What to do in Newcastle with Kids

This post was published in February 2023. Please check with venues direct for the most up-to-date information before visiting.

This post covers over 75 fun things to do in Newcastle with kids and was originally published over on Visit-Newcastle. From free days out and activities to outdoor fun and the best places for treats with kids.

Click the blue title links to be taken direct to the venue's website and check the most up-to-date information.

This post is broken into the following sections:

Free museums and galleries in Newcastle
Outdoor fun in Newcastle
Other fun things to do in Newcastle
Family theatre in Newcastle
Cinema in Newcastle
The best treats in Newcastle

Free Museums and Galleries

Key:
🆓 - FREE Entry
💰- Admission Fee Applies
💧- Drop In Venue with No Booking Required
🎟 - Booking in Advance Advisable

👶 - Brilliant for Under 5s
🚸 - Perfect for 5-12 year olds
✌- Suitable for Teens (Maybe)

Great North Museum 🆓👶🚸💧
Seven Stories 🆓👶🚸💧
The Common Room 🆓🚸✌💧
Discovery Museum 🆓👶🚸✌💧
Laing Art Gallery 🆓👶🚸✌💧
BALTIC 🆓👶🚸✌💧
Newcastle City Library 🆓👶🚸✌💧
The Late Shows 🆓🚸✌💧

Great North Museum

Also known as the Hancock Museum, this is a North East institution! With Dinosaurs, Mummies and Roman Warriors amoungst many other exhibitions there is something for everyone.

Great North Museum is a favourite of ours and we have visited many times.

Seven Stories

Seven Stories is the National Centre for Childrens Books and they provide the only exhibition space in the UK wholly dedicated to the work of children’s writers and illustrators.

They have a collection featuring some of the most influential works and artists of the last 100 years of children’s literature, including Enid Blyton, Philip Pullman, Nick Sharratt and Judith Kerr.

It is now FREE to visit the galleries at Seven Stories and you don;t need to book in advance.

The Common Room

The Common Room is a unique heritage venue in the heart of Newcastle Upon Tyne with a big focus on STEM learning, innovation and engineering (past and present).

The Common Room is a charity which will lead the redevelopment of the Mining Institute with the support of a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant. Redevelopment work is already well underway and the building is now open for the public to visit.

Discovery Museum

The Discovery Museum is a free-to-visit attraction in the heart of Newcastle Upon Tyne focusing on Science and Local History.

There are several permanent exhibitions alongside regular temporary exhibitions and a fantastic programme of family events (usually free/low-cost).

Laing Art Gallery

Laing Art Gallery is over 120 years old and today is home to an internationally important collection of art focusing on British oil paintings, watercolours, ceramics, silver and glassware.

The Laing Art Gallery holds regularly changing exhibitions of historic, modern and contemporary art, and events including artist and curator talks and family activities.

BALTIC

On the South Bank of the River Tyne in a Vast converted mill with minimalist interiors BALTIC Centre for Contemorary Art hosts temporary shows by contemporary artists.

As well as the exhibitions uur kids love the super fast glass lifts and the views from the viewing platform are superb.

Newcastle City Library

Newcatle City Library is in the centre of Newcastle Upon Tyne on the corner of John Dobson Street. You can borrow books, audiobooks, board games and DVDs for free.

Late Shows (in May)

The Late Shows is an award-winning, free, late-night culture crawl. During The Late Shows, museums, galleries, studio collectives and heritage venues come together to offer one-off events including activities, behind-the-scenes tours, performances and parties.

It's the perfect way to sample the best of Newcastle and Gateshead's cultural offer in short taster visits.

Outdoor Fun in Newcastle

Key:
🆓 - FREE Entry
💰- Admission Fee Applies
💧- Drop In Venue with No Booking Required
🎟 - Booking in Advance Advisable

👶 - Brilliant for Under 5s
🚸 - Perfect for 5-12 year olds
✌- Suitable for Teens (Maybe)

Exhibition Park 🆓💧👶🚸
Quayside Walk 🆓💧👶🚸✌
Treasure Trail 💰🎟 🚸
Blue Plaque Trail 🆓💧🚸✌
Roof Terraces 🆓💧🚸✌
Ouseburn Farm 🆓💧👶🚸
Jesmond Dene and Pets Corner 🆓💧👶🚸
Screen on the Green 🆓💧🚸✌
Wild Intrigue Events 💰🎟 ✌
The Hoppings 🆓💧🚸✌
Newcastle Quayside Market 🆓💧✌
Jesmond Market 🆓💧✌
Wylam Brewery Food Battles 🆓💧✌
Gosforth Nature Reserve 💰💧👶🚸

Exhibition Park

Exhibition Park is one of our favourites and on a nice day you could spend all day there. There is a great play area for kids, a lovely walk around the lake.

