York Attractions for Children

(York, North Yorkshire, England, UK)

If you are holidaying in York with children, then various attractions are on offer, although if you have your own car and are prepared to travel outside of the city, then your choices are greatly expanded. For real excitement, the rollercoasters at both the Lightwater Valley Family Theme Park and the Flamingo Land Theme Park are perfect for a memorable day out.

You may also like to cool off at Water World (at Monk's Cross), or perhaps pay a visit to the York Model Railway, the Cruckley Animal Farm or the Staintondale Shire Horse Farm. For young children on a rainy day, indoor play centres are ideal, with the Deep Sea Den and the Wacky Warehouse being amongst the city's most popular.

Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo

Address: Kirby Misperton, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 6UX, England
Tel: +44 (0)1653 668287
The popular Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo is located at Kirby Misperton, to the north-east of York, and is a major tourist magnet. With numerous thrilling rollercoasters, fast fairground-style rides, cafés, picnic areas and playgrounds, the park also boasts one of the largest zoos in the area with more than 1,000 well-housed animals, including lions, tigers, elephants, exotic birds, sea lions and monkeys. The Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo also has a children's petting zoo, where you are able to touch some of the zoo's most friendly and cute animals.
Open hours: April to October, daily - from 10:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, families and seniors, children four years old and under are free

Water World

Address: Kathryn Avenue, Monk's Cross, York, YO32 9XX, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 642111
Water World is one of many popular children's attractions in York and is situated in the Monk's Cross district, within the northern suburb of Haxby. With two swimming pools, a wave machine, water slides, a lazy river, an area for younger children and a café, Water World provides excellent facilities for all the family, whatever the weather.
Open hours: Wednesday - 17:00 to 20:00, Friday - 16:00 to 20:00, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children

Barbican Centre Summer Playscheme

Address: Barbican Centre, Barbican Road, York, YO10 5AA, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 630266
Located in the Fishergate area of York, the Barbican Centre Summer Playscheme operates throughout the summer and provides a wide range of fully-supervised social activities for youngsters. These include all kind of games, painting, sports, swimming, trips and many other fun activities.
Open hours: summer, Monday to Friday - 08:30 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Lightwater Valley Family Theme Park

Address: North Stainley, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3HT, England
Tel: +44 (0)1765 635321
Less than an hour away and sited within the north-westerly cathedral city of Ripon is the Lightwater Valley Family Theme Park, which is one of Yorkshire's most popular attractions for families looking for a fun-filled day out. Home to many fast and exciting rides, including one of the longest rollercoasters in the world, attractions at Lightwater Valley include a theatre with regular shows for children, cafés, picnic areas, rides for younger children and a large car parking area.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors, young children are free

Cruckley Animal Farm

Address: Foston-on-the-Wolds, Driffield, East Yorkshire, YO25 8BS, England
Tel: +44 (0)1262 488337
Cruckley Animal Farm lies to the far east, in the neighbouring market town of Driffield, where it is full of friendly animals, including chickens, ducks, pigs, sheep and many baby animals, depending on the season. This is a working farm with numerous attractions for visitors, including a farm shop, educational displays and picnic areas.
Open hours: daily - 10:30 to 17:30
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors are children

Deep Sea Den

Address: Stockton on the Forest Inn, Malton Road, York, YO32 9TE, England
Deep Sea Den is one of the most popular soft-play centres in the region and is full of toys, ball pits and climbing equipment suitable for young children. Deep Sea Den is situated on the outskirts, to the north-east of the city centre.
Open hours: daily - from 12:00
Admission: free

York Saturday Club

Address: Burnholme Community College, Bad Bargain Lane, York, YO31 0GW, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 416580
Saturday Club, is operated by York City Council offers a wide range of fun activities, games and workshops for younger children in the Heworth area.
Open hours: September to Easter, Saturday - 09:30 to 12:00
Admission: charge

Staintondale Shire Horse Farm

Address: Staintondale, Scarborough, York, YO13 0EY, England
Tel: +44 (0)1723 870458
Staintondale Shire Horse Farm is an award-winning tourist attraction and can be found on the east side of the city, in the North York Moors National Park. Always popular are the Shire horses and Shetland ponies, while kids will also enjoy the playground areas, the museum and the gift shop. A cafe and picnic facilities are on hand for those in need of refreshments.
Open hours: May to September, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday - 10:30 to 16:30
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors

The Wacky Warehouse

Address: The Flying Legends Pub, Stirling Road, York, YO30 4XG, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 693239
The Wacky Warehouse, in the Clifton area of York, is a large soft-play centre, full of play equipment and climbing frames for young children. Highlights include areas for younger children, slides, bouncy toys and a nearby family public house, serving food.
Open hours: daily - 09:30 to 22:00
Admission: charge

York Model Railway

Address: Tea Room Square, York Station, York, YO2 2AB, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 630169
The York Model Railway can be found standing right next to the Train Station. With impressive fully-landscaped miniature railways, complete with tunnels, bridges, stations, carriages, a gift shop and a Thomas the Tank Engine train that children are able to operate themselves, this is popular with children of all ages.
Open hours: daily, March to October - 09:30 to 18:00, November to Friday - 10:30 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, families and seniors

TC's Play Barn

Address: Tom Cobleighs Riverside Farm, Shipton Road, York, YO30 1XJ, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 642525
TC's Play Barn at Tom Cobleighs Riverside Farm is full of climbing equipment, ball pits, tunnels, slides and soft-play areas for younger children. The play centre is part of a friendly, family public house and restaurant.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:30 to 21:30, Sunday - 10:30 to 21:00
Admission: charge