Newcastle Attractions for Children

(Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England, UK)

If you are visiting Newcastle as a family with young children, then there are certainly plenty of attractions to enjoy, although the best will usually involve a little journey. Located to the east of Newcastle city centre, next to Whitley Bay and Tynemouth Park, the Blue Reef Aquarium stands on the Grand Parade and is one attraction that always appeals, whatever the weather.

Close by and within the North Shields area is the Wet 'n' Wild Water Park, where fun water slides and a wave pool are amongst the most enticing attractions. For a memorable day out, head south of Gateshead and spend some quality time playing with actual JCB diggers at Diggerland Durham.

Blue Reef Aquarium

Address: Grand Parade, Tynemouth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE30 4JF, England
Tel: +44 (0)191 258 1031
The city's popular Blue Reef Aquarium attraction is located on the seafront and is full of marine life. Highlights include underwater tunnels, large sharks, friendly stingrays, turtles, graceful sea horses, living coral, poison dart frogs, Asian otters, harbour seals and many other marine creatures. Look out for the vast 200,000-litre tropical ocean tank, the feeding demonstrations and talks, and the visitors' centre, as well as the colony of Amasonian monkeys. There are many hands-on educational exhibits as you explore the tanks, while a café and a gift shop are to hand when you have seen enough.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and groups

Ouseburn Farm

Address: Ouseburn Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 2PA, England
Tel: +44 (0)191 232 3698
The centrally located City Farm is always extremely popular with visiting families. Full of friendly farmyard animals, such as sheep, pigs, goats and chickens, many of which can be petted and fed, the farm certainly offers a taster of rural life. Children will always enjoy playing in the outdoor playground. Also onsite is a café serving up basic refreshments, together with many activities and seasonal events.
Open hours: daily - 09:30 to 16:30
Admission: free, donations welcome

Wet 'n' Wild Water Park

Address: Rotary Way, Royal Quays, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE29 6DA, England
Tel: +44 (0)191 296 1333
The exciting Wet 'n' Wild Water Park is situated within the Royal Quays and comes with numerous fast water slides, water flumes and spa facilities, as well as a wave pool, a relaxing lazy river, Jacuzzis and a restaurant. This is the largest water park in the whole of the UK and is an indoor attraction, so perfect for an inclement day, any time of the year. Meadow Well is the closest Metro station, while buses are available from the Wallsend Metro. Alternatively, if you are driving here, then you will be pleased to learn that the car park is free and boasts around 300 spaces.
Open hours: June to mid-September, Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 20:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 19:00; mid-September to May, Wednesday and Thursday - 12:00 to 19:30, Friday - 12:00 to 20:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 20:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, groups of 12 or more and arrivals 2 1/2 hours before closing time

Diggerland Durham

Address: Riverside Industrial Estate, Langley Park, County Durham, DH7 9TT, England
Tel: +44 (0)191 373 3883
Diggerland can be found in County Durham, to the south of Newcastle and within the Langley Park / Wheatley area. With strict supervision, young children and adults get the chance to ride and operate actual mechanical diggers. Other highlights at Diggerland include an arcade area, a café, a bar and a bouncy castle. For safety reasons, height restrictions are in place for some of the activities. The most popular attractions include the Dirt Diggers, the Giant Diggers, the Sky Shuttle, the Diggerland Train, Robot Driving, the Landrover Safari, Mini Landrovers, Tractor Rides, the Joyrider, JCB Rides and the Spindizzy. You can even use the diggers to play a game of skittles, or join in a treasure hunt.
Open hours: mid-February to early November, hours vary. July and August, daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and groups