Looking For Cheap Days Out?

With the school holidays fast approaching and fine weekends (almost) a certainty, trying to think of something new and fun to do with the kids is a top priority. To help you try and find something that doesn’t break the bank, here are our suggestions… Of course, if you have ideas of your own or are holding an event yourself just add them in the comments below.

Wall Walking

Head to York and walk the walls then head to the National Railway Museum (website here). It’s only a few hundred metres from the York Station. With free entry and an amazing range of trains, plus a plethora of activities for children, it’s our number one choice.

Route Canal

Go for a walk along the Pocklington Canal. Start at Canal Head by the A1079 and head south along the towpath, home to wildflowers and wildfowl. Take a book or use an app to help identify them all. It’s even possible to take a boat trip – if you fancy it then click here for more details.

Transport Trip

Spend a day in Hull, visiting the Streetlife Museum of Transport (website here) and enjoy 200 years of transport history (free entry). Follow this by the Seven Seas Fish Trail, a 3km trail around the Old Town with 41 pieces of fishy sculpture from a tiny anchovy to a 10’ ray – you can find out more by clicking here.

Treasure Hunt

Harrogate offers a Treasure Trail for children through the town’s Valley Gardens. Download your clues here for £6.99, help Captain Heave Ho find his buried treasure and enjoy the 17 acres of parkland, gardens, wood-land and recreation areas. Ideal for pushchairs and dogs too.

Cave Crawling

Knaresborough offers the unique attraction of Mother Shipton’s Cave, by the River Nidd, complete with toys turned to stone and ancient prophecies. It takes between three and five months to turn a teddy to stone! Click here for all the details. Follow it up with a walk around the Castle grounds. Don’t forget it’s Bed Race Day on 14 June – you can visit the website by clicking here.

History Lesson

Eden Camp at Malton is a very different kind of museum as it’s based on a World War 2 Prisoner of War camp. A chance to see what life was like 70 years ago and even visit the War News Reading Room, with the front page of a newspaper from every day of the war. You can also visit an air raid shelter, learn all about rationing, and explore the inside of a U-Boat, visit the Eden Camp website here for prices, times and all the details.

Watch The Birdie

Go east to the coast and visit the RSPB site at Bempton Cliffs (website here) to see more than 200,000 birds nesting on the cliffs, from gannets and puffins to kittiwakes and razorbills, a truly remarkable location. Plus the car park is only £5.00.

Rock N’ Roll

Go west to Nidderdale and enjoy the spectacular Brimham Rocks. (website here). The huge rock formations carry names like the Dancing Bear, the Gorilla and the Eagle and form a natural labyrinth and obstacle course. With only parking to pay for, it’s a great family day out. If the kids still are feeling energetic after that, travel a few more miles to the Coldstones Cut for more fresh air and exercise.

Minster Tours

Beverley Minster (website here) has free entry and free Wi-Fi for their guided tour of this wonderful building, plus you can even take a roof-top tour for a small fee (Not open to under 7s). Head to the Westwood afterwards for space to run and play.

Bigger Birds

Duncombe Park near Helmsley is the home of The International Centre for Birds of Prey and a place sure to fascinate the kids with regular flying demonstrations of the birds during each day and the ‘Hawk Walk’ letting you get close to the falcons, eagles and buzzards resident there. Get all the details by clicking here.

Perfect Picnic

Castle Howard (website here) is the stately home, near Malton, set in extensive grounds and the setting for Brideshead Revisited. If you are just looking for somewhere relaxed for a picnic, there is no charge to park and visit the courtyard coffee shop, garden centre and parkland. The landscaped gardens and house are well worth a visit.

Keep It Simple

Just go outside. Download on of the many Nature Scavenger Hunts from the internet (or make up your own) and let your kids loose in the garden or park, as they search for all the items on the list. A great way to look closely at local bugs, beasties, flowers and trees. See…
Nature Scavenger Hunt
Printable Scavenger Hunt
Photo Scavenger Hunt
Earth Day Scavenger Hunt
Nature Hunt