You can get some cracking food from Urban Green Cafe and Wylam Brewey or you can just take a picnic.

There is also a skate park, croquet lawns and tennis courts so lots of activity for kids of all ages.

Walk along the Quayside

One of Newcastle highlights is the Quayside and a walk along the Tyne is such a good day out. To start with there are umpteen bridges, all different and unique.

Then there are multiple great restaurants, the baltic museum and The Sage, the Quayside market on a Sunday is also a fab place to buy street food and crafts from local merchants.

Treasure Trail

There are two Treasure trails in Newcastle, The Toon Trail and the Quayside Trail, for a reasonable price you can download the treasure map and you just head to the starting point and make your way following the map.

Blue Plaque Trail

There are several Blue Plaque in Newcastle Commemorating people, places and events that have been significant in Newcastle's history.

There is an Interactive Map you can follow and tick off as many as you can but more plaques are installed each year, so you can keep finding new ones again and again.

Roof Terraces

There are several bars in Newcastle that have roof terrace with amazing birdseye views of Newcastle, most allow under 18s during the day and they're a good option to enjoy mocktails with older kids/teens.

You can find great views on the Roof of Above, The Botanist and YOLO Townhouse amoungst others.

Ouseburn Farm

There is something so quirky about a city farm and having one in the heart of Ouseburn is such a joy. Ouseburn Farm is a FREE community farm and registered charity based 1 mile from Newcastle's city centre.

You're greeted by a Scarecrow in the Allotment area with Flowers, Fruits and Vegetables grown in beds, greenhouses and polly tunnels and then the farm yard has cows, pigs, chickens and small animals like guinea pigs and rabbits and there is also an indoor area with rodents and reptiles.

Jesmond Dene and Pets Corner

Jesmond Dene is a beautiful historic park in suburban Newcastle, located between Jesmond, Heaton and South Gosforth it is very easy to access via public transport and there is limited parking available too.

Pets Corner is FREE to visit and is home to goats, sheep, peacocks, rabbits, and more.

Screen on the Green (Summer holidays only)

Screen on the Green is a large, free, open air cinema at Old Eldon Square showing blockbusters and family favourites as well as sporting events throughout the summer.

You can watch some classic movies in a relaxed al fresco environment.

Wild Intrigue Bat Safari

Join Wild Intrigue on an urban wildlife safari to discover intriguing creatures of the night in Newcastle City’s lively hub, Ouseburn.

Setting off at sunset with bat detectors in hand, Wild Intrigue will guide you on a journey to track bats down as they emerge from their roosts for ‘breakfast’.

The Hoppings (Summer holidays only)

The Hoppings is Europes largest funfair and hosts over 400 of the country's biggest and brightest attractions from traditional favourites to the latest jaw dropping thrill rides.

Over half a million visitors a year The Hoppings boasts over a kilometre of Rides, attractions, gourmet cuisines and stalls.

Newcastle Quayside Market

Every Sunday from 9:30am-4pm, the Quayside is transformed into a canny little market where you'll find street food, local suppliers, food stalls, plants for sale, local art and much more.

Definitely the place for a Sunday morning stroll

Jesmond Market

On the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month on Armstrong Bridge you will find Jesmond Food Market. Market stalls and Street food pop ups serving tasty treats.

You will also find local butchers, green grocers and artisan bakers.

Wylam Brewery Food Battles

For the last few years Wylam Brewey have hosted a food battle. Past events have seen Battle of the Burgers, Slice Wars and Argy Bhaji.

Street food vendors sell their best products and at the end of the battle the public votes for the champion. Great food and a bit of fun as well.

Gosforth Nature Reserve

When you think nature reserve you think, of the countryside – away from the industrial revolution fuelled city – but it is literally on its doorstep.

It's quite hard to comprehend we live practically next door to 61 hectares of woodlands and wetlands, home to 1600 recorded species.

