deals and exclusive hire available.
BALTIC - Find out more here
Pop into Front Room for FREE coffee, tea, squash, snacks, WiFi or colouring. Check out one of the many FREE events taking place across the summer or visit the galleries and viewing areas.

Locomotion Museum Shildon - Find out more here
Locomotion Shildon is a fantastic FREE museum with train displays, model railways, train rides (small charge) and a fantastic train-themed playground. It is accessible, can be reached by car or public transport and has an indoor picnic area which is always a bonus.

Read our full guide to visiting here.

Bowes Museum - Find out more here
The Bowes Museum is a large museum in Barnard Castle with a wide range of exhibitions. Check out their website to see what's on at the moment.
Berwick Museum - Find out more here.
Visitors can enjoy family trails, the Northumberland Folk exhibition and step back in time and walk through Berwick's streets in the past. The museum and gallery are dog friendly too.

Head of Steam Museum Darlington - Find out more here
The Head of Steam Museum is a small but perfectly formed train museum with hands on exhibitions for kids. It is accessible and can be reached by public transport or car (see their website for information). You can see photos from Head of Steam & find out more in this blog post (we visited as part of a Wildlife Warriors Trail).

Angry Birds Golf / Clip n Climb / Namco at the Metrocentre - Find out more here
The Metrocentre is always a good shout on a rainy day. As well as shopping / going out for a meal, you can enjoy Angry Birds Golf, Clip n Climb or bowling/amusements/soft play at Namco. Read our full review of Angry Birds Golf here. The Metrocentre is easy to reach by car or public transport.

Ceramic Painting
Available at Crafty Corner South Shields, Pot-a-Doodle-do Berwick, Canny Crafty Gosforth, HotPotz Whitley Bay & The Creative Chicken at Kirkharle
The Word & South Shields Museum & Gallery - Find out more about The Word here and South Shields Museum here
We like to combine a visit with both of these attractions which are easy to reach by car or public transport and both FREE. There is a brand new exhibition opening at South Shields Museum on 17 May (Sheila from Shields, her cat and the rainbow).
Woodhorn Museum, Ashington - Find out more here
Until 31 October, visitors can enjoy the fabulous Northumberland Folk exhibition which re-imagines a miner's social club alongside the museum and usual attractions.
Victoria Tunnel, Ouseburn - Find out more here
Book a tour and experience life in a Victorian Waggonway. A good one to combine with a trip to Seven Stories / Ouseburn Farm / Ouseburn.

Soft Play
Soft Play is always a good rainy day option and they could definitely do with our support this year. Our favourite is The Fun Shack.
Segedunum Museum & Roman Fort - Find out more here
We love visiting Segedunum - it is somewhere which is very easy to visit via public transport (it's across the road from Wallsend Metro and Bus Station). The viewing tower offers magnificent views of the fort and Tyne, there is a small playground and gardens, cafes and various Roman displays and hands-on activities.

From the end of May, there is a new escape room style outdoor adventure game with characters in costume to try too (book online in advance).

Segedunum is a good museum to visit alongside Richardson Dees Park which is fantastic and just a short walk away.

Sunderland Winter Gardens - Find out more here
The museum is hosting a special birthday trail across the holidays. It is £2.50 per child and you have to solve 20 clues around saving our planet. There is a small prize.
Roman Army Museum - Find out more here
The Roman Army Museum is on Hadrian's Wall and managed by Vindolanda Trust - you can buy a discounted/combined ticket to both if you'd like to make a day of it. The museum is all indoors so ideal for visiting when the weather isn't so great. It features galleries explaining life as a Roman Soldier, a Roman School and more. If you are looking for somewhere to eat nearby, try Twice Brewed Inn or The Sill (the Sill is also worth popping into, it is free and mostly indoors).

The Roman Army Museum has free dedicated parking and you can access by the AD122 bus.
Amusement Arcades
This is a brilliant fall-back idea if you need to get out of the house, they usually require no pre-booking. We like Whitley Bay arcades as they are our closest.
Climbing Walls
A fab activity for tweens and teens, there are a few clip n climbs in the North East plus various independent climbing centres. Most will be busy during school hols and I would recommend booking in advance.
Flight Simulator & VR Gaming - Find out more here
This centre in Brunswick Village offers a range of VR gaming experiences, 4D racing and flight simulators. The minimum age for most experiences is 8+ but please double check on booking. A fab rainy day option for tweens and teens.
Trampoline Parks
Another popular choice for rainy days (again, they do get booked up in advance in school holidays so try and book early if you can). Our favourite is AirBox Bounce in Cramlington.
Ten Pin Bowling
Ten Pin Bowling is a good rainy day option - we like Concordia Cramlington, Gutterball (opposite Royal Quays) and Lane7 in Newcastle. I recommend booking as far in advance as you can.
Shipley Art Gallery - Find out more here
An art gallery sharing various exhibitions. Check out their website to find out what's on now alongside their Family Arts Festival which includes lots of bookable crafts and activities across the summer (every Tuesday and Thursday).
Bailiffgate Museum & Barter Books - Find out more about Bailiffgate Museum here and and more about Barter Books here
These two attractions are both indoors and less than a 5 minute walk from each other so ideal to combine.