Other Fun Things to to in Newcastle

Key:
🆓 - FREE Entry
💰- Admission Fee Applies
💧- Drop In Venue with No Booking Required
🎟 - Booking in Advance Advisable

👶 - Brilliant for Under 5s
🚸 - Perfect for 5-12 year olds
✌- Suitable for Teens (Maybe)

Life Science Centre 💰💧👶🚸
Newcastle Castle 💰💧🚸✌
Junkyard Golf 💰🎟🚸✌
Mr Mullighans Golf 💰🎟🚸✌
Point Blank 💰🎟🚸✌
Toon Tours 💰💧🚸✌
Art Classes at Laing 💰🎟👶🚸✌
Film School at Tyneside Cinema 💰🎟✌
Hatchet Harry's 💰🎟🚸✌
Interactive Darts at WonderBar 💰🎟🚸✌
Theatre Schools 💰🎟🚸✌
Lane7 💰🎟🚸✌
CTRL Pad 💰💧🎟🚸✌
Sushi School 💰🎟🚸✌
Blackfriars Children's Cookery School 💰🎟🚸✌
Children's Afternoon Tea 💰🎟🚸✌
Geek Retreat 🆓💧🚸✌
Victoria Tunnel Tour 💰🎟🚸✌
Four Quarters 🆓💧🚸✌
Stepney Bank Stables 💰🎟🚸✌
Mocktails at The Alchemist 🆓💧🚸✌
Newcastle United Stadium Tour 💰🎟🚸✌
Visit Hoults Yard 🆓💧🚸✌
Newcastle Climbing Centre 💰🎟🚸✌
Play Pool 💰🎟🚸✌
Shopping 🆓💧🚸✌
Dog and Scone 💰🎟✌
Cat Cafe 💰🎟🚸✌
Pottery Painting 💰🎟👶🚸✌
YuMe World 🆓💧🚸✌
Jewellery Making 💰🎟✌
Fenwick Events 💰🎟🚸

Life Science Centre

Newcastle Castle

I always think that Newcastle Castle is a bit of a hidden gem. There are interactive elements and lots of chances to learn about the grim history of the castle (including prisoners and executions).

The castle puts on a great range of events across the year and school holiday activities plus the views of the Tyne and across the city from the castle roof are unrivalled.

Make sure you read our guide to Newcastle Castle to give you an idea of what to expect.

Junkyard Golf

Junkyard Golf is primarily an over 18s venue but under 18s are allowed to join in the fun Sun-Thurs before 7pm when accompanied by an adult. Expect three themed indoor courses including a creepy underground circus!

Mr Mulligans Golf

Mr Mulligans is a fab all-round entertainment venue to visit with kids in Newcastle. There are three themed indoor crazy golf courses, electro-darts, ping pong plus a restaurant and bar area.

Point Blank

Point Blank is primarily an over 18s venue but they do run special family-friendly sessions during the day and across school holidays. Expect a simulation shooting range with over 200 different scenarios. No bullets are fired, it's all done using state of the art laser technology.

Toon Tours

These special open top bus tours around Newcastle usually run from April - September and allow you to sit back, take in the sights and learn a thing or two about our city.

Art Classes at Laing

Laing Art Gallery run art classes for all age groups including under 5s and teens/young people.

Film School at Tyneside Cinema

Tyneside Cinema run workshops across the year for 10-19 year olds. Topics include animation, film making and a free film academy. Harry has attended one of these workshops and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Hatchet Harry's

Suitable for ages 8+, Hatchet Harry's is an indoor urban axe throwing experience. It's a fab activity to get competitive with or improve your skills. Highly recommended by us too.

Interactive Darts at Wonderbar

We love playing interactive darts and would recommend to families with older kids at the WonderBar. There are a range of fun games to choose from and it's an inexpensive way to spend an hour (from £15 per group). You can order food and drinks to your table too.

Jungle Jack's Soft Play - NOW CLOSED

Did you know that there's a soft play in Eldon Square? Jungle Jacks is open daily from 10am-5pm, has a two story play frame and a baby/toddler area too.

Theatre Schools in Newcastle

Theatre Royal offers Youth Theatre for ages 5-19 years and Young Company for ages 14-19 runs at Northern Stage.

Gorilla Bowling - NOW CLOSED

Gorilla Bowling in Eldon Square has lots going on for families including Ten Pin Bowling, Karaoke Room, Interactive Darts, Pool, Table Tennis, Live Sports plus a bar with great food and drinks options (including My Delhi Indian Street Food on weekends).

Lane7 Bowling

Another fab city-centre entertainment venue is Lane 7 (but do note, U18s have to leave after 7pm). Expect Ten Pin Bowling, Ping Pong, Karaoke, Pool and Duck Pin Bowling as well as food and drink options.

CTRL Pad

Find this gaming lounge inside the Gate and discover a range of retro classics alongside new releases and modern games. Pricing is super reasonable at £6 per hour and if you'd like to reserve a particular console, just pop them a message on Social Media and they'll arrange that for you.

Blackfriars Cookery School

Blackfriars run cookery workshops for children from around age 7 to adult. These always receive brilliant reviews and there are different themed classes available depending on the time of year (eg Easter Egg Making or Student Cooking Basics).

Sushi Masterclass

Yo! Sushi run sushi masterclasses for ages 5-12 (or older kids can join in with the adult classes). They're well-priced at £15 and all children will receive a certificate for taking part (and can takeaway their creations to enjoy at home too).

Children's Afternoon Tea

Children's afternoon tea is available at various venues across Newcastle including the Vermont.

Geek Retreat

Geek Retreat is a comic book shop and table top gaming cafe. You can just pop in or they host regular special events and tournaments. See their social media pages for details of upcoming events.

Victoria Tunnel Tour

Suitable for ages 8+, the Victoria Tunnel Tour takes you on an underground adventure where you will learn some interesting facts about Newcastle's past and what exactly the tunnel was used for. I thoroughly enjoyed this tour and would definitely recommend.

Four Quarters Gaming Bar

Four Quarters is a bar filled with arcade machines and retro games. Under 18s are welcome to come along before 7pm when accompanied by an adult. Either bring your own quarters to play (if you have some lying around) or exchange £ for them on arrival.

Stepney Bank Stables

These stables in Ouseburn offer riding classes for all ages plus school holiday activities and events including Pony Days and Dressage.

Mocktails at the Alchemist

Under 18s are welcome in the restaurant area at The Alchemist and can enjoy a range of theatrical and flamboyant mocktails. The Bubblygum and Frube are popular options.

Newcastle United Stadium Tour

A must for any NUFC fan, stadium tours allow you to walk through the tunnel, visit the dressing rooms, experience the media room and much more. There are autism friendly tours too.

Visit Hoults Yard

Hoults Yard is an independent business hub and home to the famous Proven Doughnuts and Cake Stories. Definitely one of the best places to stop for cake and hot chocolate in the city.

Newcastle Climbing Centre

Newcastle Climbing Centre is a premier indoor climbing centre in the North East suitable for ages 5+. Expect varied challenges including roped walls and bouldering. There are dedicated kids clubs, school holiday sessions, courses, taster sessions or you can just book a regular climb.

Play Pool

Pool is available at Spotwhite, Gorilla Bowling and Lane 7.

Shopping

Obviously you are spoilt for choice when it comes to shopping in Newcastle. My kids always have to pop into Forbidden Planet whenever we're in town.

Dog and Scone

Suitable for children aged 11+ or over 135cm tall, Dog and Scone is heaven for dog lovers. You can enjoy a drink and a bite to eat whilst relaxing with some cute pooches.

Cat Cafe

Mog on the Tyne is suitable for ages 5+. You will find cakes and brownies from local favourite Pet Lamb Pattiserie alongside sanwiches and refreshments to enjoy in the company of cats.

Pottery Painting

Relax with some pottery painting at The Pottery Experience in Jesmond or Canny Crafty Gosforth.

YuMe World

We love YuMe World! Find them upstairs in the Gate. No need to book to visit - simply join in, top up a gaming card and enjoy the large range of arcade and VR games.

Jewellery Making

The Glamorous Owl run workshops where families can create their own silver bangles or rings. This sounds like a brill activity to enjoy with older kids or teens.

Fenwick Events

Fenwick run a range of events across the year and it's always worth checking to see what's on. From pizza and cupcake making in school holidays to Santa on the rooftop and festive films over Christmas.

Family Theatre in Newcastle

Northern Stage

Northern Stage is a unique theatre experience with quirky productions and amazing staging. The largest producing theatre in the North East of England, from the heart of Newcastle.

Theatre Royal

Theatre Royal really is the Crown Jewell in the Newcastle theatre scene in the historic Grade I listed building which opened in 1837.

Many great names of the English stage have trodden its famous boards; from Keane to Irving, Olivier to Dench as well as Hollywood greats Orson Welles, Charlton Heston and Jack Lemmon.