Bailiffgate is an award winning museum which mostly shares the history of Alnwick and the surrounding areas. There are two floors of permanent exhibitions to enjoy and the top floor is a gallery which changes throughout the year.

Barter Books is the most wonderful second hand book shop with a mini train which runs above the bookshelves, a nice children's section and a brilliant tearoom (part of an old train station) and ice cream kiosk.

Alnwick is easy to reach by car or public transport. Dogs are welcome in Barter Books.

Swimming
Another classic rainy day option! Our favourite pools are Concordia in Cramlington, PaddlePod Shiremoor, Waves Whitley Bay and South Shields. I always think WaterWorld Prudhoe looks fun too.
Butterfly World & Preston Park Museum, Stockton-on-Tees - Find out more about Butterfly World here and Preston Park Museum here.

Butterfly World and Preston Park Museum share the same site so it is easy to visit both on the same day. Indoor options include Butterfly World, Preston Park Museum, the cafe by the playground, the Victorian Tearooms and Old Fashioned Sweet Shop. Preston Park has a large free car park and is accessible by public transport.

During school holidays (from 20 July - 31 August), Preston Park Museum will host drop in crafts in their music room every Tuesday and Thursday. Find out more here.
Whitley Bay Ice Rink - Find out more here
Whitley Bay Ice Rink is open for lessons and skating. It's easy to reach via public transport / car too.
Hatchet Harry's, Newcastle - Find out more here
Hatchet Harry's in an indoor axe throwing centre just behind the Centre for Life. It is suitable for over 8s and you can book family sessions. We loved our visit a few years ago and would recommend. Things can get competitive though! Hatchet Harry's is accessible by public transport (Central Station is the closest) or car.
Seven Stories, Ouseburn - FREE entry to two exhibitions, pre-book your time slot Find out more here
Discovery Museum, Newcastle - Find out more here
The Discovery Museum is running some fab events over half term (some need to be pre-booked so please check their website for information) and you can visit their galleries and exhibitions which are perfect for a rainy day. I like to combine with a trip to the Great North Museum and Exhibition Park for a brilliant free day out in Newcastle. The museum is easy to reach by public transport, Newcastle Train Station is just a short walk away.
Great North Museum, Newcastle - Find out more here
A trip to the Great North Museum is a brilliant free option. At the moment you can view their permanent exhibitions including a replica T Rex, model of Hadrian's Wall and their popular Ancient Egypt exhibition alongside 'Other Worlds : The Art of Atomhawk' which is available until the beginning of September. This design studio is based in Gateshead and contributed to films and video games such as Guardians of the Galaxy & Minecraft. The museum is easy to reach by public transport with Haymarket Metro and Bus Station being just a short walk away.
Climb St Mary's Lighthouse, Whitley Bay - Find out more here
It is free to visit the island but at the moment, you do need to book to visit and climb the lighthouse. Please check crossing times before visiting. The Facebook linked above will have the most up to date information.
Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle - Find out more here

You do not need to book to visit the free areas of Laing (the free exhibitions, cafe and shop) so this is a fab option if it's raining and you fancy a trip out but have nothing booked. The Laing Art Gallery is in Newcastle City Centre and easy to reach by public transport.
The Gate - Find out more here.

I highly rate The Gate as a brilliant rainy day option, especially with tweens and teens. There is loads going on including:

VR gaming and arcades at YUME World
Virtual Darts at WonderBar (we loved this and highly recommend)
Escape Room
CTRL Pad at The Gate
Selfie Central
Game of Throwing
CineWorld

Plus, you have a few food and drink options and Mr Mulligan's Golf is next door. The Gate is easy to reach by public transport (bus/train/metro to Newcastle City Centre) or car.

Mr Mulligans Crazy Golf - Find out more here
Mr Mulligans is a popular themed indoor golf course next to the Gate in Newcastle. They are due to reopen on 17 May and bookings are now being taken. Mr Mulligans is easy to reach by public transport (train/bus/metro to Newcastle City Centre) or car.
National Museum of the Royal Navy, Hartlepool - Find out more here
I have personally not visited this museum but I have heard lots of good reviews and might be worth a visit if like us, you've not been and fancy something new.
Newbiggin Maritime Centre - Find out more here
Newbiggin Maritime Centre is small but shares life in the historic fishing village. There is a lovely cafe and it is right by the sea too. They have lots of fab info on their website re: access and the museum is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Newbiggin bus terminal is a 2 minute walk from the centre.
Quasar Amusements South Shields - Find out more here
We love playing Laserforce here - an indoor multi level laser tag arena which is fab for young and old. South Shields is easy to reach by public transport and car, you can combine with The Word / South Shields Museum / the arcades / Dunes Soft Play & Bowling on a rainy day.
Oriental Museum Durham - Find out more here
This museum is devoted to the archaeology, art and cultures of North Africa and Asia.

FREE Days Out

This Summer, we have enjoyed FREE days out at:

Click here to read 15+ FREE cycling & walking routes to try (with downloadable maps)

If you have enjoyed this post and found it useful, here are some ways you can say thanks and support North East Family Fun:

1 - Tag me in any photos you share on Social Media if one of my posts has inspired you to visit or click here to buy me a virtual coffee

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