Sir Ian McKellen even once described Newcastle Theatre Royal as his favourite theatre.

Live Theatre

Live Theatre has an international reputation as a new writing theatre. As well as producing and presenting new plays, it seeks out and nurtures creative talent.

Alphabetti Theatre

Alphabetti Theatre is an award winning, artist led performance space in Newcastle upon Tyne, formed in 2012.

Their venue on St James Boulevard has two stages, the main theatre space can hold 80 people and is set up in thrust with raised audiences on three sides.

Tyne Theatre and Opera House

Tyne Theatre & Opera House is a Grade I listed building on westgate road and is an independent not-for-profit venue and a registered charity.

All profits go back into the maintenance and preservation of the building for the benefit of future generations.

People's Theatre

The People's Theatre is the leading non-professional theatre company in the North of England and one of the largest and oldest established in the country.

Founded in 1911, the People's Theatre has been bringing great entertainment to the region for over one hundred years. Staging up to fourteen productions a year in a 500-seat Main Auditorium.

Cinemas in Newcastle

Everyman

Everyman is redefining cinema, where you swap your soft drink for a nice glass of red wine and a slice of freshly made pizza served to your seat.

With a wide array of mainstream, independent and classic films, special events, launches and a diverse calendar of live satellite broadcasts, there is something for everyone at Everyman.

Cineworld (the Gate)

The biggest blockbusters in some innovative screens. IMAX, 4DX, ScreenX and SuperScreen means it's not just a regular viewing experience.

Tyneside Cinema

Tyneside Cinema is a thriving arts hub and registered charity which aims to enrich people’s lives by thinking differently about and through film.

Tyneside Cinema are dedicated to screening the best new releases from the UK and beyond and are the home of great film in the North East and the region’s leading independent cinema.

Star & Shadow Cinema

Star and Shadow Cinema is a volunteer-run DIY space for Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, and the north east UK.

It is set up as an open-to-join co-operative housed in a building it owns, dedicated to culture coming from and/or programmed by the grass roots - particularly cinema and music.

Special Occasion Treats in Newcastle

There are loads of places to book a meal in Newcastle, but here are some of our favourite places to take the kids for a special occasion.

Choose Treats from Grainger Market

The Grainger market is the sprawling emporium in the heart of Newcastle City Centre. Butchers, Fish Mongers and Green Grocers aplenty but also artisan bakers, cake makers, crafts people and collectibles.

Street Food also has a big showing at Grainger Market with Pizza, Chinese Dumplings, Fried Chicken and Mac n Cheese amoungst others.

Visit Proven Doughnuts

Proven Doughnuts change their flavours each month so there is always something new to try. Expect seasonal flavours and exciting combos plus the most instagrammable hot chocolate in Newcastle.

Epic Pancakes from The Dispensary

The Dispensary is the place to go in Newcastle for loaded pancakes with injectable flavour. They offer seasonal specials too which always look very tempting.

Smashburger

Smashburger are the place to go for award-winning 'real' burgers with a range of toppings. Expect fast service and lots of options to customise.

Cookie Dough from Creams Cafe

Creams Cafe is where you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to desserts, waffles, shakes and cookie dough. Perfect if your kids have a sweet tooth.

Ice Cream Mark Toney

Mark Toney is a traditional ice cream parlour in Newcastle. They have been serving award-winning Italian ice cream for over a century.

Di Meos Gelato on Ouseburn Riverside

Or if you're in the Ouseburn area, you must pop to Di Meos Riverside for their traditional Gelato.

Make Your Own Pizzas in Newcastle

Kids love to make their own pizzas and theere are a few places they can do this in Newcastle including Babucho, Twenty Twenty, Pizza Punks and Gusto.

COSMO World Buffet

My kids love an all you can eat buffet and Little Cosmo in Newcastle is a brilliant option for hungry kids. There are over 100 dishes to choose from ranging from noodles and pizzas to chocolate fountains and cheeseboards.

Bubble Tea

Bubble Cha has two locations in Newcastle (Stowell Street and Haymarket) and you'll find a large range of flavoured tea and bubble toppings including Passion Fruit, Chocolate and Cherry.

Fujiyama

Your food is cooked in front of you at Fujiyama and the kids can get involved in various challenges alongside their meal. It's great fun.

Looking for other ideas? Check out the following posts: